Plan 365 February 2015 by Farmlands Co-operative Society Limited

FEBRUARY 2015

RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE

NUTRITION

FORAGE AND ARABLE

HORTICULTURE

ANIMAL MANAGEMENT

DAIRY MANAGEMENT

Plan 365 is a technical guide aimed at helping shareholders learn about best practice and the latest advancements in rural technology.

NUTRITION

Relationship reaps rewards The quest to find the best products is only half the battle for dairy farmers. Receiving the appropriate technical advice can be the difference between maintaining and boosting production. Barry and Rochelle Harvey from coastal

farming through the summer dry.” That focus requires forward thinking, which is where NRM Feeds Specialist Maree Collins comes into it. Barry describes Maree as a “proactive resource” and a vital link in planning ahead.

Taranaki are dairy farmers who have

“We have been working with Maree only

found technical support to be a valuable

this season but she knows what she’s

tool in improving their production. Barry

talking about. She’s good to bounce ideas

and Rochelle usually winter close to

off,” Barry says. “When you’re working

300 cows and have been using NRM

on the farm, you tend to be hands-on

products for close to 5 years.

and focus on the day-to-day operations and she’s a bit more up to date on what’s happening on the theory side.” Maree says the NRM Feed Specialist role is interesting and challenging, as they strive to help people identify problems or potential areas for extra performance. “This can vary from chooks that aren’t laying, to kid goats that are not growing enough, a pony that is getting too fat or dairy cow nutrition,” Maree says.

blends using our Blend Calculator, or add

“With Taranaki being a very strong dairy

in additives to pellets, to optimise health

farming area, most of my work is with

and production. We really do try to look

clients like Barry and Rochelle. I aim to

at the whole picture.”

find out what they want to achieve in their

Barry says while it is hard to quantify in

farming operation.”

extremely valuable.

and most farmers have different focuses.

“Because she and NRM are part of

For some clients the focus is on animal health, while others aim more for profit or to lessen environmental impact. “We’re using NRM now because of their technical support,” Barry explains. We use NRM through the milking season – we don’t feed a lot unless the spring weather is inclement, so the main focus is

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

monetary value Maree’s work, he finds it

Maree says not everyone is the same

Farmlands, the employees I’ve dealt with think we are the owners. As a true cooperative, they are trying to do their best

“At NRM we use the Dietcheck

for you and the outcomes.”

programme. This can help identify any

For more information, talk to your

imbalances in a cow’s diet and how these affect their performance and profit,”

local Farmlands representative. Article supplied by NRM.

Maree says. “We can then tailor-make

THE FARMLANDER |

NUTRITION

Four legs, first response “You see mounted police right throughout the world – but you hardly ever see an ambo on top of a horse.” Corey Milnes is passionate about helping people. As the founder of the Mounted Medics, he has made it his goal to have Mounted Medic volunteers on horseback, as a first response at events where terrain hinders more traditional emergency vehicles. A completely volunteer team, the work of the Mounted Medics mirrors Corey’s own work. A jockey for 15 years, Corey became involved as a St. John volunteer. He is now a first responder, currently training to become an EMT. “In 2011, after the February earthquake I was heavily involved in first response. I took a break from the front line and started doing horse events,” Corey explains. “We had a two-day event at Birch Hill – the ground was wet and I was running around with a little pack on day one. I asked if I could bring my horse along on day two. That was where the seed was planted.” The Mounted Medics were established that same year. Helmed by Corey and his wife Kayla, they attended eight events in the first year. During the second season in 2012, a training programme was established for new Mounted Medics members. By creating a sustainable and robust training programme, an increase in volunteers allowed the number of events covered to increase.

| THE FARMLANDER

“Primarily, the events we covered were

there will be a fully mounted ANZAC

pony clubs and eventing. By the end of

Day dawn service, which will be quite

2012, we had attended 20 events and

a nostalgic tie to the World War I and II

had four members join us,” Corey says.

Mounted Medics,” Corey says. “We will

“Things have progressed from there – in

also be busy attending the pony clubs

2013 we did 30 events and by the end

and eventing ODEs during 2015.”

of 2014 we had done another 30 events,

When not busy at horse events, Corey

plus added 10 members.”

says the Mounted Medics do a lot of

Varying levels of training means the

PR work for St. John and sponsors of

Mounted Medics have volunteers

the Mounted Medics, which includes

ranging from advanced paramedics

McMillan Equine Feeds. The Mounted

to first responders. Primarily covering

Medic Unit has had interest from all over

the Canterbury area from Kaikoura

New Zealand and Mounted Medics have

to Rolleston, events covered include

started the training pathway in Nelson.

A&P Shows, Cup and Show Week in

This unit should be able to attend

Christchurch, pony clubs, One Day

events in 2015.

Events and eventing competitions, as well

To find out more or find out on how

as the Springston Trophy since 2011.

to donate, visit www.stjohn.org.nz

“This year we are looking at getting into

or contact Team Leader Corey

hunting. There are commemoration

Milnes on 027 225 3396.

events for World War I and II horses and

Article supplied by McMillan Equine.

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

NUTRITION

A bright future ahead Success is a family affair for the Burnett-Grant sisters, with Hannah and Briar jumping their way to national and international glory as a result. The Taupo-based pair are the newest members of Team Fiber Fresh, joining current member Sam McIntosh (who rides for Team Audi based in The Netherlands) and top New Zealand eventer Samantha Felton. Hannah and Briar represent showjumping’s top up-and-coming talent and prove that age is no barrier to success or ambition. Briar (14) and Hannah (21) have already enjoyed a number of significant milestones at both national and international level. Both have represented New Zealand against Australia, with Briar also representing New Zealand at the 2013 World Championships in Mexico. Briar won her first Horse of the Year title at the age of 10 in the Pony 6 Bar

Competition – only the second rider to ever win at such an age – clearing a height of 1.60m. She began competing in the Pony Grand Prix Series a year later, winning and placing in nearly all of her events. At the 2013 Horse of the Year, on three different ponies, Briar won the Pony of the Year and the 1.25 Pony Championship Stakes and was also third in the Speed Pony of the Year. At the 2014 Horse of the Year, she placed third in the Pony of the Year, third in Junior Rider of the Year and fifth in the Speed Horse of the Year against adults. Hannah has also had a number of successes, winning the NZ Junior Rider Series in 2010 and was also crowned National Champion the same year. Last season saw Hannah place third in the 1.30m Horse of the Year Championship Class on her 6 year old mare Cormina Obolensky.

An essential ingredient of the sisters’ success comes down to nutrition and the health of their horses, with the pair long-time users of Fiber Fresh’s high nutritional fibre. “We read an article in a magazine about a Fiber Fresh feed aiding with healing and preventing ulcers in horses and decided that was the way to go. We’ve been using FiberProtect for years now and it’s a product we’re really behind – the horses perform so well on it and they always look fit and healthy.” Fiber Fresh feeds are designed to achieve maximum performance and complete gastrointestinal health in horses, resulting in healthier and betterperforming animals, by providing unique, moist forage feeds that are specifically developed to suit horses’ mono-gastric digestive systems. The moist, high nutritional fibre generates energy from natural volatile fatty acid production in the hindgut, meaning horses are able to obtain more nutrients, get more energy from less feed and retain more available energy for training and performance. With clear nutritional philosophies, as well as passion and work ethics to match, the Burnett-Grant sisters have a bright future ahead of them. Hannah’s showjumping goals include winning Lady Rider of the Year and competing at World Cup level, while Briar has clear Olympic goals in sight. For more information, talk to the knowledgeable team at your local Farmlands store. Article supplied by Fiber Fresh.

| Kabo Silver, Briar Burnett-Grant, Hannah Burnett-Grant and Cormina Obolensky.

