The paper claims that we are still dealing with information in ways that were appropriate to the turn of the century. By 1988 we will not recognize the dimensions of the New Zealand produce information base. Information is the key to development and the retention of New Zealand’s place in world markets. We must develop systems which are capable of coping with the needs of the future now or we shall be too late.
Download
(25 KB)Daily weight gains of sheep in pure sward grazing trials showed relative feeding values to be in the order: white clover (100) > sainfoin (97), Maku lotus (87) > lucerne, red clover (78) > perennial ryegrass (52). The high feeding value of lotus and sainfoin may be due to the presence of condensed tannins which have been shown to improve protein digestion and utilization in indoor feeding trials.
Download
(120 KB)An outline of the policy for fattening beef cattle on a Fox Glacier farm showing the progress and development over 20 years is pre sented, along with the methods of feeding and fertilizing needed to maintain a high standard of beef production in a climate which is common only to Westland.
Download
(68 KB)Based on research findings and observation, a dairy farm pasture management system is presented that could result in an increased per hectare milkfat production and profitability. In autumn there should be a change away from milk production towards pasture management and cow condition by using strategic drying off of cows relevant to the individual farm situation. This is probably the most important decision made each year. As winter pasture production is inadequate to meet cow maintenance and pregnancy requirements, cow condition should be at the level required for calving by the start of winter. The use of supplements conserved from summer’ surpluses to specifically ‘in-‘ crease cow condition in winter is of marginal economic value. They should be used primarily in autumn to produce extra pasture to be available for later use in winter. The matching of correct drying-off date, calving date and stocking rate to the pasture growth curve for the region, and an appreciation of correct feeding levels at the different stages of lactation are important.
Download
(84 KB)The development of the West Coast’s pakihi soils for pastoral purposes is a relatively simple process but involves several essential factors. Access, drainage, weed control and fencing must all be provided prior to oversowing of lime, fertilizer and seed. The management of pakihi soils, while essentially similar to that of alluviai or recent soil types, also has some additional problems. The most important decisions to be made are the type and breed of stock, the lambing and/or calving date, and matching the stocking rate as best as possible to the pasture growth in your area. The right decisions coupled with good pasture management will result in a productive pasture, a good stocking rate, and good returns from these stock.
Download
(53 KB)‘Grasslands Maku’ lotus (Lotus pedunculatus Cav.) is a legume with high potential for the development of acid (pH < 5.2), phosphate-deficient soils which represent approximately half of the area of the tussock grasslands of New Zealand. Experiments at a number of sites have shown Maku lotus to produce about three times the yields from clovers under similar levels of superphosphate topdressing. The superiority of lotus is attributed to its greater P efficiency on acid soils high in exchangeable Al. Maku can be established with low topdressing (100 kg superphosphate/ha) . Because of its responsiveness to additional P (and given more reafistic seed prices), it lends itself to low-cost development with low fertilizer input followed by intensification of the programme by topdressing as the development generates capital. Good establishment can be obtained from oversowing at 2 to 3 kg seed/ha and allowing time for increased density via rhizome spread. Rhizome development can be enhanced by deferring grazing in the establishment year until April following spring oversowing. While lime (0.5 t/ha) increases establishment, the economics of liming as a means of economizing in seed is doubtful. When the lotus was allowed to regrow to 15 cm, grazing with sheep to 2.5 cm compared with grazing by cattle to 7.5 cm did not affect yields. Evidence under farm conditions suggests lotus will persist on acid soils under close and continuous grazing.
Download
(125 KB)With the aid of finance from the Rural Bank and various government incentive schemes, a four-year development programme of a 400 ha block of largely undeveloped land in a high rainfall area at Awatuna, 14 km from Hokitika, was undertaken in 1976. The area consisted of a mixture of alluvial flats, river terraces, mining tailings and pakihi, each with its own characteristics and problems. Devdopment techniques for each of these areas are described, and the management policy which makes use of these particular soil types to form the basis of a successful beef fattening enterprise is outlined.
