Future Farm Systems Trial Update 2 April 2026
This project compares the impact on productivity, profitability, people and the environment on three farms:
- Baseline (Current) Farm – Kikuyu & ryegrass based pastures with up to 190 kg N/ha/annum, 3.1 cows/ha
- Alternative Pasture Farm – Tall fescue & cocksfoot based pastures, up to 190 kg N/ha, 3.1 cows/ha
- Low Emissions Farm – Kikuyu & ryegrass based pastures, designed to reduce methane emissions by 25% and nitrous oxide by 50%, no nitrogen applied, 2.3 cows/ha
This project is funded by DairyNZ, MPI (Sustainable Food & Fibre Futures) and Hine Rangi Trust.
| Update 2nd April 2026 | Baseline Farm | Alternative Pasture Farm | Low Emissions Farm |
| Average Pasture Cover | 1,899 | 1,719 | 1,982 |
| % farm out for regrassing | 9% | 12% | 9% |
| Pasture Growth (kg DM/ha/d, last 2 weeks)* | 41 | 32 | 43 |
| Rotation Length (days, last 10 days) | 34 | 34 | 37 |
| Cows in Milk/Total Cows | 81/81 | 82/82 | 64/64 |
| SCC (000’s) | 95 | 90 | 144 |
| Production/cow/day (kg MS/cow) | 1.35 | 1.26 | 1.38 |
| Production/ha/day (kg MS/ha) | 3.92 | 3.71 | 3.20 |
| Production/cow, season to date (kg MS/cow) | 403 | 388 | 402 |
| Production/ha, season to date (kg MS/ha) | 1,194 | 1,143 | 939 |
| Supplement Offered Milkers (kg DM/cow/day) | 3.3 PKE
3.7 Baleage |
3.3 PKE
7.3 Baleage |
4.2 PKE
4.7 Baleage |
| Purchased Supp Fed, season to date (kg DM/c) | PKE 700
Purch bale 24 |
PKE 647 | PKE 379 |
| Homegrown Silage Fed to date (kg DM/cow) | 67 | 130 | 177 |
| Homegrown Silage on hand (kg DM/cow) | 266 | 225 | 325 |
| Average Body Condition Score (Milkers) | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Nitrogen to date – 2025/26 Season (kg N/ha) | 170 | 164 | 0 |
| Managers Worry Score (1 = Low, 10 = High) | 3 | 4 | 2 |
| Rainfall (last two weeks) | 117 | ||
*Pasture growth rates are calculated using uncalibrated platemeter readings
CURRENT MANAGEMENT
- Rain last week has boosted pasture growth, however pasture covers have not lifted due to mulching kikuyu.
- All kikuyu paddocks are being mulched and under-sown with Italian ryegrass as they are grazed. We are now around halfway through and should be completed before the end of April.
- We will slow down the round to >40 days to stretch out the remaining un-mulched paddocks and allow time for the mulched paddocks to recover before we need them. This will require more supplement for the next couple of weeks.
- Cows continue to milk pretty well, no talk yet about taking culls out or drying any off.