| THE FARMLANDER

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

NUTRITION

Salt – when is enough, enough? “Salt of the earth” and “worth his salt” – common phrases that emphasise the value we have traditionally placed on salt. Common salt is sodium chloride (NaCl) but it is the sodium part that is considered essential, as diets normally contain enough chlorine. Sodium is found throughout the body, present in all cells and fluids and plays a critical role in enzymes, bone formation and nerve function. Sodium is critically involved in maintaining the body’s fluid and ion balance. Levels in the body are carefully controlled by the kidneys – any surplus being excreted in the urine. Sodium is lost in milk, urine, sweat (the loss increases in high temperatures and during exercise) and faeces (especially when animals suffer from diarrhoea). High producing cows and those with mastitis or high somatic cell counts will lose more sodium in the milk than they can conserve by recycling or reducing losses elsewhere. Most supplementary feeds, including palm kernel expeller, lucerne, red clover, maize silage and cereals are a poor source of sodium and fast growing, well fertilised grass tends to be low in sodium, compared to clover-rich swards. Lactating cows and growing stock have responded positively to supplementary sodium in New Zealand trials, so whilst grazing ruminants are unlikely to suffer extreme sodium deficiency, it is worth making sure that a simple salt deficiency is not holding back your stock and profitability. The National Research Council put the sodium requirement of

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

| Heat stress and panting increases sodium losses.

lactating dairy cows at 2.0-3.4g/kg DM compared to 0.9-1.8g/kg for sheep and 0.7-0.8g/kg for heifers. Potassium fertiliser can depress soil sodium and increase leaching losses. Apart from a narrow coastal strip reaching perhaps 5km inland, which receives salt laden sea spray, most of New Zealand pasture is considered low to deficient in sodium. Salt deficiency depresses food intake and is associated with rough coat, listlessness, reduced milk production and liveweight gain or even weight loss. Salt is very palatable and animals will seek it out if they are deficient. Salt can be added to fertiliser, water, mixer wagons and supplements. Salt is so palatable, it provides a good companion for other minerals like magnesium, which is bitter to taste. But it is a double edged sword, as too much salt can limit the intake of supplements, unless water is available to wash it down. A belt-and-

braces approach to salt supplementation, by adding some deliberately to the diet but providing some free access as well, seems a legitimate approach given the vagaries of supply, availability and demand. If the craving for salt cannot be satisfied, animals can develop a depraved appetite and can be seen licking each other, chewing wood or licking soil but often it is more timely and effective to simply make salt available and let intakes indicate how impoverished the animals are at any time. Over consumption of salt by ruminants is not normally a problem, provided drinking water is freely available but has been associated with udder oedema in heifers and excess levels should be avoided in springer diets. For more information, talk to your local Farmlands representative. Article supplied by Dr. Rob Derrick, Farmlands Nutritionist.

THE FARMLANDER |

ANIMAL MANAGEMENT

Autumn - it’s tagging time Autumn is a busy time in the tagging calendar for beef and deer farmers. To avoid inconvenience, the best advice is to order your tags early and to allow for a few spares to be kept on hand. Weaners, both cattle and deer, must have a minimum of a single NAIT tag when moving to sale. Tags must be applied before the weaners move to sale. It is advisable to order and apply “Birth type” tags for weaners. You can change the year code to the year of birth, to ensure the number range starts at 1 each year. This provides an easy, visible audit of animals tagged in that year and also provides the possibility of performing manual NAIT transfers. The most economical option for weaners moving to sale is the “FDX” technology. Replacement livestock, both cattle and deer, require a single NAIT tag to meet legal requirements within 180 days of birth or first movement. For future convenience, it’s best to order “matching management” tag sets. These consist of a “birth type” NAIT tag pre matched and packaged, complete with a set of management panel tags. The panel tags can be ordered in any of the 10 colours and has the option of adding a property/ stud name. This is easy to order and can provide the following advantages: • Coloured year age marking provides easy visual identification of age groups. • Coloured tags can provide ownership ID - at a glance identify

| THE FARMLANDER

stock that have wandered onto

drafting and general animal records.

neighbouring properties.

• HDX = it is our best advice that

• The large, black LaserPlus numbers

you purchase HDX tags if you are

on the management tags provide a

intending to utilise the EID technology

lifetime of field identification for your

on-farm, especially with a panel

cows or hinds, especially at calving or

reader. HDX tags are slightly more

weaning time.

expensive, however the extra cost

• Property or stud name above

is quickly outweighed by the

the animal number provides absolute identification.

gains in performance. • FDX = if you are not intending to use

For animals moving to slaughter, whether

the EID technology, i.e. the animal

culls or prime stock, the most convenient

is moving direct to slaughter or is

way to comply this group of animals is

simply being NAIT complied, FDX

by applying FDX, low cost Traka tags.

tags are cheaper and will provide

The Traka tags come in a bulk bag and

minimum compliance!

don’t require any matching to the animal.

Applicators, Once you have the best

Always order extra Traka tags, these

tags for your situation, please take care to

never expire and are handy to move

ensure you have the right applicator.

animals in a hurry!

The correct applicator is vital to ensure

When choosing tags between HDX

the tags are retained in the ear and

High performance or FDX low cost,

the person applying the tag is

the choice is yours. However, there are

as safe as possible.

proven advantages in using EID as a

Always remember, when applying all

management tool. It provides increased

tags, ensure the female tag is on the

accuracy, speed and labour savings

front/inside of the animal’s ear.

when used for things like weighing,

Article supplied by Allflex.

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

ANIMAL MANAGEMENT

Protecting ewes and this spring’s lambs starts now The most obvious risk of clostridial disease in animals at this time of year is in fast-growing youngstock that are being fed lush feed or crops where sudden death due to Pulpy Kidney is of most concern. But a good clostridial vaccination programme also involves other stock classes. You have the opportunity now to ensure the benefits of vaccination are maximised by ensuring all of your ewes are set up for pre-lamb vaccinations and stock such as rams and young beef animals are also protected. Hoggets The use of 5-in-1 vaccine MULTINE® at weaning and 4-6 weeks later in ewe lambs ensures protection from the most common clostridial diseases over the periods of high risk for lambs. If these hoggets are then mated, they should be given a booster vaccination pre-lamb, to ensure they are protected through lambing and to provide protection to their suckling lambs via colostrum.

Beef cattle When you are buying MULTINE for the sheep flock, consider the beef cattle too. Ensure young beef stock clostridial vaccinations are completed. Blackleg and Sudden Death Syndrome are most often seen in young, fast-growing cattle. between weaning and pre-lambing (>1 year between the first shot and the first booster). This is not sufficient - the recommended interval between the sensitiser (first shot) and the first booster is 4-6 weeks. Leaving it

Both diseases progress rapidly, so that often the first sign is dead stock. An initial course of two vaccinations 4-6 weeks apart will provide protection – and MULTINE 5-in-1 covers the five common clostridial diseases.

significantly longer than this risks a poor response to vaccination and could leave animals at risk of disease. To get the best response to vaccination, give a booster prior to mating, to ensure these ewes are correctly set up ahead of their pre-lamb vaccination.

| MULTINE provides proven protection against five key

clostridial diseases and is available in plain and selenised.

Bought in ewes Remember that the vaccination history of bought-in stock may not be known. Prior to joining is a great opportunity to give these animals a MULTINE or NILVAX® sensitiser – they can then fit in with the main flock booster shot pre-lamb. Rams It is recommended to give rams an annual 5-in-1 clostridial booster, such as MULTINE, as these are valuable animals that are well worth protecting.

| Ensure you have a good clostridial protection programme

in place for all stock.

Two-tooths Never-mated Two-tooth ewes commonly do not receive any clostridial vaccinations

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

| NILVAX is a 5-in-1 clostridial vaccine that also contains

levamisole, which generates a superior immune response in hoggets, ewes and rams.

Article supplied by Coopers. Register pursuant of the ACVM Act 1997, No. A0934, A0935, A3977.

Fighting that may occur around mating leaves rams susceptible to clostridial wound infection, so as well as being convenient timing, it makes sense to vaccinate pre-tupping.

THE FARMLANDER |

ANIMAL MANAGEMENT

An autumn parasite management programme avoids the perfect storm

A drenching programme needs to be combined with smart on-farm management decisions. Reducing the impact of parasites on stock has to be balanced with minimising the development of resistance to drenches. Drenching young stock but still allowing them to be continually exposed to heavy larval challenge is counterproductive with limited production benefits. In autumn, 85 to 95 percent of the worm population is on the pasture, so drenching stock is only part of an effective parasite control strategy. Pasture rotation with older animals grazing after young stock, mixed grazing with older animals or mixed species (such as cattle and sheep) can be used to mop up heavy larvae pasture contamination for younger stock. Intensive grazing and grazing young stock on paddocks that lambs were weaned onto should be minimised. The autumn period also provides additional risks for development of drench resistance because of the large number of parasites surviving and

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

Worm larvae on pasture by season Level of worm larvae on pasture

Autumn and early winter can be a challenging period to control internal parasites. The perfect storm can be created â&#x20AC;&#x201D; with peak numbers of larvae on the pasture, providing a high challenge for young stock that have not developed tolerance to the effects of parasites. Lingering warmth and increased rainfall speed up larval development further, contributing to pasture contamination.

