Total annual and seasonal DM production of improved and unimproved resident pastures at three farms in Canterbury

Abstract

Yield differences between resident and improved pastures were quantified over a 3-4 yr period on three rainfed farms located in North Canterbury (Stockgrove, north of Amberley), Banks Peninsula (Willesden Farm) and the Mid-Canterbury foothills (Inverary Station). Improved pastures produced two- to three-times more feed annually than unimproved resident pastures at each property. At Stockgrove, improved chicory/white clover-based pastures produced 14.1±0.66 t DM/ha/yr compared with 4.36±0.41 t DM/ha/yr from unimproved pastures. Spring accounted for 85% (improved) and 72% (unimproved) of total annual DM production. At Willesden, lucerne monocultures produced 11.5±0.97t DM/ha/yr, which was more than the 4.44±0.45 t DM/ha/yr produced from resident pastures. Improved pastures at Inverary yielded 7.31±0.59 t DM/ha in summer/autumn of 2018/19, which was more than double the 3.34±0.43 t DM/ha from unimproved pastures. In 2019/2020, improved pastures produced 11.7±1.45 t DM/ha compared with 4.45±0.73 t DM/ha. In the third growth season (2020/2021) improved pastures produced 14.1±1.76 t DM/ha compared with 6.67±1.38 t DM/ha from unimproved pastures. In Year 4 (2021/22) the 12.6±1.29 t DM/ha from improved pastures was 56% more than the 8.07±0.85 t DM/ha from the unimproved pastures. Substantial increases in annual and seasonal feed supply patterns can be achieved through hill country pasture improvement.

Hill Country Futures - Resilient farmers and resilient forages for the future

“…Forage legumes, such as lucerne and red clover, produce high protein yields through symbiotic nitrogen fixation. This is an important adaptive feature in agricultural systems as it reduces reliance on synthetic nitrogen fertiliser, as demonstrated when incorporated into satellite areas on hill country areas in this study (Chapman et al 2021;Smith et al 2023). Satellite areas are often intensively managed smaller farmlets within larger, more extensive blocks on hill country farms.…”

“…The greatest relevance to farmers is frequently from case studies, therefore, HCF documented a number of these. For example, the impact of increased areas of lucerne at Bog Roy station (Moot et al 2019) and its flexible use for hogget mating at Willesden farm on Banks Peninsula (Smith et al 2023). For summer moist environments the impact of improved forages at Inverary station was described (Chapman et al 2021) with comparisons of resident and improved forages documented over three years (Smith et al 2023).…”

“…For example, the impact of increased areas of lucerne at Bog Roy station (Moot et al 2019) and its flexible use for hogget mating at Willesden farm on Banks Peninsula (Smith et al 2023). For summer moist environments the impact of improved forages at Inverary station was described (Chapman et al 2021) with comparisons of resident and improved forages documented over three years (Smith et al 2023). Intensive data collection at Lincoln University, highlighted the importance of nitrogen for dryland systems (Talimini 2022) and how a mix of white clover, plantain and perennial ryegrass could provide the same yield and quality of pasture as those produced under current nitrogen limitations (Myint et al 2021).…”

“…The comparison between models showed greater agreement for yield estimates > 10 t/ ha per year, with greatest divergence for very low yield estimates (< 5 t/ha) when temperature and water stress constraints are greater. This analysis provides the yield potential for lucerne grown in different regions of New Zealand and whether it can be successfully established through cultivation (Smith et al 2023) or oversowing (McCowan et al 2003).…”

“…The data collected from trials run on commercial and research farms, and the APSIM and TGM models developed have increased the evidence base and understanding of the potential to grow these forages across New Zealand. They have shown that the introduction of monocultures of legumes can double, or triple dry matter production compared with resident species (Smith et al 2023). Further development of the APSIM lucerne model for dryland is needed to explore the sustainability of legume monocultures under future climate scenarios across New Zealand.…”