Contents

• Cow bites grass: what happens next?
  The interaction between plants and animals is a key driver of system performance, and the quantity of feed eaten (dry matter intake, DMI) is central to most of these interactions. It governs the supply of energy and nutrients available for metabolism and, also drives the components of nutrient cycles.
• Best irrigation practice saves water and grows more
  Big advances are being made in irrigation systems and management tools. Precision irrigation is important to avoid waste of water, loss of nutrients to the environment and loss of production.
• Meeting nitrogen leaching reductions while retaining a profitable system – a Selwyn catchment example
  Farmers in Canterbury are some of the first to face the challenge of reducing their nitrogen (N) losses, many to well below their current level. As more regional councils develop and implement policies to improve water quality, all farmers will benefit from key learnings of their Cantabrian counterparts.
• Science snapshots