Feeding Dairy Cows on a Grazing Platform by Brielle

Lincoln University’s Dairy Farm is a prime example of New Zealand’s focus towards efficiency and sustainability of agricultural production. While it’s easy to think a dairy farmer would be completely focused on animal production, Peter Hancox at Lincoln University is equally as dependent on pasture production. Without pasture, there is no direct feed for the cows, unless supplemented from off the farm. To keep production costs low, and efficiency high, the dairy cows are milked on a seasonal basis. Contrary to United States dairy farms at home which milk and calve year-round, New Zealand dairy cows are dried off in the months at which pasture production is lowest. When pasture production peaks, the dairy cows will be at peak milk production during and after their calving season. On our tour, we saw cows coming out of their peak milk production with a low body fat content.

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Kiwi cows – a New Zealand crossbred of Holstein Friesian x Jersey used for their efficiency of milk production.

Lincoln University has a 395-acre farm with 550 milking cows at any time. These acres are split into 21 pastures built with compatible gates that allow the cows to be easily moved from pasture to pasture. In summer months with high pasture production, cows will be moved from one pasture to the next every 24 hours. This practice of rotational grazing gives the grass time to recover and feed the cows again when they come back to that pasture 21 days later. This keeps cows on a restricted intake– meaning they can’t be picky with their meals! Being on a smaller pasture at a time, the dairy cows will evenly feed on the grass at a balanced rate.

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We saw the dairy herd’s excitement to eat when they were let into their new pasture!

Pasture growth is dynamic and is constantly being improved to better the feed. Our class immediately took note of the thick, shiny, lush pasture grass we walked through. The Kiwi cow’s dinner consisted of rye grass and dry clover that is irrigated by center pivots throughout the farm.   

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    The tour of Lincoln University’s Dairy Farm was eye-opening from an American agriculture background. The pasture was so beautiful we wanted to make a salad and eat it! The focus on pasture growth for a dairy operation surprised me, but I came to understand all the attention to detail needed to make such an efficient system. I was excited to tour our class’s first New Zealand farm, it was enriching to see the difference in agricultural practices halfway across the world! 


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