A 15-year partnership between Te Whare Wānaka o Aoraki Lincoln University and Beef + Lamb New Zealand is continuing to strengthen resilience in dryland farming communities by delivering practical, research-backed advice straight to farmers’ phones—right when they need it most.

The free text service began when Lincoln University’s Professor Derrick Moot and Beef + Lamb New Zealand Product and Development Manager, Aaron Meikle, recognised a growing need for simple, accessible lucerne management support for sheep and beef farmers. To help, they launched the text service offering guidelines and seasonal tips on lucerne for farmers who are increasingly experiencing variable climates and need reliable advice to maintain productivity.

“The information shared on the text service is based on 20 years of research, originally aimed at improving farm resilience in the face of climate change,” says Professor Moot. “Our early work compared red clover, chicory and lucerne to identify the most suitable species in drier conditions, with lucerne proving the most resilient.”

Why lucerne matters

Lucerne is widely used by sheep and beef farmers across New Zealand due to its reliability in both wet and dry seasons. Unlike ryegrass and white clover, which struggle when soil surface temperatures reach above 40°C, lucerne thrives. It also fixes its own nitrogen, efficiently uses water, persists for years, offers recognised weed control options, and has few pest and disease issues—giving farmers a consistent, high-quality feed supply.

Bringing science straight to farmers’ phones

More than 1,200 farmers and agribusiness consultants now subscribe to the text service. Its popularity reflects the usefulness of this service to those in remote locations and the need for effective year-round management of lucerne.

The content shared is reviewed annually to keep information relevant, and it has recently expanded to include short 60-second voice notes from Professor Moot offering deeper insights than a text can provide.

Giving farmers the opportunity for a two-way conversation 

“As part of the Dryland Pastures Research Programme here at Lincoln University, we’re frequently talking with farmers to understand what’s happening on farm,” says Professor Moot. “The challenges they raise often become research projects for our postgraduate students. The solutions we develop are then fed into the text service. As well, farmers can reply to the texts and ask questions, and these often inform future alerts.”

Both Professor Moot and Aaron have been heartened by the success of the text service and recall being approached by farmers on numerous occasions, conveying the value of the information they receive.

“I remember one farmer who was grateful for helping him avoid a costly winter-grazing mistake. He was about to put his ewes onto lucerne mid-winter when a text arrived advising against it because it would restrict spring growth. If he’d grazed the lucerne, he would have lost around four weeks of valuable feed for his lambs come spring. This type of feedback is so rewarding and shows us how impactful the service is.”

Supporting farmers into the future

With ongoing climate variability and new challenges emerging every season, science-based management remains essential for maintaining productivity. The lucerne text service has proven to be an effective tool for delivering crucial information straight to farmers in the paddock.

To subscribe to Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s free lucerne text service, email enquiries@beeflambnz.com.

Source: Lincoln University