High stocking rates on irrigated pastures are not unrealistic because seasonal pasture production is predictable. For best utilization this feed should be eaten in situ. Therefore stock policies with demand patterlis that best follow the pasture production curve have an advantage. On the Lower Waitaki Plains, to which this paper pertains, the typical irrigation farm- will be 70% border-dyked. The remaining 30% of land can be a useful complement.
