Working in partnership with his TSR and Barenbrug Area Manager, one Southland farmer has made dramatic improvements on-farm.
New Zealand’s weather patterns are notoriously fickle. One area may be facing drought, another just 10km down the road experiencing downpours. Pasture management in these conditions is a complex endeavour.
Choosing the best approach to pasture management, and right ryegrass cultivars, can have dramatic results on-farm. Doing this well can come from a partnership – between farmer, Farm Source, and supplier.
Having a trusted partnership can pay dividends on-farm, says Farm Source Technical Sales Representative (TSR) Tim Grant.
“Farm Source’s TSRs work around the country helping Co-op farmers get the best out of their farm. We are all locals in our area and know the challenges and opportunities facing farmers, and we have great connections with suppliers to help farmers manage their pasture and crops,” he says.
“We can help farmers select the best seeds, ag-chemicals, and fertilisers tailored to your farm and local conditions. As part of our service, farmers also get comprehensive support, including pre-sow checks, paddock selection, post-emergence visits, and expert advice on crop management.”
Tim has been working closely with Southland sharemilker Anthony Ladbrook to improve the quality of pasture on his farm near Gore. Anthony was looking to regrass a substantial portion of the farm and was eager to try different options to better feed his 560-strong herd.
Tim organised a visit to the farm with Barenbrug Area Manager Richard Doney and they put together a package of options for Anthony to try out, which included Barenbrug’s Array NEA2, Maxsyn NEA4 and Governor AR37.
While all cultivars produced well, the Array NEA2 pasture was particularly impressive, allowing Anthony a great source of homegrown feed.
Barenbrug’s Richard Doney is not surprised by the result – Array NEA2 is the company’s “superstar” diploid perennial ryegrass.
“In all our trials, Array NEA2 has demonstrated an exciting ability to grow more dry matter than similar cultivars, with the same amount of fertiliser. It is the first ryegrass to come out of Barenbrug’s focus on breeding for environmental sustainability as well as plant and animal performance. Upright, leafy and densely tillered, Array NEA2 is customised for easy eating and high intake, and it’s very persistent. Array NEA2 grows significantly more feed under low N conditions than other ryegrass cultivars, giving you more even pasture growth when soil N is low – which every farm experiences at some stage during the year.”
Overall, Anthony re-grassed 12% of his farm last season. The success of the Barenbrug trial means he is looking to do the same again this season on other areas of his farm.
For more advice on managing pastures for efficiency and sustainability, talk to your TSR or visit a Farm Source store today.