Prof Moot visited sheep and beef properties in Nth Canterbury on Tuesday. Questions focused on how to deal with the lack of feed. The options are largely unpalatable. However, there is a need to be proactive to ensure there is feed for spring lambs due to the mismatch between feed supply and feed demand. This … Read more
Note: this post was initially scheduled for posting on 19/04/2024, but was delayed due to website maintenance. Prof Moot was in Marlborough mid-April discussing how to make the most of the 50-60 mm of rain that broke the drought their last weekend. His list of do’s and don’ts was delivered in the woolshed and in … Read more
Posted on behalf of Prof. Derrick Moot. So what happens after the fire? On Saturday I went bungy jumping. A birthday “gift” voucher had been sitting on the fridge for several months. I was ignoring it. Silently hoping it might expire. But my wife had other ideas. She booked the date, and I confronted my … Read more
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
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
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
Posted on behalf of the DPR Group. The AgYields National database has been created as an open access repository for pasture and crop data including flowering dates, grain and pasture yields and mean daily growth rates in different New Zealand locations. The data can be used by farmers, consultants, students and researchers. There were several … Read more
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
Posted on behalf of Prof Derrick Moot (Dryland Pastures Research Group) The Dryland Pastures Research Group are thinking of their east coast NI farmers – and we are feeling a long way from being able to help. So, we have put together some practical considerations for when the focus goes on pasture renewal on silt … Read more
Posted on behalf of Prof Moot Ode to 2022, a Covid year to review, our deadly virus really off the front page No longer we fuss, no masks to discuss, gone once protesters took center stage They erected tents, cried sinners repent, the mob gathered in Parliament’s garden Turned on the hose, to those who … Read more