Lincoln University Research Dairy Farm (LURDF)
Commercial dairying and research which carries out smaller component scale studies.
LURDF is a 72 ha irrigated property that focuses on the design of dairy farm systems so that they achieve sustainability. Systemic and technological solutions will allow farmers to measure and control environmental outcomes with the same ability that they achieve production targets.
Objectives
LURDF carries out component and farmlet research on:
- dairy cow nutrition
- forage systems
- intake regulation, grazing behaviour, rumen function
- dairy systems with reduced environmental impact
- animal health
- advanced effluent technology development
- soil nitrification inhibitor development
- greenhouse gas emissions and nitrate leaching research.
Farm details
About the farm
LURDF has commercial dairying and research which carries out smaller component scale studies.
Location
LURDF is located on Weedons Road, Lincoln.
Area
79ha (75ha under irrigation)
Soils
- Paparua sandy loam
- Templeton silt loam
- Wakanui silt loam
- Temika silt loam
Approximate livestock numbers
Total stock: 200
Production average:
- 450 kgs of milk solids per cow
- 1200 kgs per hectare
Infrastructure
Infrastructure includes:
- 12 aside double up herringbone cowshed
- DeLaval (Delpro) softwarer system
- DeLaval 5 way drafting system
In shed feeding:
- DeLaval automatic calf feeding system
- One full rotation pivot irrigator
- One 1/4 rotation pivot irrigator
Staffing
Sustainability
Toitū Envirocare's Farm Emissions Carbon Reduce Programme
Lincoln University is proud to be Toitū carbonreduce certified, demonstrating its commitment to measuring, managing, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in line with ISO 14064-1 and Toitū requirements.
This certification reflects Lincoln University's ongoing efforts to create a sustainable future.
Visit the Toitū Environcare website
Farm Environment Plans (FEP)
The LURDF farm achieved an A Grade status for Farm Environment Plans Land Use Activity issued by ECan. This is the highest rating for an FEP audit.
Research
Living Lab Dairy futures is ongoing with major projects being the low N farmlet and calf rearing.
Living Lab
Lincoln’s Living Lab creates an effective methodology and practical environment where as a student using the resources on the Lincoln University campus, you engage with partners to explore, test and solve real-world, land-based sector, problems.