The strength of New Zealand dairy farming is in making the most of pasture grown on farm — worth around $428 more for every tonne of homegrown feed harvested. Refocusing on the basics, measuring covers, tracking leaf emergence, and using this to set rotation lengths, helps get the best from pasture.
Inside Dairy
2 min read
Pasture is the biggest component of homegrown feed — unlock its full potential with good measurement and management.
Use DairyBase, milk processor reports, or the DairyNZ pasture and crop eaten calculator (dairynz.co.nz/pasture-eaten) to check your homegrown feed eaten (t/ha/yr), the amount of pasture and crop your cows are actually consuming, and see if you’re maximising performance.
Regularly measure your pasture to calculate average pasture cover (kgDM/ha) and growth rates. These figures are essential for making informed decisions on rotation length, fertiliser use, and supplementary feeding.
Monitoring pre-grazing covers ensures cows are fed correctly, while managing post-grazing residuals supports optimal regrowth and pasture quality.
At a minimum, record pre- and postgrazing covers and grazing dates. This helps rank paddock performance and identify underperforming areas. Tools like a feed wedge can guide real-time grazing and feed planning, while a rotation planner early in spring supports pasture growth and cow condition ahead of balance date.
Accurate records lead to better decisions and more useful insights from platforms like DairyBase.
Make sure pre-grazing covers meet cow demand and match the wedge target. Ryegrass should have 2.5–3 live leaves (2600–3200 kgDM/ha) for optimal regrowth.
Keep post-grazing residuals at 1500– 1600 kgDM/ha to maintain pasture quality and supplement efficiency.
If pasture is short, slow rotation, apply fertiliser, and add supplements as needed. Prioritise feeding productive cows and consider culling poor performers. If pasture is surplus, conserve or defer grazing and adjust rotation to maintain quality. Use supplements strategically to support overall feed management, not just production.
Measure frequently - weekly during short rotations - to stay accurate and responsive. Timely data helps manage feed surpluses or deficits and improves supplement efficiency.
Trials show that getting cows to produce more milksolids from the same feed can double profit, compared with just cutting supplement costs.
Focus your efforts where they give the biggest return.
Find out more at dairynz.co.nz/feed-overview
Mark Williams, DairyNZ senior farm systems specialist
This article was originally published in Inside Dairy November-January 2026.
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