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Welcome to the Waimate West Demonstration Farm. WWDF is situated 5km inland from Manaia in the heart of the highly productive dairying area of the Waimate Plains in South Taranaki. |
The demonstration farm was first established in 1917.
The farm's focus has always been to demonstrate the latest farming systems and techniques to encourage the district's farmers to improve productivity and profitability to enhance the overall wealth of the district, province and the nation.
Farm profile
| Farm area |
34.5ha effective |
| Milking cows |
142 cows depending on trial requirements |
| Soil fertility |
Egmont Black Loam |
| Paddocks |
40 (0.86 ha paddocks) |
| Dairy infrastructure |
16 aside herringbone cowshed Two milk vats for herd comparison Feed pad for feeding supplementary feed trials |
Current trials
Integrating high yielding crops into the dairy farming system
Thirty of the 40 paddocks are allocated to the cropping treatment, with 108 of the Jersey cows (4.2 cows/ha). 10% of the farm is established in crops, with the aim of sustainably generating 40 tonnes/DM/ha from these cropping areas over an 18 month period.
The trial is to evaluate how much additional dry matter can be generated and the systems required to covert this sustainably into extra milk solids production and profit.
The treatment is being compared with a control on 10 paddocks with 34 cows (4 cows/ha) in a self-contained, all-grass system.
The major funders of this three year trial are the MAF Sustainable Farming Fund, DairyNZ and the Taranaki Regional Council.
Events
At least two open field days are held each year. Generally these are held in mid-spring and February.
Field days will be held at other times of the year if the need or opportunity arises.
Farm Walks
Find out more about the regular Farm Walks at Waimate West Demonstration Farm.
