Crops and Forage

Pasture management 101

Understanding how pasture plants grow will give farmers the ability to manage pastures to optimise productivity, persistence and profitability.

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Legumes drive high performance

Legumes are the engine room that drive the Zino family’s sheep, beef and deer operation with their whole farm system geared around these high-protein forages. Words Sandra Taylor, Photos Lucy Hunter-Weston.

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Springboard Your Irrigation Season

Spring can be a mixed bag of weather but ideal for preparation to reset, rethink, and retool your irrigation strategy. Words Kathryn Healy.

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Fix Pasture Damage From Pugging With Direct Drilling

After a wet winter September is the only window of opportunity you have to fix damage from pugging to avoid an explosion of weeds and a major drop in pasture production. Words Sarah Perriam-Lampp.

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Summer forages a double win

Crops like Pallaton Raphnobrassica, lucerne, Relish red clover, Ecotain plantain-clovers, Sika chicory-clovers grazed in the summer show promise in a recent study for reducing worm challenge in lambs on farms which can help with drench resistance issues through less drenching, while also lifting lamb growth rates. Words Sarah Perriam-Lampp.

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Pushing the Boundaries of Catch Crops

Imagine if a crop could be both productive and improve environmental outcomes in a cold and wet climate. Plant & Food Research have been working with several Canterbury catchment groups to ground the science to see if forage oats can reduce the risk of nitrate leaching losses even in the toughest conditions.Words Sarah Perriam-Lampp.

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Meticulous planning key to winter forage crop management

Winter forage crops are a critical part of Robert Young’s Southland farming operation. Sandra Taylor showcases the plans he puts in place to protect animal welfare and soil and water resources while these crops are being grazed. Words Sandra Taylor.

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Management rethink has worms thriving

By prioritising soil health, Mid-Canterbury arable farm managers Matt and Heidi Hart are making environmental as well as crop yield gains. Words Heather Chalmers.

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Olsen P test underestimates accessibility alreadyin soil

New research from AgResearch and Lincoln University shows rising carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere are altering phosphorus (P) available for plant growth, potentially leading to costly and unnecessary fertiliser application by farmers. Words Sarah Perriam-Lampp.

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Mechanical weeding makes a comeback

A worrying increase in the prevalence of herbicide resistance as well as consumer pressure to reduce chemical use is resulting in mechanical weeders making a comeback as an alternative weed control in arable crops. Words Heather Chalmers.

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