14 September 2011

2 minute read

Oceania

The Pasture Renewal Leadership Group is running the Pasture Renewal Persistence Competition again, this time with the addition of a new category.

Up for grabs are two pasture renewal prizes of NZ$1,000 each, including seed and herbicide.

"Our aim is to find the 'best' managed and recently renewed pastures in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty," says competition organiser and DairyNZ Farm Systems specialist, Chris Glassey.

“Farmers can enter in two categories; Best Waikato/BOP first year pasture sown this year and Best Waikato/BOP pasture sown more than three years ago.”

The Pasture Renewal Persistence Competition is an initiative of the Pasture Renewal Leadership Group, which is a DairyNZ-led industry group, including researchers, the seed industry, farmers and agricultural contractors, and was formed to develop better tools, resources and advice for farmers.

"We want to encourage discussion between farmers from throughout the region on best management practice for persistent pastures in this environment."

"This is part of the Pasture Renewal Leaderships Group’s role of ensuring that farmers receive consistent, timely messages on pasture persistence and renewal from throughout the industry," says Mr Glassey.

Judging will involve a short interview about the soil fertility and the paddock's history prior to and since re-sowing. Management practices such as grazing management, endophyte selection, weed control, and nitrogen usage will be discussed.

"We will also be looking for any other information that will help build a picture of the best management practice required for persistence of renewed pastures in this environment," says Mr Glassey.

Entries are open until 31 October with judging held during November. Winners’ field days will be held during December.

TheCattleSite News Desk