Download
(46 KB)An extensive underground system that consists of a primary crown and taproot, rhizomes and fibrous roots is a dominant feature of the growth habit of Lotus pedunculatus The suitability of L. pedunculatus as a legume adapted to wet and/or infertile soils may largely depend on the development of this dense, superficial underground system. Autumn expansion of rhizomes, followed by winter fragmentation, results in the spread and propagation of new plant units and highlights the colonizing nature of the plant. Poor persistence and production are noted features of L. pedunculatus in improved, grazed pastures. Slow recovery from defoliation is characteristic of the plant and results from the removal of actively growing shoots and from the delay in re-establishing this shoot population, Lax defoliation encourages more active residual shoot populations, but, because of greater death and decay losses, net herbage productivity may not improve. Identification and development of plants that possess more rapid, early regrowth will be required if L. pedunculatus is to become a successful legume in pasture where its relative competitive ability is not favoured by edaphic conditions.
Download
(204 KB)Results from a legume oversowing and phosphorus topdressing experiment are reported. The depleted tussock grassland site at 700 m altitude with 1000 mm rainfall, soil pH of 5.25 and low available P plus Hieracium weed invasion was typical of much South Island montane grazing land. ‘Grasslands Maku’ lotus (Lotus pedunculatus Cav.) and ‘Grasslands Huia’ white clover (Trilolium repens L.) established rapidly and yields in the second year were similar but lotus gave higher yields subsequently. White clover had lower P% in leaf dry matter and higher scarab populations than lotus. Trijolium umbiguum cv. Prairie establishment was sparse and yields were low at first but after five years it had spread by rhizome growth to form a moderately productive sward. All legume species responded to increasing rates of P at establishment and to greater frequency of maintenance superphosphate but the most efficient superphosphate regime was for low to moderate rates (123 to 300 kg/ha) at sowing reinforced by annual topdressings at 125 kg/ha. Legume oversowing with fertilizer substantially reduced Hieracium pillosella cover.
Download
(123 KB)A FARM MANAGEMENT STUDY was carried out on 80 hill country properties to the north and north-west of Gisborne over the last decade, but more specifically, the four years 1976-1979. Although the criteria examined were constant, their values varied from year to year, and from farm to farm. The results of the analysis indicate what has happened and how. Variations over the years-i.e., in production or profit - can be caused by a large number of factors, some of which are manageable - i.e., can be influenced by man - and some of which cannot be measured - e.g., many of the management skills. Those factors which were investigated were the ones on which some measure could be made, and those discussed are the ones which contributed significantly to that variation.
Download
(42 KB)Major factors influencing dairy production from pasture are briefly reviewed. Emphasis is on the results of New Zealand research on nutrition and management. Stocking rate, cow quality, liveweight’ or condition at calving, level of feeding in early lactation, and nutritive value of pasture are considered to be important, but not grazing management during lactation. Limited evidence indicates that, in most instances, supplementary feeding during lactation is not economic. Modifications of management that are required as stocking rate increases are briefly discussed.
Download
(139 KB)Levels of sheep production/ha obtained on research farmlets have been considerably greater than those obtained on farms on similar land, probably because the higher stocking rates used resulted in greater levels of pasture utilization. Rate of growth early in life influences potential productivity of the mature breeding ewe. Good rearing and the use of genetically superior stock both appear essential for maximizing production. Short-term studies have identified critical periods when level of feeding could have a potential impact on over-all productivity. Such work has re-emphasized the potential importance of feeding premating especially for reducing liveweight loss and for light ewes. Optimum pasture conditions for flushing have been defined, along with the possible role of supplements such as wilted silage.
Download
(172 KB)I have had the privilege of attending this Conference for 30 years. I treasure the Association as it has enabled me to be associated with many of New Zealand’s pastoral farmers, researchers and extension workers. The soil/plant/animal complex of pastoral farming is not an easy topic to cover under the heading of “Pasture Management and Animal Froduction”, especially when I have been asked to cover developments and progress since the formation of the Association. For convenience, a review of this large topic for New Zealand may best be dealt with in three sections - first, a look at farming 50 years ago, then at the present situation with a discussion of some of the developments that have occurred over the past 50 years, and lastly a brief look ahead.
