Choosing the best pasture seed for your specific farm’s needs can be tricky with so many options on offer. Having trusted advisors on hand can make the process easy.
Collaboration between farmer, Farm Source Technical Sales Representative and seed suppliers is an essential component of effective pasture renewal.
Waikato farmer Andrew Hawkings took heed of this advice when it came to choosing seed for his 240ha farm in Temple View on the outskirts of Hamilton where he milks 600 cows. The property is based on peatland, which is great for growing crops (and weeds) but not so much for grass. In summer peat gets a lot hotter than other soil types and can cook grass.
Having worked with Farm Source TSR Brett Wallace and his predecessor for years, Andrew knew that there was a knowledgeable team he could call upon.
As Brett puts it “with Andy I’m quite lucky, we have a really good working relationship between the two of us, and we know we’re able to bounce ideas back and forward to each other.”
Working with Brett and Barenbrug’s Area Manager Julie Gaukrodger, Andrew put in Array perennial ryegrass two seasons ago and is also looking at several other cultivar options including Maxsyn. It’s a decision he has not regretted.
“Normally summer is particularly hard here in the Waikato with dry conditions – it’s the worst season for grass growth. Over the past two summers the areas that have been planted with Array have stayed very green and performed a lot better than paddocks planted with other species,” Andrew says.
Andrew is in regular contact with Brett and Julie to ensure pasture renewal is tracking as planned.
“Andrew and I have open communication about what his needs are on-farm and how I can support that, particularly around cropping, pastures and spraying. Together we’re focused on making sure he’s getting the most out of his paddocks and with what he’s got in there to keep up with the cow’s demand,” says Brett.
From Barenbrug’s perspective, Julie says Array is a dense cultivar that works well in peat soils, which often have a lower plant nutrient availability.
“Array can grow significantly more feed under low N conditions than other ryegrass cultivars, giving farmers more even pasture growth when soil N is low. Visually you can see the difference, with Array staying green longer into hot summer conditions. And its high tiller number helps it tolerate a range of different stresses,” she says.
Julie says Andrew’s experience is typical of farmers who have harnessed the “the power of three”: the farmer, TSR and seed representative.
“Farmers know what their farm needs in terms of new pasture. There’s no substitute for the TSR’s local knowledge; they know their clients, their region, and they’re on-farm enough to know how those individual businesses tick; and Barenbrug Area Managers have the specialist forage expertise to provide technical backup and solutions where required,” she says.
“Three-way collaboration like this has over the years helped countless farmers select, sow, grow and manage the right pastures to remain productive and successful. The partnership approach works for the on-going benefit of all involved. It’s a proven formula.”
Talk to your local TSR, seed representative, or drop into a Farm Source store to find out more about pasture renewals options.
Article supplied by Barenbrug.