Boost for NZ, Nordic Jerseys genetic link
A new collaboration is underway to improve the genetic links between the New Zealand and Nordic Jersey cattle populations.
Paddocks are among a farmer’s biggest and most important assets but occasionally they need a makeover in the form of regrassing.
There are several reasons why paddocks need to be regrassed. It maybe there are too many weeds, animals have damaged the paddock over winter, species have run out or low producing native grasses have taken over. Or it could be that the paddock has been in a crop and is now being ready to be rotated back into pasture.
The regrassing objective is to achieve a quality pasture producing paddock that will optimise the use of the land for your location and the farming system you use. If you’re not sure, get advice from your local seed merchant technical advisor and work through a plan with your farm advisor. They’re there to help you achieve the best from your land; with good species selection and preparation key components in a newly re-grassed paddock being really productive.
Walking the talk
I encourage all farmers to undertake pasture walks during the season noting down any poor performing paddocks. Pasture measurement information can also be added to MINDA (in the Land and Feed section) to enable farmers to see pasture gaps upfront and a more accurate ‘feed wedge’.
Once paddocks have been identified, there are several options for regrassing.
Crops – undertaking a cropping programme before re-establishing in grass
Whether summer or winter crops, the paddock can go through a crop before being put back into pasture. This has the benefit of having the paddock sprayed out typically three times for weeds before grass is re-established - thus minimising unwanted plants taking hold.
Direct drilling grass seed into the paddock
Direct drilling is the preferred method where possible to minimise nitrate losses or working a paddock up (cultivate) and then drilling and sowing. The process is to spray a paddock out and then after a few days direct drill or cultivate.
If you go to the effort of regrassing then I suggest the work is done as well as possible. It’s also an opportunity to fix a wet spot or rid the paddock of stubborn weeds. If there’s a particular weed issue then add targeted sprays to eradicate the problem. Correct the pH of the paddock at the start along with any capital fertilizer required to achieve the fertility desired. If there is a pan or the soil structure is compacted, a sub soil or deep cultivate would be beneficial.
Weeding out the good from the bad
I often see paddocks sprayed out and resown shortly afterwards that regresses to the original state quickly. These paddocks often have a large component of native grasses in them to start with.
Spraying them out is only half the problem as they have normally seeded and produced a great deal of seed dormant in the soil. Given some light and a little cultivation these seeds germinate competing with the seed sown. The answer is to invest three weeks of time to allow these weed seed grasses to germinate along with any broad leafed weeds and then do a second spray out. This will help increase the lifetime of the pasture by several seasons.
There’s a number of techniques to regrassing a paddock to consider depending on soil, terrain and rainfall amounts. Over time most paddock’s production will fall and at some stage they will need to be renewed to maintain a farms performance.
I recommend that care is taken to put right drainage, soil structure, and fertility, along with weed control to allow the grass sward the best possible start and optimise your land pasture production.
Grass seed – getting the right seed is critical
The best pasture will be one that suits your location, system and resources. Use the Forage Value Index (FVI) to review what seeds will perform best. Have a chat with your seed supplier and discuss availability and optimal choice for your location, soils and management system.
Once confirmed, get the order in to avoid delays so that it is ready for you once you are ready to sow. The sooner it’s in the ground, the sooner you’ll be on the way to improving the health of your paddocks and cows this coming season.
• Simon Pontin is a LIC FarmWise Consultant.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says the relationship between New Zealand and the US will remain strong and enduring irrespective of changing administrations.
More than 200 people turned out on Thursday, November 21 to see what progress has been made on one of NZ's biggest and most comprehensive agriculture research programmes on regenerative agriculture.
The a2 Milk Company (a2MC) says securing more China label registrations and developing its own nutritional manufacturing capability are high on its agenda.
Stellar speakers, top-notch trade sites, innovation, technology and connections are all on offer at the 2025 East Coast Farming Expo being once again hosted in Wairoa in February.
As a guest of the Italian Trade Association, Rural News Group Machinery Editor Mark Daniel took the opportunity to make an early November dash to Bologna to the 46th EIMA exhibition.
The horticulture sector is a big winner from recent free trade deals sealed with the Gulf states, says Associate Agriculture Minister Nicola Grigg.
OPINION: Fonterra may have sold its dairy farms in China but the appetite for collaboration with the country remains strong.
OPINION: The Listener's latest piece on winter grazing among Southland dairy farmers leaves much to be desired.