Northland Agricultural Research Farm (NARF), Dargaville

NARF is an 85-hectare dairy research farm near Dargaville, owned by Northland's dairy farmers. This case study covers its Future Farming Systems trial, which compares three farmlets over four years. A standard kikuyu and ryegrass system is run alongside alternative pasture species and a low-input, reduced-stocking system.

The research team report the trial's early results, including a large cut in methane and nitrous oxide on the low emissions farmlet and the swing in clover content that helped sustain milk production without nitrogen fertiliser. The trial continues for several more seasons, and the team point readers to where they can follow ongoing results.