Align Emilius

Emilius is based in Ealing, just off State Highway 1. Sam Mallard and Tracey Thomas contract milk with pride – having taken on Emilius in June 2015.

Originally part of one larger farm, totalling 416 effective hectares. But when Align purchased the land in 2014, Emilius was separated into its own standalone operation.

After being equipped with a new cow shed, calf and implement shed, water system, fencing, a 60,000-cubic-metre irrigation pond, and a substantial regrassing programme, Emilius was ready to start supplying Synlait Milk by December 2014. Emilius now also supplies A2 Milk. The farm’s irrigation water is provided by Mayfield Hinds Irrigation Scheme and associated groundwater. Fixed Grid Irragation was installed in 2024.

Emilius is named after John Emile Buchanan. John Jr., as he sometimes referred too. John is a member of the Buchanan family and also heads up our Align Foods business after joining the team in 2022.

  • Location

    Ealing, Mid Canterbury, New Zealand

  • Shed

    60 Bail rotary with cup removers & in-shed meal feeding

  • Irrigation

    90% Pivot Irrigated, 10% Fixed Grid

  • Supplementation

    800kg/cow

  • Supplies

    Synlait - Lead with Pride

180

Hectares

700

Cows

320

Milk Solids

1

Team

Farm Team

Sam Mallard, Farm Manager

Sam Mallard Farm Manager

Tracey Thomas, Farm Manager

Tracey Mallard Farm Manager

Rajnil Pratap, 2IC

Rajnil Pratap 2IC

Emilius and our regenerative study

Emilius still runs on our conventional farming system. This is an important part of our study, as it gives us a benchmark to measure our regenerative-run farms against. To date, our regenerative learnings have been able to inform elements of our conventional farming practices. They have given us the confidence to extend our grazing rounds, introduce diverse pastures, and lower our nitrogen use.