Extended Lactation Trial Update 12 November 2026

This project compares the impact on productivity, profitability, people and the environment on three farms:

Baseline Farm – Spring calving, twice-a-day milking, 3.0 cows/ha
Extended Lactation TAD Farm – 50% herd calving each year, full season twice-a-day milking, 3.0 cows/ha
Extended Lactation OAD Farm – 50% herd calving each year, full season once-a-day milking, 3.0 cows/ha

This project is funded by DairyNZ, MPI – PSGF & NDDT

Update 12^th November 2026	Baseline Farm	EL TAD Farm	EL OAD Farm
Average Pasture Cover (kg DM/ha)	2,299	2,280	2,345
Pasture Growth (kg DM/ha/d, last 2 weeks)*	78	69	71
Rotation Length last 10 days (days)	27	27	27
Cows into vat/Total Cows	78/79	79/80	79/80
Average Body Condition Score (EL = Extended Lactation, NC = New Calvers)	4.2 NC Cows	4.8 EL Cows 4.0 NC Cows	5.2 EL Cows 4.3 NC Cows
SCC last 5 days (‘000)	114	165	132
Litres/cow/day (5d herd average)	19.3	16.9	12.8
Kg MS/cow/day (5d herd average)	1.80	1.74	1.33
Kg MS/ha/day	5.21	5.07	3.88
Kg MS/cow, season to date	188	211	166
Kg MS/ha, season to date	555	624	492
Supplement offered (kgDM/c/d)	0-2.3 PKE	0-2.3 PKE	0-2.3 PKE
Purch Supp Fed, season to date (kg DM/c)	PKE 316 Baleage 61	PKE 396 Baleage 128	PKE 379 Baleage 125
Home made Silage on Hand (kgDM/cow)	127	106	147
Managers Worry Score (1 = Low, 10 = High)	2	2	2
Rainfall (last two weeks)	84 mm

*Pasture growth rates are calculated using platemeter readings in conjunction with Halter estimates

CURRENT MANAGEMENT

Warm rain over the last week has recharged soil moisture levels and boosted pasture growth.
All herds have been getting 2.3kgDM/c/d PKE but this is dropping down as residuals rise. If there is surplus pasture we will likely use it to extend the rotation heading into summer
Mating is progressing well with 91% submitted in three weeks, and 99% at six weeks. We will now change to beef straws for 2 weeks then SGL for the remainder.
Calves average 110kg liveweight and are going off farm to grazing at the end of the month