Mangaotea grazes 200 weaner dairy heifers from December to May and 900 rising 1 year dairy heifers from May to May.

For the last 7 years we have winter grazed 500 mixed age dairy cows from 1 June for a minimum of 7 weeks and if the season allows up to 8 weeks.  Due to the last 2 seasons (2010 &2011) being extremely wet, this has now become unsustainable.  We have changed our policy this year to graze 300 rising 2 year old dairy heifers from May for a minimum of 8 weeks and up to 10 weeks if the season allows.  This will be kinder on the land and should allow for earlier pasture recovery.