Thanks Richard.
In New Zealand all grazing farmers have to fertilise their pastures
with many elements and some in large quantities up to 1,000 kg/ha
(1,000 lb/acre) per annum.
Good farmers base theirs on pasture analyses.
A typical mix here on peat soils is below. Copy and paste it to a
spreadsheet to make it easier to read. Currently the NZ $ is 1.5 to
the US$.
Total Kg in Mix kg/tonne NZ$/ha kg/ha
Sechura* marine RPR (0-13.5-0-2) 245,754 908.18 $248.75 999
Elemental sulphur (100%S) 3,690 13.64 $5.85 15.00
Muriate of Potash (0-0-50-0) 12,300 45.45 $23.30 50.00
Ulexite** or Boronate32 (11% boron) 2,460 9.09 $16.00 10.00
Cobalt Sulphate Granulated (11% Co) 492 1.82 $30.00 2.00
Copper Hydroxide lump free 24% Cu 1,230 4.55 $10.50 5.00
Salt (coarse agricultural) 2,460 9.09 $1.70 10.00
Selcote Ultra slow release (1% Se) 246 0.91 $5.00 1.00
Zinc sulphate Mono (35% Zn) 1,968 7.27 $12.80 8.00
Totals 270,600 1,000 NZ$362.15 1,100
RPR is reactive phosphate rock powder.
Sechura comes from Peru.
AgResearch trials show this P grows the cheapest pasture dry matter.
Note that there is no N. 25% white clovers in pastures provide most,
but N is applied by some farmers prior to lean periods in summer and
winter and when establishing new pastures.
On the best mineral soils the quantity could be less, and copper,
cobalt and zinc may not be necessary.
You are right about pastures lasting longer. Farmers here who apply
ample fertilisers and agricultural lime have good pastures as old as
50 years, although new pasture varieties out-produce old ones
(especially white clovers), but some grasses don't last as well -
unless well fertilised and not over-grazed, i.e. not below aprox 5 cm
(2 inches), especially in summer, depending on the type.
We have had the best summer (50% more rain than average) and best
pasture growth in 50 or more years. When we get good pasture growth
for as season, pasture growth in the subsequent season is almost
always lower, so our farmers should apply extra fertiliser now to
build up reserves for winter. Few will do this and will then complain
in May and June that pasture growth has been slow.
99% of New Zealand natural soils are very infertile until improved by
farmers. All native New Zealand grasses are tussock types which are
not at all suitable for high animal production.
Seeds for all the pastures now grown here originated from overseas
and have been improved amazingly and seeds are now exported back to
their countries of origin.
Even our pasture earthworms were imported. The ones which were here
are lazy and unproductive.
At 9:27 PM +0000 13/3/04, Richard and Carol Conklin wrote:
>Vaughan, Great to get a note from you, confirming that Graze-l is alive. I
>really missed the world-wide input on grazing issues. Now Vaughan, what
>about fertilizer? Have you ever tried fertilizing your pastures? The results
>here have completely eliminated the need for reseeding, and increased the
>nutritional value of the existing pasture.
>Dick Conklin
>Amity Farm
>Ft.Ann,NY
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Leon" <leon@wave.co.nz>
>To: <graze-l@witt.ac.nz>
>Sent: Tuesday, March 09, 2004 5:47 PM
>Subject: [Graze-l] Weather and sowing new pastures
>
>
>> This January and February have been the best for summer rainfall and
>> pasture growth I have known in 50 years in the Waikato.
>>
>> However, the high rainfall we have had could mean less rain in
>> Autumn. I have noticed over 50 years that plenty of rain in summer
>> was usually followed by dry autumns. In 1985, I think it was, we
>> didn't get decent autumn rains until 5 May.
>>
>> So it could pay to sow autumn grass as soon as possible.
>>
>> Pasture seed could be a bit short because of the regrassing necessary
>> in flooded Wairarapa and Manawatu and the wet harvesting conditions
>> in Canterbury, so I suggest that you get yours as soon as possible.
>>
>> Reports I have collected indicate that Matrix ( perennial
>> ryegrass/meadow fescue cross is a high yielder with less stem) and
> > Quartet (tetraploid perennial ryegrass) are good.
>>
>> Aries Endofree still gives the highest milk yield per hectare so
>> adding it to the mix could be worthwhile, especially until Matrix and
>> Quartet have shown that they can last for ten years or more.
>>
>> Vulcan is reported to be the best fescue and Cordura the best overall
>> winter ryegrass because it lasts.
>>
>> Kopu ll is accepted by most to still be the best large leafed white
>clover.
>>
>> Plantain (Plantago lanceolata) sold as Grasslands Lancelot is loved
>> by cows and is worth trying in the mix.
>>
>> Which have others found to be good?
>>
>> With the low predicted dairy payout looming and already low beef
>> prices, increasing production and profit/ha continues to be the
>> solution. Palatable (so animals eat more) and high yielding, long
>> lasting pastures must help.
>>
>> --
>> Vaughan Jones
>> Hamilton
>> New Zealand
>> _______________________________________________
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>> Graze-l@witt.ac.nz
>> http://graze-l.witt.ac.nz/mailman/listinfo/graze-l
>>
>
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--
Leon
