scholarly journals Comparing the seasonal productivity of cocksfoot and resident pastures on hill country farms using a system model

1993 ◽  
pp. 81-85
Author(s):  
D.J. Barker ◽  
J.A. Baars
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Dactylis Glomerata ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Strong Relationship ◽  
Field Evaluation ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
System Model ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Hill Country ◽  
Farm System

Grasslands Wana cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata) has potential for use in hill country, especially dry hill country. Although Wana can have slow spring growth it is usually more productive in summer and autumn. Prior to large-scale field evaluation, strategies for incorporating significant areas of new species into farming systems can be evaluated with a farm-system model. The objective of this work was to use the farm-system model, Stockpol, to investigate the influence of 0, 33, 66, or 100% of a farm sown to Wana, on bull beef or breeding ewe enterprise productivity. Three scenarios, in which annual herbage dry matter production from Wana was -14%, +13%, and +41% relative to resident pasture controls, were identified from field trials and tested with the model. A strong relationship between annual production and stocking rate was found, with a lesser influence from seasonal distribution of production. 'The system model was a useful tool to compare these pastures, and highlighted deficiencies in our knowledge of cocksfoot. Keywords: Dactylis glomerata, farm system, Grasslands Wana, hill country, model, seasonal pasture production

scholarly journals Hill country farm investment options - cocksfoot pasture vs. superphosphate fertiliser

1999 ◽  
pp. 17-21
Author(s):  
D.J. Barker ◽  
D.G. Sheppard ◽  
A.D. Mackay ◽  
N. Dymock
Keyword(s):  
Dactylis Glomerata ◽  
Research Station ◽  
Medium Term ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Financial Return ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Economic Return ◽  
Hill Country ◽  
Dactylis Glomerata L ◽  
Farm System

Farmers can choose between investment in pasture species or fertiliser, however, there are few comparisons of these options. This paper reports on the effects of 'Grasslands Wana' cocksfoot, (Dactylis glomerata L.) introduction and superphosphate application on pasture production in hill country. The effects of pasture production on bullbeef production were subsequently modelled using Stockpol®. Pasture, bull and financial performance was measured within four self-contained farmlets (each approximately 9 ha) at the AgResearch Ballantrae Hill Country Research Station; half of two farmlets had been oversown with Wana in autumn 1992 and two farmlets were untreated "Resident" hill pasture. The Wana farmlets generated an average $42.80/ha greater income than Resident farmlets. On average, modelling with Stockpol found gross financial return was increased by 80% by application of 40 kgP/ha ($715.26/ha) compared to nil fertiliser ($397.84/ha). With a cost of fertiliser of $2.44/kgP applied ($97.60) this predicted return was highly profitable. If the establishment costs of Wana were spread over the life of the pasture economic responses would be greater from investment in Wana cocksfoot, however, in the short term, economic responses were greater from investment in fertiliser. In the medium term a combination of investment in Wana establishment and fertiliser input would likely maximise the economic return. Keywords: bull beef, Dactylis glomerata L., farm system, 'Grasslands Wana' cocksfoot, Stockpol®, superphosphate

scholarly journals Field evaluation of Rot-fix for management of root rot disease of mulberry (Morus sp.)

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 135-139
Author(s):  
P.M. Pratheesh Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Root Rot ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Environmental Concern ◽  
Field Evaluation ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Leaf Production ◽  
Southern States ◽  
Root Rot Disease ◽  
Rot Disease

Mulberry is cultivated throughout India as a host plant of silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) reared for commercial production of silk. The quality of silk produced depends largely on the quality of leaf fed to silkworm. Various mulberry diseases limit quality and quantity of silk production affecting the economic return to the farmers. Among these, root rot caused by a group of fungi is a severe threat for mulberry leaf production, especially in southern states of India due to large scale mortality and enormous crop loss. Though many fungi are isolated from the infected root, Fusarium solani is the one frequently found associated with the disease. Chemical control with fungicides is not advisable due the environmental concern and toxicity to the soil and silkworm. Thus, recently a broad spectrum environment friendly formulation viz., Rotfix has been developed by the Central Sericultural Research & Training Institute, Mysore and recommended after limited on-farm and field trials. However its efficiency has not been evaluated at the farmers’ level in large scale. The present study has been conducted to evaluate the effect of Rot-fix in large scale in four southern states of India. The Rot-fix has been applied to the infected plants and their recovery has been studied. There was a high recovery (86.76-91.96%) of the infected plants after application of Rot-fix. Though the leaf yield was significantly (P<0.01) lower (2.48%) in the recovered plants in first crop, by the second crop the plants were recovered completely and started giving yield the statistically on par with untreated healthy plants. The study therefore recommends the use of Rot-fix in large scale for control of root rot disease of mulberry.

