Revegetation of erosion scars in Wairarapa hill country

1993 ◽  
pp. 177-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.G. Lambert ◽  
N.A. Trustrum ◽  
D.A. Costall ◽  
A.G. Foote
Keyword(s):  
White Clover ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Grazing Rate ◽  
Vegetative Cover ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Hill Country ◽  
Rate Of Recovery ◽  
Lotus Pedunculatus

revegetation of erosion scars, 3 fertiliser and 3 seeding treatments were applied to plots on 8 recent scars in the Wairarapa, half each on northerly or southerly aspects. Four scars were grazed, and 4 were not grazed for the first 2% years. Fertiliser treatments were no fertiliser, superphosphate, and superphosphate plus nitrogen. Seedin.g treatments were no seed, a slowestablishing mixture, and a fast-establishing mixture. Changes in vegetative cover were monitored during years 0 to 2l/, and pasture production during years 3% to 5%. Conclusions include: rate of recovery of pastures can be greatly increased by not grazing for 2-3 years and sowing white clover and Lotus pedunculatus; spaceplanting hill slopes with suitable tree species could be accomplished at the same time; if slips are not spelled from grazing, rate of slip revegetation and subsequent productivity from oversowing white clover can be reduced. Keywords: erosion, fencing, fertiliser, hill pastures, oversowing, production, revegetation, slips

scholarly journals Performance of new pasture cultivars in a hill country finishing system

1990 ◽  
pp. 151-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.W. Webby ◽  
G.W. Sheath ◽  
C.J. Boom
Keyword(s):  
White Clover ◽  
Red Clover ◽  
Early Flowering ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Hill Country ◽  
Prairie Grass ◽  
Current Returns ◽  
Improved Pasture ◽  
New Cultivars ◽  
Made In

On 6 of a set of 12 self-contained experimental farmlets, improved pasture cultivars 'Ellett' ryegrass, 'Grasslands Wana' cocksfoot, 'Grasslands Tahora' white clover, Whatawhata Early Flowering' white clover, 'Mount Barker' sub clover, 'Tallarook sub clover, 'Grasslands Mama prairie grass, 'Grasslands Pitau white clover and 'Grasslands Pawera' red clover were successfully established in 1986. Measurements began May 1987. Results presented to May 1989 include pasture production, animal production and financial returns. Matua prairie grass failed to persist beyond spring 1988 but clovers including Pawera and Pitau in these pastures increased summer production in 1989. In summer 1989 the improved steep pastures produced 8 kg DM/ha/day more feed than the resident pastures, with most of this increase owing to Wana cocksfoot. Lamb numbers and lamb weight gains were greater with improved pastures. Bulls were priority finishing animals and their weights were insensitive to pasture treatment. Current returns from this experiment show little to justify the investment made in introducing new cultivars into existing developed hill pastures. Keywords pasture cultivars, hill country, finishing systems, pasture improvement

scholarly journals ESTABLISHMENT OF OVERSOWN WHITE CLOVER ON UNIMPROVED NORTH AUCKLAND CLAY HILL COUNTRY

1967 ◽  
pp. 88-95
Author(s):  
G.J. Goold ◽  
T.E. Ludecke ◽  
J.N. Pari
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Acid Soil ◽  
Parent Material ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Hill Country ◽  
Available Phosphate

IN NORTH AUCKLAND, as is the case in all other areas of New Zealand, the key to pasture improvement lies in the introduction of legumes. Almost invariably poor pasture production is associated with poor clover growth. Contributing factors to poor clover establishment and growth are low amounts of available phosphate, potassium, molybdenum and sulphur, acid soil conditions and ineffective nodulation. This paper is concerned with the germination and establishment of white clover on unimproved North Auckland clay hill country. White clover establishment has been investigated on the soils of two northern yellow-brown earth soil suites, namely, the Marua suite from greywacke parent material and the Waiotira suite, from massive sandstone. These soils have been described by Taylor and Sutherland (1953) and are shown in their order of leaching in Tables 1 and 5, respectively.

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.

