Science projects

The Plantain programme is a DairyNZ-led collaborative research and development initiative. The aim is to substantially reduce nitrogen lost to freshwater and greenhouse gas produced from pastoral sectors by using the grazing herb plantain (Ecotain®).

The Fertility Breeding Value (BV) has led to gradual improvements in genetic merit for fertility. Under 'Pillars of New Dairy System', we aim to increase the accuracy of the Fertility BV to accelerate genetic improvement in fertility.

Research to improve herd reproduction performance, we are studying two heifer traits that could provide early measures of cow fertility.

The Less-Methane team at DairyNZ are working on several projects to develop viable solutions that reduce methane emissions on NZ farms. There are many methane mitigating technologies that are proven to work in farm-systems overseas.

DairyNZ is working with farmers to understand milking practices and technology use with a five-yearly survey showing which technologies are being adopted by farmers.

This long-running AgResearch-led project, supported by DairyNZ, demonstrated that adopting good farming practices on dairy farms to reduce contaminant loss into waterways improved water quality.

The Reducing Sprains and Strains project is designed to develop solutions that support a sector-wide reduction in sprains and strains. Keep a spring in your step by reducing sprains and strains during the busy calving season.

A Ngāi Tahu-led regenerative agriculture project that aims to develop a future-proof dairy farm system that incorporates mātauranga Māori.

Read more about how farmers and catchment groups can now use state-of-the-art monitoring that detects fish, insects, microbes, aquatic plants, terrestrial plants, and even birds from their genetic material being present in stream water.

This study looked at the time requirements of dairy farm activities and priorities to better understand how systems, technology and management influence how productive our farm teams are.