bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
DAP slurry evaluations in Hawke's Bay
Authors: Korte C.J. , Gray M.H. , Smith D.R.
Published: July 2020

Three experiments were conducted in Hawke's Bay to evaluate the agronomic effectiveness of DAF' slurry fertilisers containing finely ground diammonium phosphate (DAP). The experiments also compared the effectiveness of sulphur (S) applied as sulphate and as elemental S. Experimental sites, all on dryland yellow-grey earth soils on permanent sheep pasture which had not received fertiliser for several years, covered a range of soil fertility, pasture species and chemical composition. Trials were open to grazing, and exclusion cages were used to measure herbage production over 1 or 2 years. No difference in yield (PrO.05) was recorded for DAP applied at low rates either as a slurry or as a conventional solid fertiliser. It was concluded that grinding of DAP into small particles and its application as a slurry had no effect on the agronomic performance of the applied nutrients when compared with solid fertiliser. DAP slurry fertilisers had no statistically significant effect on herbage dry matter production, dry matter digestibility, protein content, or trace element content relative to unfertilised control pasture. Application of DAP slurry twice at annual intervals had no significant (PrO.05) effect on soil test measurements. Sulphate S was more effective than elemental S in overcoming S deficiency in these experiments. Keywords: diammonium phosphate, fertilisers, fertiliser forms, Hawke's Bay, slurry fertilisers, sulphur
Biophysical indicators of sustainability of North Island hill pasture systems
Authors: Lambert M.G. , Barker D.J. , Mackay A.D. , Springett J.O.
Published: July 2020

"Sustainability" is a social construct, and is difficult to define in precise value-free terms. It has ecological (biophysical) and socio-economic dimensions. Biophysical indicators are tools that can be used to define resource status. They cannot directly measure sustainability, but are useful for comparing present resource status with defined limits set within a socio-economic framework. We measured vegetation and soil variables in 4 areas of grazed North Island hill country with different management (fertiliser application/stocking rate) histories (1973 to 1994) and sub-divided into 36 paddocks. Nineteen vegetation (including herbage production); soil chemical, physical and biological; and soil water variables were selected as potentially useful biophysical indicators. Analysis of the results for these variables suggested that pasture botanical composition (especially content of high-fertility responsive grasses and of herbaceous weed species) and earthworm mass/unit area explained most of the variance of the data matrix. These variables were also highly correlated with herbage production, an indicator of likely economic performance. Development of the most suitable indicators requires good understanding of agro-ecosystem function, and is hampered by our lack of understanding of critical processes. Keywords: biophysical indicators, hill country, pasture, soil, sustainability
Subtropical seed-bank of a Bay of Plenty dairy farm
Authors: Bell C.C.
Published: July 2020

An examination of the grass seed-bank on a Bay of Plenty dairy farm in October 1994 found seed numbers of all grass species were greatest in the top O-50 mm of the soil profile and declined steeply at two lower sampling depths (5 l-150 mm, 15 l- 250 mm). C, grass species comprised 58% of the total viable seed in the upper sampling layer and greater than 80% in the other two horizons. Panicum dichotomiflorum was the dominant C, grass, especially at the lowest sampling depth where it comprised over 90% of the C, seeds and 78% of the total seeds found. Previous management was also an important influence on both the total seed loading and its distribution within the soil profile. Paddocks cultivated within the last 4 years had more total viable seeds at all depths and more Panicum dichotomiflorum seed at the deeper sampling depths than paddocks not cultivated within the last 4 years. The almost total absence of perennial ryegrass (Loliumperenne) seed indicates that it has a very short residual life in the seedbank. Therefore, if ryegrass plants are not maintained by vegetative propagation ryegrassbased pastures are susceptible to invasion from species that have a long residence time in the seedbank. These results also show that seed-bank surveys provide a method for assessing the potential changes in botanical composition of pastures and the geographical distribution of species such as subtropical grasses that is independent of the growing conditions at the time of sampling. Keywords: C, grasses, Panicum dichotomiflorum, seed-bank, subtropical grasses
Evaluation of a meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis) population from Northland
Authors: Cooper B.M.
Published: July 2020

Meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis Huds.) is not commonly. recognised as a significant pasture species in New Zealand. On a Northland dairy farm near Kaitaia a population of meadow fescue was increasing and providing significant feed in drought years. Meadow fescue ecotype seed lines from Kaitatia were collected and compared for relative vigour to Grasslands Supernui perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), Grasslands Wana and Grasslands Kara cockSfoot (Dactylis glomerata), Palaton and Venture reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea) and Grasslands Advance tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea). Variation occurred within the 22 meadow fescue lines in terms of early growth, 4 lines being superior to Advance tall fescue during winter and spring. Overseas lines failed to persist. Vigour of remaining lines declined as the trial progressed, Persistent meadow fescue plants remained small and were slow to tiller. Overseas meadow fescue introductions had no endophyte present, but local lines contained Acremonium uncinatum which does not produce the mammalian mycotoxins Iolitrem B and ergovaline. Unless a specific role for the species can be determined further work is largely unjustified, as productivity did not surpass that of control species. Animal health relationships with different endophytes warrant further,jnvestigation. 3 Keywords: Dactylis glomerata, ecotypes, endophytes, 'Festuca arundinacea, Festuca pratensis Huds., Lolium perenne, Northland, Phalaris arundinacea
Performance of setaria in the northern North Island
Authors: Boom C.J. , Sheath G.W.
Published: July 2020