Spring

Summer

Autumn

Winter

developing. Drench programmes need

A combination oral drench is

to ensure susceptible worm populations

recommended in young stock as it will

remain on-farm. Ensuring a minimum

provide production benefits and help

of 28 days between drenching and

reduce the development of resistance.

selective drenching within a flock (using

Preventative drenching programmes in

refugia) helps maintain this. Reducing

young stock may be nearing completion

the risk for resistance can also be

at this time of the year. Continue to

achieved by using combination active

monitor stock for signs of parasitism

oral drenches. Long-acting products

as heavy worm burdens can still

should be avoided in young stock, as the

develop, especially with a mild autumn.

lengthened exposure time of parasites

Periodic faecal egg counts should

to the active(s) can increase selection of

be used to identify critical times

resistant parasites. Drench resistance

where additional drenching is

should be investigated using faecal

required for all age groups.

larval cultures. Seek advice from your

Remember, if you see clinical signs

animal health adviser on how to do this.

of parasitism, your worm control

Drench selection should be based

plan is not working. Seek advice

on what works on the worms on your

to maximise the return on your

farm. Regular drench checks based on

investment while achieving

faecal egg count reduction test (FECRT)

sustainable, productive farming.

provide the peace of mind that you are

Article supplied by Coopers.

selecting an appropriate drench.

THE FARMLANDER |

ANIMAL MANAGEMENT

Edge has it all At the heart of the Edge story is the combined power and unique properties of the doramectin and levamisole molecules. The doramectin active is the most widely used injectable endecticide in the New Zealand market for many years, because of its efficacy against Ostertagia and ability to dramatically reduce this parasite’s negative effect on production. Levamisole on the other hand, being a short acting chemical, is highly effective against macrocyclic lactone (ML) resistant intestinal parasites, typically Cooperia.

quick and easy. Now sheep can have it all as well. Edge in sheep, like cattle, has recent trials demonstrating >99.9 percent efficacy to all common sheep gastro-intestinal parasites found in NZ with no safety issues. This high efficacy, combined with double actives over commonly used single actives, will dramatically reduce development of drench resistance, being very important in sheep. The only dairy heifers in early spring leading into mating) is critical for achieving good reproduction and reaching

The big three production limiting

calving liveweight targets.

parasites in cattle each impact on their

Recent registration trials in New Zealand

host in different ways. Ostertagia, by its burrowing and hibernation ability in the stomach, can cause severe pathology vastly disproportionate to its numbers. Trichostrongylus uses a numbers game, which builds over the winter when immunity is compromised by lowered feeding levels. Cooperia builds in the autumn, aided by its drench resistance ability documented NZ wide. Not to be forgotten is Dictyocaulus (lung worm), which can spring up when least expected and cause parasitic pneumonia and deaths often seen where MLs are removed from drench programmes. All of these parasite effects can be prevented and growth rates restored when Edge is used strategically in calves in the late spring period to control Ostertagia and autumn for Cooperia. Treating yearlings for type two Ostertagiosis (and especially

| THE FARMLANDER

support these efficacy claims with a meat withhold period of 21 days, shorter than most competitor products. The superior aspects of injection technology delivers a consistent dose, higher and more predictable peak blood levels and elimination of weather, dirt and licking, which influence efficacy and promote parasite resistance, which is why Edge has it all. The new free-flow injector makes the

difference from cattle is a longer meat withholding period of 42 days and the requirement to use a shorter needle (3/8 inch) when injecting under the skin of the neck. Edge in sheep is suitable to treat mated hoggets and ewes 2 weeks pre-lamb, to help these stock classes limit the impact of parasites over lambing on body weight loss and lamb survival and ultimately reduction of the post-parturient egg raise. This reduced contamination has a flow-on effect for ewes and lamb productivity through spring but mostly the following autumn. Article supplied by Bayer.

delivery of a 1ml /20kg body weight dose under the skin of the neck accurate,

EDGE INJECTIONS 500ML TWIN PACK • Combination injection for cattle. • Effective against all important internal production limiting worms. • Contains the trusted active doramectin together with levamisole for enhanced protection.

Registered pursuant of the ACVM Act 1997, No. A10696.

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

ANIMAL MANAGEMENT

Don’t get caught short against Barber’s Pole Barber’s Pole worm (Haemonchus contortus) is an important cause of lost production in both lambs and sheep, especially in the summer and autumn months. The adult worm is a prolific egg producer and when conditions are right, numbers can increase rapidly. Even in small numbers, Barber’s Pole worms can have an important impact on the health and productivity of ewes and lambs. Barber’s Pole worm sucks blood from the sheep. This causes anaemia and

are performing to their maximum this

When animals are free from parasites

Barber’s Pole season, by treating them

for longer, greater production can be the

with an effective product with persistent

result. A New Zealand trial1 showed that

activity and using a planned approach to

lambs treated with Cydectin Oral grew at

parasite management.

least 60 percent faster and with a total

Cydectin products are ideal to ensure

weight gain of 64 percent more than

sheep are protected against Barber’s

if treated using a product with no

Pole. With Cydectin Oral Drench for

persistent activity.

Sheep, stock are protected from Barber’s

By including Cydectin products into

Pole worm for 35 days and with Cydectin

your parasite management programme,

Long Acting Injection for Sheep, they can

you protect your sheep from worms for

be protected for 91 days.

longer, enabling better feed conversion and maximising growth.

can result in sudden death due to

For more information, talk to your friendly team at your local Farmlands store.

acute blood loss. When rain occurs, eggs accumulated over a dry period will develop into larvae and be ready to

Article supplied by Zoetis.

infect sheep, all at the same time. Sheep

1. Murphy A, NZ Journal Ag. Research 1994 vol 38:

are then faced with an enormous larval

221-224.

challenge on the pasture they are grazing, which can lie hidden until the debilitating effects of this parasite are felt. It is important not to be complacent with this parasite. Ensure your animals

CYDECTIN SHEEP ORAL PLAIN 15L

CYDECTIN LA INJECTION 500ML • 91 days control of Barber’s Pole worm (Haemonchus contortus). • 112 days control of Teladorsagia ostertagia (small brown stomach worm). • 42 days control of Trichostrongylus colubriformis (black scour worm).

• Larger dose volume (1ml/5kg) allows accurate dosing, even in young lambs. • Kills ostertagia and Barber’s Pole for longer. • 35 days persistent activity against Barber’s Pole worm. • 21 days persistent activity against ostertagia.

OTHER OPTION 27028: SELENISED 15L Registered pursuant of the ACVM Act 1997, No. A6204.

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

Registered pursuant of the ACVM Act 1997, No. 9926.

