scholarly journals Adoption of forage technologies

2013 ◽  
pp. 39-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Caradus ◽  
Simon Lovatt ◽  
Bruce Belgrave
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
White Clover ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Current Management ◽  
Farm Productivity ◽  
Farmer Management ◽  
On Farm

Pastoral farmers seek to continue to increase on-farm productivity, and to do this they need new forage options that they can adopt into their current management strategies. Four case studies show that New Zealand farmers have rapidly adopted new technologies that include forage herbs, white clovers with improved stolon growing point densities, and novel endophyte technologies. The less disruptive these technologies are to accepted farmer management strategies the greater the likelihood of adoption. Keywords: Forage technologies, adoption, chicory, white clover, endophytes

scholarly journals Integrating Plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.) and Italian Ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) into New Zealand Grazing Dairy System: The Effect on Farm Productivity, Profitability, and Nitrogen Losses

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 376
Author(s):  
Omar Al-Marashdeh ◽  
Keith Cameron ◽  
Simon Hodge ◽  
Pablo Gregorini ◽  
Grant Edwards
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Lolium Multiflorum ◽  
Italian Ryegrass ◽  
N Leaching ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
N Losses ◽  
Farm Productivity ◽  
Leaching Loss ◽  
On Farm

A two-year farm system study was conducted at Canterbury, New Zealand to evaluate the effects on farm productivity, profitability, and nitrogen (N) losses of integrating plantain (Plantago lanceolate L.) and Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) into a ryegrass and white clover (RGWC)-based dairy system. Three farm systems were compared: (1) a lower input RGWC-based system (LIRG) with stocking rate of 3.5 cow/ha, annual N fertiliser rate of 150 kg/ha, and imported feed level of <1.2 t DM/cow/year; (2) a lower input ryegrass + plantain-based system (LIRG + PL) with a stocking rate of 3.5 cow/ha, annual N fertiliser rate of 150 kg/ha, and imported feed level of <1.2 t DM/cow/year; and (3) a higher input RGWC-based system (HIRG) with a stocking rate of 5.0 cow/ha, annual N fertiliser rate of 300 kg/ha, and imported feed level of >1.2 t DM/cow/year. Cows in the LIRG + PL system grazed a diverse mix of Italian ryegrass, perennial ryegrass, white clover, and plantain (60% of farmlet area), and a mixed sward of plantain–white clover (40% of farmlet area). The average annual herbage harvested was similar between LIRG + PL and LIRG (11.7 t DM/ha), but greater in HIRG (12.7 t DM/ha) with the increased N fertiliser rate. During the calving to dry-off period, the average imported supplement feed per ha was higher in HIRG (8.0 t DM) compared with LIRG (3.2 t DM) and LIRG + PL (3.7 t DM). Average milk solid production (MS; fat + protein) was similar in LIRG + PL (1640 kg/ha) and LIRG (1622 kg/ha), but greater in HIRG (2130 kg/ha). Estimated profitability (NZD/ha) at milk price of NZD 6.5/kg MS was 10% greater for HIRG than LIRG + PL and LIRG, and similar (<1.5% numerical difference) between LIRG + PL and LIRG. The average estimated annual N leaching loss from the LIRG and LIRG + PL was 31% and 56% less than the loss from the HIRG. These large reductions in N leaching loss were achieved without a large decrease in profitability (i.e., LIRG and LIRG + PL compared to HIRG). In addition, the estimated reduction in N losses from the LIRG + PL system compared to LIRG suggests that an Italian ryegrass + plantain-based dairy system is a viable strategy to reduce the environmental footprint while maintaining farm profitability. However, the environmental benefits of plantain and Italian ryegrass estimated in this study require further confirmation through direct measurements at full farm level.