Setaria sphacelata is a perennial C, grass that has high potential summer yield, but its persistence and cool-season production are poor. An experiment investigated whether a winter oats cover crop could negate these poor traits. While oversowing oats into established setaria increased total winter-spring herbage production, the use of a cover crop reduced setaria persistence despite minimum soil temperatures being 1.5"C higher. Starch and soluble sugar levels in three different leaf and stem fractions of setaria were low and showed little seasonal variation. S. sphacelata and S. neglecta plants that had survived previous evaluations were transplanted into a field nursery and screened for a further 3 years. From this nursery, blocks of four phenotypically different lines were then established and their performance (herbage production and quality) was assessed for 2 years. Mean annual yields of the more productive blocks were 12.5 t /ha, 60% of this occurring during January-March. Herbage quality was assessed as being low-medium, leaf in vitro digestibilities and crude protein being 70% and 12% respectively. Within this "persistent" population, soluble sugars in the basal fractions of the plant appear important in assisting cool-season persistence. The place of a perennial C, grass such as setaria in farm systems was investigated using the computer model Stockpol. A smsll specialist block of setaria may have merit for feeding breeding stock where there is a need to miriimise the risk of drought in northern zones of New Zealand. Keywords: carbohydrates, cover crop, forage quality, persistence, Setaria spp.
Effects of long-term differences in fertiliser history on hill country: seasonal pasture production, legume growth and soil phosphorus status
Authors: Roach C.G. , Nemaia E.K.K. , Ledgard S.F. , Brier G.J. , Mclay C.D.A.
Published: July 2020

The effects of 10 years of nil or maintenance phosphorus (P) fertiliser (250 kg/ha/yr superphosphate) on pasture production and composition, and on soil P status, were measured in a farmlet trial on hill country near Te Kuiti. Withholding P resulted in 29-35% less annual pasture production and 54-72% less legume (predominantly white clover) production. There was little difference in seasonality of production between the two farmlets. The loss in production in the nil P farmlet was predictable based on the decline in soil Olsen P test to 6-8 ppm and the results from past mowing trials. Additional soil measurements revealed that soil organic P levels were increasing at the site and this will have contributed to the decline in plantavailable P in soil. Re-application of P at 23 kg/ha markedly increased legume growth (by 180-330%) in the nil P farmlet, which was proportionally twice as high on steep slopes as on easy slopes. This response in legume production was most evident in summer at a time when improved feed quality is valuable for finishing lambs. Indeed, legume growth in the P re-application plots exceeded that in the maintenance P farmlet by 23-28%. This reflected reduced plant-available soil N status due to less inputs from N, fixation in the previous 10 years, and thereby increased the competitive advantage of legumes over grasses where P deficiency was diminished by fertiliser re-application. Keywords: fertiliser history, hill country, legume production, pasture production, phosphorus, seasonality, soil phosphorus
Target populations for direct-drilled ryegrass and tall fescue
Authors: Praat J-P , Ritchie W.R. , Baker C.J. , Hodgson J.
Published: July 2020

Establishment, botanical composition and production of direct-drilled perennial ryegrass and tall fescue were compared for two seeding rates in an autumn-sown, grazed trial. Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb. cv. AU Triumph) was sown at either 17 or 3 1 kg/ha and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L. cv. Grasslands Supernui) was sown at 12 and 23 kg/ha on 12 April, 1990 all with "Grasslands Pitau" white clover at 3 kg/ha. Measurements of herbage mass and botanical composition during the ensuing 2-year period showed that there was no advantage in terms of suppression of weed species or accumulation of herbage mass of the sown species from sowing more seed than that required to achieve a population of 450-500 plants/m2 of either ryegrass and tall fescue 6 weeks after sowing. A population of 150 white clover plants/m2 appeared to be adequate for development of a balanced sward. Establishment of fescue was slower than that of ryegrass but both species developed to productive swards after infrequent but close defoliation with dairy cattle in the first spring and subsequent rotational grazing by lactating dairy cows. Pasture establishment in Northland is difficult because of shallow topsoils. Direct drilling can preserve this fragile topsoil and successfully establish alternative species such as fescue as long as attention is paid to their establishment requirements. Alternative species may offer a solution to low feed availability of ryegmss in the summer and poor survival of ryegrass in poorly drained areas during the winter. Keywords: direct drilling, Festuca arundinacea, Lolium perenne, pasture establishment, seeding rate
Pasture legumes for the drought-prone, outwash soils of the southern Mackenzie Basin
Authors: Woodman R.F. , Keoghan J.M. , Allan B.E.
Published: July 2020