scholarly journals Moving from exploring on-farm opportunities with a single to a multi-year focus: Implications for decision making

2016 ◽  
Vol 78 ◽  
pp. 57-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.M. Rendel ◽  
A.D. Mackay ◽  
P.N. Smale ◽  
I. Vogeler
Keyword(s):  
Annual Variation ◽  
Net Present Value ◽  
Small Difference ◽  
Present Value ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Hill Country ◽  
Farm Systems ◽  
Optimisation Model ◽  
On Farm ◽  
Farm System

In pastoral grazing farm systems there is growing awareness of the importance of including year to year variation in pasture grown when analysing and designing appropriate and more profitable systems. Few authors have clarified how an optimal farm system incorporates inter-temporal variability. This paper shows for a Whanganui hill country sheep and beef farm, that inclusion of inter-annual variation in pasture growth rate results in a more dynamic farm system than when only average pasture production data are used in a new, multi-year farm optimisation model. The variation in stock numbers, sale dates and pasture covers were quantified, as was the variation in farm profitability (measured as Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortisation, EBITDA). Interestingly, there was only a small difference in Net Present Value between the two approaches over 10 year's simulation. Keywords: farm systems, variability, INFORM, multiyear

scholarly journals PLACE OF OVERSOWN LUCERNE IN DRY HILL COUNTRY FARMING SYSTEMS

1983 ◽  
pp. 127-134
Author(s):  
D.J. Musgrave
Keyword(s):  
Arid Zone ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Hill Country ◽  
Plot Yield ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Small Plot ◽  
Simple Systems ◽  
Farm System ◽  
Semi Arid

Four years data from a steepland site near Omarama, North Otago (500 mm rainfall), shows that on average oversown lucerne produced 5.3 t/ha/annum, with 3.3 t/ha of this being produced between mid August and late November. The translation of this small-plot yield to expected production under normal grazing is discussed. In deriving the expected production, corrections are made for the long term production from nearby dryland lucerne stands, the effects of varying terrain within hill blocks and the effects of grazing management on utilisation. Recent research results and farmer practice both indicate that extensive areas of lucerne can be managed with simple systems that do not necessitate more intensive subdivision than for pasture. The expected production under grazing is used in a linear programme model of a semi-arid zone farm system, which includes a wide range of options. Examples investigated with the model included 'warm' and 'cold' properties, varying levels of development and allowing some irrigation. The likely costs of establishing lucerne are some 70% greater than for a clover-based pasture. However the model shows that the pattern and quantity of grazing provided by lucerne on low-sunny country makes it a profitable part of a development programme that balances year-round feed supplies, particularly on colder properties. Keywords: Medicago sativa, rangeland, semi-arid, oversowing, grazing management, profitability, model.

Long term effects of withholding phosphate application on North Island hill country: Whatawhata Research Centre

1990 ◽  
pp. 11-16
Author(s):  
A. G.Gillingham S. Richardson ◽  
I.L. Power ◽  
J. Riley
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Residual Effects ◽  
Research Centre ◽  
Total Production ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Hill Country ◽  
Olsen P ◽  
Fertiliser Application

