
Owl Farm case study - Feed budgets
Learn how feed budgets keep pasture cover and cow condition on target.

This page from Owl Farm, the Waikato demonstration dairy farm run jointly by St Peter's School and Lincoln University, describes the summer brassica cropping programme used to cover low summer rainfall and mild winters.
It covers the Cleancrop brassica system used to control weeds, cross-slot drilling of turnips, kale and chicory, establishment costs per hectare, and how the crops are fed out to the herd and to calves.

See how Owl Farm builds a seasonal well-being plan for its dairy herd with local vets.

Explore how Owl Farm has lowered nitrogen fertiliser use and modelled nitrogen loss.

Track the native species and planting programme behind Owl Farm's biodiversity.

Read how Owl Farm cools its herd through hot Waikato summers with shade and sprinklers.

Learn how Owl Farm cut biological greenhouse gas emissions over a ten year period.

Find out how Owl Farm measures and reduces water use in its dairy shed.

Follow how Owl Farm's environment plan guides its land, water and effluent management.

Explore how Owl Farm scores body condition through the season to guide feeding.

See how Owl Farm's constructed wetland strips nitrogen and sediment from farm runoff.

Compare suitability and yield potential across a wide range of crops.

Track how Owl Farm's sexed semen and dairy beef mating plan lifted herd genetics.

Follow how Owl Farm cut bobby calf numbers through colostrum care and dairy beef.