Lincoln University Dairy Farm

The 186 hectare irrigated property, of which 159 hectares is the milking platform, is a former University sheep farm. It was converted to dairying in 2001 and is managed by the South Island Dairying Development Centre [SIDDC], representing its 6 partner organisations.

The spray irrigation system includes two centre pivots, small hand shifted lateral sprinklers, and k-lines. The different soil types on the farm represent most of the common soil types in Canterbury.

Key Objectives

To develop and demonstrate world-best practice in dairy farm systems and to transfer them to dairy farms throughout the South Island.

To operate as a joint research centre with DairyNZ, where the practical application of new technologies and on-farm forage production systems can be tested and developed.

To use the best environmental monitoring systems to achieve best management practices under irrigation, which ensure that the industry’s annual profit from productivity target is achieved in a sustainable way and that the wider environment is protected.

To continue the environmental monitoring programme and demonstrate technologies that will ensure that the 3-year rolling average concentration on nitrate-N in drainage water from below the plant root zone remains below the critical value [16mg N/L] that is specified in Environment Canterbury's [ECan] proposed regional rule as requiring reduction [Rule WQL18].

To operate an efficient and well organised business unit.

To provide a commercial return exceeding the average weighted cost of capital on annual capital evaluations to Lincoln University.

To create and maintain an effective team environment at policy, management and operational levels.

To assist Lincoln University to attract top quality domestic and international students into the New Zealand dairy industry

To actively seek labour productivity gains through adoption of technologies and practices that reduce labour requirements or make the work environment more satisfying.
To use environment Best Practices [including 'eco-n' nitrification inhibitors] to protect the environment, while enhancing profitability.
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Specific objectives for the season 2008/09

To deliver an Operating Profit of $5,937/ha and Return on Dairy Assets of 8.3% from a $7.00 payout - with budgeted milk solids production of 290,700 kg with Cash Farm Working Expenses of $3.90/kgMS.

To improve water use efficiency for better integrating the technologies currently existing on the farm by ensuring useable decision making data is accessible to the farm management in a timely manner.

To increase the land area that effluent is applied to so that nutrients are better distributed and there is an increased range of contingency plan options. Also, ensure that nitrate losses are not greater on effluent areas than on non-effluent areas, and that there is no significant microbial contamination of the shallow aquifers.

To manage pastures and grazing so milkers consume / harvest as much metabolisable energy [ME] as practicable, with a target of 200 GJ/ha ME. For example, this could be achieved by consuming / harvesting 16t DM/ha with average ME 12.5.

To optimize the use of the farm automation system [Protrack] and demonstrate / document improved efficiencies and subsequent effect on the business.

To achieve an in-calf rate of no less than 88% [i.e. 12% empty] after 12 weeks mating, i.e. 9 weeks of AB mating plus 3 of natural mating. All AB matings to result in crossbred replacements including replacements from yearlings.

To continue to document and measure LUDF's influence on changes to defined management practices on other dairy farms.

To ensure specific training is adequate and appropriate to enable staff members to contribute effectively in meeting the objectives of the farm.

Ongoing Research

The effect of fertilisers and other farm inputs on groundwater. 10 groundwater monitoring wells sunk to monitor and manage the effect of fertiliser, grazing, irrigation and effluent inputs over a variety of contrasting soil types.

Effects of 'eco-n' on nitrate leaching and pasture production

Monitoring pasture growth, pests and weeds monitoring
The role of nutrition on lameness in Canterbury

Real-time, on-line monitoring for animal health and environmental impact monitoring

Resource Inventory and Greenhouse Gas Footprint

Climate

Mean Annual Maximum Temperature
32 °C

Mean Annual Minimum Temperature
4 °C

Average Days of Screen Frost
36 Days per annum

Mean Average Bright Sunshine
2040 Hours per annum

Average Annual Rainfall
666 mm

Farm Area
Effective Area (ha) 159.0
Runoff (East Block) 14 ha

Soil Types: % Farm

Free-draining shallow stony soils (Eyre soils)
5

Deep sandy soils (Paparua and Templeton soils)
45

Imperfectly drained soils (Wakanui soils)
30

Heavily, poorly-drained soils (Temuka soils)
20

Soil Test Results

Date
pH
P
K
S
Ca
Mg
Na

Dec 01
5.8
30
11
34
8
23
12

Jul 02
5.8
31
14
35
9
22
12

Oct 02
5.9
35
8
29
8
21
12

Jun 03
6.1
37
12
7
9
23
9

Jun 04
6.4
37
13
11
9
22
10

Jun 05
6.1
35
13
10
9
22
8

Jun 06
6.3
33
15
9
10
27
11

Jun 07 6.3 39 16 17 10 29 13
Target Soil Test
5.8 - 6.2
30-40
5-8
10-12
4-5
20+
5-50

Soil Reserve K = 4.5 (Target = 0.8 - 1.2)

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Fertiliser History

Date
Dressing

N
P
K
S
Mg
Ca

Season 2001/02

200
168
-
130
-
94

Season 2002/03

200
45
-
2
-
90

Season 2003/04

200
45
-
64
-
46

Season 2004/05

200
46
-
47
-
57

Season 2005/06
Non-Effluent
200
48
-
76
-
107

Season 2005/06
Effluent
0
30
-
53
-
67

Season 2006/07
Non-Effluent
200
49
-
89
-
110

Season 2006/07
Effluent
0
20
-
52
-
45

Season 2007/08 Non-effluent 200 44 - 73 - 96
Season 2007/08 North Effluent 12 22 - 37 - 48

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Pasture

The milking platform was sown at conversion [March 2001] in a mix of 50/50 Bronsyn/Impact ryegrasses with Aran and Sustain white clovers, and 1kg/ha of timothy.