From June 1984 to May 1988 a large-scale grazing trial at Whatawhata Research Centre evaluated the effects of a halt to previous superphosphate fertiliser application on hill country production. Over the 4-years pasture production, pasture species composition, stock grazing days or Olsen P soil fertility status were little affected as a result of halting topdressing. Pasture production declined most on 'easy' ( lo-20° slope) slopes after a halt to fertiliser application. The decline was greatest (lo- 13 %) where previous rates of fertiliser had been high. Total production on 'steep' (30~40° slope) slopes did not decline significantly. However, at soil test (Olsen P) levels of less than 10 the pasture moss and dead matter content increased, indicating a deterioration in pasture quality. Legume content did not decline. Within the range of normal topdressing rates to hill country (O-30 kg P/ha/yr) Olsen P tests did not reflect topdressing differences or any effects of a halt to fertiliser application. At higher topdressing rates (50-100 kg Plhalyr) the effect of continued or discontinued topdressing was reflected predominantly in the O-3 cm soil depth. A halt to previous topdressing significantly reduced available grazing over the final 3 years. This decline reflected the decline in measured pasture production. Keywords Phosphate, fertiliser, hill country, residual effects

Tree Crops and Farming Systems Development in the Humid Tropics

1990 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 143-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. A. Watson
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
System Development ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Systems Development ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Environmentally Benign ◽  
Tree Crops ◽  
Plantation Crops ◽  
National Economies ◽  
Farm System

SUMMARYExamples are presented of tropical tree commodity plantation crops, tea, coffee, rubber and oil palm, as models for farm system development. They are environmentally benign in comparison with annual food crops, have been organized on a large scale with smallholder participation, and make significant contributions to local and national economies. It is suggested that lessons learned in their development might be used in the large-scale development of other potentially major tree crops, including timber, fruit and nut producing species.

scholarly journals Field Evaluation of CRISPR-Driven Jointless Pedicel Fresh-Market Tomatoes

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 1957
Author(s):  
Tong Geon Lee ◽  
Samuel F. Hutton
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
Field Evaluation ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Growth Conditions ◽  
Isogenic Line ◽  
Fresh Market ◽  
New Variety ◽  
Horticultural Traits ◽  
Tomato Field

Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-driven traits are commonly introduced into tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) in less than a year. Although CRISPR technology is highly suitable for rapid incorporation of new traits into plants with superior breeding backgrounds, the usefulness of these traits must be demonstrated prior to large-scale distribution of any new variety possessing them. The jointless pedicel trait is crucial for stem-free harvest of tomato fruits and is therefore an essential requirement for developing low-labor tomato varieties. We aimed to evaluate the effect of CRISPR-driven jointless pedicel trait on the yield and horticultural traits of fresh-market tomatoes. We conducted field trials during three consecutive seasons using three related genotypes of two elite fresh-market tomatoes, namely a jointed pedicel tomato, a CRISPR-driven jointless pedicel mutant of the jointed pedicel tomato, and a conventionally-bred jointless pedicel near isogenic line (NIL) to the jointed pedicel tomato. Field evaluations confirmed that the total and medium-, large-, or extra-large-size fruit yields of the CRISPR-driven mutants were not statistically different for those corresponding to their backgrounds and that the fruit yield stratified by fruit size might be varied under different growth conditions. We did not observe any negative correlation between the genotype and the fruit/abscission joint detachment force for any of the genotypes under study.

scholarly journals Effect of superphosphate, lime, and cocksfoot on summer dry hill country pasture production

1990 ◽  
pp. 131-134
Author(s):  
A.D. Mackay ◽  
R.W. Tillmanz ◽  
W.J. Parker ◽  
D.J. Barker
Keyword(s):  
Factorial Design ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Major Effect ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Hill Country ◽  
Autumn And Winter ◽  
Term Field

Two long-term field trials were carried out in the Wairarapa. One, established on a resident ryegrass/browntop pasture in 1981, compared the effect of lime (0, 1.25, 2.50 and 5.00 t/ha) and superphosphate (0,125,250 and 500 kg/ha) in a 4 x 4 factorial design. The second, started in 1985, compared the response of a similar pasture with that of au oversowu 'Grasslands Wana' cocksfoot pasture to 4 rates of lime (0, 1.25, 2.5 and 5.0 t/ha). The major effect of the traditional fertiliser policy was increased spring and, under favourable conditions, increased summer and autumn production. The introduction of cocksfoot guaranteed a more predictable summer supply of feed and improved autumn and winter production. An assessment of 3 methods of designating fertiliser expenditure suggests that continuation with maintenance fertiliser inputs, or a 2.3: 1 substitution of fertiliser expenditure for cocksfoot establishment, would provide greater benefits than discontinuing fertiliser inputs. Keywords 'Grasslands Wana', cocksfoot, lime, superphosphate, ferthser, strategies, hill country

scholarly journals Can Lotus pedunculatus over-sowing in low-fertility tussock country increase farm resilience?

