EVERY SEED COUNTS SIX KEY STEPS TO GREAT PASTURE RENEWAL

Transcription

1 EVERY SEED COUNTS SIX KEY STEPS TO GREAT PASTURE RENEWAL New pasture for 0c/kg DM, a % p.a. return on investment.

2 SIX KEY STEPS FOR GREAT PASTURE RENEWAL The number one driver of farm profitability is the amount of pasture DM eaten per hectare. Over the past two years the reduced milk payout has highlighted pasture s importance as a low cost, high quality feed. However, lack of cashflow has constrained pasture renewal on many farms. With a better outlook, now s the time to get your farm growing to its full potential. Typically, the worst performing paddock grows half as much as the best. This presents a great opportunity for you to grow a lot more feed, for a lot less than it costs to buy it. Successful renewal comes from getting these steps right. CONTENTS Choosing paddocks the secret to maximum gains Page Fixing problems set yourself up for success Page 8 Renew the way that suits your farm to cultivate or not? Page 0 Identifying right cultivars genetics matter Page 6 Sowing the seed what to watch on the day Page 6 Managing new pasture job s not done for months Page 8

3 DOLLARS & SENSE New pasture for just 0c/kg DM, or a % ROI per annum! On c/kg DM basis Renewing underperforming paddocks can give high financial returns. In this example, we have used top end renewal costs ($,0/ha), and assumed a modest yield increase from the new pasture of t DM/ha/year for years. This means a net increase of 0. t DM/ha grown for $,0, a cost of 0c/kg DM. Return on investment (ROI) If this extra pasture is turned into milk solids, the extra DM yield, feed quality (ME) and utilisation of the new pasture convert to,0 kg MS/ha, giving an extra income of $,87/ha (allowing for extra marginal costs of production). For the $,0/ha cost of renewal this is a % return on investment, or % ROI annualised over years. Few other investments match this. Cost/benefit of pasture renewal (with t DM/ha extra grown over years). DM yield Extra growth over years DM lost during renewal Net increase in yield + t DM/ha -. t 0. t DM/ha Extra kg MS 70. ME Extra kg MS from higher ME 6. Utilisation Extra kg MS from higher utilisation 8 Total extra kg MS,0 kg MS Income extra $6/kg $7,80 Less marginal cost extra $.0/kg MS -$,98 Fixed costs (e.g. land, rates, cows, labour etc) are paid whether pasture is renewed or not. Marginal costs increase with extra MS (e.g. vat refrigeration, extra cows). Net increase income $,87 Cost of renewal -$,0 Return on investment % Return on investment annualised % p.a. Assumptions: Utilisation 80%, average ME, conversion of 0 MJ ME/kg MS MJ ME/kg DM, conversion 80 MJ ME/kg MS +% pasture utilisation. Includes spraying glyphosate (L/ha) + penetrant (0.L/ha) + application $7/ha; light disc & drill $0/ha; Trojan kg, Kotare kg, Weka kg (all treated) $0/ha; Cambridge roll $/ha; slug bait $80/ha; establishment fertiliser (DAP 00 kg/ha) spread $/ha; broadleaf herbicide $90/ha.

4 Choosing paddocks to renew The smarter we are about picking paddocks to renew, the bigger the payoff. Look for paddocks that will give the biggest gains, for the lowest cost. On a typical dairy farm paddock performance varies greatly, with the worst paddocks producing half as much as the best. Your goal is to identify the level of underperformance of each paddock against your best paddocks, as in the diagram below. Few farms are totally even; many have different soils or contour etc (as shown by different green bars), so be sure to compare like with like. Example of typical farm showing range in pasture grown (t DM/ha) for individual paddocks. 8 Potential production dark green soil type t DM/ha / year grown t DM/ha/yr Potential production light green soil type t DM/ha/yr Dark green bars have better soil; light green bars have poorer soil The low hanging fruit are paddocks with the largest gain that can be achieved for the lowest cost. In this example paddock is producing 6 t DM/ha less than paddock, both with the same soil type.

