Choice chicory delivers summer certainty for Hauraki sharemilkers

Hauraki Plains sharemilkers Brad and Courtney Edwards know a thing or two about navigating the challenges of dairy farming in a region renowned for its changeable conditions.

Brad Edwards

Farming 230 cows on a 90 ha milking platform near Ngatea, the couple have made it their mission to lift productivity by focusing on homegrown feed.

For them, Choice chicory has become the cornerstone of their summer strategy.

“Our goal was to build more summer resilience into the system,” Brad Edwards says. “We’ve had seasons where pasture quality drops off fast in December, and we didn’t want to rely on too much imported feed to keep things going. Choice offered a way to reduce that need while improving cow performance.”

The Edwards began incorporating Choice chicory into their pasture renewal programme, under the guidance of their local Agricom sales rep, Jamin Benton.

With a desire to both refresh tired paddocks and maintain milk production during summer dry spells, the couple saw the potential in Choice’s high energy, high protein leaf.

The results came quickly.

“Once the herd hits the crop in December, we see an immediate lift in milk production, easily around 10%,” Brad Edwards explains. “It’s highly digestible, the cows love it, and it holds that production curve when grass quality starts to slip.”

He is quick to point out that the benefits go beyond just milk in the vat.

“There’s a real animal health gain too. We’ve noticed reduced heat stress and improved cow behaviour during hot spells. It’s a leafy crop with a low stem-to-leaf ratio, so all cows in the herd transition really well onto it.”

A focus on doing the basics well has been key to their success with chicory.

He recommends identifying paddocks early for renewal, conducting autumn soil tests, and addressing any pH or fertility issues before spring.

“You’ve got to feed the crop properly,” he says. “Underfeeding chicory or cutting corners on prep is the quickest way to get disappointing results.”

Patience, he adds, is just as important.

“There are a lot of old grandad sayings like always plant on Labour Weekend, but it’s better to wait for the right soil conditions. Good timing and a clean spray out make all the difference.”

For this couple, the decision to bring Choice chicory into the system has also helped futureproof the business.

With rising costs and increased volatility, they’ve found confidence in a forage they can rely on, season after season.

“It’s not just about production. Choice has given us the ability to rotate crops strategically, tidy up weeds, and introduce new grasses like Legion. That whole renewal cycle has helped us build a more efficient, lower cost system with less dependence on imported feed.”

Their approach is clearly working.

Earlier this year, they were named Hauraki/Pukekohe Regional Sharemilkers of the Year, a recognition they’re proud of.

“It’s pretty humbling, but we’ve just kept things simple,” Brad Edwards reflects. “We’ve stuck to what works and focused on quality homegrown feed. Choice chicory is a big part of that success.”

When asked if he’d recommend it to other farmers, he doesn’t hesitate, “Absolutely. For us, it’s delivered consistency, performance, and peace of mind, in a place like the Hauraki Plains, where seasons can throw anything at you.”