This page will be updated regularly with new data
If new data is not currently available, please check again soon.
The Pasture and Crop Research Unit (PCRU) is one of Massey's working farms. This research site is grazed by sheep and includes 4 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
The temperatures have dropped but the sunny days have remained, and the grass is still growing. New grass has been sown and is emerging well, while ewe and R1 rotation lengths are extending to preserve feed for the approaching winter deficit and lambing periods. While the near future is projected to remain dry, winter months normally bring rain, turning our heavy soil towards periodic waterlogging, and increasing the risks of treading damage and reduced pasture utilisation. This makes feed preservation during autumn highly important for these systems.
Latest pasture covers
Farmlet data
0-point: 1 January 2024
| Date | 5/19/2026 | Farmlet A - SPCM | Farmlet B - SPRM | Farmlet C - DPCM | Farmlet D - DPRM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pasture | Standard | Standard | Diverse | Diverse | |
| Management | Contemporary | Regenerative | Contemporary | Regenerative | |
| 2-Feb | Number of ewes | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 |
| 2-Feb | Number of cattle (R1) | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 |
| 20-May | Ewes liveweight (kg) | 72.8 | 67.9 | 73.1 | 69.0 |
| 20-May | Ewes body condition score | 3.0 | 2.6 | 2.9 | 2.7 |
| 20-May | Calves liveweight (R1 kg) | 171 | 148 | 164 | 187 |
| 20-May | Calves average daily gain (R1 kg/day) | 1.36 | -0.35 | 0.60 | 0.74 |
| 15-Apr | Average pasture cover (APC; kgDM/ha) | 1582 | 1675 | 1754 | 1669 |
| 15-Apr | Growth rate (kgDM/ha/day) rolling 3 week average | 23.0 | 20.0 | 23.0 | 13.0 |
| 15-Apr | Target rotation length (days) | 60 | 72 | 60 | 72 |
| 29-Apr | Residual (kgDM/ha) | 1042 | 1090 | 1044 | 1074 |
| Soil Temp (°C) | 13.1 |
| Air Temp (°C) | 10.5 |
| Rainfall - MTD (mm) | 10 |
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.