5 You can rank paddock performance in three ways:. Weekly cover data Data from regular assessments of pasture cover can be collated over a season into growth per paddock (t DM/ha). Software like Pasture Coach, AgriNet or Land & Feed can do this automatically, ranking paddocks from best to worst on their DM yield.. Number of grazing days A simple collation of the number times paddocks have been grazed can give a quick indication of paddock growth. e.g. a single grazing might be estimated at t DM/ha eaten. Paddock Grazings Silage Made Other Grazings Totals Grazings A B C 0 At the end of the season, add up total grazings. Include other growth such as silage. Where the paddocks are different sizes, correct for this by dividing by the paddock size, so you compare total grazings/ha.. Pasture condition scoring Pasture condition scoring can be a useful tool where pastures have been damaged over summer, and you need to quantify the extent of this. Walk the farm, score each paddock on a scale from - according to the examples on page 6, and identify paddocks which are thin or weedy for renewal.

6 6 Pasture Condition Score - suggested action Rank Description Suggested action Whole paddock has dense sward of desired grasses and clovers. No action required. Would be happy if whole farm in this state. Parts of the paddock show signs of low level damage, less vigorous grasses and some weeds. No action required. Looks okay. Majority of paddock has low level damage, weeds and less vigorous grasses. Pasture has thinned out, and has bare space. Undersowing is an option to thicken pasture (see page for more). Parts of the paddock have severe damage, a lot of weeds and bare ground. Renewal would likely give significant benefit to paddock performance. Entire paddock serevely damaged. Renewal would give significant benefit to paddock performance. (Source: Dairy NZ website).

7 Pasture is cheaper than any feed that comes on a truck.

8 8 Fixing problems Before starting any pasture renewal, you must identify and correct the problems that caused paddocks to perform poorly in the first place. For example, there s little point sowing new pasture if soil fertility is poor. Address all links of pasture performance Soil fertility Sowing technique Drought Overgrazing Pasture cultivar Soil compaction Pests Issues that often need attention include: Soil fertility & ph Correct soil fertility and ph are critical for optimal plant growth and to obtain the best results from pasture renewal. Identify paddocks for renewal early, and soil test months prior to renewal to allow time to rectify fertility issues. Drainage & compaction Improve drainage, and if compaction is an issue, aerate by subsoiling and cultivating to ensure the new pasture roots well in the soil. If compaction is an on-going issue, wet weather management may need to be reviewed. Weeds Pastures where DM yield has been compromised by weeds and/or pests are best put through at least one break crop. This allows for a multiple-herbicide programme to reduce the weed burden in the subsequent pasture.

9 Pests 9 As well as using a break crop, seed treatment is an important tool in pest control. Agricote seed treatment helps protect seedlings. Seed treatment contains insecticide, fungicide and in some cases nutrients, to protect new seedlings when they are most vulnerable in their first 6 weeks of life. Ryegrass endophyte Endophyte is a critical decision for insect control in ryegrass pastures. NEA, NEA and AR7 endophytes can be used New Zealand-wide. AR endophyte should not be sown in areas where black beetle is a problem, as it is susceptible to this insect. Overgrazing Grasses store the reserves they need to persist and regrow above the ground in the basal stems in the bottom - cm of a pasture. Grazing these reserves is mostly likely in dry summers, when it is also most damaging. Tools like on/off grazing, crops, supplements, culling and different milking policies help limit this.

10 0 Renew the way that suits your farm The aim is to create a weed and pest free paddock, so your new pasture establishes strongly and performs well. Different renewal methods are listed below with their advantages and disadvantages. It is important to choose the best method for your situation. Seek advice as necessary. Summary of methods Cultivation Spray-drill Undersow In spring, spray glyphosate, cultivate & sow summer crop q Feed off crop over summer q Spray stubble with glyphosate q Light cultivation q Drill seed q Light graze 6-0 weeks later Hard graze q Allow to regrow (e.g. 7 to days) & spray with glyphosate q Graze days after spraying & direct drill seed into pasture q Light graze 6 weeks later Hard graze (no herbicide) & direct drill seed into thin pasture q Graze normally Cultivation Positives Most consistent results Eliminates compaction Best weed control Can level paddock Can incorporate lime/fertiliser Spray & drill Positives Herbicide controls competition Less expensive & less time consuming than cultivation Quicker to first grazing (e.g. 6 weeks) Negatives Most expensive (often costs can be partly attributed to crop) Slower to first grazing (e.g. 6-0 weeks vs 6 weeks) Softer & more prone to pugging during establishment Negatives Less opportunity to correct ph Won t fix soil compaction or level paddock Care is needed with pests and slugs (no cultivation to kill them) May revert to old pasture more quickly than cultivated paddocks

