The Kleyngelds sharemilk a 135 hectare dairy farmm for Tasman Agricultme, converted from sheep in 1990. 350 cows are wintered with total production being 41 800 kg milkfat (90/W), 54 000 kg (91/92), and projected 92/93,57 000 kg. One third of the farm is in newer ryegrass/clover, the remaining mainly browntop. Grass grown and grazed is recorded, so paddock performance can be monitored. The major result is variation in growth, 1 l- 3 tonnes/DM. A grazing round of approximately 26 days suits all pastures for best performance. A balance is created between under- andovergrazing. Pasture is grazed to a base level of 1400 kg/ha/DM, to ensure quick regrowth but no loss of quality. Regrassing is the major emphasis -- approximately lo-20 hectares are done a season. Ryegrasses and clover are used at 23 kg/ha. Pasture is sprayed and direct drilled with care taken in grazing for first season. Fertiliser complements regrassing. Over the last two years 400 kg/ha 15% potassic super was applied, this season 600 kg/ha were applied. Nitrogen is used strategically from.late winter to autumn according to soil temperature over the whole farm. There are flow on effects through winter and early spring. Limiting factors to conversion are management, fertility and grasses. Planning is needed to utilise resources for best returns. Keywords dairy conversion, fertiliser, regrassing, sheep farm, dairy farm
