Dave Clark
Principal scientist
Animals Research, DairyNZ Ltd
cnr Ruakura & Morrinsville Roads, Newstead
Private Bag 3221, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand
Tel: +64 7 858 3789; Fax: +64 7 858 3751; e-mail: dave.clark@dairynz.co.nz
Is a Principal Scientist at DairyNZ, based in Hamilton, New Zealand who became involved in dairy production research in 1991 when the Dairying Research Corporation was formed. He currently leads the Feed and Farm Systems team. His current research interests are focused on providing feasible new systems for New Zealand dairy farmers.
He is responsible for the Resource Efficient Dairying (RED) trial that is collecting baseline production, economic and environmental data from systems producing 1000 to 3000 kg milksolids per ha. A current major collaborative research project aims to redesign pastoral dairy systems to achieve high profitability without increasing N leaching, greenhouse gas emissions and soil damage. He also leads research projects on once daily milking and pasture assessment in the ‘Pastures from Space’ programme.
Other projects include growing annual yields of 25 t DM per ha from ryegrass or tall fescue pastures, and 45 t DM per ha from irrigated crops
He has degrees in agricultural science from Massey University and spent 18 years with DSIR Grasslands, Palmerston North researching sheep, bull beef, goat and deer systems before entering dairy research.