11 Undersow Positives Cheap & simple Allows large areas to be sown quickly (important after drought) Hybrid ryegrass (e.g. Shogun) can establish rapidly and can boost total DM yield Negatives Doesn t work in dense pastures Doesn t control invasive weeds Usually only a temporary fix Sowing date Autumn sown pastures should be sown early enough to allow for at least one grazing before winter. This gives plants a chance to develop and reach 0+ tillers in size prior to the following (potentially dry) summer. Late sowing slows pasture establishment because temperatures are cooler. Plants will be smaller and weaker coming into their first potentially dry summer with fewer tillers and less well developed roots, so don t spray out chicory crops too late. Properly establishing new pastures should be the priority.

12 Identifying right cultivars The DairyNZ Forage Value Index (FVI) provides objective data on the performance of ryegrass cultivars. DairyNZ has worked with the country s main seed suppliers, including Agriseeds, to make this data available. Perennial Ryegrass Forage Value List ial Ryegrass Forage Value List Example: Sowing Trojan perennial Note: Note: Cultivars are are sorted sorted by by star star rating rating and and then then randomly with w ryegrass is predicted to on Perennial ryegrass ryegrass FVI FVI is is currently currently a combination a of of seasonal dr average produce $0/ha with SE are not as they can cause Note: Cultivars are sorted by star rating and then randomly within Cultivars each with star SE rating are category not recommended as they can cause ryegra extra Perennial farm operating ryegrass FVI profit is currently a combination of seasonal dry matter performance values and economic values. over Cultivars Nui, each with year, SE are on not a recommended as they can cause ryegrass staggers in summer and may reduce milksolid production at lower North Island dairy farm. The FVI models a dairy farm system (in this Filtered Filtered by: by: LOWER LOWER NORTH NORTH ISLAND, ISLAND, PERENNIAL RYEGRASS/AR/AR7/ENDO/LE/NEA/ example in the lower OWER NORTH ISLAND, PERENNIAL RYEGRASS/AR/AR7/ENDO/LE/NEA/SE, DIPLOID/TETRAPLOID, MID/LATE/VERY North Island) and how it Performance LATE V would turn extra pasture FVI FVI (Star (Star Performance FVI FVI Star Star Values (Star Rating (- ($/ha) FVI ($/ha) rating) Star Rating Seasonal Cultivar ($/ha) dry matter Winter Cultivar (DM) Early into milk, the extra income rating) rating) and associated costs. To r FVI Star Rating ($/ha) Cultivar Winter Early Spring Late Spring compare the cultivars in ARROW Summer AR Autumn Endo ARROW AR TROJAN NEA NEA this example, the expected operating profit of sowing $77 to $60 BASE BASE AR7 AR7 ARROW AR $77 to $60 AR7 AR TROJAN NEA***** REQUEST AR7 -star rated Trojan ryegrass ALTO AR7 NEA ALTO AR7 BASE AR7 is $0/ha (an average of ONE0 AR7 AR7 $77 to $60 ONE0 AR7 * REQUEST AR7 AR7 MATRIX SE $77-$60), $0/ha better ALTO AR7 MATRIX SE AR7 ONE0 AR ONE0 AR7 ONE0 AR AR7 than the return from star PROSPECT AR7 AR7 MATRIX SE Nui ryegrass of $9/ha $ to $76 NEA SE $ to $76 BEALEY NEA ONE0 AR **** (average of -$-$0). ULTRA AR AR ULTRA AR PROSPECT AR7 HALO AR7 AR7 HALO AR7 $ to $76 BEALEY NEA ALTO AR NEA ALTO AR ULTRA AR AR EXPO AR HALO AR7 EXPO AR AR7 Example: AR7 ALTO AR SAMSON AR7 AR $7 $7 to to $ $ BANQUET II II ENDO II ENDO EXPO AR Trojan perennial ryegrass *** AR AR ABERMAGIC AR SAMSON AR7 has top summer growth on EXPO AR7 AR7 EXPO AR7 $7 $ BANQUET II ENDO Endo SE lower North Island dairy ABERMAGIC AR SAMSON SE AR $0 to $6 farms. EXPO AR7 ** $0 to $6 OHAU AR7 AR7 ** OHAU AR7 SAMSON SE SE NUI SE $0 The FVI to $6 NUI SE gives ratings from OHAU AR7 -$ -$ to to $0 $0 AR7 (=excellent) to (=low) * SE * PACIFIC SE NUI SE SE for growth through the -$ to $0 different seasons. This PACIFIC can SE SE be important as growth = Top rank, = Bottom rank, = Top rank, = Bottom rank, Winter Winter = Winter = Winter dry dry matter matter production (May-June), Early Early Sp S in some seasons, such as Summer Summer dry dry matter matter production (Nov-Jan), Autumn Autumn = Autumn = Autumn dry dry matter matter production (Feb-Apr), 6 Summer is more valuable. late), 6 (number of trials). For more visit k, = Bottom rank, Winter = Winter dry matter production late), 6 Confidence (May-June), (number Early Spring of trials). = Early For spring more information dry matter production visit dairynz.co.nz/fvi (July-Aug), Late Spring atter production (Nov-Jan), Autumn = Autumn dry matter production (Feb-Apr), Endophyte, where WE is without endophyte Ploidy (D=Diploid ence (number of trials). For more information visit dairynz.co.nz/fvi

