Episode 116 - Truly integrated farming

Willesden Farms is a diverse Canterbury farming business, spanning more than 6,500 hectares across Banks Peninsula, Kaitorete Spit and the Canterbury Plains. Anne Lee speaks with General Manager Matt Iremonger about the evolution of the farming operation, its recent dairy expansion and the role innovation is playing in improving both productivity and environmental outcomes. Host: Anne Lee, Senior Journalist, Dairy Country Guest: Matt Iremonger, Willesden farms   Matt discusses the development of an 800-cow composting barn in Kaituna Valley and explains why the system was chosen to help manage challenging weather conditions, protect soils and improve animal welfare. He shares insights from the farm’s first season using the facility, including how it performed during significant rainfall events, the opportunities it creates for nutrient management and feed utilisation, and the role it plays in supporting the wider farming system. Matt also talks about Willesden Farms’ long-standing commitment to biodiversity, extensive native bush restoration projects, partnerships with local rūnanga and how the business balances environmental stewardship with strong commercial performance across its dairy, sheep and beef enterprises. Read the article from the Winter 2026 issue of CountryWide here: https://country-wide.co.nz/truly-integrated-farming/ Sign up to the weekly DAIRY Country email newsletter here: https://dairycountry.co.nz/sign-up/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.