Researcher field day at RADE

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This week the Dryland Pastures Group hosted researchers from across campus at the Regenerative Agriculture Dryland Experiment (RADE). This farmlet is now fully stocked with Bohepe ewes and lambs. The summer dry is starting to show with some pasture becoming water stressed but our first draft of lambs have gone so stocking rate will decline … Read more

75th Jubilee Technician Award acknowledges a lifetime of achievement

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This week DPR Group head technician Malcolm Smith was awarded the 75th Jubilee Technician Award by the New Zealand Society of Animal Production. The purpose of the Award is to recognise an outstanding contribution by an individual technician to the facilitation of quality research in New Zealand animal production and/or the Society. Many of you … Read more

Bulls on lucerne at Bonavaree and preparing for the dry

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While at Bonavaree last week, Prof Moot took the opportunity to question Fraser about his current grazing management of lucerne. Fraser highlighted that they missed most of the rain the rest of the country has experienced in the last month so the land is drying out quickly. He is hopeful that he can get through … Read more

Sub clover performing in North Canterbury

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Prof Moot was out on farms in North Canterbury this week. He was impressed with the contribution of sub clover to many pastures with the white flowers just starting to show. The combination of sub and cocksfoot was a revelation on Mt Benger, with a high legume component and few weeds 6 years after establishment. … Read more

Is it Genetic Engineering’s time?

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Posted on behalf of Prof Derrick Moot One of the interesting things of having students from different countries visit Lincoln University is hearing how their world views differ. The visit of the Oregon State students recently highlighted the pragmatic view of Americans. They were intrigued when I explained we are not allowed to grow genetically … Read more

An El Niño start to spring 2023

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This week we really welcome El Niño – strong westerlies and warm temperatures. Prof Moot spent the weekend in Marlborough and visited ‘Bonavaree’ (Fraser Avery’s farm). There the ewes and lambs are happy munching on lucerne and the tagasaste, which can provide emergency feed during a drought,  was in full flower. The Wither Hills have … Read more

Perennial weed control – NI field days

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Professor Moot spent two days last week (mid March 2023) with farmers interested in growing and grazing lucerne near Taupo and Pukekawa. Spring sowing after weeds had been controlled was a focus of the days. In particular, the opportunity to use glyphosate this autumn on Californian thistles (Cirsium arvense), browntop (Agrostis capillaris) and other rhizomatous … Read more