Pasture renewal field days

Winners of a competition to identify the Waikato and Bay of Plenty’s best new and renewed dairy pastures will host field days at their properties in February.

Te Pahu farmer Noldy Rust and Aaron Price from Morrinsville, are winners of the Pasture Renewal Persistence Competition run by the DairyNZ-led Pasture Renewal Leadership Group.

Farmer Aaron Price winner of the best first year pasture with DairyNZ developer Sally Peel during judging for the Pasture Renewal Persistence Competition.

Aaron Price won best first year pasture while Noldy Rust won the best pasture of more than three years old.

This year entrants included a mix of dairy systems across the region and were of a high standard. Judges for the DairyNZ competition look not only for a great, weed-free pasture but also at how it has been established and how entrants plan and implement their overall pasture renewal plan.

Dr David Hume, senior scientist at AgResearch said the success of the winning pastures was established by good grazing management, careful pre-sowing preparation and a correct choice of endophyte.

David says the judging panel was impressed with the pasture density, high levels of white clover and low weed content in both of the winning paddocks.

Aaron Price regrassed with a mix of Trojan perennial ryegrass, Kotare and Weka white clovers, Safin cocksfoot and Tuscan red clover.

Noldy Rust’s winning paddock is a 10 year old mix of Alto and Arrow ryegrass.

Each winner receives $1500 of pasture renewal products from Agriseeds and Agricom.

As well as an overview of the winning paddocks, topics at the field days will include discussion about the Forage Value Index, Black Beetle control and grazing for persistence.

Event details

February 3, 2016 – Best pasture more than three years old

12.30 to 2.30, kicking off with BBQ at noon.

Noldy Rust, 2 Godfrey Rd, Te Pahu, SN 73267

February 23, 2016 – Best first year pasture

11am-2pm

Aaron Price, 276 Pioneer Rd, Morrinsville, SN 76406

BBQ lunch will be provided.


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