Response of Peanut to Fungicide and Phosphorus in On-station and On-farm Tests in Ghana

2009 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 157-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. B. Naab ◽  
P. V. V. Prasad ◽  
K. J. Boote ◽  
J. W. Jones
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Spot ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Limiting Factors ◽  
Northern Ghana ◽  
Pod Yield ◽  
P Fertilizer ◽  
On Farm ◽  
Phosphorus Application

Abstract Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is an important component of cropping systems in West Africa. Identifying production constraints in farmers' fields and evaluating possible management strategies are of prime importance to improve peanut productivity and adoption of new technologies. The objective of our research was to study the influence of fungicides and phosphorus application on severity of leaf spot, dry matter production and pod yield of peanut crops grown in on-station and farmer participatory tests (on-farm conditions) in Northern Ghana. On-station tests to evaluate yield benefits of fungicide sprays and applications of phosphorus were conducted at Wa. On-station tests included two fungicide treatments (no-spray versus fungicide spray) at four P fertilizer levels (0, 30, 60 and 90 kg P ha−1). On-farm tests were conducted in three villages Nakor, Piisi and Janguasi with participation of 6–11 farmers per village. On-farm tests included three treatments: (i) farmers' practice of no-fungicide and no-fertilizer (control), (ii) only fungicide, and (iii) combination of fungicide and phosphorus. The commonly grown Spanish type cultivar Chinese (90-d duration) was selected. Both leaf spot and lack of phosphorus nutrition were yield-limiting factors in on-farm tests. Applications of fungicide were effective in controlling leaf spot and improved peanut pod yield on average by 49% in the three tested field sites in on-farm tests and by 40% in on-station tests. Application of phosphorus to fungicide-treated plots further increased pod yield by 32% when compared to fungicide alone in on-farm tests. Combination of both fungicide and P fertilizer improved peanut pod yield by 95% (ranged from 75 to 120%), when compared to farmers' practice of no-fungicide and no-fertilizer.

Evaluating rates of technology adoption and milking practices on New Zealand dairy farms

2015 ◽  
Vol 55 (6) ◽  
pp. 702 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. P. Edwards ◽  
B. T. Dela Rue ◽  
J. G. Jago
Keyword(s):  
Cluster Analysis ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Technology Adoption ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Investment Decisions ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Significant Potential ◽  
Attitudes Towards Technology ◽  
On Farm

This study assessed technology use and evaluated rates of technology adoption and milking practices on New Zealand dairy farms. Industry surveys were conducted in 2008 and 2013, when farmers were asked a series of questions relating to their physical farm details, their role in the business, their attitudes towards technology, the technologies they had on-farm and their levels of satisfaction. In total, 532 and 500 respondents were questioned in the two surveys, respectively, with a similar representation of rotary and herringbone dairies. Questions relating to attitudes towards new technologies were subjected to a cluster analysis using the 2013 dataset. Farmers were classified into two categories, ‘fast’ and ‘slow’ adopters. Fast adopters are more likely to have a rotary, with a larger farm and more cows. The most common technology in herringbone dairies is automatic vat washing and in rotary dairies automatic cluster removers (ACR). Rotary dairies equipped with ACR, automatic drafting and automatic teat spraying achieve greater labour utilisation (cows/labour unit). Around half of farmers with herringbone dairies sometimes or always wait for slow-milking cows to milk out and 85% of farmers do not know the their ACR settings, highlighting significant potential to improve milking efficiency. Overall, technology is associated with greater labour utilisation. However, the benefits of each technology should be scrutinised to ensure appropriate investment decisions are made by farmers.

scholarly journals An on-farm evaluation of white and subterranean clovers in North Island hill country

1990 ◽  
pp. 157-161 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.J. Macfarlane ◽  
A.W. Mcgowan ◽  
G.W. Sheath ◽  
C.J. Korte
Keyword(s):  
White Clover ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Early Flowering ◽  
Current Management ◽  
Hill Country ◽  
Genetic Potential ◽  
Point Analysis ◽  
On Farm ◽  
Clover Content

