31 Aug 2011

More land conversions seen as not needed

12:46 pm on 31 August 2011

A stock feed specialist says there's no need to convert more land to dairy farming to increase milk production.

SealesWinslow managing director Ross Hyland says complementing pasture with a balanced grain-based diet could achieve a 20% increase in milk yield.

He says nationally, that would equate to 3 billion more litres of milk, or more than 240 million kg of milk solids.

At current prices and Fonterra share values that would increase export returns by $2 million.

Mr Hyland says the key lies in feeding cows the correct balance of feed at different times of the year.