Research from the completed B+LNZ Hill Country Futures programme continues to benefit farmers. A 16-year study on Bog Roy Station shows the adoption of lucerne grazing systems has significantly boosted animal performance and farm income.
The Hill Country Futures programme, which finished in 2023, included a focus on resilient forages. Lucerne is a drought-tolerant, nitrogen fixing forage, and the programme collected data on this and a range of forages from farms across New Zealand.
A case study led by Prof Derrick Moot, Lincoln University used insights that were gained by the Hill Country Futures programme to look at the impact of a lucerne grazing system on a station in the Waitaki with impressive results.
“Farmers know that the decisions made today can yield results for years to come. This is particularly evident at Bog Roy Station, a high-country farm in the Upper Waitaki region,” says Dr Suzi Keeling, Head of Science and Research at B+LNZ.
“Since 2008, the station has implemented a lucerne grazing system that continues to deliver benefits 16 years later, both in animal performance and financial returns.
“This success story shows how long-term research, like that supported by B+LNZ’s Hill Country Futures, can have lasting impacts.”
By 2015, Bog Roy Station had expanded its lucerne coverage from 60 hectares to 265 hectares, significantly boosting feed supply and enabling an increase in ewe numbers and overall productivity and profitability.
Over time, the lucerne system has supported higher lambing percentages and earlier weaning, leading to a substantial rise in lamb liveweight production.
By 2023, the station consistently weaned 163 tonnes of lamb liveweight from its Merino ewes, up from 90.8 tonnes in 2008.
Prof Derrick Moot, a leading researcher from Lincoln University’s Dryland Pastures Research Group, emphasises the transformation's significance. “The improvement in ewe performance, particularly in lambing percentages and growth rates, is directly tied to the higher quality and quantity of feed available. This has not only enhanced animal health and productivity but also allowed for greater flexibility in managing the flock.”
The introduction of irrigation on 210 hectares further amplified these gains, supporting lucerne/grass mixes that provided high-quality feed for lambs. As a result, pre-weaning lamb growth rates averaged 286 grams per head per day, allowing for weaning 40 days earlier than in 2008.
“It’s a clear example of how strategic pasture development can lead to long-term gains in productivity and financial performance. Farmers can look to this model as proof that the benefits of research and innovation extend well beyond the initial implementation phase.” adds Moot
Owner of ‘Bog Roy’ Gundy Anderson shares in Moot’s sentiment saying, “The shift to a lucerne dominant grazing system has been a game changer.”
“The support and guidance of Derrick Moot with integrating strategic pasture development and management, combined with this programme, I believe is an example of how science and practicality can collaborate to bring about real long-term benefits and gains.
As Derrick often quotes: “Excellent agricultural science only happens in the field.”
Bog Roy Station's experience demonstrates how research, especially initiatives like Hill Country Futures, continues to deliver value long after trials have ended. The ongoing success at the station shows how continuous monitoring, adaptation, and learning can turn a research project into a sustainable, profitable farming system.
The Hill Country Futures programme—a collaboration between B+LNZ, MBIE, seed companies, and farmers—was designed to provide practical, science-based solutions for the unique challenges of New Zealand's hill country.
Learn more about the Hill Country Futures programme, by visiting the Hill Country Futures webpage.
Further details of the transformational change at Bog Roy Station will be presented at this year's NZGA conference in Oamaru 5 – 8 November.
B+LNZ Text Service
In collaboration with Lincoln University, B+LNZ offers a free text messaging service for farmers, providing timely tips and reminders on lucerne management. With around 1,100 subscribers, this service delivers expert advice from Professor Derrick Moot directly to your phone.
Subscribers can also send in questions and receive responses from Derrick and the team. Recently, the service added 1-minute voice notes, offering more in-depth insights on lucerne management. All past messages are posted on X/Twitter, allowing you to follow or review them anytime. To sign up for the text service you can email: resources@beeflambnz.com