Five white clover and 5 subterranean clover cultivars were evaluated under 'on-farm' conditions at 21 North Island sites over 5 years. Seedlings were established in the field and their content in the sward followed by point analysis. Grasslands Huia, Grasslands Tahora and Whatawhata Early Flowering established most rapidly. Overall, white clover was not altered by the introduction of any cultivar into existing pastures. White clover content of the sward appear to be determined by factors other than genetic potential, such as other species present, current management practices, and climate. All subterranean clover cultivars established populations, though Tallarook was the most successful. At most sites Tallarook regenerated the best, followed by Mt Barker. The contribution to legume density made by any other subterranean clover cultivar was minimal Keywords white clover, subterranean clover, hill country, point analysis

ON-FARM TRIALS FOR DEVELOPMENT IMPACT? THE ORGANISATION OF RESEARCH AND THE SCALING OF AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGIES

2017 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 163-184 ◽  
Author(s):  
NINA DE ROO ◽  
JENS A. ANDERSSON ◽  
TIMOTHY J. KRUPNIK
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Institutional Environment ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Operational Space ◽  
Farmer Selection ◽  
On Farm

SUMMARYChanges in donor priorities have meant that agronomists working in the tropics find themselves in a fundamentally new operational space, one that demands rapid improvements in farmers' livelihoods resulting from the large-scale adoption of new technologies and crop management practices. As a result, on-farm trials in contemporary Agricultural Research for Development (AR4D) are increasingly implemented both to collect data and to spur farmer adoption. We examine the different interpretations and organisational practices of AR4D organisations in this new operational space, and reflect on the usefulness of on-farm trials for agricultural technology scaling. Three case studies are presented to address these questions – two in sub-Saharan Africa and one in South Asia. Each study is considered in light of Science and Technology Studies theory and locates science as a politically situated practice, recognising the tension that scientists face between providing evidence and persuading selected audiences. The case studies show that this tension results in the introduction of several biases that limit the scalability of the technologies under investigation. These include biases at the level of the trial location, host-farmer selection, trial design, management and evaluation. We conclude by discussing how the contemporary political and institutional environment of AR4D produces project beneficiaries and research outcomes on selected farms, but not necessarily impacts at scale.

scholarly journals Availability of seed for hill country adapted forage legumes

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
pp. 257-267
Author(s):  
S. Monk ◽  
D.J. Moot ◽  
B. Belgrave ◽  
M.P. Rolston ◽  
J.R. Caradus
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Seed Production ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Local Market ◽  
Forage Legumes ◽  
Hill Country ◽  
Seed Supply ◽  
Farm Production ◽  
On Farm

New Zealand hill and high country are marginal environments for perennial ryegrass and white clover. Other pasture species, particularly legumes, provide more productive and persistent options for the range of soil climate and topography found in these environments. On cultivatable hill country, lucerne (alfalfa) has been successfully introduced to dryland areas with imported seed increasing five-fold to 210 t per annum over the last decade. This has led to the first release of a New Zealand selected cultivar in 20 years. For subterranean clover reliance on hardseeded Australian cultivars that frequently fail to meet New Zealand biosecurity standards means seed supply is inconsistent. The potential exists to create a niche seed market through selection of locally adapted material grown for seed in New Zealand. Lotus pedunculatus is available commercially but seed often fails to meet certification standards and is predominantly used in forestry. Lotus corniculatus requires agronomic research to overcome some management constraints and the re-establishment of seed supply before it would be a viable option for drier hill country. Seed production for perennial lupins in New Zealand is predominantly for an export ornamental market, with some direct relationships with growers allowing onfarm use. Caucasian clover seed production has ceased in New Zealand and the demand for seed particularly from high country farmers is no longer met. The smallseeded annual balansa clover is being integrated into farm systems and its prolific seeding has enabled some on-farm production of seed for personal use. For it and arrowleaf and Persian clovers, imported cultivars are available and a local market is unlikely to thrive until agronomic and hard seed issues are addressed. Seed supply of forage legumes to satisfy demand for hill country is problematic and will require development of different models including grower co-ops, regional seed retailers, and on-farm production for niche markets. Keywords: alfalfa, Lolium perenne, Lupinus polyphyllus, Medicago sativa, perennial ryegrass, Sitona lepidus, Trifolium ambiguum, Trifolium michelianum, Trifolium repens, Trifolium resupinatum, Trifolium subterraneum, Trifolium tumens, Trifolium vesiculosum, white clover

