"Farmers invest a significant amount inpasture seed and we want to make sure farmers are getting the best out of it. The Pasture Partner workshops allow us to bring farmers together with Farm Source Technical Sales Reps (TSRs) and Barenbrug scientists, and provide followup support with pasture management processes," Nick Anderson from Farm Source Waikato says.
In late February, farmers from around Waikato joined Barenbrug and Farm Source TSRs for a workshop on pasture management at Barenbrug's Kaipaki research farm. It was a rare opportunity for farmers to meet the scientists behind the popular seed brand and share with them their experiences on farm.
The 10ha Kaipaki research farm is the only pasture and forage research and development facility of its type north of Taupo and is a proving ground for new cultivars. These are tested under rotational grazing with beef heifers to test ryegrass yield and persistence.
At the workshop, Barenbrug Commercial Manager Graham Kerr gave an interactive lecture on grass and what it takes to improve pasture management.
"The number one driver of profit on farm is pasture eaten per hectare. Even small overall increases in pasture eaten can lead to major leaps in profit," Graham says.
"Unfortunately pasture isn't perfect. The growth rate and the quality varies, but it's by far our cheapest form of feed and it's sustainable. Ryegrass has 30 million tillers per hectare - each growing at different rates. Each parent tiller has three daughter tillers in late spring. The trick is to encourage the daughter tillers to grow while the parent tillers are going to seed and dying off. Light, the correct level of cover grazing, consistent residuals, and fertility of soil is essential."
The Pasture Partners Kaipaki workshop included a hands-on look at the trials on farm. Barenbrug staff took farmers through paddocks where different grasses have been grown over the past six years. These included perennial ryegrasses Array, Maxsyn, Trojan and Governor, hybrid ryegrasses Forge and Shogun, and annual ryegrass Hogan.
Nick Anderson says the team received great feedback from farmers who attended the workshop.
"The farmers who attended really appreciated the chance to learn more about pasture management and meet the experts behind the product. Every farmer is looking for ways to get more bang for their buck. Farm Source and Barenbrug are experts in pasture and the Pasture Partner workshops provide a great way for farmers to learn directly from the experts and each other and see what works on farm to optimise on farm feed and increase profits," he says.
To find out more about Pasture Partners or how you can optimise your on farm feed, reach out to your local Farm Source TSR - and look out for upcoming Pasture Partner events in your region, everyone is welcome.
For more pasture management tips, check out barenbrug.co.nz/dairy/pasture-management