Download
(131 KB)The origin of the pasture species grown in New Zealand and the development of ecotypes are briefly described. The effects of environmental factors such as rainfall, temperature, soil type, soil fertility, grazing pressure, and pests and diseases on plant breeding objectives and choice of species in different regions of the country are discussed. The value of incorporating plant material from Mediterranean sources into New Zealand-bred cultivars of ryegrass, white clover and Lotus is illustrated, but the importance of local plant collections in the development of cultivars such as Nui and Ellett ryegrass and a hill country white clover is also emphasized. The possibility of breeding cultivars specifically for overseas markets is discussed.
Download
(284 KB)A full range of both tall and short snowgrass communities are present within the alpine grassland region of the West Coast; Many of the intertussock, fleshy herbs were removed with the initial grazing by wild animals, while the stature of many of the tall tussock communities was reduced with continual heavy grazing. Once major animal control operations were undertaken, a dramatic recovery in stature was recorded on the most favourable sites. This initial response could be very rapid as the tussocks required only a reduction in grazing pressure to attain their full stature.
Download
(53 KB)THIS subject sets a problem of where to begin. As a soil scientist, my choice would be soil and that choice fits into the evolutionary history of the earth which shows soil occurring under forests and existing for millions of years before grasses. It is not known if soil changes assisted the birth of grasslands or followed their expansion, but we do know that soil and grassland now form a natural partnership over parts of the earth. In New Zealand that partnership has been extensively forced on soils formed under forest or shrublands and my purpose is to review the effects - the benefits or otherwise of this compulsory marriage. In doing so, I would admit that grasses have a higher status than soil. They have been described as “the benediction of nature” whereas soil does not inspire such poetry - perhaps the best being “Soil is mud moistened with love”.
Download
(474 KB)Storage of compact and soft-centred round bales in an exposed position without protection from the weather resulted in total dry matter losses, including inedible waste, of 16 to 27%. Negligible losses occurred in bales stored in a haybarn. Siting bales in the lee of a shelterbelt generally halved losses but was not as effective as covering bales with polythene caps. Elevating bales off the ground by the use of posts failed to substantially reduce storage losses.
Download
(46 KB)From a random sample of 10 discussion groups, production per farm for those with an average of 6 years in a group was 6621 kg milkfat ahead of those in their first year. The farmers joining discussion groups were producing at district average at the time of joining. The extension input to obtain these results on 106 farms amounted to less than that of half a consulting officer. There would appear to be a potential to lift national dairy production by 10% over the next 10 years within those farmers not making regular use of extension services alone. The initial contact with these farmers would need to be made through unsolicited visiting.
Download
(32 KB)The development and management of a West Coast dairy farm at Kowhitirangi is described. Problems peculiar to intensive dairying in a high rainfall area are outlined.
Download
(57 KB)Hay conservation failed to improve the productivity of sheep mtationally grazed at 20 ewes/ha on irrigated all-grass farmlets in Canterbury. There was a tendency (not statistically significant) for sheep on “no hay” farmlets to be heavier at mating and to wean heavier lambs. Some implications of grassland farming without hay are discussed.
Download
(45 KB)A series of trials was conducted on a Mawhera gley podzol to investigate the comparative establishment and yield of white clover/ryegrass and lotus/Yorkshire fog pastures at different rates of lime, phosphate and potassium. Lotus/Yorkshire fog was superior in yield to white clover/ryegrass at all rates of lime and fertilizer, in the second and third year after sowing. This superiority was more marked at low rates of lime. The potential role of lotus as a pioneer species on pakihi soils is discussed.
Download
(91 KB)The effectiveness of the communication of research results from scientists to farmers has been the subject of much previous comment, both in New Zealand and overseas. Some of this is reviewed. Improvements in existing procedures are seen as desirable and necessary. Some changes, especially relevant to the New Zealand pastoral scene, are suggested. Scientists must be assisted to communicate the results of their research, in easily understood language. It should be mandatory for scientists to accompany their relevant scientific papers with a copy for lay consumption. Where necessary, skilled media assistance should be sought. It is argued that primary responsibility for initiating these necessary changes lies with those directing or leading research divisions, regional research stations, universities and with the New Zealand Grassland Association.
Download
(60 KB)With the Grassland Association now celebrating its 50th anniversary an attempt has been made to outline the main thrust of research and extension work and its effect on farming trends over ten year periods. The important grassland messages are covered and an attempt made to supply the grassland message for the future.
