New pasture assessment booklet
A new tool that enables farmers to assess the fertility of their soils by looking closely at the pasture quality, vigour and clover content has recently been released.
It might sound too good to be true. But the answer lies in virtually all your paddocks, claims Barenbrug pasture systems manager Blair Cotching.
“The more pasture you grow and utilise on-farm, the better your return from every dollar spent on inputs, and that’s a fact. It all comes down to management.
“It doesn’t have to be complicated or disruptive – sometimes even a small change can lead to a big improvement. And we can help make it happen.”
DairyNZ has highlighted grazing management as one of three key levers in coping with runaway farm input costs this season, along with strong financial and people management.
Unlike fertiliser, feed and fuel prices, deciding when and how to graze is something farmers have complete control over, Cotching says.
Grazing has been exhaustively researched in New Zealand, and the results are clear.
“Look after your pastures, and in return they will look after you, your cows and your wallet.”
Cotching claims you don’t have look far to find expert advice on good pasture management.
“Even better, it’s available on demand, round the clock, free of charge, so you can get answers when it suits you.
“Our website is chock-full of everything we know about getting the best out of pastures on NZ farms.
“It’s based on 30 years of our own experience, as well as decades of pasture science and research.”
Every dairy system is different, Cotching says, and finding the right way to grow and utilise more pasture per hectare is not always evident from a hands-on daily farming perspective, especially when labour is short and time even shorter.
“But the core principles apply no matter where or how you farm. Every blade of grass holds the power to dilute the rising costs of essential farm inputs, and we’re here to help you find out how.”
