A range of data, including milksolids production and rainfall, is now collected from farms in Greymouth, Westport, Ikamatua and Kowhitirangi. Every season the farms are analysed to identify trends and a comparison is made between seasons (going back to 2008). This information is shared through field days, discussion groups, emails and weekly DairyNZ Farmwatch reports.
The project is supported by DairyNZ, Westland Milk Products, CRV-Ambreed and Ravensdown - ARL Labs
About the farms
Ikamatua
Owner: Andrew Mirfin
Herd size:810 crossbreed
Farm size: 300ha
System 4
The Ikamatua monitor farm completed its third season of irrigation in 2013/14, with just under 30 percent of the property under pivot irrigation, which draws water from the nearby river.
Greymouth
Owners: Andrew & Michelle Robb
Herd size: 885 crossbreed
Farm size: 385ha
System 3
The Greymouth monitor farm is a recent replacement in the monitor farm programme and has a farm programme which includes extensive use of a 400 cow herd home and stand-off facilities over the winter and early spring period.
Westport
Owner: Cheryl Gallagher
Farm size: 85ha
Herd size: 236 Jersey
System 2
The Westport monitor farm has a large portion of the grazing area that can remain under water when the Buller River is in flood.
Kowhitirangi (near Hokitika)
Owners: Tane & Rachel Little
Farm size: 120ha
Herd size: 270 Jersey
System 2
The Kowhitirangi monitor farm has the highest annual rainfall of all the farms in the monitor farm project.