www.times-age.co.nz THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2024
FEATURE SUPPLEMENT l 17
2024 AUTUMN
PASTURE & FERTILISER
Take heart with autumn pasture renewal Autumn pasture renewal is the process of replacing older, less productive pasture with completely new pasture, to improve performance. The aim is nutritional pasture with a long lifespan that fuels the growth of high quality, high yielding, stock. Nurturing the perfect pasture involves fertile soil, quality seed, a potent mix of pasture species, well managed threats from pests and diseases, and optimum moisture. We look at each of these key determinants in this feature. DairyNZ and PGG Wrightson say the first step with any poor performing pasture is to address the underlying problems causing pasture deterioration. These could include low quality grasses, soil infertility and issues with PH, dry conditions or flooding, drainage, compaction, over-grazing, pugging, weeds, and pests. The life of pasture can be shortened by extended periods of drought or, alternatively, wet winters.
PRIORITISING WHICH PADDOCKS NEED RENEWING DairyNZ and Beef + Lamb NZ, together with other organisations such as PGG Wrightson and Farm Source, have come up with a system to guide farmers through pasture renewal decisions. A system of ‘condition scoring’ pasture is
recommended, leading to fact-based choices about the next course of action. Farmers are encouraged to walk their pastures and score each paddock with a rating between one and five. Scoring guides can be found on the websites of DairyNZ, PGG Wrightson, and Farm Source. For a score of five, where the whole paddock has a dense sward of desired grasses and clovers, the recommended course of action is to do nothing. On the other hand, for a condition score of one, where the entire paddock is severely damaged, the recommendation is to sow a summer crop in the spring and then sow perennial pasture the following autumn.
INVESTING IN RETURN Replacing poor producing paddocks with new pasture is one of the simplest ways to invest on-farm for a relatively predictable return. Over time, it’s usual to observe a decline in the population of desirable, productive plants, accompanied by an increase in undesirable or unproductive plants pastures become ‘runout’. Old pastures produce less dry matter, are lower in metabolisable energy, and have reduced stock performance. This decline compounds as the pasture ages. Successful pasture renewal can increase dry matter per hectare per year by around three to six tonnes. This is true for all farms, with extra production converted into additional income.
For all your
Agricultural Requirements • Hay and Baleage - Medium square, •Round Hay and - medium square orBaleage Conventional and round • Spraying • bales Direct drilling • Spraying • •Ploughing • Discing • Cultivation Grain Harvesting • Leveling • Heavy harrowing • Fertiliser application including • Rolling • Direct drilling • Air seeding liquid fertiliser
CALL SAM
027 405 9887 or 06 306 9874
AGRICULTURAL CONTRACTOR
WE SEE YOU THROUGH FROM START TO FINISH • Direct Drilling • Minimum To Full Tillage Cultivation • Maize Planting & Side Dressing • Pasture & Crop Spraying • Silage Grass, Cereal & Maize • Baleage & Hay • Grain & Seed Harvesting • Grain Drying & Handling • Cartage • Supplementary Feed Trading
For a professional result, call the experienced team at Colton Bros. Ltd 61 Georges Rd, RD3, Martinborough P: 06 306 9168 or M: Rob Gawith 027 454 6982 | Rob Carter 027 449 8023 | E: rob.coltbros@gmail.com