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The Pasture and Crop Research Unit (PCRU) is one of Massey's working farms. This research site is grazed by sheep and includes four farmlets:
- Farmlet A – standard pasture under contemporary management
- Farmlet B – standard pasture under regenerative management
- Farmlet C – diverse pasture under contemporary management
- Farmlet D – diverse pasture under regenerative management.
Update
This week half of the ewe flock has been replaced with ewes with a lower NLB index (fecundity measure). Pasture growth rates remain low and our average pasture covers are dropping but we are still in excess of animal demand. The lambs and calves continue to graze ahead of the ewes, allowing them the best feed and ewe feed is more restricted.
Latest pasture covers
Farmlet data
0-point: 1 January 2024
| 20/3/2025 | Farmlet A - SPCM | Farmlet B - SPRM | Farmlet C - DPCM | Farmlet D - DPRM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pasture | Standard | Standard | Diverse | Diverse |
| Management | Contemporary | Regenerative | Contemporary | Regenerative |
| Ewes liveweight (kg) | 68.5 | 60.3 | 61.1 | 63.3 |
| Ewes body condition score | 2.7 | 2.5 | 2.6 | 2.4 |
| Calves liveweight (kg) | 142.8 | 149.8 | 150.7 | 161.2 |
| Calves average daily gain (kg/day) | 0.41 | 0.54 | 0.75 | 1.29 |
| Lambs liveweight (kg) | 41.4 | 38.3 | 39.5 | 40.1 |
| Lambs average daily gain (kg/day) | 0.06 | 0.04 | 0.06 | 0.14 |
| APC (kgDM/ha) | 1480 | 1950 | 1650 | 2060 |
| Growth (kgDM/ha/day) | 10 | 15 | 12 | 18 |
| Target Rotation Length (days) | 30 | 50 | 30 | 50 |
| Residual (kgDM/ha) | 1685 | 1730 | 1920 | 1970 |
| Soil Temp (°C) | 15.6 |
| Air Temp (°C) | 18.2 |
| Rainfall - MTD (mm) | 22 |
Other Whenua Haumanu research sites
Massey University farmlets: Dairy 1 farm
Dairy 1 is one of Massey's working farms. It borders the Manawatū River, within the city boundary. This research site is grazed by dairy cows and includes 3 farmlets: standard pasture under contemporary management, and diverse pasture under both regenerative and contemporary management.
Lincoln University: Field Research Centre (FRC)
The FRC is Lincoln University‘s hub for applied plant, soil science and ecology research. This research site is grazed by sheep and includes four farmlets made up of 20 plots each.
