F6. WAIMATE WEST

984 Normanby Rd, Manaia

Operated by Dairy Trust Taranaki

Size: 34ha   

Stocking rate 3.1 cows/ha

Key features:

• Winter milking dairy farm investigating the relevance of diverse pastures including chicory, plantain, legumes, and alternative grasses.

• Aims to assess milk production, pasture growth, soil health, animal performance, and nitrogen loss under different pasture mixes.

• Provides on-farm insight into the potential of diverse pastures to improve climate resilience, feed quality, and system sustainability.

Talks & tours

Diverse Pastures

Learn about Dairy Trust Taranaki’s 7-year trial testing diverse pasture systems.  This on-farm study compares conventional pastures with species-diverse swards across two matched farmlets. Get insights into how pasture mixes evolve over time, challenges in establishment, and the practical implications for farm systems.

• 11 Nov 2.30pm-4pm (Tues)

• 13 Nov 2.30pm-4pm (Thu)

Free admission. Registrations open, limited spaces available.