Clover Hill Dairies

Project Profile

Issues

Clover Hill Dairies (CHD), run by seventh generation dairy farmers Michael, Lynne and Nicholas Strong, has developed a highly efficient, sustainable and profitable farming enterprise that supports both agricultural production and biodiversity enhancement, working in harmony together. In the past six years, the herd size has increased from 80 to 210 milking cows, with the milk volume increasing from 800,000 litres to 2.5 million litres. Today, CHD is one of Australia’s most water efficient milk production systems with the herd holding numerous milk production records and is also one of the highest producing pasture fed herds in Australia.

Project Detail

The Strong Family’s Clover Hill Dairies in Jamberoo has been nominated for a National Landcare Award for their ability to balance an exceptionally efficient dairy system and farm in a high conservation value landscape.

Clover Hill Dairies (CHD), run by seventh generation dairy farmers Michael, Lynne and Nicholas Strong, has developed a highly efficient, sustainable and profitable farming enterprise that supports both agricultural production and biodiversity enhancement. In the past six years, the herd size has increased from 80 to 210 milking cows, with the milk volume increasing from 800,000 litres to 2.5 million litres. Today, CHD is one of Australia’s most water efficient milk production systems with the herd holding numerous milk production records and is believed to contain the highest producing pasture fed cows in Australia.

Set over 100 hectares, CHD is located at the headwater of three major tributaries of the Minnamurra River, a sensitive wetland and mangrove environment. Only 50 hectares of the property is farmed, with the other half containing important remnant rainforest communities fenced off to prevent stock access. Starting from the ground-up, the Strongs are focused on maintaining good soil fertility and structure and grass cover, which has helped avoid the problems of erosion, soil loss and pugging associated with other high-intensity farms.

CHD has generated and matched funding of $250,000 through partnerships with Southern Rivers CMA (SRCMA), Landcare Illawarra, Small Farms Network and National Heritage Trust Envirofund, as well as Community Waterwise, Advance Australian Agriculture and NSW DECC.  The funding is part of a six-year farm plan that aims to eliminate casual stock access from all farm watercourses, minimise essential stream crossings for stock, machinery and vehicles and provide off stream stock watering points and shade.

The CHD team are passionate industry advocates dedicated to promoting programs showcasing the people and places behind the food we eat and encouraging students into farming.  As mentor and Chairman of Dairy Youth Australia, Lynne Strong is the driving force behind the delivery of community events and education programs that celebrate the diversity, sustainability, creativity and progress of primary industries. CHD regularly host farmer field days and discussion groups, overseas delegations and conferences and work with a number of local and international universities in the UK and Canada, opening the farm for work experience, honours and PhD thesis students and as a research facility.

Clover Hill Dairies is one of 88 finalists in the National Landcare Awards to be announced in Canberra on 24 June 2010. Commencing in 1991, the Awards celebrate the achievements of individuals and groups that make a valuable contribution to the land and coast where they live and work.

Photography

Lynne Strong - Clover Hill Dairies