Lessons learned in delivering an extension programme for grazing lucerne in Central Otago, New Zealand

This paper outlines how on-farm practice change was facilitated in a region where traditional or ‘old’ lucerne management was entrenched. Central Otago is a region of New Zealand with hot (35oC max) dry (~350 mm annual rainfall) summers and cold (-20oC lowest) winters. It is an ideal growing environment for lucerne and the farmers know how to establish and grow it, predominantly for making into hay. This case study presents an extension programme that aimed to encourage farmers to shift lucerne from a conserved feed to being grazing in spring built upon a decade of research and a subsequent successful extension programme in another region of the country. To facilitate this practice change required on farm demonstration; farm walks, field days, physical and financial modeling; leading experts and new practice champions; farmers’ experiences and local champions; and a website. The key extension learning’s included the importance of understanding the requirements of the specific farm system; demonstration of the new practice; identifying and solving local problems; recognizing the questions that were limiting uptake of new practice by farmers and identifying and engaging with potential gatekeepers.