THE FARMLANDER |

HORTICULTURE

Fertigating broad acre crops As many of you read this article, the irrigator(s) will likely be operating somewhere on the farm. If it is just water being applied then you may be missing an opportunity to increase yields. In fact, each irrigation is an opportunity to increase yields. Fertigation is the application of soluble fertilisers through irrigation systems. Such technology is commonplace throughout the United States and Australia but is still in its infancy here. However, fertigation is starting to gain traction, as the advantages become apparent.

crystallised fertilisers that rapidly

programmes as the crop develops is

In a typical fertigation programme

dissolve in water. They are free of

critical for enhancing yield. Our work

a lesser amount of base fertiliser is

impurities and have an N:P:K rating, just

last year with potatoes and carrots

used. That is because the subsequent

like solid fertilisers. Farmlands’ choice

showed we could increase marketable

fertigation applications will provide

of soluble fertilisers is the Campbells

yield by about 10 percent, whilst also

an accurate amount of immediately

range, due to the cost effectiveness

improving the quality attributes of both

available nutrient, exactly when

and high quality. Growers simply

crops. For potatoes, the specific gravity

required by the crop. This accurate and

dissolve the nutrients in a tank, which

was significantly increased.

timely “spoon feeding” means that less

then either feeds into the main line

fertiliser is used overall, which is very

Soluble fertilisers are a cost effective

or is positioned with the pivot. From

appealing for regions where fertiliser

and accurate method to deliver the

there a dosing system will draw the

inputs are recorded. In contrast, the

required nutrients to plants. Farmlands

nutrients into the system and through

practice of applying large base rates

Horticulture has the skilled personnel

the irrigator.

followed by side dressings lends itself

to advise on fertigation systems

Aside from gaining more efficient use

and products to achieve improved

of the nutrients being applied to a

performance from your crops.

to potential wastage, leaching and volatilisation. Overall, the combined approach of a base dressing plus fertigation provides for a much more sustainable way of growing.

crop, the real advantages come from tailoring nutrition programmes for the stage of growth. For example, we know that the nutrition requirements of any

The fertilisers used in a fertigation

crop (carrots, potatoes, wheat, etc.)

system are the same as those used

are different during establishment,

in greenhouses to grow lettuces,

flowering, grain filling and maturation.

tomatoes, cucumbers etc. They are

Therefore, being able to tweak

| THE FARMLANDER

For more information on this exciting and innovative product, please contact your local Farmlands Horticulture Technical Advisor. Article supplied by Mark Daniels, Field Manager, Farmlands Horticulture.

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

FORAGE AND ARABLE

Apply inoculants and don’t miss out This autumn, farmers across the country will be asked if they want silage inoculant applied to their maize crops at harvest time. Using best-practice management techniques, including inoculating with a tested and proven inoculant, is the best way to ensure you don’t miss out on the benefits you get from incorporating maize silage into your farm system.

Don’t miss out on feed energy

Product solution

When silage heats it loses valuable feed energy, which could have been used by the cow to produce milk. Maize silage contains a high concentration of starch and sugars, making it prone to heating at feed-out time.

A good silage fermentation minimises the amount of feed lost through shrinkage, spoilage and/or heating. It maximises silage energy content, which means you get more milk or meat for every tonne of maize you ensile.

A paper presented at the New Zealand Grasslands Association conference1 compared the performance of three commercially available silage inoculants. Pioneer® brand 11C33 inoculated silage stayed cooler 55.5 hours longer than the untreated control. There was no significant difference between silage treated with other products and the untreated control.

When you apply a quality Pioneer® brand inoculant at harvest, millions of the right bacteria are distributed through the crop. They control the fermentation, which results in:

The Pioneer® brand maize silage inoculant range includes products that improve fermentation, as well as others that help keep silage cool at feed-out time.

Why use an inoculant?

1. More feed due to lower stack losses from shrinkage, spoilage and/or heating.

3. More milk or meat for every tonne of maize you ensile.

Pioneer brand 11CFT Maize silage specific inoculant

• Reduces fermentation and feed-out losses. • Improves fibre digestibility. • Allows reduction in concentrate and protein supplementation. • Silage can be fed out up to 1 day in advance*.

Pioneer ® brand 1132 Maize silage specific inoculant

• Helps improve fermentation, retain nutrient content and enhance maize silage digestibility. • Improves animal performance over Pioneer ® brand 1174.

Pioneer ® brand 1174 Multi-crop inoculant

• Helps improve fermentation, retain nutrient content and enhance silage digestibility.

* While 11C33 or 11CFT inoculated maize silage can be fed immediately after harvest, maximum aerobic stability gains will be made when it is fermented 30 days prior to feeding.

Contact your local Farmlands representative to order your inoculant today. Article supplied by Pioneer Seeds. 1. Kleinmans et al, 2011. Using silage inoculants to in NZ. Proceedings of the NZ Grassland Association 73: 75-80.

100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Untreated

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

Pioneer ® brand 11C33 Maize silage specific inoculant

improve the quality of pasture and maize silage

Time before silage heats (hours)

2. More energy as the result of a more efficient fermentation and/or less heating.

Product benefit • Improves animal performance over Pioneer ® brand 1132. • Improves fermentation quality and reduces heating at feed-out time. • Silage can be fed out up to 1 day in advance*.

Inoculant A

Inoculant B

Pioneer® brand 11C33

THE FARMLANDER |

FORAGE AND ARABLE

Setting a new standard for sheep and beef A new perennial ryegrass, bred to spread and help cover the ground, is under close evaluation on a highly productive summer dry beef and sheep unit in Hawke’s Bay this season. Manager Mike Fraser runs Kiwikawa Station with an eye to mitigating

aim of leaving 1,500kg DM/ha residual after each grazing. “It is very early days — how it comes through the summer and kicks away after the autumn rain will be key,” he says. “If it spreads like browntop I will be thrilled and will get really excited if it is looking good after 5 years.”

climatic and market risk as much as

Mike’s had plenty of time to work

possible, destocking for summer by

out what suits Kiwikawa, which he

marketing most of his stock between

has managed for the Lowry family of

August and early January.

Taupo for the past 17 years. A former

Characterised by regular summer dries with the occasional severe drought thrown in for good measure, it’s not an easy environment

MAF Research Station Manager, his philosophy is ‘show me the science based evidence and I will use what I consider the best of it’.

for perennial ryegrass. Pasture

Well fed pasture, never overgrazed

persistence and ryegrass staggers

or allowed to get rank, grazed by

are major issues and while 20ha is

well bred animals that are quiet

renewed annually through crop, young

and appealing to look at keep

pastures can be prone to regression.

him enthused about farming

That’s why Mike sowed 9ha of Rohan SPR last autumn. With its dense spreading habit, he wants it to prevent the likes of old ryegrass,

and he enjoys the challenge of juggling a diverse and complicated stocking mix, designed to optimise the farm’s strengths.

browntop, rats tail and sweet vernal

Kiwikawa winters 7,000 stock units

taking hold between the drill rows.

with a ratio of 70:30 cattle to sheep.

“I’m hoping it will persist and fill the gaps before the ‘villains’ figure out what is happening.” The paddock was direct drilled in April after oats and a glyphosate spray and given 350kg/ha of 30 percent pot super. Establishment was excellent and as of mid November it had been grazed five times with 900 hoggets, with the

| THE FARMLANDER

“I have shifted it over the years, as we used to manufacture our very own droughts when we farmed a lot of ewes,” Mike says. Cattle include 200 recorded Angus cows, plus replacements, sale bulls, finishing heifers and

| Farmlands TFO Daniel Gardner with Farm Manager Mike Fraser.

commercial ewes, which are mated to terminal rams, plus replacements. Rohan SPR is a new ryegrass from Agriseeds, bred specifically to provide persistent, resilient, easy care pasture for sheep and beef. It has unusually fine leaves, very high tiller density and a unique ability to spread across the ground after it is established. Agriseeds Pasture Systems Manager, Graham Kerr says Kiwikawa Station is an ideal example of the environment Rohan SPR was developed for. ”Rohan is not a silver bullet - like all ryegrasses, it needs reasonable soil fertility and shouldn’t be bared right out in extended dry periods. But we do think it has the genetics to set a new standard in persistent ryegrass for sheep and beef farmers.” To find out more, talk to the friendly team at your local Farmlands store today. Article supplied by Agriseeds.

Taurindicus heifers for live export. Sheep include 200 recorded Romney ewes and 1,200

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

FORAGE AND ARABLE

Pasture eaten per hectare key to farm profitability After more than 40 years of dairy payouts both high and low, Paeroa’s Kim Reid is in no doubt of the most economic way to farm 370 Jersey cross cows.

can’t handle it otherwise,” Kim says. A tendency towards dry summers and less reliable autumns likewise means spring pasture management and performance sets the farm up for the whole year, so there is

“We don’t buy in any feed. We

a lot of emphasis placed on

manage with what we’ve got. It’s the most economic system for us and it always has been,” he says. It wasn’t called System 1 when he started farming but the Reid property has long been self contained, with turnips and maize used to compensate for summer pasture deficits — grass silage and hay cut every spring, all cows wintered at home and young stock grown out on a separate block across the road. Comprising 150ha, the home farm has a history of good soil fertility and while production is very much ‘in the lap of the gods’ these days, as of mid November the family was on track for their budget of 110-115,000kgMS. Brian McMillan, Farmlands TFO for Paeroa/Ngatea, says Trojan perennial ryegrass is an ideal fit with the Reids’ system — and that’s why he first recommended it 3 years ago. The popular diploid cultivar is tough enough to withstand climatic extremes, including the recent dry summers, while still producing the DM/ha to stand the Reids in good stead year round. Normally, Kim renews 10-12ha of the farm into new pasture each year,

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

monitoring residuals. | Farmlands TFO Brian McMillan with Kim Reid.

