State of the lucerne and lucerne-grass mixtures at Ashley Dene in early spring

In this video (taken on the 26th August) Prof Derrick Moot, of the Lincoln University Dryland Pastures Research Team, discusses the early spring grazing management of a lucerne monoculture vs. lucerne mixes established with either brome or cocksfoot (orchardgrass) as a companion species (approx 2 mins).

Grazing begins in the ryegrass/annual clover mixes at Ashley Dene – 20 August

Dick Lucas discusses the initiation of grazing by ewes with twin lambs at foot in the ryegrass/subterranean clover and plantain mix at Ashley Dene on the 20th Aug in this first video post (approx. 3 mins). In the second we look at the ryegrass pasture established with both sub and balansa clovers (approx. 2 mins). … Read more

Winter grazing management for lucerne stands

In this video Prof Derrick Moot outlines best practice grazing management of lucerne stands in winter. Herbicide applications, plant growth and development are discussed. The implications of these winter management decisions on early spring feed supply for high priority livestock are outlined (approx. 4½ mins).

Set stocking lucerne in early spring – the stuff you need to know

Posted on behalf of Prof. Derrick Moot This grazing management is based on new research out of Lincoln University. It is recommended ONLY for farmers with a large proportion (>40%) of their properties in lucerne who require greater areas to lamb on in early spring and who already follow the optimum rotational grazing management system … Read more

Lupin grazing at Sawdon Station (January 2014)

The latest video blog from the mid-January harvest of the lupin grazing experiment at Sawdon Station. Dr Alistair Black and PhD student Travis Ryan-Salter from Lincoln University discuss grazing preference and dry matter yields, whilst comparing growth characteristics to last year’s results. Check out the video below (11 min).

Lambing on Lucerne – Year 2

We have just completed our second season of lambing on lucerne, and as Derrick said “things just keep getting better and better”… We realised after our our first experience last year that the length of time the ewes were set stocked for lambing was compromising the management of the lucerne, so this year we scanned … Read more

High Country Forage Improvement Projects

We thought you might like to know a little bit about some of our other research projects. As a result we have decided to give video blogging a go in our Merino NZ funded High Country Forage Improvement Projects. The Objective: “Survive, thrive and make money from…..” This project has seen the Dryland Pastures Team … Read more

Spring Management of Lucerne

Posted on behalf of Prof. Derrick Moot Recent trips from South Canterbury to Marlborough highlight several emerging issues for lucerne in this early spring. The particularly high (>200 mm) rainfall in June and subsequently warm winter temperatures have combined to create unusual circumstances. Here, Derrick outlines some of the problems and solutions to consider over … Read more