Owl Farm case study - Summer crops

Owl Farm case study - Summer crops

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.

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Dairy

  • Owl Farm case study - Feed budgets

    Enterprise
    Dairy
    Farm planning
    Productivity

    Learn how feed budgets keep pasture cover and cow condition on target.

  • Owl Farm case study - Youngstock rearing

    Enterprise
    Dairy
    Livestock
    Productivity

    Explore how replacement calves are reared and grown out to entry weight.

  • Owl Farm case study - Milk quality

    Enterprise
    Compliance
    Dairy
    Productivity

    See what keeps Owl Farm's alert, grade and demerit counts falling.

Productivity

  • Owl Farm case study - Milk production

    Enterprise
    Dairy
    Productivity
    Profitability

    Compare season milksolids results against Owl Farm's production targets.

  • Owl Farm case study - Imported supplements

    Enterprise
    Dairy
    Productivity
    Profitability

    Check how imported feed is used strategically to lift milk from pasture.

  • Owl Farm case study - Herd reproduction

    Enterprise
    Dairy
    Livestock
    Productivity

    Track how a Waikato demonstration farm lifts its 6-week in-calf rate each season.

Livestock

An alternative perspective

  • Owl Farm case study - Soil health

    Whenua
    On-farm actions
    Soil
    Sustainability

    Discover how Owl Farm tests and protects its soil's physical, chemical and biological health.

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Owl Farm case study - Animal well-being plan

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Livestock
Wellbeing

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

Owl Farm case study - Nitrogen management

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

Owl Farm case study - Biodiversity

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

Owl Farm case study - Heat stress management

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

Owl Farm case study - Greenhouse gas performance

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Emissions reduction
Greenhouse gas
Methane

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

Owl Farm case study - Environment plan

Whenua
Farm environment plan
Farm planning
On-farm actions

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

Owl Farm case study - BCS profile

Enterprise
Livestock
Productivity
Wellbeing

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

Owl Farm case study - Wetland performance

Climate
Biodiversity
Regeneration
Water

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

Multiple crops suitability & yield

Whenua
Arable crops
Productivity
Resilience

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

Owl Farm case study - Breeding programme

Enterprise
Innovation
Livestock
Productivity

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