This is a real example of the risks associated with using uncertified pasture seed, and it shows the true price of cutting corners when it comes to investing in the single biggest dry matter (DM) provider on your farm.
Waikato Technical Agriculture Specialist Jarno Sammet takes no pleasure in sharing this story but uses it to demonstrate what can go wrong when seed cost takes precedence over quality.
In this case, he says, the uncertified pasture seed mix probably contained mostly Italian and annual ryegrasses (which have no endophyte), with perhaps some perennial ryegrass of unknown endophyte status.
Oversown into thin existing pasture on a Waikato dairy farm, the mix provided enough food for resident ASW to thrive and multiply to the point where they then were able to overwhelm what was left of the original perennial ryegrass population.
“Two years later, those paddocks had to go through crop again before being put back into grass,” Jarno says.
Bottom line, especially when budgets are tight, it’s just not worth taking chances on pasture investment.
If something goes wrong with your grass, it has a massive impact on your whole farm.
“You don’t want to risk that in any way, otherwise you can find yourself in a big hole that is very difficult to get out of."
"Grass seed is not something to skimp on – the long-term effects are just not worth it. Whatever you plant this autumn, you’re stuck with it, and when the pay-out recovers, you will have a pasture that is still under-performing,” Jarno says.
Not only is there no way of knowing for sure what’s contained in uncertified seed mixes, there’s also a significant amount of DM yield at stake.
“If you look at the yield difference between the top varieties in the National Forage Variety Trials, and the bottom varieties, which are all uncertified, every year there is 3-3.5 tonnes of dry matter per hectare between them.”
Replacing that lost yield with extra grass silage or other supplement costs way more than the amount apparently saved by sowing uncertified vs proprietary pasture seed.
According to Barenbrug NZ, the company behind several of Farm Source’s most popular Pasture Packs, unlike many other risks in farming, over which farmers have no control, you are in the drivers’ seat when it comes to choosing what you sow and grow.
“In a high-stakes business, subject to so many unpredictable outside forces, top quality Barenbrug-certified seed is as close to a sure thing as you can get. Investing in quality, certified pasture seed pays off.
“We believe there’s enough risk in farming currently – you don’t need any more. When you choose our seed, it’s our job to make sure it reaches you in pristine condition – clean, healthy, genetically pure and ready to grow to its full potential.”
All Barenbrug’s seed quality parameters are documented by AsureQuality through the National Seed Laboratory, so every line of certified seed from the company comes with its own seed analysis certificate. This confirms and traces its genetic identity, and shows its purity and germination tests results.
For more advice on de-risking your investment in new pasture this season, talk to your TSR or visit Farm Source today.