The persistence of lucerne (Medicugo sativa L.), red clover (Trifofiumpratense L.), birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus cornicufatus L.) and perennial lupin (Lupinuspolyphyks Lindley), overdrilled with and without companion grasses, was compared at a site representative of dry, acidic, outwash soils in the southern Mackenzie Basin, South Island. Plant populations were monitored for 9 years and legume seedling regeneration and stand recruitment were examined over three consecutive years under grazing by sheep and cattle. Pcrcnnial lupin was the best adapted legume species. Stand density increased by re-seeding. In contrast, few seedlings of birdsfoot trefoil developed as a result of reseeding, and survival of birdsfoot trefoil was generally restricted to the more favourable areas of the mosaic of soil. Red clover did not persist, and the few plants of lucerne that survived lacked vigour. Tall oat grass and cocksfoot showed good vigour and persistence across the mosaic of soil; smooth brome performed well and spread within the more favourable areas. From these results, _p_erennial.lupin,-tall-oat-grass-and-cocksfoot~a~~ to be the best species available for the future development of sustainable pastoral systems in drought-prone outwash landscapes in the Mackenzie Basin. Keywords: dryland, establishment, Lotus corniculatus, Lupinus po&phyflus, outwash soils, pasture legumes, persistence, seedling recruitment
The role of fertiliser in the invasion of South Island high country by hawkweeds
Authors: Harris Warwick , Fan Jiangwen
Published: July 2020

An hypothesis, that the invasion of hawkweeds (Hierucium species) into South Island high country was triggered by fertiliser application from about 1950, is examined. Reference is made to the historical occurrence of hawkweeds in New Zealand, volumes and patterns of fertiliser application to high country, and experimental and observational information about the response of hawkweeds to soil fertility. Both mouse ear (H. pilosella) and king devil (H. praealtum) hawkweeds show marked and rapid increases in vegetative growth and flowering when available soil nutrients are increased. The response of hawkweeds to soil fertility is much greater than that of fescue tussock (Festuca novae-zelandiae) but appears similar to that of most introduced grasses, legumes and weeds. A specific P effect is inferred to explain why sheep's sorrel (Rumex acetosella) became an important weed of tussock grasslands before hawkweeds. Keywords: fescue tussock, hawkweeds, Hieracium, high country, sheep's sorrel, soil fertility,
Nutrient budgets - a key indicator of soil sustainability
Authors: O'Connor M.B. , Boddy I.K. , Morton J.D. , Edmeades D.C.
Published: July 2020

Sustainable land management is now embedded in New Zealand law in the form of the Resource Management Act, 1991. Nutrient budgets and soil tests are seen as important tools for monitoring soil chemical sustainability. Nutrient budgets require that all inputs and outputs of nutrients from a farm are quantified. The aim is to ensure inputs and outputs are in balance thus producing a sustainable system. Recent experience suggests that using the study group (or Landcare group) approach is an effective way of introducing the nutrient budgeting approach to farmers. At the same time a computer software package ('Overseer') for assisting the calculations involved is being developed and tested. P nutrient budgets for two Waikato dairy farms suggest that surplus P is being produced. Such information provides a basis for future decisions on P fertiliser inputs to balance the P requirements for production against those for sustainable land management. Nutrient budgets can be aggregated to the regional and national level as required. By being able to calculate nutrient budgets in this way, New Zealand will be in a good position to _ demonstrate a commitment.to.nutrient.management~ thus ensuring continued and perhaps enhanced market access for our agricultural products. Keywords: dairying, nutrient budgets, study groups, sustainable land management
Incidence of nodal rooting and plantlet survival in spreading red clovers
Authors: Hyslop M.G. , Kemp P.D. , Barker D.J. , Hodgson J.
Published: July 2020

Red clover (Trifoolium pratense L.) can provide high quality summer feed but has declined in popularity owing to its poor persistency in temperate grazing systems. From 1991 to 1996 the incidence of nodal rooting of prostrate selections of red clover was quantified and the survival of the resulting plantlets was tracked over time, under grazing conditions. Three field experiments were conducted using Astred, Grasslands Pawera, F2419 and Grasslands Turoa selections of red clover. The main experiment comprised 3 harvests (plants and plantlets dug up) of 3 red clover selections, in a randomised complete block design with no grazing. The subsidiary plantlet survival experiment followed the life and death of 160 plantlets from the three selections under rotational grazing to 5 cm, over a period of 48 weeks. The numbers of plantlets produced per parent plant of each selection were 37, 16 and 5 for Astred, F2419 and Turoa, respectively (P~O.001). Astred produced significantly larger plantlets (PcO.001, mean = 130.6 g/ DM/plantlet) over 7 months than F2419 and Turoa -(means-=.31.5.and.lO~g/DM/plantlet,.r.espec~y)~ At week 48 plantlet survival ranged from 84% (Astred) to 27% (Turoa) (P~O.001). The experiment at Ballantrae consisted of oversowing 20 kg/ha of 2 clover selections (Pawera, creeping selection) into sprayed pasture in 1991. Plant density, pasture composition and herbage accumulation were measured until 1995, with all treatments continuously stocked at 16 ewes/ha. Pawera contributed only 1.1% to herbage accumulation during the second year when oversown on hill country and ~-disappeared from the sward-soon-after.XIn-averagei the creeping selection made up 3.2% of the total sward herbage accumulation from years 2 to 5. It was concluded that the spreading red clovers represented by Astred and F2419 selections have the potential to be more persistent than crown red clovers under grazing. Keywords: nodal rooting, plantlet, spreading red clover, Trifolium pratense
Establishment of perennial legume species in drought-prone, North and South Island sites
Authors: Douglas G.B. , Wills B.J. , Pryor H.N. , Foote A.G. , Trainor K.D.
Published: July 2020

