Lincoln University Research Dairy Farm (LURDF) was established in 2009 with the primary aim of research on profitable and sustainable dairy production, particularly for South Island farms.
Owned and managed by Lincoln University, LURDF conducts component and farmlet scale research on soils, forages, cows to support dairy production systems.
Research on LURDF is conducted by postgraduate students and Lincoln University staff in collaboration with research partners in the following key areas:
- Nutrition, health and welfare of large herds fed on high quality pastures.
- Efficient use of water and nitrogen for pasture, forage and milk production.
- Use of supplements in high quality pastoral systems to enhance milk production and reduce environmental impacts.
- Mitigation of the environmental impacts of dairying through soil, plant and nutrition approaches.
- Grazing behaviour, intake and rumen function on different forages and grazing management practices.
- Novel grasses, legumes and systems for increased milk solids production and reduced environmental impact.
- Nutrition and performance of dry cows on different winter forages and utilization systems.
Postgraduate opportunities
There are opportunities for postgraduate studies in soils, pastures and animals to support dairy production sytems. Students interested in research on LURDF should contact Professor Grant Edwards to discuss opportunities.