Resilient Pastures Programme
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The Resilient Pastures programme is a seven-year initiative led by DairyNZ with MPI through the Primary Sector Growth Fund and industry partners Beef + Lamb New Zealand. It focuses on enhancing pasture performance and persistence on dairy, sheep and beef farms across the upper North Island.
Programme vision
Resilient climate-adapted pastures across Aotearoa, that enables a sustainable and prosperous future for pastoral farming and rural communities.
What this research means for you
By addressing challenges impacting pasture productivity and persistence in regions like Tai Tokerau Northland, Waikato, and Te Moana a Toi Bay of Plenty, this research is focused on building a sustainable future for farming and rural communities in the upper North Island. It’s a grassroots, farmer-led initiative that combines practical solutions with collaboration and region-specific research.
In the video below, hear from the DairyNZ Chair, experts, and farmers on why the Resilient Pastures programme matters.
Our goals
- Define the current and future climate conditions and variability so farmers have knowledge of what to adapt to.
- Evaluate pasture species, mixtures, and management practices for improved resilience and persistence.
- Design profitable and sustainable farming systems based on resilient pastures.
- Promote the adoption of these solutions, supported by decision support tools and stakeholder collaboration.
Benefits for your farm business
- Supporting farm performance in a changing climate.
- Enhanced pasture resilience and persistence leading to a more consistent feed supply and reducing the need for regrassing.
- Improved farm business adaptability to climate variability and weather events.
- Access to region-specific research and recommendations.
- Opportunities to participate in on-farm research and knowledge-sharing events.
What does the programme involve?
Project 1: Climate
- Understand and communicate what climates pastoral farming must adapt to and when.
Project 2: Forage options
- Identify climate-resilient pasture species and management techniques.
- Develop decision support tools for species selection and management.
Project 3: Optimised farm systems
- Profitable and sustainable farm systems through integrating resilient pastures and practices.
Project 4: Adoption
- Widespread adoption of resilient pastures and practices.
- Build collaborative networks to co-develop solutions and shared learning.
Funding partners
- Ministry for Primary Industries, through the Primary Sector Growth Fund
- DairyNZ
- Beef+Lamb New Zealand
- TR Ellet Agricultural Research Trust
- Barenbrug
- Fonterra
- Hine Rangi Trust
- Northland Dairy Development Trust
Get involved
Farmers and rural professionals interested in participating or learning more about the Resilient Pastures programme can contact Elena Minnee, DairyNZ Senior Scientist for further information.
This programme is part of DairyNZ's commitment to supporting sustainable and resilient dairy farming practices in New Zealand.
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