21 October 2011

2 minute read

Oceania

The visit to DairyNZ’s Scott Farm on Wednesday, 2 November is ahead of the industry good organisation’s annual meeting that afternoon.

Chicory and plantain will be under the microscope of DairyNZ scientist Dr Julia Lee. She will be discussing a trial looking at the different defoliation management effects on the growth and survival of chicory and plantain. These herbs are becoming increasingly popular with farmers due to their high production of high quality feed during summer and autumn.

Principal scientist Dave Clark will look at how we can make dairy farming more profitable and productive while at the same time reducing its environmental footprint. This is part of the new Pastoral 21 next generation farm system experiment at Scott Farm designed to answer this question.

The issue of ryegrass persistence as part of improved pasture performance will be addressed by senior scientist Dr Errol Thom. He will discuss information coming out of the long-term research programme taking place in Northland, Waikato, Taranaki, Manawatu and Canterbury that started in 2010.

Also up for discussion with Dr Chris Burke, DairyNZ’s reproduction team leader, are key findings from recent studies highlighting the critical importance of cycling status before mating begins and the benefits early cycling has on conception rate.

The farm visit starts at 10am at DairyNZ’s research farm facilities at Scott Farm, 208 Vaile Road Hamilton. Lunch is provided at the Annual Meeting venue after the research farm visit. Farmers wanting to secure a place on the farm visit and lunch, should RSVP to 0800 4 DAIRYNZ (0800 4 324 7969).

DairyNZ’s Annual Meeting will be held at Claudelands Conference and Exhibition Centre, Brooklyn Road, Hamilton at 1 pm on Wednesday, 2 November. A review of last year’s performance will be presented by DairyNZ Chairman John Luxton, and the results of the director elections announced.

TheCattleSite News Desk