FORAGE AND ARABLE
Triumphing over the winter pasture deficit The Thomson family have been farming near Winton for over 150 years and throughout this time have seen many trends come and go. They run a successful sheep and beef operation which relies heavily on high yielding brassicas to get them through the winter pasture deficit. The Thomsons’ have been using swedes for years as swedes perform best in cooler, moist environments like Southland. Peter Thomson commented that whilst ridged swedes over the years have been reasonable, lately the crop had been inconsistent. After discussing options with Abby Henderson, his local Farmlands TFO, Peter decided to try precision sown, pelleted Triumph Swedes. Triumph, a new generation swede, is a high yielding yellow-fleshed swede with good dry rot and mildew tolerance. Like all swedes, Triumph requires good establishment management, climatic conditions and high phosphate levels to fully express its yield potential. Triumph swedes have already made a name for themselves in Southland where they are quickly becoming a popular choice with farmers due to their suitability to the environment and the region's needs. “The first year we tried Triumph I was hesitant at the extra cost associated with the precision sowing so decided to only do 12 hectares and the rest with conventional swede seed through my trusty ridger. The yield difference was incredible! Needless to say, this year we
WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ
It’s great to see the ewes so content on the crop and scalping the bulbs out into the ground, they must enjoy them.” | David Thomson is reaping the benefits of new generation swede, Triumph.
planted everything with precision sown
“It’s great to see the ewes so content
pelleted Triumph swedes by the local
on the crop and scalping the bulbs out
contractor,” Peter says.
into the ground, they must enjoy them,”
“All but one paddock … I couldn’t help
David Thomson says.
myself, I got the ridger out for one last
For more information on Triumph
shot at proving its worth. Long story
swedes or other winter feed options,
short, the ridger won’t be used again.”
contact your Farmlands Technical
The Thomsons’ have now yielded
Field Officer or the friendly team at
consistently for 2 years running thanks
your local Farmlands store.
to Triumph, and the stock love them.
Article supplied by Agricom.
Farmlands Co-operative Society Limited | © October 2020. All rights reserved.
THE FARMLANDER | 45