13 The FVI provides an estimate of operating profit/ha from sowing different ryegrass cultivars in four regions, similar to BW in cows. t Evaluation Evaluation date: date: Oct Evaluation date: Oct 0 Oct 0 0 date: Oct 0 Evaluation date: Oct 0 y omly then within within Note: each randomly each Cultivars star each star rating within star rating are each star rating category sorted by star rating and then randomly within each star rating category dry ation matter of seasonal Perennial dry Evaluation rating category matter ryegrass FVI values performance date: Oct is currently and values 0 asonal a combination values. and economic values. hin al dry each dry matter dry star matter performance rating performance category values values and and economic economic values. values. of seasonal dry matter performance values and economic values. ryegrass se se ey ryegrass can Cultivars cause staggers ryegrass with in summer in staggers SE in are summer not and recommended may and in reduce summer may reduce and may as they milksolid can reduce milksolid cause ryegrass at this at time. production at at this time. matter staggers performance in summer values and may economic reduce values. milksolid production at this staggers this time. time. in summer and may reduce milksolid production at this time. rass staggers in summer and may reduce milksolid production at this time. this time. E/NEA/SE, EA/SE, 7/ENDO/LE/NEA/SE, DIPLOID/TETRAPLOID, DIPLOID/TETRAPLOID, MID/LATE/VERY MID/LATE/VERY MID/LATE/VERY LATE LATE /SE, DIPLOID/TETRAPLOID, MID/LATE/VERY LATE Performance (- rating) Values ance Values dry matter Performance (DM) Values Values (- (- rating) rating) Seasonal (- Seasonal rating) dry Seasonal dry matter matter (DM) dry (DM) matter (DM) (- Other rating) Other Other Cultivar Seasonal Cultivar Other Information dry Information Cultivar matter (DM) Information Oth Values (- rating) Seasonal dry matter (DM) Other Cultivar Information I Star Winter Early Spring Spring Rating Spring Other Early Late ($/ha) Late Cultivar Late Spring Spring Spring Information Cultivar Late Summer Spring Summer Winter Autumn Summer Autumn Endo Early Endo Autumn Endo Spring Ploidy Ploidy Ploidy Endo Late Spring HD HD Ploidy HD Summer HD Marketer AutumnMarketer Conf Endo Conf 6 Conf Ploidy Con Spring Late Spring Summer Autumn Endo Ploidy HD Marketer Conf 6 Ploidy HD Marketer Conf 6 AR AR AR Diploid Diploid Diploid AR Mid Mid Diploid Mid Mid Agriseeds Agriseeds Agriseeds NEA Diploid Late Agriseeds ARNEA NEA Diploid Diploid Diploid MidLate Late Agriseeds Agriseeds Agriseeds AR7 AR7 Very Tetraploid Late Very Late Seeds PGG Wrightson.9 Seeds.9.9 Diploid Mid Agriseeds 0+ NEAAR7 AR7 Diploid Tetraploid Late Very Very Late LatePGG Agriseeds PGG Wrightson Seeds Seeds Diploid AR7 Mid Diploid Mid Agricom Diploid Late Agriseeds 8.AR7 AR7 AR7 Tetraploid Diploid Diploid Very Late Mid Mid PGG Wrightson Agricom Agricom Seeds AR7 Diploid Late Agriseeds Tetraploid Very Late PGG Wrightson Seeds.9AR7 AR7 AR7 Diploid Diploid DiploidMidLate Late Agricom Agriseeds AR7 Late Diploid Late Agricom Diploid Mid Agricom.9AR7 AR7 AR7 Diploid Diploid Diploid Late Late Late Agriseeds Agricom Agricom SE Very Late Diploid Very Late Seeds Cropmark 9.6 Seeds Diploid Late Agriseeds 0+ AR7SESEDiploid Diploid Diploid Late Very Very Late Late Agricom Cropmark Seeds Seeds AR AR Late Diploid Late Agricom Diploid Late Agricom 