Lucerne and lucerne/prairie grass swards were compared at three stocking rates using yearling beef cattle. A 35 day rotational grazing system was used and the experiment ran for 130 days from early October, 1976. Pasture DM yields were higher on the mixed sward but animal production was greater on the lucerne only sward, particularly from December onwards. Increasing stocking rate tended to reduce herbage DM yield and per-animal production. There was no significant interaction between sward type and stocking rate on either sward or animal yield. Lucerne and lucerne/ prairie grass swards on pumice soil compared favourably with fertile Waikato permanent pastures in terms of carcass gain per hectare over the grazing period.
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(168 KB)In an attempt to improve the synchronization of the feed requirements of the breeding ewe with the onset of spring pasture growth, lambing was delayed one month (mean lambing date August 31 vs. October 1) in a 3-year experiment with 5-year-old ewes stocked at two rates (21.3 vs. 27.7 ewes/ha). There was no effect of stocking rate or lambing date on annual pasture growth. However, the later lambing groups had higher available pre-grazing DM yields in late pregnancy and early lactation. This resulted in higher pasture allowances and pasture intakes in late pregnancy (+ 0.6 and + 0.3-0.5 kg DM/ewe/day) and in early lactation (+ 1.4 and + 0.3-0.9 kg DM/ewe/day), respectively. The late lambing ewes were 5 kg and 1.5-2.0 kg heavier pre-lambing and 4 weeks postlambing, while their lambs were 0.7-1.4 kg heavier at 4 weeks. Compared with the early groups the later lambing ewes lost more weight and their lambs had lower growth rates from weeks 4 to 10 of lactation, although pasture allowances and intakes were similar to the early groups during the same lactation period. The poorer performance of the later lambing groups over this period appeared to be associated with a decline in pasture digestibility.
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(134 KB)Rahu ryecorn, the most productive cereal under grazing in this environment, was evaluated at four seeding rates in combination with Tama ryegrass also at four seeding rates and compared with pasture. The trial was direct-drilled at two sites, Gore and Riversdale, in early autumn 1975. At Gore the optimum sowing rate combination was 70 kg/ha Rahu with 30 kg/ha Tama. This yielded 8 710 kg DM/ha from 5 grazings to the end of October. The drier Riversdale site yielded 6260 kg DM/ha over the same period at an optimum sowing rate combination of 140 kg/ha Rahu with 30 kg/ha Tama. Tiller number, tiller weight and quality measurements are presented and discussed, together with yield data in relation to all grass Farming management in Southland.
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(159 KB)In evaluations of clover performances on summer-dry Himatangi sandy soil, it was found that none could match lucerne over summer. Emphasis was therefore placed on production in autumn-winter- early spring when lucerne growth was slow. Evaluations of some winter annual clover species suggested that Trifolium spumosum, T. pallidum, T. resupinatum, and T. vesiculosum would justify further investigation, along with T. subterraneum which is already used in pastures on this soil type. Among the perennial clover species, Kenya white clover (7’. semipilosum) showed outstanding recovery from drought and was the only species to produce significantly in autumn. However, it failed to grow in winter-early spring. Within red clover, materials of New Zealand x Moroccan origin substantially outproduced the commercial cultivars. Within white clover, material from Israel, Italy and Lebanon, as well as progeny of a selected New Zealand plant, showed more rapid recovery from drought stress and subsequently better winter growth than New Zealand commercial material (‘Grasslands Huia’). The wider use of plant material of Mediterranean origin and of plants collected in New Zealand dryland pastures is advocated in development of clover cultivars for New Zealand dryland situations.
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(140 KB)Some basic principles of herbage cultivar evaluation are outlined. Particular emphasis is placed on the development of procedures which are realistic and relevant to New Zealand farming systems. The importance of regional differences, the zrazing animal; level of soil fertility, management factors, compatibility in mixtures and feeding value are illustrated by examples from different sites within New Zealand and overseas. The high cost involved in the detailed evaluation of the large number of new cultivars now being developed illustrates the need for a continual review oE the effectiveness of current procedures. Suggestions for improvements are made
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(164 KB)The effect of water on pasture and crop yield is determined by many factors in the soil-plant-atmosphere system. Over recent years, Plant Physiology Division has been examining the system to better understand the principles to be applied in effectively managing pasture and crops under dryland and irrigation and to find criteria which could be used in breeding plants better adapted to dry conditions. The evapotranspiration of pastures and crops, the influence of pastures and crops on their water loss through leaf cover and stomatal behaviour, some of the consequences of water stress on leaf growth, as well as soil evaporation and drainage losses, are discussed.
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(723 KB)The total productivity from a ewe/lamb system on grass/clover and lucerne pastures stocked at 15 and 20 ewes/ha, respectively, over a 12-month period was compared. Intensive monitoring of yield, botanical, and chemical composition of total available and residual pasture enabled factors associated with production efficiency - i.e., intake and utilization - to be determined and factors critically affecting these identified.
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(157 KB)OVER the past 15 to 20 years, cropping in the lower part of the North Island has developed from small beginnings to the quite large areas that are grown today.
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(56 KB)Higher levels of lotus establishment were obtained in mixed pastures by broadcast sowing compared with drilling in early spring, using high seed rates (3 to 5 kg/ha) and no fertilizer, followed by lenient management (long spells and lax grazing) which may include conservation. The establishment phase of lotus extends until adequate N fixation and taproot and rhizome development have occurred to increase persistency, which takes one or even two years from sowing. While lotus has valuable properties for intensive farming, the agronomic characters of the present varieties fall far short of those required for its success in this situation. Farmers wishing to use lotus in mixed pastures must be prepared to adopt special management procedures to establish and maintain this legume.
