Return on Investment for 10 Halter Dairy Farms
Proven performance, powered by change
Across New Zealand, farmers are transforming how they work and what they achieve with Halter.
An independent study by AgFirst and Transform Agri analysed ten high-performing dairy farms, from Waikato to Southland. The results were clear - farms using Halter achieved on average:
9% increase in pasture eaten
9.5% more milk solids per hectare
13% lift in profit before tax
and these results are in addition to reducing inputs, labour hours and improvements to work/life balance.
But these gains didn’t come from technology alone. They came from change. From teams rethinking how decisions are made, how pastures are managed, and how time is spent. Farmers combined Halter’s real-time insights, virtual fencing, and cow behaviour data with strong leadership, team management and smarter systems to unlock more productive, profitable, sustainable, and enjoyable farming.
This is what happens when technology empowers people to work differently, and better.
The Research
Research led by
James is based in Waikato and specialises in business planning, farm systems design, environmental management and agribusiness projects, with experience across New Zealand and internationally. A 2023 Nuffield Scholar and former leader in several agricultural organisations, he promotes the evolving role of farming consultants in an increasingly technology-driven industry.
Julian is a farm management consultant based in the central South Island of New Zealand working primarily with the Dairy sector. He works across a range of farm management disciplines including financial, nutrition, agronomy, soils, animal production, succession and strategic development.
Case studies: Farms featured in the research
The study analysed ten dairy farms across New Zealand - five from the North Island and five from the South. Explore each farm’s background, the management changes introduced with Halter, and detailed performance results.
Hines Farm
Milking around 430 cows on 170 ha, Hines Farm lifted milk production by 33% per hectare and reduced nitrogen use by 24%. Labour time dropped by up to three hours a day during calving.
Gray Farm
A 173 ha farm milking 500 cows, Gray Farm achieved a 7.8% lift in pasture eaten and a 6.4% rise in milk solids. The 6-week in-calf rate improved from 76% to 80%, while clinical ketosis was eliminated.
Mountainview Farming Trust
Milking 320 cows across 163 ha, Mountainview increased pasture eaten by 15% and improved labour efficiency by 47% fewer hours per FTE. EBIT rose 11%, with less stress and greater job satisfaction.
Ovation Farms
Running 480 cows on 160 ha, Ovation lifted milk solids by 8.4% per hectare and cut empty rates from 19% to 10.5%. Staff hours reduced by nearly 30%, with mating performance up 13%.
Grassmere Farms
A family business milking 900 cows across two platforms, Grassmere increased pasture eaten by 4.3% and EBIT by 16%. Staff numbers fell by 1.5 FTEs while reproduction and pasture quality improved.
Ngāi Tahu – Waimakariri Farm
Milking around 1,000 cows on irrigated flats, pasture harvested rose 7.2% and milk solids per hectare increased 10%. Staff engagement and efficiency improved, with better use of AI and herd management.
Cloverdale Maronan Farm
A 640-cow operation on 230 ha, Cloverdale lifted pasture eaten by 6% and improved 6-week in-calf rate by 6%. One full-time role was removed post-calving, reducing fatigue and streamlining operations.
Willowcliff Farm
Milking 1,270 cows on 363 ha, Willowcliff increased pasture eaten by 22% and milk solids by 19%. Staff reduced by two FTEs, while reproductive performance and profitability (EBIT +29%) soared.
Kokoamo Farms
A 1,800-cow, 510 ha system, Kokoamo lifted pasture eaten 7% and milk solids 4%. Staff engagement doubled, winter labour dropped 60%, and EBIT improved by 1% despite lower nitrogen use.
Harakeke Farm
Milking 680 cows on 217 ha, Harakeke grew pasture eaten by 10% and lifted milk solids per hectare by 8.5%. EBIT rose 19%, with staff hours down 14% and lameness reduced by 60%.
Unlock more productive, profitable, sustainable, and enjoyable farming with Halter
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