Pastures

Deferred grazing could be a great option for your farm, to reduce costs, and improve soil health, with environmental benefits too, and could be as simple as shutting the paddock gate. In this episode, hear from Waikato farmer Bill Garland, who has implemented this practice on his farm, and AgResearch’s Dr Katherine Tozer, the scientist behind the research into deferred grazing. We also hear from Property Brokers General Manager Rural, Conrad Wilkshire, about what changing land use regulations could mean for the rural property market going into 2025.

Deferred grazing to rejuvenate pastures has been a no-cost alternative to a summer regrassing programme for Waikato farmer Bill Garland, and he believes the practice could help farmers in their quest to become better environmental managers, as well being light on the pocket. Words Rebecca Greaves Photos Christine Cornege.

Kiwis know a thing or two about persistence, toughness and high performance. It’s the same qualities you’ll find in our new Stampede CM142 diploid perennial ryegrass with the CM142 endophyte. 

Held in November 2023 in Rotorua, the NZ Grasslands Association was the place to hear about the research comprised in their 85th journal. For those who couldn’t make it, Joanna Grigg provides a speed-dating style summary of some of the papers and key findings. These are peer reviewed and come from the very best of our country’s pastoral researchers.

The “sleeper weed” Chilean needle grass, if nothing was done to stop it, could spread through most of New Zealand and eventually cost the country over a billion dollars, according to newly published research.

Running a multi-million dollar farming enterprise demands tight cost control and finely tuned operational management. Tony Leggett reports.

Whenua Haumanu is the most comprehensive programme assessing the suitability and relevance of regenerative agriculture in New Zealand. Jackie Harrigan attended the first field day at Massey University.

Pesticide resistance is a serious challenge for the farming sector – decreasing its ability to manage pests and diseases such as blackspot (apples), powdery mildew (a fungal disease affecting a wide range of plants), diamond back moth and weeds affecting ryegrass.

By: Lynda Gray

Kerry Dwyer says each farmer should renew the area suited to their farm.