LIME AND PHOSPHORUS REQUIREMENTS FOR HILL COUNTRY YELLOW-BROWN EARTHS

1984 ◽  
pp. 98-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.C. Edmeades ◽  
C. Feyter ◽  
M.B. O'Connor
Keyword(s):  
White Clover ◽  
P Availability ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Hill Country ◽  
Olsen P ◽  
Matter Production ◽  
Soil Liming ◽  
Legume Production ◽  
Grass Growth ◽  
Phosphorus Requirements

Three fertiliser trials on hill country yellow-brown earths are discussed, The results show that on a newly sown ryegrass (Lolium perenne) white clover (Trifolium repens) Pasture 90% maximum pasture production was achieved at an Olsen P level of 13-15 ppm. On a reverted browntop (Agrostis tenuis) pasture an Olsen P concentration of at least 25 ppm was required for 90% maximum production. Reasons for this difference are discussed. Liming increased pasture dry matter production on all sites and the largest increases in production occurred at low (1.25 t/ha) rates. There was no evidence that liming enhanced P availability and therefore lime and P requirements for these soils should be considered independently. Phosphorus applications generally increased legume production but the effects of lime were variable. On the Mahoenui soil liming increased grass growth at the expense of the legume component but on the Marua soils liming increased the legume content. An explanation for this is suggested. The practical implications of these results are discussed. Keywords: lime, phosphorus, fertiliser requirements, yellow brown earths, hill country, pasture production, pasture composition, ryegrass, white clover, browntop.

scholarly journals Long term (?) effects of withholding superphosphate application on North Island hill country: a 10-year update

1999 ◽  
pp. 63-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.B. Dodd ◽  
S.F. Ledgard
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Low Fertility ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Hill Country ◽  
Olsen P ◽  
Over Time

Measurements of soil phosphate, pasture production and botanical composition from two superphosphate fertiliser trials in northern North Island hill country (Whatawhata and Te Kuiti) have been made over a 15-year period. The impacts of superphosphate fertiliser withholding have included a decline in Olsen P, decreases in annual pasture production of 10-17% (Whatawhata) and 22-42% (Te Kuiti), decreases in the abundance of productive and desirable species (15-20% for ryegrass and white clover), and increases in the abundance of undesirable species (browntop and other low fertility grasses). These changes have increased over time, beyond that period covered by the original experiments (4-6 years). Different responses to withholding between the two sites are still apparent, and the reasons for these are explored. It is not clear that these systems have yet reached a new equilibrium, nor how long it will take for this to happen. The implications for our view of longterm grassland studies are discussed. Keywords: fertiliser, long-term, pasture production, pasture species composition

scholarly journals Application of nitrogen and sulphur to sunny and shady aspects on South Island dry hill country

2004 ◽  
pp. 41-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
L.C. Smith ◽  
J.D. Morton ◽  
K.D. Trainor ◽  
W.D. Catto
Keyword(s):  
White Clover ◽  
Average Rate ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Annual Rainfall ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Total N ◽  
Hill Country ◽  
Ig G ◽  
Production Response

There are large differences in pasture growth and composition between aspects in dry hill country (annual rainfall 300-600 mm) in South Island dry hill country that could result in different fertiliser nutrient requirements for the grasses and legumes present. To determine these requirements, small plot mowing trials were carried out on sunny and shady aspects on Glenfoyle Station near Tarras and on Omarama Station over 3 years. At the Glenfoyle sites, nitrogen (N) was applied as urea at an average rate of 0, 15, 30 and 60 kg/ ha/yr and sulphur (S) was applied as gypsum at 0, 10, 20 and 40 kg /ha/yr. At the Omarama sites, N and S were applied at 0, 18, 36 and 71 kg/ha/yr. Soil total N (0.18- 0.33%), sulphate-S (3-5 ìg/g) and organic-S (1.5-3.5 ìg/g) levels were low at all sites. Pasture species on the sunny north-west aspect at Glenfoyle were mainly ryegrass (35% of total pasture content), flatweeds (20%) and subterranean clover (10%) with a predominance of browntop (31%) and white clover (20%) on the shady south-east aspect. There was a total pasture production response from 15-60 kg N/ha/yr (12-20 kg DM/kg N) associated with an increase in ryegrass content in Year 2 on the sunny aspect. On the shady aspect there was a total pasture production response from 30-60 kg N/ha/yr (16-21 kg DM/kg N) associated with an increase in browntop content. Increasing rate of N reduced subterranean clover on the sunny and white clover content on the shady aspect. On the sunny aspect, total pasture production and ryegrass content was increased from the application of 40 kg S/ ha/yr. Pasture composition at Omarama consisted mainly of Danthonia species (41%) and Bromus tectorum (30%) on the sunny north aspect and cocksfoot (39%) and browntop (11%) on the shady south aspect with less than 3% legume content on either aspect. On both aspects, there was a response in pasture production from rates of 18-71 kg N/ha (19-36 kg DM/ kg N) but this was not associated with a consistent response from individual pasture species. There was no response in total pasture production to S. The overall results indicate that high responses to N can be achieved from a range of grass species on both sunny and shady aspects and that soil sulphate-S levels of 3 ìg/g and greater are required for optimal growth of higher fertility responsive pasture species. Keywords: aspect, differential application, dry hill country, grasses, legumes, nitrogen, sulphur