“We’re careful to keep the grass

direct drilling perennial ryegrass and

under control, so we don’t waste it.

clover into ex crop paddocks, which

We record kg DM/ha in the winter

are well prepared in spring.

and early spring then we usually

This year he’s opted out of summer

use the eye-o-meter.

turnips and is only growing maize, so

“The most important part of

4ha will be renewed in autumn but

measuring ahead is what the cows

that will still take his total area

leave behind them. That’s the secret

of Trojan to 38ha.

— if you keep an eye on that you will

Brian says Kim’s attention to detail

get your levels ahead right.”

during establishment is one reason

Agriseeds Pasture Systems Manager

he gets such consistently good

Graham Kerr says Kim is right on

results from new pasture.

the money in his system. “We know

“We get in as soon as it won’t pull

the single biggest driver of farm

out by the roots and graze it with

profitability is – and always has been

yearlings immediately,” Kim explains.

– pasture eaten/ha. Kim’s emphasis

“We don’t let it get too long in the first

on growing pasture and grazing it well

year and keep it well under control.”

with a focus on post-grazing residuals

The whole farm is helicopter sprayed

are key in achieving this.”

for broadleaf weeds every winter,

To find out more about using Trojan

to ensure all pastures remain clean

to maximise your productivity this

and productive. Good management

year, talk to Farmlands today.

throughout the year is critical,

Article supplied by Agriseeds.

especially during the all-important spring period when paddocks are producing so much ‘you can hear them growing’. “We have to make silage with the sort of growth we get in spring time - we

THE FARMLANDER |

FORAGE AND ARABLE

Ultra high pasture performance, despite the insects Tony and Maureen Luckin own the well known and highly respected Leithlea Jersey Stud at Okato in coastal Taranaki. They milk 238 pedigree Jersey cows on 82 hectares effective.

The paddocks sown are generally out of

he likes Ultra’s ability to produce well

either turnips or maize and had effluent

over summer and hang on through

applied by irrigator.

summer-dry conditions, when feed can

Ultra’s fast establishment is one aspect

be short in coastal Taranaki. Adding

Tony likes. “I am very impressed at how

Chico chicory and Demand white clover

quickly the Ultra establishes. It is up

to the mix helps maximise the quality

and going very quickly.”

of the pasture and maintain that quality

Officer Neil Jans for his farm inputs.

Tony is also impressed with Ultra’s

over the summer.

When it comes to pasture seed, Tony is

ability to withstand insect pressure.

Tony’s Jersey herd responds well to

a firm supporter of the Cropmark Seeds

Insect pests can be a serious issue in

the Ultra pasture mix and milk

range, having used several of their

coastal parts of Taranaki. In particular,

production increases whenever

varieties successfully

grass grub and black beetle can cause

these paddocks are grazed.

on his property over the years,

significant pasture damage from time to

“Ultra appears to be a very palatable

including Matrix, Revolution, Zoom

time in the region.

grass. The Ultra paddocks look like

and more recently Ultra Enhanced

“I have an issue with both grass grub

they have been mowed when the cows

perennial ryegrass.

and black beetle on my property. They

come out. They clean the paddocks up

Tony has been very impressed with

can really destroy pastures and limit

well, which to me shows they like this

the all-round performance of Ultra. It

their persistence. However I find that

grass and if the cows are happy, I’m

is his perennial grass of choice on the

by using a high tillering ryegrass such

happy,” Tony says.

property. Each year since 2009, Tony

as Ultra, my pastures are tolerating the

“I’m really impressed by the traits

has sown around 4 to 6 hectares of

insect attack much better,” he adds.

of this grass and how it’s handled

Ultra mixed with Chico chicory and

Tony finds Ultra to have very good year-

the insect pressures and climatic

Demand white clover.

round yield performance. In particular,

conditions on this farm. Until there

Tony, a Farmlands shareholder, works in closely with Farmlands Technical Field

is a better grass available, I will keep on using Ultra.” Tony’s faith in Ultra is supported by its superior performance in the seed industry trials, including the National Forage Variety Trials and DairyNZ’s Forage Value Index. Ultra is a diploid, late heading perennial with high tiller density, with low aftermath heading and good disease resistance. Ultra Enhanced ryegrass is available through all Farmlands stores. Article supplied by Cropmark.

| THE FARMLANDER

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

FORAGE AND ARABLE

Barrier Combo pasture standing up to the insect pressure ™

When dairy farmer and Farmlands shareholder Murray Hawkins moved from his Horowhenua property to farm on the foothills of the Kaimai Ranges, near Matamata in the Waikato, he was “blown away” at how difficult it was to get new ryegrasses established — and for them to persist long-term. The region’s pastures face higher insect pest pressure, from a wider range of insect pests than Murray was used to in the Horowhenua. Add to that the Waikato’s summer droughts and it was little wonder that pastures struggle to persist. “I wondered what I had got

| Murray Hawkins (left), with Pete Smart, Farmlands seed specialist in a paddock of Barrier Combo pasture.

myself in for,” Murray says.

something that has been around for a

in particular is a serious pest in the

In conjunction with the local Farmlands

while and see how we got on. Matrix is

region and responsible for significant

Matamata seed specialist, Pete Smart,

a nuggety, tough variety,” Pete says.

pasture loss.

Murray tried many of the

Murray planted two paddocks out in

Murray direct drilled 6 hectares on his

top varieties on the market with

Matrix and three seasons later, it is still

dairy farm and a further 9 hectares

various endophyte combinations

going strong. “It’s the only grass we

at the run-off and is thrilled with the

but nothing would persist more than

have managed to get to persist more

results. “The Barrier Combo has

a season without needing to be

than 2 years,” Murray says.

been in for almost 2 years now and

cropped and re-grassed.

With the success of Matrix in mind,

has endured two awful droughts. It has

“The grasses would just pull and open

when Murray needed to plant out 15

performed brilliantly,” Murray says.

up. So we would have to go back in

hectares of new grass in the autumn

“I’m really happy with how it

and stitch in more grass and by the

of 2013, he and Pete decided to try

has performed.”

second year, we were looking at

Cropmark’s newly commercialised

Murray plans to work the Barrier

re-grassing or going through with a

‘Barrier Combo’. “Matrix has done so

Combo into his re-grassing schedule

crop. I felt that I was almost better off

well that I was more than happy to try

this autumn and put it in all his

planting annuals,” Murray says.

another Cropmark grass,” Murray says.

paddocks coming out of crop.

Pete and Murray went back to the

Containing the new GrubOUT U2

“Barrier has done well and the cows

drawing board and decided to sow

endophyte, Barrier Combo has

like it, so I will definitely be using it

Matrix. Matrix had been used in the

improved tolerance to a wide range

again this autumn.”

region for a number of years and has

of insect pests including black beetle,

For more information, talk to your

managed to persist well under high

grass grub, porina, field crickets and

local Farmlands representative.

insect pressure. “I thought we would try

Argentine stem weevil. Black beetle

Article supplied by Cropmark.

