Dairy Farmers Face Challenges with Pasture Management Skills

David Journeaux, an economist, has raised concerns about dairy farmers potentially losing key pasture management skills due to the reliance on nitrogen fertilizers and palm kernel extract (PKE). These inputs are considered 'safety blankets' for producers, allowing them to bypass careful feed monitoring. PKE, in particular, can be delivered quickly, making it a convenient solution when pasture deficits occur.

Despite these concerns, representatives from DairyNZ have contested the idea of a widespread skill erosion. Chris Glassey, a farm systems specialist at DairyNZ, described the trend as a complex evolution in farming systems. He noted that generational changes have led many younger producers to learn under high-input systems, although pasture management remains crucial for optimizing financial returns.

Mario Fernandez, an economist with DairyNZ, explained the economic context further. While the use of imported supplements has increased milk production per cow over the past two decades, the financial gains have been largely offset by high input costs, resulting in stagnant overall productivity. DairyNZ's Responsible Dairy project, funded with $46 million, aims to tackle these issues by promoting better feed efficiency, environmental sustainability, and profit margins among farmers.

This project reflects a broader industry effort to rebalance input use and enhance the economic viability of dairy farming in the current climate.