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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.