Individual paddocks are monitored, and seven [33% of area] have been renovated to maintain pasture performance.

- 2 paddocks of Arrow plus Alto perennial ryegrasses [all with Kotare/Sustain white

clovers and Timothy].

- 3 paddocks of Bealey, and

- 2 paddocks of Alto perennial ryegrasses [all with Kotare/Sustain white clovers and Timothy].

Pasture consumption for 04/05 season calculated at 15.9t DM/ha, and for 05/06 at 16.1t DM/ha, and for 06/07 at 16.4t DM/ha.

To see LUDF Pasture ME for past seasons - Click Here

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Irrigation and Effluent System

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Centre Pivots
127 ha
Long Laterals
24 ha
K-Lines
10 ha
Southern Cross Gun
18 ha
Total irrigated
179 ha
Irrigation System Capacity
5.5 mm/day
Length of basic pivot
402
Well depth
90m

Statistics

A full rotation completed in 20.8 hours for 5.5 mm [at 100% of maximum speed].

Average Annual Rainfall = 666 mm. Average irrigation input applies an additional 450 mm. Average Evapotranspiration for Lincoln is 870 mm/year.

Fertigation Unit

Supplying the South Block

Automatically dissolves urea to a solution of approximately 14%N.

Pumped to the holding tank at the centre of the South Pivot.

Effluent

Dairy shed effluent is held in sump capable of holding 33,000 litres.

100 mm PVC pip to base of North Block centre pivot, distribution through pot spray applicators.

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Mating Programme 2008

10 weeks AB mating to Premier Sires followed by 3 weeks with bulls. Aim is to retain cows that calve within the first 9 weeks of mating. CIDR re-synchrony treatment programme one week before PSM for cows not recorded as cycling. Yearlings synchronised and mating to commence one week to 10 days before PSM for main herd. First three days mating with AB Jersey semen followed by Jersey bulls for 9 weeks.

Herd Details

Breeding Worth (rel%) / Production Worth (rel%) 109/46 127/69
Average weight/cow (Dec) - (30) cows monitored 490 kg
Calving start date 8 August 2009
Mean calving date 18th August 2008 (15 days)
Mating start date 30th October 2008
Empty rate (nil induction policy) after 10 weeks mating

after 15 weeks mating
19% 2008 [14% 2007]

03/04 Season 04/05 Season 05/06 Season 06/07 Season 07/08 Season 08/09 Season
Milkers - ave/max/wintered 635/644/660 649/651/675 646/651/672 /680/706 /680/704 /684/704
Total kg/MS 271,971 277,634 286,115 274,965 281,670 261,138
Total kg/MS/cow 422 427 440 410 414 385
Total kg/MS/ha 1684 1719 1772 1703 1744 1645
Operating Expenses/kgMS $2.64 $2.64 $2.63 $2.80 $3.37 $3.95
Economic Farm Surplus/ha $2008 $2768 $2151 $3002 $8284 2004
Payout [excl. levy] $/kg $4.22 $4.56 $4.07 $4.47 $7.87 $5.20
Return on Assets 5.6% 6.9% 5.1% 6.7% 14.6%

Stock Numbers

2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06
2006/07 2007/08 2008/09
1 July cow numbers 631 660 675 664 702 704 704
Maximum cows milked 604 644 651 651 est 670 670 683
No. Yearlings grazed On/Off 0/118 0/139 0/140 0/172 0/172 0/171 0/200
No. Calves grazed On/Off 0/141 0/143 0/162 0/170 0/175 0/175 0/170
Cows wintered off No. cows 500 520 500 500 540 546 547
Weeks off 8 7 8 8 8 8 7
Stocking rate Cow equiv. / ha 3.75 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.2 4.2 4.3
Kg liveweight / ha 1,838 1,960 1,960 1,960 1,974 1,974 2,107
Kg liveweight / tDM 76 79 83 77 87 83 89
Supplement
- Fed to milkers [kg/cow] 550 385 300 315 266 415 342
- Made on dairy/platform [kg/cow] 0 98 220 365 93 95 64

Roster System - 8 days on then 2 days off, 8 days on 3 days off
Milking Times - Morning - cups on 5:00am
- Afternoon - cups on 2:30pm

LUDF Hazards notification

Children are the responsibility of their parent or guardian
Normal hazards associated with a dairy farm
Other vehicle traffic on farm roads and races
Crossing public roads
Underpass may be slippery