The establishment from seed of 8 perennial legumes was investigated in 3 trials in drought-prone regions. Two trials, in central Hawke's Bay, aimed to determine the extent of establishment of 6 test species (Astragalus cicer, Coronilla varia, Dorycnium hirsutum, Dorycnium pentaphyllum, Lotus corniculatus, Lotus tenuis) and 2 standard species (Medicago sativa, Trifolium repens). The third trial, in Central Otago, aimed to identify the most effective strain of Rhizobium loti for nodulating D. hirsutum in the field. In Hawke's Bay, establishment of all species was satisfactory. Seedling emergence ranged from 0.2% (T. repens) to 25% (A. cicer, C. varia, D. hirsutum), but emergence levels for all species varied between trials. Herbage yields of A. cicer (4 t DM/ha), C. varia (3 t DM/ha) and L. tenuis (3.7 t DM/ha) were relatively high, and they could have potential as forages. Inoculation of seed of D. hirsutum with R. loti strain ICC211 resulted in 60% of seedlings being nodulated, compared with 25% where strain ICC224 was used. Foliage weights of all plants inoculated with strain ICC211 (154 mg) were higher than those inoculated with strain ICC224 (52 mg). Strain ICC211 is recommended for inoculating D. hirsutum. Keywords: dryland legumes, nodulation, plant establishment, revegetation
The use of blood equol values in devising grazing management strategies for red clover-based pastures
Authors: Keogh R.G. , Kramer R. , Mcdonald M.F. , Blewman Angela , Crabb Jane
Published: July 2020

Feeding and grazing trials were carried out to establish relationships between formononetin intakes and blood equol levels, and to characterise the build-up and clearance of free and conjugated equal in the blood of sheep feeding on either high (Grasslands Pawera) or low (G27) formononetin red clovers. In the feeding trials, blood equol levels were positively correlated with formononetin intakes, and levels peaked at 2-4 hours after feeding. In the grazing trial, groups of 10 sheep grazed either Pawera or G27 red clover pastures for l-, 2-, or 3-week periods while a control group was on grass-dominant pasture. Analysis of blood equal showed differences in the rates of accumulation and in the mean blood concentrations. Free equol was present in the blood of sheep after one day of grazing on Pawera whereas it was not detected in blood of sheep on G27 until 5 days after grazing began. Blood equal rose to equilibrium levels and remained thus until sheep were removed from the red clovers. The concentrations of equol in Pawera ewes were approximately three times those in G27 ewes. Free equoal was rapidly cleared from the blood and was below the limit of detection by day 2 after transfer to a ryegrass pasture. The 4-day lag between start of grazing and the appearance of free equal in the blood of ewes on G27 offered scope for devising grazing management strategies which might enable use of G27 for flushing without an adverse effect on fertility. Results of trials in 1995 and 1996, in which ewes grazed alternately for 3.5 or 3 days on G27 and then for 3.5 or 4 days on grass pastures (per week) for 4 weeks before and during a 4-week mating period showed that the reproductive performance of ewes was unaffected. Such on/off systems of grazing management, therefore, enable G27 to be grazed safely by ewes around the time of mating. Keywords: equol, ewe fertility, flushing, formononetin, grazing management, oestrogenic compounds, Trifolium pratense
A case study: North Otago downlands - farming for profit
Authors: Meikle T.J. , Green R.B.
Published: July 2020

Rosebery is a 295 ha rolling downland North Otago property in the Airedale district, 10 km west of Oamaru. The proximity of the farm to the coast gives a shorter winter (100 days) than that generally experienced further inland. However, the same challenges experienced in coping with the seasonal variations are shared with other North Otago farmers. Having lived in this area for all of my 46 years, farming in family partnerships for 12 years, from 1969-1981, and since then with my wife Gail in our own right, I believe I have a reasonable level of awareness of farming a unit such as ours in this district.
Dairying - Waitaki's opportunity
Authors: Davis J.
Published: July 2020

The Waitaki Plains has 30127 ha of irrigation. The sheep, beef and cropping properties have been converted to dairy farms over recent years. Between 1989-90 and 1994-95 dairy cow numbers increased from 14 000 to 39 000, mainly as a result of large operations being established. The herd size in the same time scale has increased from 292 to 443 cows per farm. Performance has also increased dramatically, with per cow production going from 260 kg milksolids (MS)/cow in 1986-87 to 362 kg MS/cow in 1995-96. The excellent stock performance is reflected in the financial gains that farmers have made. The potential for increased performance now comes from improved grass quality and growth. Keywords: dairy conversion, dairy farming, Waitaki Plains
Selenium supplementation alternatives for the South Island high country
Authors: Metherell Ak , Owens J.L. , Moore G.H. , Mackintosh C.G.
Published: July 2020

