Donald's Farm NZYF

Donald's Farm NZYF Owned by NZ Young Farmers (NZYF), Donald's Farm operates as a commercial dairy farm. The farms aim i

21/08/2026

A few hours in the life of Carlos… 🚜🐄

There’s no such thing as an “average day” when you’re managing a working dairy farm.

One minute you’re in the milking shed, the next you’re on the tractor, checking paddocks, moving stock, fixing something that wasn’t on the list… and somehow the list keeps growing. 😂

Here’s a little glimpse behind the scenes with our Farm Manager, Carlos, and just a few of the jobs that keep Donald’s Farm ticking along each day.

It’s busy. It’s hands-on. It’s unpredictable…and we wouldn’t have farm life any other way. 💚

🎥 Come along for a few hours with Carlos…

18/08/2026

Who doesn't love some fermented grass? 🤣🐄

Judging by this lot... absolutely no one!

Silage might not sound particularly appetising to us, but for the herd at Donald's Farm, it's definitely worth lining up for. 😋 Made by preserving pasture through fermentation, silage provides a valuable source of feed when fresh pasture growth is limited, particularly through the cooler months.

And judging by the enthusiasm at the feed face today, we'd say it's getting some pretty solid reviews.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Would recommend.
– The Donald's Farm herd 😂

🐝 A sure sign that spring isn't too far away...Winter has certainly made itself known at Donald's Farm, with frosty morn...
11/08/2026

🐝 A sure sign that spring isn't too far away...

Winter has certainly made itself known at Donald's Farm, with frosty mornings, crisp blue skies and some of the coldest temperatures we've seen this season. But amongst the winter chill, there was a welcome reminder that warmer days are on the horizon…the honey bees were out and about making the most of the sunshine.

Our beehives play an important role in the farm's ecosystem, supporting pollination and helping us share the importance of biodiversity with the many students who visit throughout the year. Before long, we'll also be welcoming back our Horticulture & Apiculture (Beekeeping) students for another season of hands-on learning.

We're looking forward to seeing the hives buzzing with activity again this spring! 🌸🍯

🌱 Future farmers are already hard at work!It's been a busy and exciting week at Donald's Farm as students from Brookby S...
09/08/2026

🌱 Future farmers are already hard at work!

It's been a busy and exciting week at Donald's Farm as students from Brookby School have been visiting to spend time with the calves they'll be showing at this year's Agriculture Day.

After choosing their own calf, the students have been learning how to groom, lead and care for their animals, developing patience, responsibility and confidence along the way. We're thrilled to see such fantastic enthusiasm this year, with almost double the usual number of calves being prepared for Brookby School's Agriculture Day on 20 September.

Agriculture Day is a wonderful tradition that celebrates our rural heritage, encourages hands-on learning, and brings the community together around the next generation of young farmers.

We can't wait to see all the students and their calves shine on the day. Good luck to everyone involved, we'll be cheering you on! 🐄💚

Every community needs a place where people come together. At Donald's Farm, that's exactly what we're striving to create...
05/08/2026

Every community needs a place where people come together. At Donald's Farm, that's exactly what we're striving to create.

Throughout the year we welcome students, volunteers, teachers, industry partners and community groups onto the farm not only to learn about agriculture, but to connect with one another.

This week, that vision received another boost when Anthony and Jess from Bunnings Warehouse Botany visited to donate a brand-new BBQ.

It may seem like a simple piece of equipment, but it will become part of countless school visits, volunteer days and community events for years to come. We're incredibly grateful, Bunnings Warehouse New Zealand (Botany), for your generosity and for investing in the Donald's Farm community.

Something exciting is taking shape at Donald's Farm...We've been busy behind the scenes working on something we're reall...
03/08/2026

Something exciting is taking shape at Donald's Farm...

We've been busy behind the scenes working on something we're really looking forward to sharing with you.

That's all we're saying for now... 😉

Keep an eye on our page over the coming weeks as we can't wait to let you in on what we've been up to. 🌱 Watch this space...

We were trying to capture a nice photo of these two little calves...Instead, we caught them both mid nose lick! 😂Believe...
02/08/2026

We were trying to capture a nice photo of these two little calves...Instead, we caught them both mid nose lick! 😂

Believe it or not, calves (and cows) lick their noses all the time to keep them clean and moist, which helps them smell their surroundings more effectively. So while it looks like they're pulling funny faces, they're actually just doing what calves do best!

We'd say they nailed the pose anyway. 😄🐄

Join us for a Community Planting Day at Donald's Farm!We're looking for schools, community groups and organisations who ...
30/07/2026

Join us for a Community Planting Day at Donald's Farm!

We're looking for schools, community groups and organisations who would like to roll up their sleeves and help us make a lasting difference. This August, Donald's Farm will be hosting a Community Planting Day to support our wetland restoration and conservation initiatives, and we'd love to have you involved.

Whether you're a school group looking for a hands-on environmental learning experience, or a community organisation wanting to give back, this is a fantastic opportunity to:

🌱 Learn about wetland ecosystems and biodiversity.
🌳 Help plant native trees.
🐦 Support local wildlife and conservation efforts.
👩‍🌾 Experience a working dairy farm while learning about sustainable farming practices.

We've got the native trees, the equipment and the passion, we're just looking for some enthusiastic planters to join us!

If your school or community group would like to be involved, we'd love to hear from you. Simply send us a message and we'll work with you to plan a day that suits during August.

Together, we can help grow something that will benefit future generations. 💚

Many people know Donald's Farm as a place where thousands of students visit each year to learn about New Zealand agricul...
28/07/2026

Many people know Donald's Farm as a place where thousands of students visit each year to learn about New Zealand agriculture, but not everyone knows the story behind its name.

Donald's Farm was generously gifted to New Zealand Young Farmers by Donald Pearson, whose vision was to create opportunities for future generations to learn, grow and thrive within New Zealand's primary industries.

That legacy continues today.

Recently, the Grand Final of the FMG Young Farmer of the Year competition was held in New Plymouth, where some of the country's most talented young farmers put their skills to the test.

The competition challenged contestants across a range of practical and technical disciplines, including:
- Practical farming challenges
- Technical modules
- Public speaking
- Quiz knowledge

Watching the next generation demonstrate their passion, knowledge and practical skills was a fantastic reminder of why Donald Pearson's gift continues to make such a lasting impact.

We're proud to be part of developing New Zealand's future farmers, one generation at a time.

Address

Auckland
2576

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Donald's Farm NZYF posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Donald's Farm NZYF:

Shortcuts

Featured

Share

Category