Lincoln University Dairy Farm (LUDF) has completed another challenging season, with wet spring and summer conditions affecting pasture utilisation, feed management and production across the farm. In this episode, Anne Lee speaks with Antoinette Archer and Peter Hancox about the season, the farm’s wintering strategy and the management decisions made to prepare for the year ahead.

Host:
Anne Lee, Senior Journalist, Dairy Country

Guests:
Antoinette Archer, Partnership and Demonstration Lead, LUDF
Peter Hancox, Farm Manager, LUDF

 

Antoinette Archer explains that LUDF finished the season slightly below its milk production targets after two consecutive wet years created difficult growing conditions for the farm’s pasture-based system. She says wet spring conditions reduced pasture utilisation and increased the need for supplementary feed, while weed pressure and lower dry matter content in some paddocks affected the amount of feed cows were able to harvest. Antoinette discusses the farm’s production results, nitrogen use, feed inputs and the steps being taken to improve pasture quality and performance heading into next season.

Peter Hancox discusses how weather conditions shaped management decisions throughout the year, from reduced irrigation demand during a wet summer to increased supplement use during a cold, dry autumn when pasture growth slowed significantly. He also explains LUDF’s approach to drying cows off based on condition score, winter grazing management and preparing the herd for calving. The pair also outline plans for LUDF’s upcoming Focus Day that’s being held off farm, where farmers will hear about pasture-based wintering systems, benchmarking opportunities and practical lessons from both LUDF and other Canterbury farming businesses.

Sign up to the weekly DAIRY Country email newsletter here: https://dairycountry.co.nz/sign-up/

Lincoln University Dairy Farm (LUDF) has completed another challenging season, with wet spring and summer conditions affecting pasture utilisation, feed management and production across the farm. In this episode, Anne Lee speaks with Antoinette Archer and Peter Hancox about the season, the farm&rsquo;s wintering strategy and the management decisions made to prepare for the year ahead.
Host:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Anne Lee, Senior Journalist, Dairy Country</li>
</ul>
Guests:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Antoinette Archer, Partnership and Demonstration Lead, LUDF</li>
<li aria-level="1">Peter Hancox, Farm Manager, LUDF</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Antoinette Archer explains that LUDF finished the season slightly below its milk production targets after two consecutive wet years created difficult growing conditions for the farm&rsquo;s pasture-based system. She says wet spring conditions reduced pasture utilisation and increased the need for supplementary feed, while weed pressure and lower dry matter content in some paddocks affected the amount of feed cows were able to harvest. Antoinette discusses the farm&rsquo;s production results, nitrogen use, feed inputs and the steps being taken to improve pasture quality and performance heading into next season.
Peter Hancox discusses how weather conditions shaped management decisions throughout the year, from reduced irrigation demand during a wet summer to increased supplement use during a cold, dry autumn when pasture growth slowed significantly. He also explains LUDF&rsquo;s approach to drying cows off based on condition score, winter grazing management and preparing the herd for calving. The pair also outline plans for LUDF&rsquo;s upcoming Focus Day that&rsquo;s being held off farm, where farmers will hear about pasture-based wintering systems, benchmarking opportunities and practical lessons from both LUDF and other Canterbury farming businesses.
Sign up to the weekly DAIRY Country email newsletter here: <a href="https://dairycountry.co.nz/sign-up/">https://dairycountry.co.nz/sign-up/</a>

DAIRY Country is your mainstay in dairy farming as your trusted source for adding value to your dairy farming business with seasonal on farm stories and exclusive technical advice weekly with your host, Anne Lee.

Formally the NZ Dairy Exporter since 1925, DAIRY Country is part of the CountryWide network based in Canterbury, New Zealand.

Get in touch with our Anne Lee - anne@countrywidemedia.co.nz if you have a great insight to share with our
thousands of readers and listeners in New Zealand and around the world.

Don’t miss our weekly episodes of the DAIRY Country Podcast by hitting the subscribe button now and join our DAIRY Country weekly email newsletter to get the latest in-depth stories in your mailbox so you are always ahead of the game in the
business of dairy farming into the future.

DAIRY Country is your mainstay in dairy farming as your trusted source for adding value to your dairy farming business with seasonal on farm stories and exclusive technical advice weekly with your host, Anne Lee.
Formally the NZ Dairy Exporter since 1925, DAIRY Country is part of the CountryWide network based in Canterbury, New Zealand.
Get in touch with our Anne Lee - anne@countrywidemedia.co.nz if you have a great insight to share with our thousands of readers and listeners in New Zealand and around the world.
Don&rsquo;t miss our weekly episodes of the DAIRY Country Podcast by hitting the&nbsp;subscribe button now and <a href="https://dairyexporter.co.nz/sign-up/">join our DAIRY Country weekly email newsletter</a> to get the&nbsp;latest in-depth stories in your mailbox so you are always ahead of the game in the business of dairy farming into the future.