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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 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
Over the past 2 weeks, the Whenua Haumanu sheep and beef farmlets have transitioned into spring grazing management, with pasture growth increasing and several farmlets moving into feed surplus.
The focus of grazing plans has been maintaining target residuals, while paddocks with excess feed have been earmarked for silage and removed from rotation to keep pasture covers under control.
Paddocks that will be used for summer lamb finishing have been grazed and sprayed ahead of spring sowing, with the regenerative treatments incorporating fulvic acids alongside glyphosate before planting.
Lamb docking was completed this week, when ewe health and condition were also assessed.
Latest pasture covers
Farmlet data
0-point: 1 January 2024
| Date | 25 September 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 |
| 9-Sep | Lambs live weight (kg) | 15.3 | 14.8 | 15.6 | 15.5 |
| 22-Sep | Ewes liveweight (kg) | 75.6 | 69.9 | 75.5 | 70.8 |
| 22-Sep | Ewes body condition score | 2.3 | 2.3 | 2.5 | 2.4 |
| 16-Sep | Calves liveweight (R1 kg) | 269 | 267 | 271 | 275 |
| 16-Sep | Calves average daily gain (R1 kg/day) | 0.89 | 1.01 | 1.40 | 1.39 |
| 22-Sep | Average pasture cover (APC; kgDM/ha) | 1970 | 2000 | 2138 | 2344 |
| 22-Sep | Growth rate (kgDM/ha/day) rolling 3 week average | 36 | 38 | 28 | 42 |
| 22-Sep | Target rotation length (days) | 8 | 40 | 8 | 40 |
| 21-Sep | Residual (kgDM/ha) | 1736 | 1320 | 1885 | 1540 |
| 2-Feb | Number of ewes | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 |
| Soil temperature (°C) | 12.2 |
| Air temperature (°C) | 10.8 |
| Rainfall - month to date (mm) | 101 |
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.
