Future Farm Systems Trial Update 29 May 25

 

 

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

  1. Baseline (Current) Farm – Kikuyu & ryegrass based pastures with up to 190 kg N/ha/annum, 3.1 cows/ha
  2. Alternative Pastures Farm – Tall fescue & cocksfoot based pastures, up to 190 kg N/ha, 3.1 cows/ha
  3. 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 29th May 2025 Baseline Farm Alternative Pastures Farm Low Emissions Farm
Average Pasture Cover (kg DM/ha) 1,961 1,831 1,944
Pasture Growth (kg DM/ha/d, last 2 weeks) * 38 35 46
Rotation Length (days, last 10 days) 58 67 54
Cows in Milk/Total Cows 0/84 0/85 0/66
Production/cow/day (kg MS/cow) – – –
Production/ha/day (kg MS/ha) – – –
Production/cow season to date (kg MS/cow) 430 398 450
Production/ha season to date (kg MS/ha) 1,289 1,188 1,002
Supplement Offered (kg DM/cow/day) 0 0 0
Purchased Supplement Fed season to date

(kg DM/cow)

 PKE 583

Baleage 214

 PKE 546

Baleage 251

 PKE 331
Homegrown Silage Fed to date (kg DM/cow) 340 239 360
Homegrown Silage on hand (kg DM/cow) 0 0 136
Average Body Condition Score (Milkers) 4.50 4.79 4.53
Nitrogen to date – 2024/25 Season (kg N/ha) 173 174 0
Managers Worry Score (1 = Low, 10 = High) 4 6 2
Rainfall (last two weeks) 63

*Pasture growth rates are calculated using uncalibrated platemeter readings

CURRENT MANAGEMENT

  • Pasture covers got too high on the Low Emissions Farm and kikuyu growth was inhibiting the Italian ryegrass seedling growth. To help control this we cut 12% of the farm for silage.
  • With 22% of the farm out for re-grassing, the Alternative Pastures Farm has been struggling for adequate pasture cover. Recent nitrogen applications along with this warmer weather should help getting this back on track.
  • We will introduce supplement and lengthen the rotation out to 80-100 days next week on the Baseline and Alternative Pastures Farms now that the new season is beginning. We hit our 800kgDM/c supplement cap on these farms in April so were unable to feed PKE in May.
  • Cow condition has been steadily improving, we are on track to have all cows 5.0+ by calving.

Nitrogen will continue behind the cows at 60 kg/ha Sustain.