Farm Focus
Commissioned in 2002, Lye Farm is home to some of the most advanced indoor dairy research facilities in the southern hemisphere. Activities on this farm focuses on milk harvesting and intensive indoor research work.
Farm profile
| Farm area | 100 ha (effective 95 ha) |
| Milking cows | 330 (herd size changes depending on scientific requirements) |
| Soil type and fertility | Mainly Peaty Silt Loams |
| Paddocks | 93 paddocks of 1 ha each |
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Dairy infrastructure |
30-bail rotary dairy with:
These facilities allows more intensive milk sampling and milking machine cow interaction studies to be undertaken, including udder health. Animal barns: Used for indoor feeding trials
The facilities are used for intensive feeding and nutritional studies providing information on:
Laboratories:
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Main Functions
Research
At Lye Farm, modern facilities make it possible for DairyNZ scientists to focus research on milk harvesting and intensive indoor work.
State of the art rotary and herringbone dairy facilities are used for:
- Udder health and milking technology studies
- Intensive milk measuring studies
Pristine indoor barn facilities are used for intensive feeding and nutritional studies providing information on:
- cow nutrition
- production and milk characteristics
- methane output
Event venue
Undercover facilities make Lye Farm a popular venue for field days and various other farmer events.
Scott Farm and Lye Farm often form part of various dairying events and touring programmes showcasing the New Zealand dairying industry.
Need a Research Venue
Developed for the advancement of the pastoral based New Zealand dairy industry, we also offer the use of this facility to other research organisations for research projects that will benefit our dairy farmers.