0+ SE AR AR Diploid Diploid Diploid Very Late Late Late Cropmark Agricom Seeds Agricom AR7 AR7 Late Diploid Late Agricom Diploid Very Late Cropmark Seeds 9.6AR AR7 AR7 Diploid Diploid Diploid Late Late Late Agricom Agricom Agricom NEA NEA Very Tetraploid Late Very Late Agriseeds Diploid Late Agricom 0+ AR7 NEA NEA Diploid Tetraploid Late Very Very Late Late Agricom Agriseeds AR Diploid AR Late Diploid Late Seeds Cropmark 0+ Seeds 0+ Diploid Late Agricom 7.6NEA AR AR Tetraploid Diploid Diploid Very Late Late Late Agriseeds Cropmark Seeds Seeds AR7 AR7 Very Tetraploid Late Very Late Agricom Tetraploid Very Late Agriseeds 0+ ARAR7 AR7 Diploid Tetraploid Late Very Very Late Late Cropmark Agricom Seeds Agricom AR Diploid AR Late Diploid Late Agriseeds Diploid Late Cropmark Seeds 0+ AR7ARAR Tetraploid Diploid Diploid Very Late Late Late Agricom Agriseeds AR Diploid PGG Late Seeds PGG Wrightson 8.6 Seeds Tetraploid Very Late Agricom 0+ AR AR AR Diploid Diploid Diploid Late Late Late PGG Agriseeds PGG Wrightson Seeds Seeds AR7 AR7 Diploid Mid Agricom Diploid Late AR7 Diploid Mid Agricom.9 Agriseeds 0+ ARAR7 Diploid Diploid LateMid PGG Wrightson Agricom Seeds Endo Endo Endo Tetraploid Late PGG PGG Late Seeds PGG Seeds Wrightson Seeds Diploid Late PGG Wrightson Seeds 8.6AR7 Endo Diploid Tetraploid MidLate PGG Agricom Wrightson Seeds Diploid Diploid AR Late Diploid Late Late Germinal Diploid Mid Agricom.9 EndoARTetraploid Diploid Late Late PGG Wrightson Germinal Seeds AR7 AR7 Diploid AR7 Late Diploid Late PGG PGG Late Seeds PGG Seeds Wrightson.9.9 Seeds.9.9 Tetraploid Late PGG Wrightson Seeds 8.9AR AR7 Diploid Diploid Late Late PGG Germinal Wrightson Seeds.9.9 SE SE Diploid SE Diploid Mid Mid Agricom Agricom Diploid Late Germinal.9AR7SE Diploid Diploid LateMid PGG Wrightson Agricom Seeds.9 0+ Diploid Late PGG Wrightson Seeds.9 SE AR7 AR7 AR7 Diploid Tetraploid Tetraploid AR7Mid Late Tetraploid Late Late Agricom Late Agricom Agricom Agricom Diploid Mid Agricom 0+ AR7 Tetraploid SE SE SE Diploid Diploid SE Late SE Diploid Mid Mid Diploid Mid Agricom Mid Common Common Common Tetraploid Late Agricom.6 SE SE SE SE SE Diploid Diploid Diploid Diploid SE Mid Mid Mid Diploid Mid Common PGG PGG PGG Wrightson Mid Wrightson Seeds PGG Seeds Seeds Wrightson Seeds.. Diploid Mid Common 0+ SE Diploid Mid PGG Wrightson Seeds. Diploid Mid PGG Wrightson Seeds. May-June), Early Spring = Early dry spring dry matter production (July-Aug), Late Spring = Late dry spring dry matter production Early Spring Spring = Early = Early spring spring dry dry matter matter production (July-Aug), Late Late Spring Spring = Late = Late spring spring dry dry matter matter production (Sept-Oct), Summer Summer (Sept-Oct), = = Summer = duction (Feb-Apr), Endophyte, where WE is without endophyte Ploidy (D=Diploid, T=Tetraploid). b-apr), is where WE is without Ploidy Heading date Heading (M=Mid, date L=Late, (M=Mid, VL=Very L=Late, VL=Very ring = Endophyte, Early spring where dry matter WE is production without endophyte (July-Aug), Ploidy Late Spring (D=Diploid, = Late T=Tetraploid). spring dry matter Heading production date (Sept-Oct), (M=Mid, L=Late, Summer VL=Very = o.nz/fvi = Endophyte, Late spring where dry matter WE is production without endophyte (Sept-Oct), Summer Ploidy (D=Diploid, = T=Tetraploid). Heading date (M=Mid, L=Late, VL=Very, T=Tetraploid). Heading date (M=Mid, L=Late, VL=Very

