4. Lincoln University Dairy Farm

Driving up to Lincoln University's Dairy Farm:

Us sanitizing our shoes so we can go in:

Lincoln University Dairy Farm (LUDF), situated in Lincoln, New Zealand, is a demonstration farm that focuses on sustainable dairy farming practices. I want to break down some key aspects of their initiatives and then I will go into the questions I asked some of the professors there with their responses.

Farm Data and Performace:

-As of April 18, 2024, LUDF manages 554 cows on the farm.

-The average milk solids production per cow is 1.47 kg MS.

-Pasture cover stands at 2560 kg DM/ha, and the daily growth rate is 61 kg DM/ha/day.

-The farm follows a 36-day round length for rotational grazing.

Financial Transparency:

-LUDF maintains transparency by sharing its budget. Many costs are fixed for the season, and you can explore how funds are allocated on their website, here.

Environmental Practices:

-LUDF is committed to meeting industry regulations. They carefully manage their pastures and track their performance against these regulations.

Advancing the Industry:

The South Island Dairy Demonstration Centre (SIDDC), where LUDF operates, focuses on sustainable success. They research, implement, and evaluate technologies and practices to protect people and the environment, both now and in the future.

Additionally, LUDF has launched several initiatives to support sustainable dairy farming:

*In 2021, they introduced three new farm systems initiatives aimed at sustainable practices, extending their outlook through 2030. Lincolns initiatives are laid out here.

*The Farm Sustainability Fund, a collaboration between the a2 Milk Company and Lincoln University, supports sustainable dairy farming project in New Zealand. More on the a2 Milk Company here.

This is NZ Farm Model Slide they showed us:

My questions and their answers:

Q: I would like to learn the various ways farms and agricultural businesses are reducing their greenhouse gas emissions as well as preserving the topsoil for future generations.

A: No additives or GMOs are used, ever. N.Z. receives little to no agriculture support. They do not have land tax or property tax. They ultimately just need fewer cows, says Pablo but with it being their main source of revenue, what are you to do? *Intesification of systems is needed. Pablo suggests putting flowers in for cows to smell to help with their dopamine, happier cows produce happier milk. Pablo, in particular, is trying to get money to add in his “Cow methane catchment roofing project” that turns that catchment into energy. (Unfortunately, due to him signing a non-disclosure agreement he couldn't say much more so I have nothing really to go off on when trying to search for more information on his endeavors. But hopefully in the coming years it will be available to the public).

Here is a picture of one of the Eel designed areas where they will plant flowers for the cows to sniff with some edible shrubs that will peek out from the bottom area:

Q: I would like to also learn about what conservation advances New Zealand has made since the Resources Management Act was enacted.

A: [ Lincoln didn’t address this but, in another blog, post I addressed this. ]

Q: I would like to hear directly from New Zealand farmers (across production methods and products grown/raised) about their perspective on the lack of subsidies provided, as well as if the programs and support provided by the government are truly beneficial to them.

A: Since the 1990’s subsidies were removed. The Crown research Institute has had big control over where the money goes. All of the subsidies for everything were bank robbing the economy so that was an issue- but they didn't go much more into this.

Q: What do farmers need from the government in order to 1) continue to support the scaling of sustainable agricultural practices (or adopt them if they currently do not) while.

A: They do co development with kiwi’s about justifying more meat/dairy production even though it isn't helping ghg emissions, or potentially everyone's health. Pablo said no cause and effect with science that meat is bad for you. He continued to justify his stance on carbon footprints for vegans and how they contribute 6% of that and then carnivores contribute 10%. Comparing those two emission percentages he was trying to prove that it didn’t matter if everyone ate meat or not, you’d still be contributing to ghg emissions. He did not do the best in directly answering anyone's questions. I believe he had his own agenda in just recruiting more people to come and receive a Doctorates degree at Lincoln.

Q: 2) remaining economically sustainable and protecting the livelihoods and culture of New Zealand rural and agricultural communities.

A: Enterprise Analysis helps to figure out different land use for New Zealanders. There are noticeable changes with land use over the years and due to the affect covid 19 had on the economy. There has unfortunately been a lot of challenges for the agriculture and dairy farm industry for them since expanding it in the last couple years. He didn’t go any further into this.

Q: Did the lack of subsidies leading up to the drought in 2009 be the big reason why there were so many farmer suicides?

A: ‘The world trust’ developed networks for help but not in a finical way. After that time, anything new produced for future add for farmers was through “Farm Strong”. Farmers were and are happier now without government interference. They would rather choose their own narrative than be driven or told how to run things if the government helped in any finical capacity.

Above is N.Z. Export Destinations

Above is Pablos 'Visions and Objectives' with dairy farming long term.

Resources:

1. LUDF (n.d.). Financial Data. Retrieved April 25, 2024, from https://www.ludf.org.nz/financial-data

2. Lincoln University (2021, September 2). Lincoln University Dairy Farm launches new dairy sector initiatives. Retrieved April 25, 2024, from https://www.lincoln.ac.nz/news-and-events/lincoln-university-dairy-farm-launches-new-dairy-sector-research/

3. Lincoln University (2022, May 20). The a2 Milk Company and Lincoln University partner to support sustainable dairy farming. Retrieved April 25, 2024, from https://www.lincoln.ac.nz/news-and-events/the-a2-milk-company-and-lincoln-university-partner-to-support-sustainable-dairy-farming/

4. LUDF (n.d.). Environmental. Retrieved April 25, 2024, from https://www.ludf.org.nz/environmental