Crops and Forage

A 10-year Lincoln University long-term pasture persistence trial (PPT), looking at different grass species, predominantly perennial ryegrass, is unique in its duration and ability to evaluate the performance of a range of grass cultivars.Words Sarah Perriam-Lampp.

As growers move from blocks near urban centres to the plains, Seed & Grain NZ highlights the rising challenge of “neighbouring” crops. With market gardeners and seed growers now operating side-by-side, collaborative management is vital to safeguard seed quality for everyone involved. Words Seed & Grain NZ.

Taking a bird’s eye view is bringing a level of accuracy to a range of on-farm practices, allowing precise plant counts for crops such as fodder beet and giving pinpoint positioning of disease issues. Words Anne Lee.

Northland farmers at the sharp end of climate change are putting their experience and knowledge to good use, working with DairyNZ and research partners to develop pasture mixes that will underpin hardy and sustainable farming systems for a changing climate. Words Inside Dairy - DairyNZ. Photos Craig Brown.

Drier, low fertility soils, span over 500,000ha of New Zealand farmland and in many cases traditional white and red clover struggle and in some cases so does lucerne. Dr. Lucy Bell explores the future commercial potential of new legume species. Words Sarah Perriam-Lampp.

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

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.

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

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.

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.