Dairy Boosts Efficiency and Reduces Waste with Detailed Farm Maps

For Tony Skipper, managing a 600-cow, predominantly grass-fed dairy farm had always been based on memory.

“A lot of our work was just done on knowledge and old experience,” Tony recalls.

While that worked in the past, it wasn’t without challenges. Small differences in paddock sizes — as little as 0.4 of a hectare — meant cows could end up hungry, fertiliser was wasted, and contractors were left calling with questions throughout the day.

Farm Mapping Services stepped in to provide a clear solution.

The team created detailed maps showing paddock boundaries, irrigation zones, water troughs, laneways, and sheds.

Alongside the maps, Tony received a large magnetic whiteboard for the dairy shed and A4 map sheets for contractors.

The impact was immediate. Feeding decisions became precise, with no more guesswork on paddock sizes. Contractors could work independently, saving Tony’s time.

“We gave one of the new fellas a map, and we didn’t have to hear from him for the rest of the day. He just followed it,” says Tony.

Fertiliser use also improved, with accurate paddock sizes ensuring the right mix for each area and no over-application.

The whiteboard, now a central tool in the dairy, keeps the team aligned.

“We write on the board, stick magnets — a week in advance — so people can just come in, see the map and can get to work.”

Reflecting on the experience, Tony says, “Farm Mapping Services just made it so easy to follow. They take all the guesswork out.”