Farm Tech

PasturePlan

Ross & Judith Milmine

Location: Tapui, North Otago.

Farm size & type: 246 ha. Sheep breeding and finishing.

Topography: North Otago downlands. Monitoring paddocks at around 240 m altitude.

Rainfall: Averages 600 mm/yr.

Climate: Rainfall varies considerably between seasons, with the occasional severe drought.

Soil type: n/a.

Fertiliser regime: 180 kg/ha/yr sulphur super, plus lime as required. Nitrogen sometimes used strategically on cocksfoot paddock. New pasture was sown with 125 kg/ha Cropmaster 20.

Stock numbers: 1,000 Coopworth x Texel ewes plus replacements, 250 cashmere goats, 60 Friesian bulls and 300 store lambs for finishing.

Carrying capacity: n/a.

Plot descriptions: (a) 10-yr ryegrass & Wana cocksfoot, flat. (b) New Aries ryegrass, sunny.

Detailed description: Both paddocks are at an altitude of around 240 metres. Ross and Judith chose them to compare a new pasture with an old one. (a) Little legume remaining. (b) Sown autumn 2001 in a mix of Aries ryegrass with AR1 endophyte, red and white clovers, chicory, plantain and small amounts of cocksfoot, prairie grass and phalaris. Sown with 125 kg/ha Cropmaster 20.

Farmer's comments: n/a.

Results published: Otago/Southland Farmer

Local Meat & Wool Innovation contact: Robert Pattison, tel 03-489 9021, cell 025-323 094, robert.pattison@mwi.co.nz