2020 ◽  
Vol 82 ◽  
pp. 171-181
Author(s):  
David R. Stevens ◽  
J. Pat Garden ◽  
Nick Garden ◽  
Marie J. Casey
Keyword(s):  
Cost Effective ◽  
Low Fertility ◽  
Native Form ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Hill Country ◽  
Farm Productivity ◽  
Systems Modelling ◽  
Lotus Pedunculatus ◽  
Farm System ◽  
Buying In

The range of legumes to boost farm productivity in low-fertility hill country are limited. Lotus pedunculatus (Lotus) provides an option when soil pH is below 5 but is intolerant to severe and regular grazing. However, itcan be used at sites that are only grazed occasionally during spring summer and autumn. Oversowing of Lotus pedunculatus has been used to improve 17% of the total area of Avenel Station, Millers Flat. Measurements of pasture growth and animal production were collected over three years post-sowing, indicating a doubling of pasture production from the native form while providing liveweight gains of 0.135 and 0.75 kg/d in lambs and yearling cattle respectively. Systems modelling was used to re-examine the current farm-system configuration to test the possible outcomes from implementing further enterprises that may capture the increased late spring and summer production effectively. Reducing ewe numbers and concentrating on improving lamb survival were the most cost-effective and environmentally effective options. Buying in further finishing lambs to use the summer surplus also improved profitability. Increasing cow numbers was similarly profitable. Increasing ewe  numbers also required an increase in winter feed supply and was the least profitable way to capture the  benefits. Testing using climatic extreme scenarios demonstrated that the oversowing of Lotus on the higher, wetter tussock country increased the resilience of the farm by providing a buffer during dry summers.

scholarly journals The effect of deferred grazing in spring and early summer pastures on pasture growth rate and feed quality

2017 ◽  
Vol 79 ◽  
pp. 189-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
B.P. Devantier ◽  
D.R. Stevens ◽  
G.M. Rennie ◽  
K.N. Tozer
Keyword(s):  
Farming Systems ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Late Spring ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Management Tool ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Hill Country ◽  
Pasture Quality ◽  
Metabolisable Energy

Abstract Maintaining pasture quality in late spring and early summer is a challenge in many hill country farming systems where pasture growth often exceeds animal demand. One possible management tool is to defer grazing on a portion of the farm to enable the desired grazing management and animal performance on the remainder. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of timing and duration of deferred grazing in mid-spring to early-summer on subsequent pasture accumulation rates, composition and quality, from mid-spring through to the following winter. A factorial design (3 durations x 3 closing times) in eight replicates compared withholding grazing (nil, 1 or 3 grazings), in three closing periods, mid spring, late spring, and early summer. Grazing pasture when covers reached 2500 - 3000 kg DM/ha to a residual of 1500 kg DM/ha was the standard grazing regimen used. Grazing after the exclusion period aimed to achieve the same residual as in the control treatment based on a feed budget. Short early closures resulted in little, or no change in pasture quality and quantity for the remainder of the season. Longer closure periods reduced pasture quality due to increases in the proportions of dead and reproductive stem. This effect was reduced with later closings. The control (nil deferred grazings) and mid-spring closings had a net loss of dead matter (-1000 and -420 kg DM/ ha, respectively), while the late -spring and earlysummer closings accumulated 60 and 180 kg DM/ha, respectively. These differences in dead matter were the major driver of the differences of net herbage accumulations (P=0.018), with net accumulations from 7990 kg DM/ha for the control (Nil) closings to 9660 kg DM/ha for the December (late) closings. Deferred grazing can be used to alter feed availability and utilisation while maintaining net pasture production over spring, summer and autumn. Keywords: grazing management, pasture quality, deferred grazing, net pasture accumulation, dead matter, reproductive tillers, metabolisable energy

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