One of this country’s most significant farms, Limestone Downs, opens its gates to the public from 10am on Tuesday, February 17.

Limestone Downs is an attractive property, with the ocean on its boundary.

Massey University staff will give an update on the tick-transmitted disease theileria, which is a serious issue for beef as well as dairy cattle.

Precision fertiliser applications will be explained by representatives from Ravensdown, Ministry for Primary Industries, Ag Research and Massey University about the project
using Limestone Downs to test techniques.

This will include a demonstration of how drones can be used to assist in ensuring fertiliser is spread exactly where it’s required.

Limestone Downs converted part of its property to dairying last year and ecologists, who’ve been monitoring streams on the farm, will report on the impact of that conversion.

After lunch, which visitors bring for themselves, there will be a guided, self-drive farm tour finishing at the cowshed for those who wish to observe milking.

Visitors are invited to bring a four-wheel-drive vehicle if they can. Motorbike helmets are required to be worn by those using quads, and no passengers are permitted on these machines.

Riding on tractors is also not permitted.

The open day will go ahead wet or fine, and anyone interested in Limestone Down, its operations and the research underway there, is welcome to attend.