Long shot research by forage breeder nails pasture success
A tiny organism from the arid mountains of mainland Greece is facilitating a new way of growing healthier animals on farms across New Zealand.
ForageSelect will help deliver smarter, more practical solutions that respond to the needs of New Zealand farmers and retailers, says app owner Cropmark Seeds.
ForageSelect was originally developed by Cropmark Seeds’ plant breeder, Nick Cameron. As part of his side hobby in app development, Cameron wanted to create something that would make forage decisions easier and more effective. It was a collaborative approach, with Cameron working closely with the technical staff within the company, utilising their expertise and regional knowledge to develop the tools found within it.
“The app was so innovative and practical that it quickly became clear it was too good not to share with the wider farming community,” says Callum Davidson, NZ sales manager, Cropmark Seeds.
ForageSelect provides detailed, up-to-date descriptions of all commercially available forage cultivars in New Zealand. This includes guidance on the best fit for each cultivar, considering your region, animal type, soil acidity, and summer rainfall. With ForageSelect, you’ll have everything you need to make informed decisions, even when working in areas with limited cell phone coverage, says Davidson.
He says ForageSelect offers financial benefit tools by assessing the economic advantages of different forage options, accurately projects crop yields for smarter planning and evaluates pasture performance and identify areas for improvement.
“No other resource consolidates this level of information and functionality into a single platform. ForageSelect not only helps you choose the right cultivars but also provides critical tools for analysing potential returns and maximising yields.
“ForageSelect works offline, so you can use it anywhere—whether you’re on the farm, in the back paddock, or out of cell phone range. It’s the practical tool you need for smarter farming decisions.”
Davidson says ForageSelect is free to download.