Alternative methods of selenium (Se) supplementation have been evaluated in Merino sheep grazing irrigated pasture at Tara Hills Research Station near Omarama. Unsupplemented ewes and lambs were extremely Se deficient and production losses were high. Barium selenate (DeposeI@) injections, intraruminal Se pellets (Permasele) or the strategic grazing of recently Se-topdressed (Selcotee) pasture for at least one month pre-joining all gave a rapid and large rise in the Se status of ewes and met ewe requirements for 12 months. The barium selenate and intra-ruminal pellet treatments allowed a substantial transfer of Se to lambs at birth, and lambs would not require further Se supplementation until after weaning. With strategic grazing and oral treatments it is necessary to provide lambs with supplementary Se as early as possible. A single application of Selcote Ultra* prills at 1 kg/ha was effective in supplying adequate Se to Merino wethers for 24 months. Deposel, infertility, liveweight, Permasel, Selcote, Selcote Ultra, selenium, sheep, white muscle disease, wool
Assessing the persistence of some pasture legumes in hill country
Authors: Orr S.J. , Wedderburn M.E.
Published: July 2020

White clover (Trifolium repens) is the traditional pasture legume in New Zealand but its persistence and production in the low fertility, summer-dry hill country of the North Island is poor. In a preliminary trial to assess the persistence of alternative perennial legumes, two species, Adesmia bicolor and a prostrate cultivar of Trijoiiumpratense were studied over a 2-year period on an ash soil over a range of slopes, aspects and fertility I'evels. The ZI pratense cultivar was still present at trial completion, contributing to higher total legume levels (9.5%) than in the resident pasture plots (7%). The second trial examined the potential of the previous two species along with accessions of Trifolium semipilosum, Trifoolium fragiferum and T. repens (cv. Grasslands Prestige) over 3 years in a paddock of clay hill soil commencing in 1994. After 2 years the 3: pratense and introduced T. repens lines were still present in the easy plots while the T. semipilosum cultivar was the only introduced legume to persist on the steeper slopes. The mean total legume content on both steep and easy slopes from the last harvest (April 1996)-was-similar-to pre-trial levels. The persisting introduced legumes "replaced" resident species rather than increasing total legume levels. The potential of the prostrate T. pratense cultivar for use in hill country should be further investigated. Keywords: Adesmia, hill country, legumes, low fertility, persistence, Trifolium repens
Legumes, herbs or grass for lamb performance?
Authors: Fraser T.J. , Rowarth J.S.
Published: July 2020

Lamb performance was evaluated for three consecutive summer-early autumn periods on ryegrass (Lolium perenne), white clover (Trifolium repens), chicory (Cichorium intybus), plantain (Plantago lanceolata) or lotus (Lotus corniculatus). Lamb liveweight gains, fasted liveweights at slaughter and hot carcass weights tended to be highest on legumes and chicory and lowest on plantain and ryegrass. Greasy wool weights were significantly higher on lotus and white clover than on chicory, plantain and ryegrass. Greasy wool weight was significantly related to fasted liveweight (R2=0.94-0.99). Protein (%) in herbage accounted for 83-92% of the variability in animal performance; food intake accounted for 57-69% of the variability and was negatively correlated with hemicellulose and cellulose (R2=97.2 and 80.9%, respectively). Thus quality of feed was more important than intake alone in determining animal performance. Keywords: carcass weight, Cichorium intybus, greasy wool weight, intake, lamb performance, Lotus corniculatus, Lolium perenne, Plantago lanceolata, Trifolium repens
A comparison of multi-species pasture with ryegrass-white clover pasture under dryland conditions
Authors: Daly M.J. , Hunter R.M. , Green G.N. , Hunt L.
Published: July 2020

The performance of three different multi-species pastures (MSP), or mixed herb leys as they are also known, was compared with that of a standard ryegrass-white clover pasture (cvs Grasslands Super Nui-Grasslands Huia), over a 3-year period at two dryland sites. The MSP treatments had grass and legume species selected for compatibility and growth and aimed to provide a contrast in quality and production. The herb species, common to each of the MSP treatments, were chicory, plantain, sheep's burnet and yarrow. The dry matter production of the MSP treatments was significantly higher than that of the ryegrass-white clover pasture (P
Pasture species effects on carcass and meat quality
Authors: Fraser T.J. , Scott S.M. , Rowarth J.S.
Published: July 2020

Increasing concerns about food quality and animal fat in the human diet have promoted research into the effects of different forage species on carcass quality and fat content. This trial investigated the effect on carcass composition and the intensity of sheep meat flavour and odour of five different pure pasture species: Grasslands Lancelot plantain (Plantago lanceolata), Grasslands Puna chicory (Cichorium intybus), Grasslands Huia white clover (Trifolium repens), Grasslands Nui high-endophyte perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and Grasslands Goldie lotus (Lotus corniculatus). Although pasture species did affect meat quality and fat content, there appeared to be an inverse relationship with carcass weight: larger lambs had more fat, which was related to difference in body size and relative maturity rather that pasture species. Pasture species also influenced muscle ultimate pH, sheep meat odour, foreign odours, and flavours, but did not affect sheep meat flavour. Keywords: Cichorium intybus, meat flavour, Lolium perenne, Lotus corniculatus, meat odour, Plantago lanceolata, Trifolium repens
North Otago Sustainable Land Management Group: Assisting the North Otago community to move towards the goal of sustainable land use
Authors: Ludemann G. , Hewson D.C. , Green R.
Published: July 2020

