Integrated farming systems on show at Cheltenham Downs
Do you want to see firsthand how genetics, dairy-beef, organics, cropping and finishing work together across a commercial farming system?
Join us for the next Pāmu Open Farm Day at Cheltenham Downs, near Feilding, on Wednesday 25 November.
Cheltenham Downs is a 1,060ha mixed finishing and support farm with a key role across Pāmu Lower North Island operations. It finishes around 20,000 lambs annually, carries dairy-beef animals, provides dairy grazing and grows crops, including maize, lucerne and chicory. Alongside it, the 355ha Short Road block provides organic dairy grazing for the Moutoa dairy operations and a further block is being converted to organic.
“Cheltenham is a good example of what integrated farming looks like in practice, with different land uses and farming systems supporting each other for increased productivity and sustainability,” says Pāmu CE Mark Leslie.
Visitors to the Open Day will join a 4WD convoy around parts of the farm to explore that integration, starting with genetics before moving through organics, livestock flows, finishing, and the connection with processors and markets.
Genetics and the dairy-beef pathway
Pāmu has an ambitious target of rearing all dairy-born calves by 2030. This means a full systems change, from genetics, to calf-rearing, through to finishing and markets.
At the open day, Pāmu, Focus Genetics, and LIC will talk about genetics and how breeding decisions connect with what happens further through the farming system.
Organics as part of the system
Pāmu began trialling organic dairy farming in 2016, and now has 11 organic dairy farms and two runoffs across Reporoa and Moutoa, milking more than 6,400 cows. Short Road already supports the Moutoa organic farms, growing out around 500 to 550 organic dairy heifer calves and yearlings. A further block at Cheltenham is now marked for organic conversion.
Pāmu and Fonterra Organics will talk about what is involved in converting land to organic dairy support, and the market for organic milk.
Diversifying for resilience
While we are focusing on our land and livestock, bringing it all together comes down to our people. At Pāmu, we have a culture of safe and capable people, and visitors will hear about our latest stock-handling training and how we manage critical risks on farm.
The final part of the day will look across the Lower North Island Pāmu farms and how the different farming activities connect. Silver Fern Farms will bring the processor and market perspective to the dairy-beef conversation.
“There’s a lot of curiosity around our internal stock flows, along with the use of data and wearables to support farm decisions,” says Mark, “and Open Farm Days are one way we share what we are doing with farmers and industry.
“Our Pāmu farm teams will be joined by Focus Genetics, LIC, Fonterra Organics and Silver Fern Farms, with plenty of time for questions and discussion throughout the day.”
Coffee and lunch are included, with thanks to LIC and Silver Fern Farms. Attendance is free but registration is essential. Register here.
Wednesday 25 November 2026
Cheltenham Downs, near Feilding
Gates open at 10.30am for an 11am start
Finish at 2.30pm
