On this page you’ll find out more about the pasture quality pilot, and how to sign-up.
Summary:
The pasture quality pilot is designed to help participating farmers understand how pasture quality changes during the season on farm, and what that could mean for farm performance.
Turn pasture quality into your farm's productivity advantage.
What do participants get from the programme?
- 2x Co-op-funded Hill Labs test kits in the mail
- Individual test results, delivered by Hill Labs
- Benchmarking against similar farms, delivered by Fonterra
- Opportunities to discuss practical management strategies with other farmers
Limited spaces are available. Terms and conditions apply.
How does the programme work?
Check your emails for an invitation to participate. Register your interest before 4 October, and we'll let you know after this date if your farm has been selected.
We’ve got limited spaces this season, so we’re asking all farmers to express their interest, and we’ll make selections that will enable us to build robust benchmarks across the country – so a mix of farm systems, sizes and regions.
There’s no cost to be involved.
We’ll be in touch by email after 4 October to let you know if your farm has been selected to participate. See terms and conditions here.
You’ll then receive what you need to complete the tests in the mail (the only additional thing you’ll need are a pair of scissors).
Provide your first sample in October, and the second sample around six to eight weeks later. We’ll share some instructions on how to do this in the kit that you’re mailed.
Later in the season, we’ll share benchmarks using data collected from around the country, so you can understand what good looks like and can build a clearer picture of how your farm is tracking, and where any opportunities may exist.
You’ll be invited to take part in farmer discussions that will cover results, benchmarks, and practical strategies for maintaining pasture quality for longer.
As this is the first year this programme is running, we’re keen to hear your feedback – what worked, what didn’t, and what would make this more valuable for you next year?
Why does pasture quality matter?
Pasture quality is an advantage.
Homegrown feed is one of the biggest drivers of farm profitability, and pasture quality plays a key role in how much value you get from it.
Frequently Asked Questions
We’ve got limited spaces this season, so we’re asking all farmers to express their interest, and we’ll make selections that will enable us to build robust benchmarks across the country – so a mix of farm systems, sizes and regions.
We’ll let you know after 4th October if your farm has been selected to participate.
No – it’s completely funded, including the postage. All you need to have is your own pair of scissors to take a pasture sample.
A small number of farms will be asked to carry out monthly testing so we can better understand what happens between the main testing periods. We’ll be gathering feedback on whether more regular testing has influenced feed decisions.
Testing is delivered by Hill Labs, New Zealand's largest privately owned analytical testing laboratory. You’ll receive your individual results directly from Hill Labs. The Co-op will provide you with benchmarking information later in the season.
Yes. Hill Labs will send your individual results directly to you, and Fonterra will use the programme data to prepare benchmarking insights later in the season.
Pasture quality is constantly changing. We’re doing two tests to track how your quality changes over the main growth period.
There aren’t any fixed testing dates – but for best results, try to take your first sample in mid-to-late October, before the heading date for the majority of your pasture. Then you should take your second sample before Christmas.
Understanding what’s happening with your pasture in changing conditions is an important part of the programme. A predicted El Nino weather pattern places extra importance on maximising your pasture potential.
Looking at your own results is useful, but it's hard to know what "good" looks like without something to compare them to. Benchmarking shows how your farm compares with similar farms and regional averages, helping you see where you're already performing well and where there may be untapped opportunities to improve your pasture quality.
We’ll share it with you once we’ve received enough data from across the country to build the benchmarks. Keep an eye on your email for updates.
If you’d like to do extra testing, for example a deeper trace-mineral analysis of your pasture, please organise this separately. You can do this directly with Hill Lab at your own cost.
Yes – we encourage you to chat to your Co-op team, or your trusted farm advisors. Your advisors could help with practical advice on how to read your results, and with ideas to improve pasture quality and overall performance.
Need help right now with joining the pasture quality pilot? Talk to us
Customer Service Team
Our Farmer Support Team is available 24/7 for urgent help and immediate guidance.
Local support
The My Co‑op app has contact details for your local Technical Support Representative for more complex issues.
Chat in person
Your Farm Source store is there for local face‑to‑face support with our team. They’re always happy to help.