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

THE FARMLANDER |

FORAGE AND ARABLE

New ryegrass and endophyte for the north Farmers who are constantly looking for new developments that can help improve the production and persistence of their pastures will be keen to try a new ryegrass and endophyte combination for the first time this autumn. This is particularly true in the upper North Island, where farmers in recent years have been frustrated with the sudden loss of ryegrass in pastures, leading to decreased pasture production and increased pasture renovation costs. Many reasons for this have been put forward but it is generally agreed that the problems stem from repeated summer and autumn droughts and fluctuating populations of the insects African black beetle and Argentine stem weevil. It is therefore important for persistence that farmers sow perennial ryegrass that has good grazing tolerance, as

well as an endophyte that provides protection from these two insects. Improved grazing tolerance is beneficial because during droughts pasture covers and residuals end up lower than ideal for ryegrass. The more plants that survive drought, the better the production and persistence. One of the main ways that plant breeders improve grazing tolerance is to select for high tiller density and ground cover. DLF Seeds' plant breeders in New Zealand have been busy breeding such ryegrass plants for 10 years, alongside DLF Seeds' own endophyte research programme that has been operating for 14 years. This has resulted in the availability of the diploid perennial ryegrass ‘24Seven’, which contains a novel endophyte called ‘Edge’. “24Seven is a ryegrass that produces a dense and leafy pasture, which quickly develops excellent ground cover,” says Pedro Evans, plant breeder. “This gives us confidence in its ability to persist. The endophyte ‘Edge’ has been independently tested by scientists in New Zealand, is proven to provide tolerance to black beetle and stem weevil and does not affect the health or performance of animals (tested with sheep).” Trial results show that 24Seven has total growth at least as good as the

| 24SevenEdge (right) provides better ground cover

than typical ryegress (left), 30 months after planting in the same trial.

still very good - second out of nine of the latest commercial cultivars when tested over 3 years. Another benefit of 24SevenEdge for many farmers is its very late heading date. It will not start producing any stem until very late spring, 24 days later than mid-heading cultivars. Having at least part of a farm in 24SevenEdge is therefore very valuable, because quality will be retained for longer and less stem is produced for the rest of the season compared with earlier cultivars. The improved leafiness of 24SevenEdge is clearly observed when comparing it side-byside to other cultivars in trials. 24SevenEdge is highly recommended for all high-performance farm types, including dairy farms, where its tolerance to insects and grazing will be greatly appreciated in future years. 24SevenEdge can be ordered now through your Farmlands Technical Field Officer. Article supplied by DLF Seeds.

best modern commercial cultivars tested. Despite the late heading date, | Pedro Evans, DLF plant breeder in a 24Seven trial.

| THE FARMLANDER

its winter and spring production is

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

FORAGE AND ARABLE

Each farm is different – but sugar grass works for Paul’s herd Rural contractor Paul O’Rorke sees the different pasture and crop varieties chosen by farmers and is careful to follow their directions rather than impose his own view – unless he’s asked for an opinion.

“Every farm is a little different. Some grasses work well on some farms and other grasses don’t like being hammered as hard, so it’s all about comparing apples with apples for each situation,” Paul says. “If a client asks about the sugar grass

Then he can tell them what works on

I tell them our cows like it, they eat it

his farm. “It’s up to the farmer to talk

down and I am happy with it. But, you

to their merchant or advisor about what to put in,” says Paul, who owns a high producing dairy farm in Taranaki. “Obviously I can say ‘I’ve got that grass at home and I really do like it’ but I’m not going to say you should be planting high sugar grass.” He first planted Aber High Sugar Grass (AberHSG) 6 years ago and after AberDart tried AberMagic (both perennials but the latter with even more sugar). AberHSG pasture now covers a third of the O’Rorke family’s 180 hectare farm at Opunake. “We sow annual grasses for winter growth in areas going back into a crop but all our permanent pasture is going into AberMagic and clover. We have not gone back (to other ryegrass varieties).” His first paddock of AberDart is still growing strongly and was sown after advice from Farmlands Opunake Technical Field Officer Neil Jury, who had supervised a comparison of different ryegrass varieties grown at a demonstration site at Pungarehu.

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

know, it might not be the be-all-and| Sharemilker Geoff Batchelor (left), rural contractor and

farm owner Paul O’Rorke and Farmlands TFO Neil Jury discuss the close grazing and regrowth of AberMagic, sown March 2013 in previously stony ground.

“AberDart’s performance was in the top two of the perennial varieties at that time,” Neil says.

end-all for their farm.” Paul says those farmers who try sugar grass will plant more for reasons that are probably similar to his own experience – the cows find it palatable, they graze each break clean and the

He said farmers are aware of

regrowth is densely tillered and fresh.

AberHSG’s potential and there has

Farming for 15 years, Paul relies

been a steady demand.

on sharemilkers Geoff and Deanne

“They try it and then tend to plant

Batchelor to run the farm while he is

more because the cows love it, gives

focused on rural contracting.

great regrowth, handles all weather,

“We are ticking all the boxes and must

appears to have great persistence and tillers out well into a dense sward.” Paul plans to sow the new AberHSG perennial AberGreen as part of ongoing pasture renewal, which is that essential to a feeding strategy enables his herd of 550 Friesian cows to produce about 450kg milksolids per cow in a season – well ahead of the 344kg milksolids per cow average for Taranaki herds in 2012/13. The cows also graze fodder beet,

be doing a lot of things right. “I can’t say I am seeing more milk but the cows like the sugar grass and graze it hard, so they are eating more and seem happy and content. “We are definitely not considering topping or under-sowing. The cows are doing all the work.” For more information, talk to your local Farmlands representative. Article supplied by Germinal Seeds.

turnips and brassica and are fed maize kibble (dried and crushed kernels), palm kernel and molasses at the dairy.

THE FARMLANDER |

FORAGE AND ARABLE

Providing a strong Base James and Carolyn Houghton farm a high producing dairy unit near Te Awamutu, Waikato. With support from their local Farmlands Technical Field Officer Angus Petersen, they are having great success with Base tetraploid perennial ryegrass from PGG Wrightson Seeds' grass portfolio. “Farmlands is able to source exactly what we need,” James says.

Running a high stocking rate, the

Base tetraploid perennial ryegrass

Houghtons require a high performing

provides farmers with the whole package.

grass, with Base tetraploid perennial

Many nutritional challenges on New

ryegrass covering 60 percent of the farm.

Zealand farms are simply a “vitamin

They supplement with maize silage and

G” deficiency, i.e. not enough grass.

palm kernel.

Growing more pasture using Base, a

“We have a feed mixer wagon and

modern, high performance tetraploid

monitor exactly what we are feeding and

ryegrass, will help improve your stock

try to utilise grass as much as possible.

nutrition by providing the highest total

This season we won’t top any pastures,

yield possible, maximising meat, milk

as running four cows/ha on tetraploids

and wool production.

we can grow good grass” James says.

Exceptional pasture quality is a ‘must

year round as we continue to push up

Base tetraploid perennial ryegrass has

have’. Stock enjoy the benefits of more

production. It’s very easy to manage

topped total yield in the latest New

pasture from high yielding Base, the

and hangs on during drought. We have

Zealand National Forage Variety Trial

quality benefits of a tetraploid ryegrass

trialled other tetraploids, including three

(NFVT) Summary. The latest results from

and improved late spring pasture quality.

different varieties in one paddock but

the New Zealand Plant Breeders and

Heading 22 days later than mid-season

Base suits us best here. We are trying

Research Association (NZPBRA) showed

Nui, Base holds its lush, leafy quality later

to generate high production, without

PGG Wrightson Seeds' Base tetraploid

into spring. Being selected for reduced

having a negative impact on the

perennial ryegrass delivers the highest

aftermath heading also means easier

environment,” James says.

total annual yield, topping both summer

summer management of Base pastures.

(1st December - 28/29th February)

Base was selected from ryegrass plants

and autumn (1st March – 31st May)

that survived under challenging drought

seasons too.

conditions – just the sort of ryegrass

“We put in our first Base paddock 5 years ago. It just seems to grow well all

The 106 hectare farm milks 430 Crossbred cows, producing well above the national average at 2,100kgMS/ha and more than 500kgMS/cow.

you need for your pastures. Base AR37 delivers endophyte benefits of improved dry matter yield and tiller density, plus control of more insect pests than pastures containing standard endophyte or AR1 endophyte. For more information on Base perennial ryegrass, contact your local Farmlands Technical Field Officer. Article supplied by PGG Wrightson Seeds.

| Farmer James Houghton in his Base paddock.

| THE FARMLANDER

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

FORAGE AND ARABLE

Lucerne and grass mixes key to station operation The use of Seed Force lucerne and grass mixes is providing David Prebble with a good, hardy dry land product that delivers high growth rates for finishing lambs.

David also finds the Seed Force service second to none. “I’m pretty impressed. Seed Force has done a good job here. It’s great working with Liam - I’ve learned a heap, he teaches you so much,” David says.

