Regenerative Soil Farming: Dairy
Overview
Background
240 hectare dairy farm with 300 head of cows in south east Melbourne with undulating flat pastures. Two trial sites – block 1 3.2ha and block 2 2.4ha). Both blocks had sandy to medium clay soil, with clay nodes in certain areas. Block 1 was very acidic and had not produced Lucerne in the past. Block 2 had a heavier soil but had grown crop in previous years.
What was measured?
Soil pH – pH is important to nutrient availability.
Bale production.
Milk production, milk fat and milk protein.
Results:
Block 1
- Reduction in pH.
- Zero to 80 bales of Lucerne over 2 years.
Block 2
- 35 to 60 then 70 rolls of ryegrass bales per year.
- Increase in protein to 18.8%.
- Per hectare return from $802 to $1,420. over 2 years.
Milk production
- Increase of 5L per day (from 25 > 30L per day) over 2 years
- Milk fat from 4.43% to 4.53%
- Milk protein from 3.28% to 3.34%
Farm impact:
Improved the gross profit in the farm and significantly grew volume, protein and fat content of milk leading to a more prosperous farm.
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