West Coast Monitor Farm

Westland has some unique challenges such as high rainfall which is variable across the region.  There is debate on how pasture growth rates and annual production on dairy farms throughout Westland compares to that collected from three years of monitoring on the Landcorp Kotuku Focus Farm.  Additionally there is a lack of good data on pasture quality and its variation throughout the season.  Westland lacks reliable pasture growth and consumption information against which farmers can benchmark themselves and set targets to achieve. 

This project funded by the Development West Coast, Westland Milk Products, MAF Sustainable Farming Fund, and ARL-Ravensdown, aims to generate reliable pasture growth and quality and soil temperature information, over the next 12 months, on four commercial dairy farms in Westland. 

Each week we will provide a weekly summary [PDF 270KB] of information from the following regions:

1. Buller: Westport (A&C Gallagher, Victoria Rd)
2. Upper Grey Valley: Ikamatua (A&N Mirfin, Mirfins Rd)
3. Lower Grey Valley: Kotuku (Landcorp Kotuku, Deep Creek Rd)
4. Hokitika: Kowhitirangi (T&R Little, Whitcombe Valley Rd)