NZ Demonstration & Research Farms
Practical research and demonstration for New Zealand dairy farmers.
Proven on farm. Backed by science. Practical research you can use.
Our nationwide network of research and demonstration farms tests ideas in real farming conditions – so farmers can make confident, evidence-based decisions.
These farms bridge the gap between science and practice. They trial innovation, demonstrate best-practice farm systems, and share real-world performance data to support improved productivity, profitability, and environmental outcomes across New Zealand’s dairy sector.
What happens on these farms?
Farmers, researchers and industry work together to:
- Test new ideas on real farms – pasture, feed, herd and whole farm systems
- Measure the numbers that matter – production, animal health, costs and environmental impacts
- Trial tools and technology before wider on‑farm use
- Run field days and events so you can see and question what’s happening
- Share results openly – reports, data and practical guides you can use
Why this matters
These farms help take risk out of change by showing what works before you try it.
You get access to:
- Proven practices you can adapt on your own farm
- Field days and workshops to see results first-hand
- Benchmarking data to compare performance
- Local trials that reflect your region and farm system
- Farmer‑led learning, backed by solid science
Find a farm near you
Each farm has its own website with results, technical notes, events and resources.
- NDDT – Northland Demonstration & Development Trust
Practical farm systems trials focused on measuring impacts on production, profit, people and environment
🔗 https://nddt.nz/
- Lye Farm – DairyNZ Research Farm
Home to world class udder health and intensive indoor nutrition research. With a focus on pasture, feed and animal performance systems.
🔗 https://www.dairynz.co.nz/research/research-farms/lye-farm/
- Scott Farm – DairyNZ Research Farm
Home to research on effective farming systems for dairy farmers, with particular relevance for pasture-based Waikato farming with long-running system and pasture trials.
🔗 https://www.dairynz.co.nz/research/research-farms/scott-farm/
- Owl Farm – Waikato
Providing knowledge and demonstrating excellence in farm performance to create a sustainable future.
🔗 https://owlfarm.nz/
- Dairy Trust Taranaki
Farmer-backed trials focused on productivity and environment, delivering relevant, world-class research, demonstration and extension.
🔗 https://www.dairytrusttaranaki.co.nz/
- Lincoln University Dairy Farm – LUDF
Tomorrow’s Dairying Today – to support the sustainable success of dairy both now and into the future – balancing our people, production, profit and the environment.
🔗 https://siddc.org.nz/
- Lincoln University Research Dairy Farm
Commercial dairying and research which carries out smaller component scale studies.
- Ashley Dene Research & Development Station – Lincoln University
Commercial dairying that conducts farm system research to improve the profitability, environmental and welfare performance - of dairy and livestock farming systems.
🔗 https://www.lincoln.ac.nz/about-us/campus/lincoln-university-farms/research-farms/ashley-dene-research-development-station/
- Southern Dairy Hub
Commercial-scale dairy research farm focused on practical future farming solutions for southern farmers.
