The link between pasture performance and returns is a simple one: if farmers can grow more grass they can put more milk in the vat and send more milk solids through the gate. The adoption of the AR37 ryegrass variety on Walton Farm is estimated to result in between 9% and 20% increased milk production off that part of the farm. AgResearch figures indicate the gains from AR37 could translate to between $450/hectare and $800/hectare each year – if the longer period between the need to regrass pasture is factored in.

Dairy farms have around-the-clock energy demands, with the milking shed being the main consumer of electricity. Electricity is used to drive the vacuum and milk pumps during milking, to cool milk and to produce the hot water used to clean equipment. When David and Raewyn Bennett replaced the farm's 32-aside herringbone dairy shed with a 54 bail rotary shed, a number of systems were used to reduce electricity use. They ensured that hot water cylinders were insulated, and that both these and vacuum pumps were matched with their respective demands. Variable speed drives are utilised on pumps to reduce power consumption. The project team installed additional an additional insulating cover on the milk vat (the Polar Wrap from Dairy Technology Services), as well as a Danfoss Mahana Blue unit. The Mahana Blue recovers heat generated while chilling milk, and uses it to heat the hot water to 80 degrees, effectively removing the hot water component of the energy bill.