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

scholarly journals Innovation and technology uptake on farm

2013 ◽  
pp. 27-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
W.J. Lissaman ◽  
M. Casey ◽  
J.S. Rowarth
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Success Factors ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Financial Security ◽  
New Production ◽  
Bottom Line ◽  
Education Experience ◽  
On Farm

The belief that the average farmer in New Zealand is too old to adopt new technologies overlooks the evidence, and the overseas literature aligning adoption with education experience and financial security. It also overlooks the fact that many innovations are developed on farm by people experienced in what they are doing. This paper reviews the literature from a wide source of perspectives synthesising information and allowing examination of critical success factors (e.g., age, education, financial background, experience). New Zealand examples of innovation on farm are described. The research suggests that farmers adopt technologies when they can see the outcome in terms of the bottom line for their farming system. Education, experience and financial security are all part of the mix that allows the benefits to be evaluated against the risks. These farmers have the background to adapt new technologies to their farming systems, and to develop innovative approaches to meet new production challenges, whether environmental, economic or regulatory. Key words: Adoption, adaptation, end-user, extension

THE PERFORMANCE OF S170 TALL FESCUE IN CANTERBURY

1974 ◽  
pp. 214-215
Author(s):  
B.R. Watkin
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Trifolium Repens ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Sheep Grazing ◽  
Selection Of

AN Aberystwyth selection of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), known as S170, was sown with certified New Zealand white clover (Trifolium repens) and re' clover (T. pratense) and compared under sheep grazing with other grass/clover pastures at the Grasslands Division Regional Station at Lincoln (Watkin, 1975) .

White clover sensitivity to UV-B radiation - biochemical relationships and interaction with drought

2003 ◽  
pp. 273-277
Author(s):  
R.W. Hofmann ◽  
B.D. Campbell ◽  
E.E. Swinny ◽  
S.J. Bloor ◽  
K.R. Markham ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Ultraviolet B ◽  
Summer Drought ◽  
Stress Protection ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Population Comparisons ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Quercetin Glycosides ◽  
Balance Trade

During summertime in New Zealand, white clover experiences high levels of ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation. This frequently coincides with periods of summer drought. We investigated responses to UV-B and to the combination of UV-B and drought in various white clover populations, including New Zealand cultivars and ecotypes as well as overseas germplasm. The results were obtained under controlled environmental conditions in three independent trials. Overall, white clover growth was reduced by UV-B. The population comparisons indicated that low growth rate and adaptation to other forms of stress may be related to UV-B tolerance under well-watered conditions, but not during extended periods of drought. Flavonoid pigments that are involved in stress protection were strongly increased under UV-B and were further enhanced in the combination of UV-B and drought. The responses among these flavonoids were highly specific, with more pronounced UV-B-induced increases in quercetin glycosides, compared to their closely related kaempferol counterparts. UV-B toler ance of the less productive white clover populations was linked to the accumulation of quercetin compounds. In conclusion, these studies suggest (i) that slow-growing white clover ecotypes adapted to other stresses have higher capacity for biochemical acclimation to UV-B under well-watered conditions and (ii) that these biochemical attributes may also contribute to decreased UV-B sensitivity across white clover populations under drought. The findings alert plant breeders to potential benefits of selecting productive germplasm for high levels of specific flavonoids to balance trade-offs between plant productivity and stress tolerance. Keywords: Drought, flavonoids, genetic variation, HPLC, kaempferol, quercetin, str ess, Trifolium repens L., ultraviolet-B, white clover

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