Ngā Helters Composting

The impact of composting shelters on dairy farm systems.

Composting shelters are attracting growing interest from dairy farmers looking to operate more efficient, resilient and profitable businesses.

To date, limited knowledge within the New Zealand pastoral context has been available to support farmers and rural professionals in their evaluation of the system.

This project builds on the knowledge base of farmers and technical experts to provide information that can be used as a starting point for those seeking to understand the potential impacts of composting shelters on their own farm business.

The project was led by one of our consultants Rachel Durie, with support and input from Keith Woodford of AgriFood Systems Ltd. We were also grateful for the involvement of one of our Māori trust clients, as well as participation from existing composting shelter farmers.

The project was funded by Our Land and Water through its Rural Professionals Fund 2021–22.

Project Summary

A summary of the full report and analysis can be downloaded here.

It includes:

  • Project background and description
  • Farmer interview summary
  • Composting shelter case study modelling including:
    • Physical performance
    • Environmental performance
    • Financial performance
    • Whole farm business & investment analysis
  • Te Taiao evaluation
  • Conclusion & farmer quotes

The video below also provides an overview of the project and its key findings.

Our Land and Water

Lee Matheson

Tumuaki Whakahaere
Kaiwhakahaere Matua

B.Appl.Sc (Hons), FNZIPIM (Reg)

Nā tana whakapakeketanga i Pōneke i haere mai ai a Lee ki tana mahi nei. He Tāhū Paetahi Pūtaiao Otaota, ā, he mātanga hoki a Lee ki te tāhua mākete. Nā tana tūranga Pouwhakahaere e kore e kaha a Lee ki te puta ki ngā pāmu, heoi anō ki te puta atu ia ki waho, ka hākoakoa katoa ngā koko o tōna ngākau. He ahakoa kai te tari e mahi ana a Lee ināianei, kai konei tonu ia e kaha ana ki te tohutohu ki te arahi ki te tuku i ana matauranga rautaki a pāmu , ona whakaaro auaha, ana matauranga a Kāwanatanga, te mātai whakangao me te rangahau ohaoha ki ngā taringa pakiki.

A waho atu i a Perrin Ag, he tangata aroha ki te whakaako whutupōro, te mātakitaki i ana tokotoru e pakeke tupu ana me te ngaki māra tahi me tana hoa rangatira a Haidee.

"E aroha ana ahau ki te whakamana i ngā tāngata i o mātau wāhanga tuatahi me te ngahau o te kite i ngā kiritaki e tutuki ana i a rātau hiahiatanga. Mēnā ka taea e tātau te whakahauhau i nga kaiahuwhenua kia whakauru ki o rātau kiritaki, kia nui ake te whakauru hohe ki a rātau mekameka putanga me te tirotiro i a rātau umanga mā tētahi arotahi whānui ake, kātahi ka whakaaro ahau he nui ake te wā e heke mai ana a tātau mahi."