Download
(43 KB)Now that the New Zealand Grassland Association has been in existence for half a century, it is some cause for celebration, hut more importantly it is a reminder that we should take stock of ourselves and ask if the Association has achieved much and, most importantly, whether there is a case for its continuing existence in current or any other form. The author, a pastoral farmer who has been actively participating in the Association’s activities for over fifteen years, submits the answer to both questions is “Yes” and endeavours to examine why.
Download
(47 KB)Recent increases in the value of gold have led to renewed interest in gold mining - particularly by the dredging of the river flats bordering West Coast rivers. In any future licensing of such dredging, the rehabilitation of the “destroyed” land will be a major consideration. Nitrogen is the main nutrient limiting the growth of radiata pine on the gold dredge tailings; this paper outlines initial results of an exploratory legume-fertilizer trial on levelled tailings in the Taramakau River valley. Twelve legume species were grown with and without superphosphate (+ MO, Mg and K). Tree lucerne (Cytisus proliferus) , Russell lupin (Lupinus polyphyllus) and yellow tree lupin (L. arboreus) grew well without the application of fertilizer but the pasture legumes had substantially increased dry matter production where P was added - in white clover (Trifolium repens) dry matter production was increased from 5.4 to 8.9 t/ha; and total N was 180 and 310 kg N/ha. Tree nutrition and growth were greatly improved by association with a vigorous legume species, In addition, the presence of legumes improved the appearance of the tailings and with a pasture species grazing potential was created
Download
(62 KB)PUGGING occurs on grassland when the hooves of grazing animals penetrate the soil surface in wet conditions and cause damage to the sward. The productivity of pastures can be affected as follows: (1) Herbage is wasted because it is pressed into the mud or otherwise rendered unpalatable. (2) Surface campaction reduces infiltration and results in surface ponding. (3) Pasture recovery from wet weather use is delayed and many productive plants will be replaced with weeds and poorer species. (4) In extreme conditions animal health will be affected and young lambs may drown in the mud.
Download
(26 KB)The physical features, climate and soils of the West Coast are described. Expansion since 1964 of dairy production, sheep and beef cattle numbers, and areas of improved grassland are highlighted, as is the role of the Crown in land development and settlement. While isolation and distance, development costs, river problems, and farmer attitude and knowledge are considered limitations, great scope exists for increased production by the adoption, of more intensive techniques, including horticulture on the best coastal soils, and by development of waste land.
Download
(90 KB)This paper, as well as being a testimonial to the benefit the writer has received from the Grassland Association, shows how the knowledge of scientists has been used to increase lucerne seed yields by methods of growing resistant cultivars especially for seed production as opposed to growing for hay, silage or grazing. It shows how new cultivars can be multiplied quickly by growing two crops in one year, one in each hemisphere, by using low seeding rates, wide plant spacing and very good weed control. Increased flowering of the crop has been achieved by the use of boron and the choice of time of closing; better pollination has been achieved by the use of more efficient bees - two varieties of which have been imported from North America. Weed and insect pest control and the use of a desiccant at harvest are contributing to a four-fold increase in seed yield, which should double again soon,
Download
(66 KB)Farmers have claimed that contact with their fellow farmers is their most important source of information. However, farm advisory officers considered such sources rather inaccurate. Conditions which encourage farmers to more actively share information among themselves are discussed. The differences between two sheep farming districts in the extent of interpersonal contact by farmers with all sources of information are highlighted. Recommendations are made on the basis of the dynamics of group interaction for ways in which a farm advisory officer may stimulate greater interaction among farmers. This encourages a better information flow and a more favourable climate for innovation and adoption of new ideas. Also, farm advisory officers must acknowledge and use the fact that, in the absence of an adviser, farmers see other farmers as their most accurate and useful source of information and advice.
Download
(87 KB)
NZ Grassland Association Inc.
11 Montrose Street, Mosgiel, Dunedin 9024 New Zealand | P: +64 3 477 0712 | F: +64 3 473 6495 | E: nzgrassland@gmail.com
© Copyright NZ Grassland Association Inc. 2011. All rights reserved
Refund Policy | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions
