Our philosophy
is simple:
​
Happy Healthy Soils
=
Happy Healthy Animals
=
Happy Healthy People.
​
Farm Philosophy
Our vision includes building a resilient and diverse small-to-medium scale farming enterprise. We aim to support multiple families working within the business while providing positive ecosystem services to the local community.
We adhere to this philosophy by implementing practices that have become widely known as “Regenerative Agriculture”.
What Do We Mean by Regenerative?
The term "Regenerative" is interpreted in many ways in the farming industry today. Here’s what it means to us at Matakana Meadows: Regenerative practices align with nature, promoting and building soil biology, soil carbon, water quality, biodiversity, and overall ecosystem function.
We strive not only to sustain what we have but to make it healthier, more vibrant, and capable of supporting more people for generations to come.
​
Ours Soil Practices
No Synthetic Fertilizers
​
We do not use synthetic fertilizers on our farm.
​Minimal Chemical Use
​​
We avoid chemicals on our pastures and use very minimal chemicals in other areas, aiming to eliminate them entirely.
Adaptive Grazing Management
​
We utilize adaptive grazing management to promote pasture diversity and root growth.
Our Herd
The Heart of Matakana Meadows Raw Milk
​
Our herd are more than a group of cows – they are a cherished part of our family. We are currently milking 20 cows, with 10 being milked year-round. To ensure the consistency of our milk, we practice rolling calving, allowing us to maintain a steady supply of high-quality milk. We aim to give each cow a good break each year giving them at least 3 month on
maternity leave, when they will go grazing with the beef herd until just before calving.
Introducing Our Dairy Herd
Each of our dairy cows has a name and a unique personality. We spend a lot of time with them, getting to know their individual quirks and behaviors.
This personal connection is what makes our small, low-stress boutique herd special.
​
We also want our customers to feel a connection with the cows that their milk is coming from, this is why we have the profile pictures of all the cows supplying the vending machine up in our self-service shop daily.
​
Our Approach to Milking
We milk once a day, and our cows primarily graze on grass. When additional feed is necessary, we supplement with a bit of silage or hay. This approach allows us to manage our small herd with care and attention, ensuring that each cow receives the best possible care.
Our commitment to quality, our farming practices and our close relationship with our herd is what makes our milk special. We invite you to experience the difference that comes from a small, well-cared-for herd and our dedication to producing the finest milk possible.
​
Our Animal Care
Pasture-Based Diet
​
Our ruminant animals (cows and sheep) are fed only pasture or supplement feed made from pasture, such as hay and silage.
Homeopathy
​
We use homeopathy as our preventative and first response to health issues. If an issue persists, we resort to veterinary options, but that animal will be withheld from direct to market supply for at least three times the recommended period in the case of milk-producing animals, or withheld completely in the case of meat-producing animals.
​Natural Mineral Supplements
​
We offer natural mineral supplements ad-lib.