14 Suggested seed mixes Matching the right pasture mix to your situation is critical for profitable renewal. Here are some contrasting options with their approximate costs and returns. Seed mix example Estimated cost Diploid perennial ryegrass mix Trojan ryegrass Kotare clover Weka clover Total 0 kg/ha kg/ha kg/ha kg/ha $,0/ha Diploid/tetraploid perennial ryegrass mix Trojan ryegrass Viscount ryegrass Kotare clover Weka clover Total 0 kg/ha kg/ha kg/ha kg/ha 9 kg/ha $,0/ha - year hybrid ryegrass (Spray-drill) Shogun ryegrass 0 kg/ha Kotare clover kg/ha Weka clover kg/ha Total kg/ha (Note: if undersowing use 0-7% of these sowing rates, depending on openness of pasture.) $80/ha month Italian ryegrass pasture (Spray-drill) Tabu ryegrass 0 kg/ha Total 0 kg/ha (Note: if undersowing use 0-7% of these sowing rates, depending on openness of pasture.) $600/ha 6-8 month annual ryegrass winter crop (Spray-drill) Hogan ryegrass Total 0 kg/ha 0 kg/ha $6/ha

15 Estimated return on investment MS) Estimated payback period Summary % (% p.a.) Perennial ryegrasses always provide the best returns. 60% assumes an extra t DM/ha is grown for years as on page. % (% p.a.) Similar to option. Adding Viscount increases palatability and utilisation, but makes pasture a little less robust. 00% (% p.a.) Intermediate to options and in both cost and persistence. Fits well where - year pasture is required. (Note Shogun can last longer under good management.) 88% (88% p.a.) Payback is faster, but this is only a month crop, so ROI is lower overall. Good for addressing grass weed issues. months Payback can typically be expected in year, with profit in following years. months Payback can typically be expected in year, with profit in following years. 7 months Quick turnaround and medium cost means much faster payback, typically well within a year of sowing. - months Very quick turnaround and lower cost means much faster payback, typically well within year of sowing. Perennial ryegrass remains the most profitable pasture for NZ dairying, as it persists well in most situations. Perennial ryegrass remains the most profitable pasture; this mix suits those looking to maximise cow intakes and graze at leaf stage. Ideal as a - year option with good black beetle control. Shogun can also be undersown as a cheaper option where weeds are not an issue. Ideal for poor pastures that will be sown in new pasture or crop autumn 08. If insects are a major risk use Shogun instead. % (87% p.a.) This assumes Hogan produces t more than old pasture through this period. - months Ideal for poor pastures that will be sown in crop in spring 07.