The North Otago area has a climate that often fluctuates from severe drought to flood in a short space of time. The climatic extremes, and some unsustainable land use practices can put the area's fragile loessial soils at risk of water and wind erosion. This paper outlines an approach used in North Otago which has enabled the community to identify its sustainability and environmental issues and begin to make changes to land use and farmer attitudes. A group of key farmers was brought together to oversee the preparation of Sustainable Land Management Guidelines for the downlands. (This group became the North Otago Sustainable Land Management Group - NOSLaM Group.) From this grew a wide-ranging community-driven project with a full-time co-ordinator, and a vision to have most land users adopting sustainable farming systems. This should ensure the area is ready to meet the world market demands for environmental quality in food and fibre production. The Group will promote individual environmental farm plans which will have a monitoring component. Some farmers will work towards some form of property accreditation such as ISO 14001. This pilot project will be highlighting the economic benefits of environmentally sound farming methods, through seminars, field-days, newsletters and a demonstration farm. The Group is working in partnership with farmers, the processing industry and marketing people to identify market opportunities for the area's food and fibre produced by environmentally friendly farming systems. Keywords: cultivation, environment, Environmental Farm Plans, erosion, guidelines, ISO 14001 accreditation, market opportunities, monitoring, sustainable land use, sustainability
Timothy cultivars in a New Zealand high country environment
Authors: Maunsell L.A. , Scott D.
Published: July 2020

Herbage yields of 12 timothy cultivars and 4 control grasses were compared over 4 years under 50 250 and 500 (with irrigation) kg N/ha/year in the South Island high country near Lake Tekapo. Timolhy produced high yields (10.9-12.2 t/ha/year) of quality herbagc under high nitrogen and irrigation. Mean yields at 50 and 250 kg N/ha/year were 4.8 and 7.1 t/ha/year respectively under dryland conditions. Differences between the timothy cultivars were small but Grasslands Kahu was the top- or near the top-performing of the 12 cultivars tested at all times. Keywords: cultivars, high country, Phleum pratense
Successful North Canterbury dairy conversion with quality pasture of nil endophyte ryegrass
Authors: Sutton C.B.
Published: July 2020

I have been farming all my working life in partnership with my brother Graeme in a family company known as V.Q. Sutton & Sons Ltd. While I managed our town supply dairy farm in Redwood Valley, west of Nelson, Graeme managed our sheep and beef farm at Kikiwa, near Nelson Lakes. With the impending deregulation of the town supply industry and the growing realisation that our assets were held in high-value Nelson land, we diversified into horticulture, establishing 5 ha of kiwifruit, but we soon realised our strengths were in grassland farming.
Issues and options in high country farming 4. Cycling nutrients for sustainable management
Authors: O'Connor K.F. , Nordmeyer A.H.
Published: July 2020

Nutrient balances are recognised as the key to understanding the environmental context for sustainable management in pastorally used mountain lands and for monitoring possible effects of pastoral practices on the life-supporting capacity of soil. The paper draws on a larger survey of recent and current soil fertility research in the high country to examine briefly, three themes in nutrient cycling. The role of nutrient accessions to open systems is recognised for improved range. Current long-term revegetation studies show the need to take account of income from rock weathering. The importance of understanding the role of different plant species, soil amendments and pastoral practices in activating or impeding nutrient cycling proper is indicated from recent studies involving monitoring of exchangeable aluminium, comparing lupins with other legumes and studying the effects of planted conifers on the mineralisation of grassland organic matter. The dimensions and magnitudes of grazing-induced -nutrient-transfers-are-outlined-in-relation-to-their. risks of loss from periodic hydrologic events, as well as recognising the roles of pasture improvement and grazing management in accelerating nutrient cycling. Keywords: aluminium, grazing transfers, mineralisation of organic matter, nutrient balances, nutrient cycling, rock weathering, sustainable management
Tall fescue use on dairy farms
Authors: Milne G.D. , Shaw R. , Powell R. , Pirie B. , Pirie J.
Published: July 2020

Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) is now well proven on New Zealand dairy farms as a pasture species capable of producing high levels of milk production. Compared with perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) it offers benefits of higher annual and summer growth, higher clover contents in pasture, higher green leaf to stem ratios in summer, reduced plant pulling, better animal health, grass grub (Costelytra zealandica) and Argentine stem weevil (Listronotus bonariensis) tolerance, tolerance of wet soils, and drought tolerance and growth. Tall fescue can be recommended for dairy farmers in areas where summer growth and quality of ryegrass is reduced by moisture stress or high temperatures, and for those willing to adjust their grazing and establishment practices to suit tall fescue. Keywords: dairy farms, Festuca arundinacea, tall fescue
The impact of widely spaced soil conservation trees on hill pastoral systems
Authors: Wall A.J. , Mackay A.D. , Kemp P.D. , Gillingham A.G. , Edwards W.R.N.
Published: July 2020

