Displaying items by tag: forage

When is it too late to plant maize? Ian Williams, Pioneer forage specialist explains.

The impacts of a wet winter are clearly evident as I drive around the countryside. In fact, I have never seen the level of damage on farm after winter as I am seeing now.

Giant self-propelled forage harvesters are a common sight in paddocks, but wind the clock 55 years to 1962, when the Gehl 188 Chop King hit the country, and there must have been eyes standing out on stalks.

As a result of the last two seasons’ historically low payouts many farmers have become very cost focussed.

In the early days of self-propelled forage harvesters, power seemed to be 350-400hp and they chopped a lot of grass or maize.

With developments in forage maize growing over the last decade – genetics to improve yields, pest resistance and reducing days to maturity – the arrival of a new planting concept looks to give maize growers another option.

The real cost of forages should be a key driver for a farm business; but to determine ‘real value’, buying decisions should be based on various factors, says SeedForce.

Grazed winter forage crops raise the risk of nutrient losses to water, but with careful management, sediment and phosphorus losses can be reduced during grazing.

WITH A low dairy payout forecast don’t just look to eliminate waste in the paddock, think about what might be underutilised in the cow too, says Ballance Agri-Nutrients.

AgResearch's role in the changing face of farming is the theme for AgResearch's stand in the Premier Feature area at this year's National Agricultural Fieldays at Mystery Creek.