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(129 KB)Some of the results of ten years’ experimental work on the major soils of the Flock House Field Research Area are presented and briefly discussed. High-producing pastures are readily maintained on the wetter sand plain soils with adequate surface drainage and annual additions of 350 to 450 kg/ha of 30% potassic superphosphate. A range of herbage species is being evaluated on the drier sand plains. Lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) in particular can markedly increase the productivity of these soils. Factors which affect soil moisture status at and after sowing have the greatest influence on lucerne establishment. Root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne hapla Chitwood) can inhibit lucerne tap-root development, though several chemicals give effective but expensive control of the nematode. To maintain high production, up to 1000 kg/ha of 50% potassic superphosphate is required annually if lucerne is hayed, though requirements may be less when the crop is mainly grazed.
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(145 KB)Movements of a water-table (WT) underlying a site in the Manawatu sand country were measured over 18 months and related to soil moisture levels and pasture performance across a soil toposequence. The WT made an effective contribution to plant growth in summer only when in contact with the topsoil. Stabilizing WT levels by drainage and outlet control appears to offer the best approach to increased plant utilization of the WT on the more elevated soils.
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(179 KB)‘Grasslands Matua’ prairie grass (Bromus catharticus) was evaluated under close mowing (a) against cocksfoot, phalaris, and tall fescue as a companion grass for lucerne, on a pumice soil from 1974 to 1977 at sowing rates of 4, 13 and 22 kg/ha and (b) against ryegrasses in grass/white clover pastures on a sandy loam from 1975 to 1977. (a) In the first year lucerne/Matua sown at 13 and 22 kg/ha outyielded lucerne/Matua sown at 4 kg/ha by 19%, lucerne alone by 61%, and other mixtures by at least 21%. There were no significant differences in total production between the three lucerne/ Matua treatments, luccrne alone, and other mixtures over the second and third year. The inclusion of Matua reduced weed ingress. In the third year, Matua had a higher weed content than lucerne/tall fescue, which was almost weed free. (b) Annual production of Matua and Nui ryegrass swards was not significantly different. Matua swards were, however, superior to Nui from midsummer to early spring, whereas over spring/early summer Nui swards outproduced Matua swards.
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(171 KB)Some aspects of the New Zealand remote sensing programme involving the US spacecraft “Landsat I” are discussed. An agricultural project is used as an illustration of the many ways in which “multispectral” data can be processed to yield the desired information. Finally, some of the possible future: for an “operational” remote sensing programme from spacecraft are considered.
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(1707 KB)THE MANAWATU is an old-established area of fertile land giving high levels of production under dairy, sheep, beef cattle, and cropping systems. This paper will deal with history, climate, topogaphy, soils, farming types, production levels, amenities, research, current trends, and take a look at the future.
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(110 KB)IN an assessment such as this, one could cover a wide range of topics fairly shallowly or a lesser number in a bit more depth. I have opted for the latter. The topics discussed will embrace some trends in dairying, beef farming, sheep farming, hill country farming, and land use generally, species and variety usage in grassland farming, use of crude protein produced from pasture, and some implications of energy usage.
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(165 KB)In 1920, early Horowhenua settler, Rod McDonald, in his book Te Hekinga wrote: “From 300 ft Moutere, the highest sandhill on the coast, the whole run could be surveyed - not the run to be seen now, sand for a mile or more inland from the beach, but grassed hills and flats inside the one littoral dune.” He was referring to grassed dunes in 1870 - raw sand in 1920 - the resuits of bad grazing practices and strong westerly winds.
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(77 KB)Physical features and stocking capacity of a beef fattening farm and a family company farm running beef and dairy cattle near Levin are described. Stock and pasture management and the integration of these into a successful all-grass farming enterprise are discussed.
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(76 KB)The performance of ‘Grasslands Matua’ prairie grass (Bromus catharticus) was compared with perennial ryegrasses under mowing or grazing in three trials conducted in the southern North Island. Production of Matua under mowing at Flock House and Waimate West was 13% and 19% greater than G.4708 and Nui ryegrass, respectively, with the extra production contributed in summer and winter. At Masterton no difference between Matua and Ariki ryegrass production occurred under grazing. A 31% increase in annual production was recorded for both Matua and G.4708 swards receiving N, compared with those sown with white clover, with the annual yield of G.4708 receiving N similar to Matua receiving no N. Less frequent defoliation increased production of Matua swards by 17% and the Matua component by 38%. Production of Nui in comparison with Matua swards was 14% lower under frequent and 9% lower under infrequent defoliation. Similar production was recorded from red clover under frequent, and infrequent defoliation for both Nui and Matua swards. A 48% lower yield of white clover occurred under infrequent defoliation of Matua swards. At Masterton a higher incidence of goitre in newborn lambs, accompanied by a 12% lower lamb liveweight at weaning, occurred on Matua- compared with Ariki-based swards. Aspects of seasonal production, fertility response, management, and animal health are discussed.
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(105 KB)The water harvesting concept offers the potential for irrigation which may be considered in the absence of a cheaper and less limited water source. Because of high capital costs and storage limitations, it would not be a viable financial proposition for many grassland farmers. It may, however, have a place for a specific purpose such as the production of high value crops.
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(33 KB)THE unequal distribution of rainfall in both time and space is a characteristic of the New Zealand climate. Two farming seasons rarely have the same amount of rain and notable differences can occur between closely located areas. Rainfall intensity and incidence vary greatly from one place to another so that, of all the elements significantly distinguishing climate, it is the one least amenable to generalization.
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