Farm context and winter grazing practices in the Waikato beef and sheep industries

Report: TR 2014/38

Author: Dr Geoff Kaine

About this report

In this report the influence of farm context on the winter grazing practices of sheep and beef farmers in the Waikato region is investigated.   Farm context is the set of factors in a farm system that influences the benefits to be had from adopting a particular management practice or technology.

This report analyses data collected previously to clearly show the link between the winter grazing practices of sheep and beef farmers, and factors in the farm context such as frequency and extent of pugging, waterlogging and soil types.

The main finding in the report is that there is extensive variety in the combination of practices that farmers use to manage stock in winter, with the combination any one farmer uses being a function of  the biophysical characteristics of their farm.

The information contained in the report will be considered together with other studies and contribute to the development of policy that will take into account the economic implications for farmers to ensure the policies are practical and implementable.

Read or download the report

Farm context and winter grazing practices in the Waikato beef and sheep industries [PDF, 1.1 MB]