How Payne Ranch Optimised Operations with SenseHub Dairy

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December 2, 2024

Farmers

Mike and Becca Payne:
Payne Ranch

Location

Waiuku South
Auckland

Farm Size

188ha (150ha Dairy
and 38ha Beef)

Herd Size

400 Cows,
50 Beef

Payne Ranch Ltd is a thriving dairy operation owned and managed by Mike and Becca Payne. For the past two years, they have been using Dataflow II (MSD Animal Health’s desktop version of their monitoring solution), incorporating in-shed feeding and Bale ID to optimise their rotary shed operations.

Nestled in Maioro, South Auckland, the ranch spans 188 hectares, with 150 hectares dedicated to dairy farming and 38 hectares for beef. Mike and Becca, along with their four children and one worker, Mary Milligan, run a well-oiled machine, overseeing a full autumn calving herd with a 10-week mating period.

Becca is the fourth generation to work on this farm. Her great-grandfather purchased it in 1918, followed by her grandfather in 1953, and then her uncle in 1985. The farm left the family in 2010, but Mike and Becca bought it back in 2022. Over the years, the farm has evolved: it housed cows and sheep from 1918 to 1965, transitioned to sheep only from 1965 to 1975, and has been solely a dairy farm since 1975. Now on its fifth cowshed, the farm embodies a rich history and tradition.


As a team, Mike thrives on the diverse responsibilities of stock work, machinery, and pasture management, while Becca enjoys the flexibility to assist wherever needed, whether it’s on the farm or handling administrative tasks. Mary, their dedicated worker, brings a wealth of experience with dairy cows and goats, making her an invaluable asset to Payne Ranch. The Payne children—Lockie (10), Rhett (9), Aria (7), and Harris (5)—each contribute their unique interests and skills, from pest control and motorbikes to a love for animals and machinery.

“The system also made the process of drafting dry mobs and springer mobs during calving time remarkably stress-free. The automation and accuracy of the collars ensured that these groups were managed efficiently, reducing the workload and stress for the team”


REBECCA PAYNE

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