David, who is Stock Manager for Simon

“We also work closely with our

and Liz Croft on their Omarama sheep

Farmlands TFO Rowan McKenzie but

and beef station Clay Cliffs, aims to finish all stock. Clay Cliffs is run in conjunction with the

we see Liam about once a month. The | David Prebble from Clay Cliffs together with his

Farmlands TFO Rowan McKenzie.

Crofts' other property, Berwen Station

better dry matter and better growth rates

and is a dry land operation running 3,400

with the lucerne mixes, so that’s why we

breeding ewes and 240 beef cows.

have gone that way in a big way. It’s a

All stock is fattened on Seed Force

highlight for me, the lucerne grass mixes.

products - either SF Greenland Rape

It’s a fantastic product.”

and Italian grasses or lucerne grass

Trying to fatten lambs as quickly as

mixes - particularly on the wetter

possible means his aim is to grow a

country. The SF Force 4 lucerne is mixed

good dry land product that’s hardy and

with SF Finesse Q tall fescue, SF Boston

produces good growth rates in spring, so

plantain and SF Rossi red clover and

lambs reach weight and are gone.

David is pleased with the results.

“Hardiness and longevity is the key and

There is 60ha planted in straight lucerne

getting the growth rates in the spring.”

but the move is towards the mixes, with

The other benefit of the lucerne grass

300ha planted in it this year. Last year

mixes is that they are relatively low

the lucerne mixes averaged 78 kilograms

maintenance, minimising the risk of

of dry matter per day, David says.

weeds and receiving just a maintenance

“They grow quicker and end up with

application of fertiliser in winter or early

more dry matter and you can stock up

spring each year.

higher (on the mixes).

“I’ve worked on a few places and I’ve

“Last year we averaged 260 grams a day

seen probably the best results on

with the lambs. All my lambs last year

this place - that SF Force 4 lucerne is

were gone by the end of March - that’s

amazing. It tries to keep growing at any

what I’m aiming for. I like to have feed

time of the year.”

available to give the ewes a flush before

Of the SF Finesse Q tall fescue, he says

going to the ram.”

it seems to hold its quality in spring, is

The lucerne grass mixes have really

easy to manage and is really palatable

ticked all the boxes for him. “We get

for the sheep.

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

support and service provided between Seed Force and Farmlands is fantastic. They have brilliant advice on things like chemicals and spraying paddocks out. They’re one of the better companies to work with, from what I’ve experienced. “Having guys like that alongside you is pivotal to any farming operation. It’s good advice that’s second to none.” For more information about building resilient pastures on your property, talk to your local Farmlands representative. Article supplied by Seed Force.

THE FARMLANDER |

FORAGE AND ARABLE

Optimum soil fertility for new pasture Renewing pasture can deliver multiple benefits, including improvements to pasture yield and quality, the opportunity to increase production and a decrease in animal health issues. However, it’s a significant investment, so it’s important to do it well, so that you maximise the gains you get from your new grass. Planning plays a big part in successful new pastures, as does selecting the right cultivar for your farm and managing it correctly. First, though, you need to identify why the previous pasture failed. There could be many reasons for this common problems include compaction, poor drainage, low pH, poor fertility and weeds and pests. These issues need to be resolved if your new pasture is to thrive – ideally you want to sort them out before you sow a short-rotation winter ryegrass but if not then definitely before your new permanent pasture goes in. A soil test will identify if your paddock’s soil fertility or pH are below par. You need to carry it out well before sowing, as this will give you time to correct any deficiencies. In particular, it takes several months for the pH to adjust after additions of lime. If you need to add lime, the rule of thumb is that 1t lime/ha will raise the pH by around 0.1 unit. Aim for a pH of 5.8-6.0. Correcting nutrient deficiencies is less time-consuming. Your target is to have an Olsen P of 20-30 (or 35-45 if you are

| THE FARMLANDER

on pumice or peat soils), Quick Test

is an ideal starter fertiliser, as it contains

Mg of 8-10 and sulphate sulphur of

both phosphorus and nitrogen. An

10-12. Quick Test K levels should be

alternative is Cropzeal 16N – this can

7-10 (ash and pumice soils), 6-8

be broadcast at 250-350kg/ha, or it can

(sedimentary soils) or 5-7 (peats).

be drilled, in which case lower rates

The best fertiliser to achieve this will

(200-250kg/ha) will be required. Make

depend on the exact deficiency you

sure that the starter fertiliser doesn’t

are facing but often a product from the

touch the seed, as this would increase

Superten range will suit.

the risk of seed burn.

A starter fertiliser is recommended at

To select the best fertiliser policy for

sowing, to give young plant roots easy

your new pasture, talk to the friendly

access to essential nutrients such as

team at your local Farmlands store.

phosphorus and nitrogen. This will

Article supplied by Ballance Agri-Nutrients.

help them to establish strongly and out-compete weeds. Ideally, starter fertilisers are drilled with the seed (in a separate box). If this isn’t possible then broadcast the fertiliser and incorporate it into the soil before sowing. DAP (drilled at a rate of 150-200kg/ha)

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

FORAGE AND ARABLE

The kings of spring Early spring is a critical time for feed in many production systems. Having grasses at the top of their game during this period can add huge value. Recently, Farmlands Rangiora based TFO Jenna Sutton and Agricom’s Northern South Island Manager Mark Kearney visited Agricom’s Marshdale Beef and Dairy Support Research Unit, to see the grasses dubbed "the kings of spring” in action. Marshdale is a 70ha beef finishing and dairy support farm near Oxford in North Canterbury. The farm is split into a number of farmlets operating on a range of forages. In a slow spring, extra grass growth doesn’t come easily. The majority of grasses used on-farm today are very good late-heading cultivars. In cooler environments, vegetative growth between September and October is dependent on day length, temperature

and often dependent on nitrogen use.

at a time where it is most valuable. At

However, it has become very obvious

Marshdale, early September grazing

at Marshdale that this is not the only

is now routine, with the confidence

way to generate extra dry matter in

that grass growth rates will accelerate

September/October.

with the onset of reproductive growth.

After running cattle through winter on

Request, while not quite as early as

kale and fodder beet, spring liveweight

Easton tall fescue, also provides greater

gain in both beef and dairy cattle is very

carrying capacity through September

dependent on the amount of dry matter

and early October compared to later

on offer. Easton Max P tall fescue and

flowering ryegrasses.

Request AR37 mid-heading perennial

Another new product showing great

ryegrass farmlets are demonstrating just

promise at Marshdale is Savvy

how important heading dates are to extra

cocksfoot. Savvy is a very high yielding,

spring growth.

soft leaved cocksfoot and is being

The Easton tall fescue is early to head.

trialled as a pure cocksfoot and clover

It can be up to 10 days earlier than

mix under irrigation for beef or dry

standard mid-heading ryegrass varieties,

stock systems. Here Savvy has been

with the first seed heads from Easton

a standout for total carrying capacity

emerging in early October. Although this

and per-head performance through the

does provide a challenge for managers

spring and early summer, surprising

to maintain quality, the flush of growth

lots of onlookers. This work challenges

at this time provides additional feed

the historical perception of cocksfoot created largely by dry land sheep trials run through summer for liveweight gain. This work with cattle highlights that when you combine good plant genetics with appropriate management and a little nitrogen, you can really express the quality potential of this new cocksfoot. For more information, talk to your local Farmlands representative. Article supplied by Agricom.

| Marshdale Farm Manager Kerry Ford pictured with Farmlands TFO Jenna Sutton.

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

THE FARMLANDER |

FORAGE AND ARABLE

Grow forage brassica yields Insect damage can reduce forage brassica production by more than 3,000kg/ha of dry matter, costing more than $500/ha in lost feed. Seed treatment insecticides can provide early season protection and assist with crop establishment but a foliar insecticide may be required as soon as 2 to 3 weeks after sowing, if pest pressure is high. Until recently, the main insecticides used for forage crops have been organophosphates, which are unpleasant to apply due to their smell and toxicity and often require multiple treatments, due to their relatively short residual activity. Ampligo insecticide

the season, aphids and/or caterpillars

use a minimum of 200 litres of water/ha

from Syngenta offers growers

can cause significant damage to forage

on young plants, increasing to 300-400

new chemistry that can replace

brassica crops during the summer

litres/ha of water on dense and mature

organophosphates in most situations,

months, if left untreated.

crops. Always use a non-ionic wetting

with longer lasting activity and no

Ampligo is best applied as soon as

agent to improve coverage and for aerial

unpleasant smell.

insects or damage first appears then

applications use 100 litres of water/ha.

