Planning for success
When it comes to autumn pasture renewal, a strong plan underpins successfully meeting your farm’s feed quantity and quality needs.
In partnership with Barenbrug
With profitability pressured, and prolonged dry and wet spells for farms on the East Coast, damaged pasture may take longer to recover. This means planning is crucial to balance cost with desired outcomes, explains Barenbrug Pasture Specialist Graham Kerr.
Kerr says it is about forward thinking to maximise productivity in 2025/26.
“My plea is please, have a strong plan for pasture renewal. It’s complex and there are a range of things to get right from choosing the area to spraying out, drilling, cultivar choice, pest control and fertiliser. Of course, it’s all dependent on the weather. Having a strong plan will minimise the risk of poor results.”
He says there are three parts to a good plan. First, ask yourself where you want to be in spring. Secondly, set your budget and finally, make the plan.
Where do you want to be in spring? Having the pasture supply you want in order for stock to do well is the number one consideration. “Spring is critical and kilograms of lamb weaned is a key profitability driver on many farms. A lot of badly damaged pasture means we may have a lot of weed and unpalatable species issues. Ask how many hectares you need to do across your farm, what type of pasture and quality of feed do you need to grow your stock?”
Budget. Kerr is empathetic given the tough 12 months endured by many, and says pasture is the key low-cost feed on farm. “Pasture is magic. You graze it and it replaces itself time and time again. While cashflow is tight, pasture is a key area to set up productivity for the 25/26 season. Think critically about where the best place is to put your money.”
Actual plan. Every farm is different and Kerr encourages farmers to seek advice when planning, whether that’s from a neighbour, local rep or Barenbrug. “This both strengthens the plan, and in times of stress, sharing and double-checking the plan can be a huge stress reliever.”
Five key tips this season:
Under-sowing: Putting a direct drill into damaged pastures to inject new seed. A low-cost option, able to be quickly applied to large areas. Works best with an Italian or hybrid ryegrass due to their fast establishment. In areas of dry, wait until the heat has passed, typically after 1 March.
Nitrogen: A cost-effective way to grow extra feed to set up spring, it can be a real circuit breaker. Applying a lower rate over large areas may boost feed growth significantly.
Choice of species: Hybrid ryegrass has been a revelation. It’s able to grow almost as much as an annual in the first year, while persisting for three to four years with high feed quality. “Perennial is still king and the best long-term option, if the budget allows. There has been nice innovation in fine-leaved cocksfoot, which are more drought tolerant than ryegrasses. Lucerne also has a place on particular soil types. It’s about the right mix for the right property.”
Choice of country: The best country with the best soil and soil fertility always gives the best results, so focus on those areas first.
Don’t cut corners: Pasture renewal means putting living seed into the ground, and there are many links in the chain, including paddock preparation, nutrient supply, pest pressure and fertiliser. It comes back to the plan. Having a plan that covers all the links means you have the best chance of getting the best result.
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