TB outbreak impacting farm’s winter grazing
The discovery of bovine tuberculosis in the Hawke’s Bay meant St. Peters School’s Owl Farm had to rethink this season’s heifer management strategy.
Owl Farm, the St Peter’s School and Lincoln University Demonstration Dairy Farm, will host its third farm focus day of the year next week, with guest speakers from DairyNZ and PGG Wrightson Seeds.
Owl Farm demonstration manager, Doug Dibley, will also give an update on the season to date and provide some insights, along with financial analysis of options for dairy farm systems at the current pay-out.
The goal of Owl Farm is to apply proven research, utilising good on-farm practice and scientific monitoring to provide an example of optimal production, economic performance and environmental sustainability. Through the work being done at the farm, Dibley is developing a blueprint for the industry in conjunction with the farm’s partners. He sees the farm as part of a broader strategy to develop agri-business and strengthen the primary sector.
“Collectively ensuring that as an industry we are both economically and environmentally sustainable is top of the agenda,” says Dibley.
“Owl Farm is a valuable resource for the farming community, providing access to world-class resources, information and on-farm practices. The farm focus days are an opportunity for farm owners, farm workers and rural professionals to meet, network and share ideas.”
Representatives from two of the farm’s seven sponsorship partners will share their knowledge at the Farm Focus Day, for the benefit of dairy farmers operating in the current challenging environment.
DairyNZ will present on ‘Targeting Pasture Residuals to Optimise Utilisation’ while PGG Wrightson Seeds will be asking the question ‘To summer crop or not?’
The Farm Focus Day will be held on Wednesday 16 September.
