Report: New Zealand-Hokkaido Dairy Cooperation Project Spring 2026 Grazing Online Seminar

On May 29, 2026, the New Zealand-Hokkaido Dairy Cooperation Project (co-hosted by the New Zealand government, Fonterra Japan, and FarmAge Co., Ltd.) held an online seminar via Zoom for approximately 70 participants.

The event brought together a diverse group of attendees, including dairy farmers, industry organizations, aspiring new farmers, and individuals with overseas grazing experience. Experts from New Zealand, Keith Betteridge and Bruce Thorrold, joined the discussion, which focused on the education and dissemination of grazing technologies.

Practical Cases from Hokkaido Dairy Farmers

### Transitioning to 'Intensive Grazing' through Plot Management: Yohei Matsuoka, Richfield (Okoppe Town)

After building a free-stall barn, Mr. Matsuoka found grazing difficult, which led him to join this project. He introduced his transition from conventional grazing to 'intensive grazing,' where pastures are managed by dividing them into 16–17 small plots (paddocks).

Through three years of implementation, he explained that the cows are now able to graze efficiently, leading to a reduction in the amount of supplemental feed provided. Currently, he is utilizing nearby abandoned farmland to further expand his grazing area.

### Shifting from 'Per-Cow' to 'Per-Hectare': Hiroo Takahara, Takahara Farm (Teshio Town)

Mr. Takahara shifted his mindset from focusing on 'milk yield per cow' to a land-based management model prioritizing 'profit per hectare.' He shared that he now utilizes up to 43 paddocks for intensive grazing.

This shift has realized reductions in feed costs and labor hours, and he explained that he is building a profit structure that is less susceptible to external environments.

He added, "Grazing is not about intuition, but the accumulation of improvements. Decision-making based on observation and data is vital," emphasizing the need for continuous improvement cycles.

Discussion: Disseminating Grazing Technology and Management Mindset

In the second half of the seminar, experts Keith Betteridge and Bruce Thorrold joined a discussion on the mindsets and challenges necessary for disseminating grazing technology.

### 'Three Principles for Grazing Success': Keith Betteridge

Mr. Betteridge cited the 'distance between milking facilities and grazing fields' as the key to success, pointing out the need to rethink the traditional barn-centered fixation.

He explained that 'before worrying too much about breeds or types of grass, it is important to first thoroughly manage the grassland,' noting that improving grazing efficiency leads to better management. He also touched on the importance of community work where dairy farmers learn from each other, stating that a 'culture of learning outside the farm' is essential for sustainable dairy farming.

### 'Balancing Management Strategy and Field Observation': Bruce Thorrold

Mr. Thorrold emphasized the need to build observations upon a clear management strategy: "What kind of dairy farm do you want to realize?" On top of strategic design—such as how many cows to keep, how much land to use, and what feeding system to employ—he stated that constant, detailed observation of cow behavior and residual grass in the field is required.

While diverse management forms exist in New Zealand, from 100% grazing to systems utilizing purchased feed, he noted that profit differences stem not from 'system differences,' but from 'management and grazing skills.' He concluded, "All decision-making should be based on data," highlighting the importance of visualization through numbers.

Introduction of Support Measures by Hokkaido Government

Mr. Kashiwaya from the Livestock Promotion Division of the Hokkaido Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries explained support measures for dairy farmers aiming for grazing conversion or expansion.

Hokkaido is planning subsidy projects for materials necessary for introducing grazing, such as pasture fences and water supply equipment, in addition to support for management analysis and identifying issues. The project assumes a budget of 2 million yen, a subsidy rate of 1/2, and a cap of 1 million yen. Farmers were asked to cooperate with surveys to design more effective systems.

Making Grazing 'Possible'

Finally, moderator Kenji Takada of FarmAge Co., Ltd. highlighted four key points of the seminar:

- Motivation and willingness to learn to turn information into practice - Use of data to increase grassland utilization efficiency - Learning with peers through discussion groups - Multi-faceted support system by government and industry

This project plans to hold discussion groups in Okoppe Town, Hokkaido, and seminars in Sapporo and Tokyo in mid-September 2026. The project remains committed to the development of grazing-based dairy farming and fostering personnel for sustainable dairy farming.