scholarly journals Improved forages to enhance hill country sheep production

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
pp. 225-231
Author(s):  
T.J. Fraser ◽  
D.R. Stevens ◽  
R.W. Scholfield ◽  
B.J. Nelson ◽  
A.J. Nelson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Forage Quality ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Hill Country ◽  
Poor White ◽  
Second Year ◽  
Sheep Production ◽  
Farm Programme ◽  
On Farm

Recently, sheep and beef farms in New Zealand have been out-competed for prime land by dairy and horticulture farming. This means that industry targets to increase sheep and beef production have to be achieved on farms with constraints on pasture production. They are increasingly restricted to hilly and other locations with variable climates and soils, and landscape constraints on farming practices. These challenges lead to the formation of two on farm projects within the Beef + Lamb New Zealand Demonstration Farm programme to improve production from permanent pastures on sheep and beef farms. The first of these was a 4 year evaluation at Whangara Farms North of Gisborne looking at improving forage supply on both noncultivatable hill and flat to easy country through spraying out existing vegetation and oversowing or direct-drilling with white clover and plantain. The second project at Aria in the King Country concentrated on improving the forage quality and quantity at critical times of the year. Clovers and plantain were established through cultivation. Both projects showed that forage and animal production increased after the introduction of clovers and plantain. However, plantain at Whangara did not persist beyond the fourth year from sowing. Poor white clover establishment at Aria resulted in substituting red and white clover for plantain from the second year with improved forage and animal performance. At both sites the costs associated with introducing new forages was repaid within the first 2 years. Keywords: hill country development, forage species, forage quality, whole farm systems

Quantifying the value proposition for white clover persistence on a New Zealand summer-dry hill-country farm

2020 ◽  
Vol 82 ◽  
pp. 199-209
Author(s):  
Mike B. Dodd ◽  
Katherine N. Tozer ◽  
Iris Vogeler ◽  
Rose Greenfield ◽  
David R. Stevens ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
White Clover ◽  
Net Present Value ◽  
Moisture Stress ◽  
Simulation Modelling ◽  
Low Fertility ◽  
System Modelling ◽  
Value Proposition ◽  
Hill Country ◽  
The North ◽  
Farm System

The improvement in forage quality and quantity of summer-dry hill country pasture resulting from the introduction of clover is well recognised. However, ensuring the persistence of the commonly availablecultivars is challenging, in the face of seasonal moisture stress, intensive grazing, competition from established well-adapted pasture species, low soil fertility and low soil pH – conditions typical of the East Coast of the North Island. Here we quantify the value proposition associated with the introduction of white clover into a case study on a Gisborne sheep and beef farm, using a six-step process. A topographically explicit approach is taken, using an understanding of the underlying spatial variability, based on a combination of soil and pasture measurements, APSIM simulation modelling of pasture growth and farm system modelling of enterprise performance. We show that from a baseline of a typical low-fertility, diverse species hill country pasture, white clover introduction can increase spring and summer forage consumption by 17%, enabling inclusion of an additional 6-month bull finishing enterprise generating a 32% greater carcass weight production and leading to a 49% improvement in farm system EBIT. This represents a positive net present value of over $360,000 for the original investment in white clover establishment into existing pastures.

PASTURE ESTABLISHMENT ON EAST COAST NORTH ISLAND HILL COUNTRY

1984 ◽  
pp. 216-218
Author(s):  
B.J. Arnst ◽  
O.L. Park
Keyword(s):  
White Clover ◽  
Carrying Capacity ◽  
Return On Investment ◽  
East Coast ◽  
Close Association ◽  
Development Programme ◽  
Low Fertility ◽  
Stock Management ◽  
Hill Country

Large areas of North Island hill country are producing below potential as a result of low fertility and poor pasture composition. Removal of undesirable species and replacement with a higher producing pasture is essential for increased productivity but is difficult to achieve. A development programme is described where the use of glyphosate in close association with oversowing and stock management has allowed rapid pasture establishment, marked increase in carrying capacity and a quick return on investment. Keywords: Pasture establishment, glyphosate, oversowing, white clover, subdivision, productivity.

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