An estimated 3.7 million ha or 33% of the North Island requires the application of significant soil conservation measures to be able to physically sustain pastoral enterprises. Traditionally, erosion control measures on hill farmland have centred on the planting of hardwood trees, such as poplars and willows, at wide spacings. Research and experience has confirmed that where hardwood trees are adequately planted and tended, they significantly reduce the magnitude of soil erosion and maintain soil stability. However, the effects that such erosion-control plantings have on pasture and animal production owing to changes in the farm microclimate, soil and water resources remains relatively unresearched in New Zealand. Keywords: hardwood trees, physical sustainability, silvipastoral systems, soil conservation
Case study of a mature Populus deltoides-pasture system in a hill environment
Authors: Guevara-Escobar A. , Kemp P.D. , Hodgson J. , Mackay A.D. , Edwards W.R.N.
Published: July 2020

Pasture characteristics, soil moisture relations and water balance were measured in open pasture and in a mature poplar understorey, to assess how land conservation practices modify a pastoral system. Mature poplars changed the environment of the understorey pasture, with light intensity decreased from September to April, and the soil generally colder and drier in autumn and early winter. Soil moisture relations did not suggest strong competition for water between trees and pasture in spring. Pasture under the poplars accumulated 40% less herbage mass and was of lower feed quality than pasture in the open. The case study highlights the complexity of silvipastoral systems in hill country and the need for a more complete understanding of the interactions if the potential of a multipurpose tree and livestock farming systems is to be realised. Keywords: conservation, pasture characteristics, poplar, Populus deltoides, sapflow, soil moisture, silvipasture, trees, water balance
Financial indicators of the sustainability of pastoral farms and their relationship with environmental sustainability
Authors: Shadbolt Nicola M. , Morriss Stuart D. , Kelly Terry C.
Published: July 2020

Agri-environmental indicators developed in New Zealand to date have focused more on environmental and biophysical indicators than on social and financial measures. However, the latter are increasingly seen as pre-requisites to achieving long-term financial and social viability in agriculture. At present environmental costs are internalised in the financial performance of farm businesses because environmental protection in agriculture is funded almost entirely by farmers. This paper presents a preliminary examination of the perceptions of farmers on the relationship between farm financial resources and the environmental effects of farming. It aims to identify pragmatic and reliable financial indicators of sustainable agriculture at both the farm and the regional or national level. The paper will introduce a range of indicators used to measure the financial health of a business and will evaluate them for their ability to measure the economic sustainability of farm businesses over time. Farmer perceptions of the existence of links between the financial and environmental indicators will be explored through analysis of interview responses. Keywords: financial health, sustainability indicators, environmental indicators, financial indicators
Dairy systems study of the effects of contrasting spring grazing managements on pasture and animal production
Authors: Bishop-Hurley G.J. , Matthews P.N.P. , Hodgson J. , Dake C. , Matthew C.
Published: July 2020

This paper reports the results of a dairying systems study at No. 4 Dairy, Massey University, investigating whether the benefits of contrasting spring grazing managements previously measured in small-scale experiments could be measured within the management constraints of a selfcontained farm production system. Management contrasts were early control (EC), in which pastures were closely controlled throughout spring and summer, with average pasture cover kept at approximately 2000 kg DM/ha, and late control (LC), in which average pasture cover was increased to 2700 kg DM/ha, allowing some reproductive growth through October and November before returning average pasture cover to 2000 kg DM/ha in December. Average pasture cover and pre- and post-grazing cover differences between treatments were achieved over late spring in all three years. However, average pasture cover during summer did not differ between treatments. Milksolids (MS) production per cow during the spring phase was higher for the LC treatment than for EC, but the differences disappeared over the December control phase and overall differences were small and inconsistent. The use of mechanical topping in December 1995/96 reduced the penalty to LC MS production experienced in previous years. Late control spring grazing management did not significantly increase pasture or MS production within the confines of a closed production system, contrary to the results of previous small-plot and paddock-scale experiments. Keywords: dairy cow, dairy systems, Lolium perenne, milksolids production, pasture production, spring grazing management, Trifolium repens
Animal evaluation of Aries HD perennial ryegrass selected for high digestibility
Authors: Bluett S.J. , Hodgson J. , Kemp P.D. , Barry T.N.
Published: July 2020

Aries HD perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) has been selected for increased digestibility in summer and early autumn. It is claimed to be the first commercial perennial ryegrass selected specifically for improved digestibility. The relative performance of weaned Romney lambs over summer was compared using Yatsyn 1 perennial ryegrass as a control cultivar. There were 3 replicates of each cultivar of 0.33 ha initially stocked with 8 lambs/plot (24 lambs/ha). Swards were continuously stocked with lambs with a variable stocking rate to maintain a mean sward surface height of 6 cm. Lambs grazing Aries HD plots consistently achieved higher liveweight gains over the experiment. Liveweight gain was higher on Aries HD than Yatsyn 1 during summer dry conditions 24/1/96 to 4/3/96 (50 vs. 31 ± 7.8 g/ day, P
Estimation of dairy pastures - the need for standardisation
Authors: Thomson N.A. , Mccallum D.A. , Howse S. , Holmes C.W. , Matthews P.N.P. , Matthew C.
Published: July 2020

