Milkfat production increases due to an advisory programme aimed at increasing the feed supply on dairy farms

M.J. Mace and D.C.V. Peterson

Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Rotorua and Central Plateau Farm Management Consultants Inc., Rotorua

Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production. 1979, 39: 148-153

On pumice soils, stocking rates are relatively low owing to low pasture dry matter production. Lucerne out-yields pasture on most pumice soil types. In the early 1970s a number of factors combined to create an interest in growing lucerne for grazing dairy cattle. Local advisory services saw the potential of lucerne and actively promoted it.

Over a period of seven seasons, Rotorua district total milkfat increased by 30% while national production dropped by 10%. In addition, the area of lucerne on ten intensively advised farms increased by 32%, production per cow by 45%, and production per hectare by 61% (data from six seasons only). Central Plateau region and New Zealand production increases over the period were, respectively, 21 and 22% per cow and 12 and 14% per hectare.

It is suggested that the extra feed available from increased plantings of lucerne has been a major factor in the production increases. Most of the farmers who initially planted lucerne for grazing were encouraged to do so by advisers.

Keywords: NZSAPAB;

Last Updated 12-09-1998