DRYLAND PASTURES

The Dryland Pastures Research (DPR) Group mission is to provide research led information to farmers, the extension industry, students and the general public. The research is directed by Professor Derrick Moot who initiated the programme in 1998. The aim is to develop dryland pastoral farms that offer resilience to climate variability and climate change. Our work focusses on quantifying genetic (plant species) by environment (rain-fed) interactions to develop robust on-farm management systems. These transform the financial, social and environmental outcomes of sheep, beef and deer farmers across New Zealand. We research how abiotic and biotic factors differ across a farm and then introduce appropriate solutions to enhance on-farm plant and animal production. Our work has a legume focus to provide a sustainable way to overcome the chronic nitrogen shortage present on all pastoral and arable farms. The research team is output focussed with regular publications in international journals..