A study was undertaken to determine the reason for the differences in the estimation of pasture mass between dairying research centres in New Zealand and to define a common system of estimation that would overcome these differences and be able to describe the pasture situation on commercial dairy farms in different parts of New Zealand. Differences in the visual estimation of pasture between a standard observer and a local observer at the different dairying research centres in the order of 900 kg DM/ha were identified. This was attributed to a lack of regular visual calibration of persons who regularly assessed pasture, as differences between centres in the actual harvested DM yields of the visually assessed plots varied less (200-400 kg DM/ha). To achieve uniformity it is recommended that all centres measure total herbage mass (the amount of herbage above ground level) to regularly calibrate pasture assessment in dairy grazing management studies and on dairy farms. A reasonably consistent estimation of average farm cover, the ranking of paddocks (r2 > 0.9) for the purposes of determining grazing order and the estimation of pre- and post-grazing herbage mass was achieved using the rising plate meter and L'Huillier & Thomson's standard set of calibration equations published in 1988. With these recommendations, estimation of pasture will be more uniform. Standard calibration of the plate meter for the determination of rate of DM disappearance (pre-post grazing) achieved less consistency. Keywords: herbage mass, pasture assessment, pasture height, rising plate meter, visual pasture estimation
Annual and hybrid ryegrass cultivars in New Zealand
Authors: Easton Syd , Baird David , Baxter Gordon , Cameron Nick , Hainsworth Robyn , Johnston Christine , Kerr Graham , Lyons Tom , Mccabe Roslyn , Nichol Wayne , Norriss Michael , Stewart Alan , Thom Errol
Published: July 2020

Results are presented for 16 National Forage Variety Trials of annual and short-term hybrid ryegrass cultivars conducted in Waikato, Taranaki, Manawatu, Canterbury and Southland. In all, 30 cultivars (17 named, 13 experimental) were included. Cultivar effects were significant in all seasons, and for the annual totals. Cultivar differences were greatest in summer. Spring production accounted for over 40% of annual totals and summer production less than 20%, but it was summer production that was more closely correlated with the individual cultivar annual total. Over all trials and cultivars, regrowth in the second autumn accounted for 11% of the total for 12 months beginning in the winter following sowing. Comparing North Island sites with Canterbury sites, there was some indication of cultivar × region interaction, particularly in summer. Patterns of interaction of cultivars with trials were examined, and indicated that some cultivars can be grouped as having similar responses. Repeated trials at the same site were sometimes but not always consistent in ranking cultivars. The results indicate that some cultivars do perform consistently better than others, for particular seasons or for annual totals, so that the trials are a reliable indicator of which new experimental cultivars should be released to the market. The results also indicate that several trials are necessary to determine the merit of a wellperforming cultivar. The error associated with the mean of cultivars present in only one or two trials is high (standard deviation approaching 20% of the mean in some seasons). This may, however, be sufficient to eliminate poorer experimental lines from further consideration. Keywords: Italian ryegrass, hybrid ryegrass, cultivars, Lolium × boucheanum, Lolium multiflorum, pasture agronomy
AgFact: Linking farmers with facts
Authors: Ogle G.I. , Craigie A.L. , Baker M.J.
Published: July 2020

The AgLINK bulletin series dominated all agricultural and horticultural information publications from the late 1960s to the late 1980s, when it was discontinued. The collapse of such a high profile series raises questions about the viability of such a mechanism for linking farmers with facts. This failure highlights three key issues: the need to define and allocate the costs based on who benefits; the appropriate positioning of parties within the distribution chain; and a quality specification to which bulletins must adhere. We consider that AgFACT, the AgResearch pastoral agriculture information base which superseded AgLINK in 1997, should largely be cost neutral to science groups in AgResearch. However, the resources for providing information need to be met by science programmes, a cost which is outweighed by the opportunity to communicate with science stakeholders. The costs of distribution and retail need to fall with the other parties who benefit from the dissemination of this information - the retailer and the end user. We also consider that the role of AgResearch is in manufacture rather than sales to the public, which is best done by the agricultural service sector. AgFACT must maintain tight specifications, to ensure that it is relevant to farmers and other users, accurate and unbiased, and up to date. The penalty for not doing so is a loss of value and, moreover, a risk of it becoming a public liability. Keywords: AgFACT, AgLINK, agricultural information, information base, technology transfer
Courtyard Housing and Cultural Sustainability in China
Authors: Zhang Donia
Published: July 2020

The Chinese have lived in single-extended-family courtyard houses in many parts of China for thousands of years. The earliest courtyard house found in China was during the Middle Neolithic period (5,000-3,000 BCE). However, the 20th century was a significant turning point in the evolution of Chinese courtyard houses. This presentation provides an overview of this transition and evaluates some of its causes. Based on Dr. Zhang’s empirical research and analysis of six multi-household renewed and new courtyard housing experimental projects built in Beijing and Suzhou since the 1990s, she observes that, although the new communal courtyards can facilitate some social interactions, neighborly relations are only partially influenced by the form and space of the courtyard housing, and are perhaps influenced even more so by China’s changing and polarizing society as manifested in these specific residents’ socioeconomic levels, housing tenure, modern lifestyles, community involvement, common language, cultural awareness, and demographic backgrounds.