16 6 Sowing the seed All your planning and preparation come together on the day the seed is sown. Pay attention to detail and do the job well. Firm, fine, clean seed bed. Seedbed consolidation A firm seedbed greatly improves pasture establishment, particularly clover. Consolidation conserves soil moisture and ensures the seed drill reaches the correct sowing depth. Research shows good consolidation at sowing can lead to 0% better establishment for white clover and % better establishment for ryegrass compared to a poorly consolidated seedbed. Tractor wheel marks showing the effect of consolidation on germination.

17 Sowing depth 7 Sow ryegrass/white clover mixes at -0 mm deep for best establishment. White clover has a small seed and is very sensitive to sowing depth, establishing faster when sown shallow as shown in the graph below. Drilling at a slow, even speed gives better depth control improving the evenness and speed of germination. 00 Effect of sowing depth (mm) on ryegrass and clover establishment rate 80 Percentage of sown seeds Time from sowing (days) 0 White clover Ryegrass mm 0mm 0mm 0mm mm 0mm 0mm 0mm Tips for sowing clover Clover likes to be sown shallow (-0 mm). It establishes best when dropped on top of the seed bed and rolled or harrowed in to ensure good soil contact. Clover likes its own space, and doesn t compete well when sown in rows with ryegrass. Don t sow late in autumn; clover establishes best in warm soil. If you have a high weed burden leave clover seed out of your mix. Spray weeds out of the new grass over winter then in spring oversow your clover.

18 8 6 Managing new pasture New pasture cannot be considered successfully established until you have a productive, well tillered pasture months after sowing, which has survived its first summer. Weed control Killing weeds is essential for successful pasture establishment and persistence. Weeds compete with grass and clover for light, water and nutrients, and can cause new pastures to fail. Post-emergence weed control in new pasture is cheap compared to the cost of DM production lost by doing nothing. Spraying weeds out will ensure all your inputs benefit your desirable species (ryegrass and white clover), not unpalatable weeds. Herbicide spray miss showing the importance of weed control in new pasture.

19 First grazing Graze new pastures lightly, once the seedlings cannot be plucked out of the ground by hand. Aim to remove the top - cm using young stock. Do not let pastures to get too long before their first grazing - this will slow establishment and tillering. Apply N (0- kg N/ha) after the first grazing to encourage tillering and thicker growth heading into winter. Four ways to maximise pasture persistence Avoid pugging in winter. Graze consistently pastures are creatures of habit. Graze at the - leaf stage of ryegrass, when plant reserves have recovered, and graze to consistent residuals of around cm (00 kg DM cover). Do not make heavy silage crops in spring. Otherwise you can kill newly emerging daughter tillers in the base of the pasture, which are responsible for future DM production. Heavy silage covers can cause the pasture to thin out heading into summer. Avoid over-grazing in summer. Plant reserves are in the crown of the plant, not the roots. After being grazed, plants rely on these reserves to regrow. Protecting their reserves by not grazing below cm over dry summer months allows plants a much greater chance of growing back quickly when rains come. 9 A one year old Trojan NEA paddock, successfully established.

20 Pasture renewal checklist Check through to make sure you have each link in the process covered. Checklist Identify poor paddocks & decide on plan for renewal. Rectify reasons for poor performance. Test soil; correct soil fertility & ph. Choose appropriate sowing date. If relying on a contractor, book in early. Check for pests (e.g. grass grub, black beetle, slugs & ASW). Choose appropriate renewal method. Spray out paddock prior to cultivation or direct drilling. If cultivating, prepare a good seed bed (firm, fine & level). Choose correct cultivar & seed mix for the farm system. Control pests - use treated seed & insecticide if required. Choose correct sowing rate & technique. Check seed certificate for germination, purity & endophyte. Apply slug bait if needed. Control weeds in early establishment. Graze early to promote tillering, use pluck test to determine when pasture is ready for first grazing. Avoid pugging & over-grazing new pasture. facebook.com/agriseeds Superior pastures from Agriseeds. Member of the Royal Barenbrug Group Agriseeds is a registered trademark of New Zealand Agriseeds Limited agriseeds.co.nz AGS077 /6