Ampligo controls a wide range of insect

at 2 to 3 week intervals or as indicated

Field trials have shown a programme of

pests, including nysius, cutworm,

by pest activity. It pays to spray early

Ampligo can increase forage brassica

leaf miner, aphids, white butterfly,

before pest numbers increase, as aphid

yields by more than 3,500kg of DM/

diamondback moth and soybean

populations can multiply very quickly

ha versus untreated crops damaged

looper. Ampligo has a low use rate

in high temperatures and larger

by insects, with healthy margins over

of just 100ml/ha, which means fewer

caterpillars will already have caused

chemical cost. Don’t allow insect pests

empty containers to dispose of and less

some damage — and bigger caterpillars

to become established in your forage

bulk to handle, compared to traditional

are harder to control.

brassica crops this season.

organophosphate insecticides.

If targeting aphids in a dense crop, the

Ampligo has a 14 day withholding period

Nysius was a major issue this season

addition of Pirimor® or Dovetail® are

for grazing stock and is available in 1L

prior to Christmas, with many crops

recommended with Ampligo, as they

and 5L containers, enough to treat 10

mainly affected at the seedling stage.

have fumigant activity to help reach

and 50 hectares respectively.

Direct drilled crops are generally more

aphids under leaves or within the

For more information, talk to your

at risk, where decaying trash becomes

crop canopy.

local Farmlands representative.

a food source for nysius. Depending on

Spray coverage is important, therefore

Article supplied by Syngenta.

| THE FARMLANDER

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

FORAGE AND ARABLE

Strong relationships the key Phil Hunter, who dairy farms at Totara Flat, north of Greymouth, rates the service he gets from Ballance Agri-Nutrients and Farmlands. Phil runs 425 Friesian/Friesian cross cows on a milking platform of 200ha, situated on river silt soils. Although fertile, these soils dry out quickly in summer and can also get very wet, so Phil relies on his summer turnip crop and winter swede and rape crops to tide him over, when pasture growing conditions are less than ideal. He appreciates the support he gets from local Ballance and Farmlands staff. “Paul Turner from Ballance is an extremely good guy,” says Phil. “He has been here for about six years now

all our farm purchases. Matt Gaunson

Phil plans to stick with Ballance and

and has been great for Ballance on the

runs a very good shop and is an

Farmlands, “They have done a good

West Coast. He is always calling in and

extremely good guy. When it comes to

job for me and you never change a

will always go out of his way to give

fencing or dog biscuits, you name it,

winning shot. If it is working, you leave

you a hand and advice. If you have any

Farmlands has got it.

it well alone.”

issues, you just give him a call and he

“They have certainly helped us out

To find out more, talk to the

will get it sorted.

when we’ve had bugs in our crops,

friendly team at your local

“He helps us with our crop fertilisers

too. You can go down there and see

Farmlands store today.

as well as sorting out what to put

the crop’s not doing any good and

on pastures. He’s good at knowing

something is getting at it but you don’t

what the crop needs and he‘s good

know what. Then they rock on up,

organising to get the fert to you. You

have a good study and you get told

just leave it in his hands and you know

it is something you have never heard

it will get done.

of or seen before, like Nysius but it is

“Farmlands are great, too. We use

here now, so you have to live with it

them for advice, on crops and grasses

and deal to it. So they are good in

mainly and we use the retail store for

that respect.”

| THE FARMLANDER

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE

Southland Drainage Stu Cameron and wife Brooke have recently purchased a 715 hectare property around Mokoreta in Southland, with the intention of developing it initially into a 1,200 cow dairy farm. The Camerons have been dairy farming for around 10 years and this acquisition fitted with their long-term business plan of growing their operation.

So why choose Nexus, rather than corrugated-bore Novaflo product? Stu posed this question to Bevan Rees, the local Iplex Pipelines representative, on a recent visit to the farm. “It was a simple decision really,” Stu says, “I’d used both products on the old home farm, which had a sandy type soil. The Novaflo would silt up from the effluent developments. “The stock water scheme was designed around a

The Mokoreta property is currently a

63mm Greenline mainline, taking into

dry stock farm, running 5,000 ewes

account Stu and Brooke’s 5 year plan

and 50 cattle. The land is rolling hill

to increase the herd size to 1,700 head,”

country, with lots of slow running wet

Ken says. “Further projects will include

ditches. Soil types are heavy clay on

putting a reticulated stock water system

the upper parts of the farm, with

into the more rolling country, which will

loamy type soils on the flats closer

be used as the run-off block.”

to the main creek.

Stu was acutely aware that improving

Stu is at the beginning of the

soil conditions through better land

conversion process, with the dairy

drainage would also be key to the

shed just starting to be built, race-

success of the project. Running a dairy

ways being developed and stock water

platform definitely puts more stress

infrastructure being designed and

on the land than a sheep and beef

installed. Farmlands Invercargill has

operation. “We needed the ability to

been heavily involved with technical

bring more land into production, by

advice and material supply to the

being able to fully utilise paddocks for

Camerons' conversion project. In house

grazing,” Stu says. To this end smooth-

designer for Farmlands in Southland,

bore Nexus drainage pipe was installed

Ken Stewart, was involved in both the

by Stu and a local contractor. To date

stock water reticulation and farm dairy

300 coils of Nexus have been installed - 110mm diameter Nexus running from the paddocks into ditches, with 160mm Nexus in the ditches. “After a

day it was installed, sometimes up to a quarter full, reducing the volume of water coming out the pipe, while the Nexus didn’t seem to be affected at all.” “Stu makes a good point,” Bevan says. “The smooth-bore of Nexus creates less turbulence in the pipe, giving increased water velocity compared to corrugated-bore Novaflo. This has a cleaning effect, flushing out soil that has entered the pipe. This increased velocity also allows the pipe to move more water, increasing the drainage efficiency. I definitely believe that more farmers would choose Nexus, if they thought in terms of the volume of water removed from the soil profile and capital development costs - Nexus versus Novaflo.” For more information on the benefits of land drainage or other rural pipelines, talk to the experienced team at your local Farmlands store . Article supplied by Iplex Pipelines.

recent 150mm downpour, the water was flowing like a fire hydrant from the 160mm pipe at the outlet,” Stu says.

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

THE FARMLANDER |

HORTICULTURE

Finish-it foliar fertiliser Finish-it is a high potassium foliar fertiliser with trace elements.

Application rate 3-5kg per hectare with a minimum of 200L of water.

Potassium helps in regulating

Always read the label carefully before

the movement of water within the

use and consult your Farmlands for

plant, aiding photosynthesis, sugar development in fruit and the plant’s

more information.

ability to cope with stress. The

Finish-it products are tested and found

critical time for Finish-it is leading up

to be free of amino alcohol’s and

to harvest, when plants are under significant stress from crop load, moisture and overall plant health. Typical symptoms of moderate potassium deficiency are yellowing of leaf margins of older leaves, as the potassium is transported out of these to meet the demands of new growth and fruit. Crops require potassium in order to synthesise proteins and regulate the opening of the stomata. As a result, potassium deficiency can cause poor growth for next season’s bud break leaves and other tissue can also appear burnt and stunted.

quaternary ammonia compounds. Top fruit crops, the likes of grapes,

Products are stamped, displaying the

apples and kiwifruit, have a high

product has been certified AA

demand for potassium and regular

and QAC free.

applications are necessary in order to help promote good tree and vine

For more information, contact

health, negating potassium deficiency

your local Farmlands store or

and promoting increased brix levels

Technical advisor.

and good fruit pressures at harvest.

Article supplied by Grochem.

In fact, more elemental potassium leaves the orchard or vineyard at harvest than any other element. Finish-it also contains a growth stimulant, Triacontanol. This is a growth stimulant found in plant cuticle waxes, known to enhance photosynthesis to promote higher yields and healthier plants.

FINISH-IT 10KG • A fully soluble powder for the correction of Potassium deficiency.

Also available in Finish-It Plus 25kg.

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

THE FARMLANDER |