New Zealand pastures are typically ryegrass and white clover. At our regenerative farm, we plant a functionally diverse mix of eight to fifteen species, including legumes, herbs, chicory, and several grasses, to give our herd a varied diet.

Why is a diverse diet important for our cows?

Emerging research is showing that allowing herds to graze on diverse pastures can increase the nutrient density of animal products and improve animal welfare.

And the results we’re seeing come through from our studies with Lincoln University are promising. The milk and yoghurt from our regenerative farm is higher in omega 3s, phytonutrients, and antioxidants compared to milk from our conventional farm, with potential health benefits for consumers.

While these results are promising, they haven’t been easy to achieve! Keeping pastures diverse throughout the seasons has come with challenges, particularly with the persistence of some species and maintaining consistent levels of feed over shoulder seasons.

There is currently a gap in research on diverse pasture management in the New Zealand context, so along with our peers in the regen community, we’re learning as we go.

This season, we’re trying a new approach. We’re testing a mix of hyperdiverse strips along the edges of the paddocks we regrassed this season, along with a more grass-dominant mix of species in the middle. We’re hoping this approach will balance the benefits of a diverse diet with the practical needs of pasture management.

Regenerative farming is all about working with the land and animals, and that means learning and adjusting as we go. We hope this tweak will keep leading us in the right direction, and we’ll let you know how it goes. We’re so glad to have you along for the journey!