DairyNZ Resilient Pastures Trial Expands Across North Island
Farms across the upper North Island are trialling different pasture mixes as part of a research programme that aims to build greater resilience into farming systems.
The farm held its first open day in May 2014, under the umbrella of a new Five Year Strategic Plan, and on the back of the collaboration between Northland College and Lincoln University. This year the farm and the school will share their progress to-date, the on-farm successes, and what the future holds.
Much has happened since the 2014 open day. Loretta Smyth, the then Farm Manager has become the school's Farm Tutor. She picked up the Webb Ross McNab Kilpatrick Leadership Award in the Farm Manager of the Year Merit Awards at the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards for Northland. In addition, the Northland College students won the national award for their entry in the Lion Foundation Young Enterprise Scheme.
Northland College now has 50 senior students enrolled in agriculture classes in Year 11 to 13, up from 37 in 2014. There are also 19 students enrolled in Business Studies – enabling the school to run the class for the first time.
On-farm, despite the difficult season, it has been possible to both control costs and increase production.
Gates open at 10.00am.
