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
Posted on behalf of Prof Derrick Moot 22 December 2021 Ode to 2021, a year of limited fun, the world stopped to deal with a crisis Covid on the rise, no real surprise, a challenge harder to manage than ISIS Politics alone, cannot postpone, talk or bomb this virus out of existence It does mutate, … Read more
19 December 2020 Posted on behalf of Prof Derrick Moot An ode to 2020, a year that delivered plenty, after Wuhan gave birth to a brand new disease Add famine, conquest and war, we’ve done this all before, there are four horseman to appease The apocalypse began, with no collective plan, and no international … Read more
Prof Moot was recently sent the link below by a former CEO of Plant and Food Research Ltd. It summarises the pitfalls of “agroecology” which has recently repackaged as “Regenerative Agriculture.” The article, written by David Zaruk a professor at Odisee University College posting as the “Risk-Monger”, suggests science will win in the end because it … Read more
It was great to have some rain last week – it allowed Fraser Avery some time to write about his planning for lucerne and sub clover after the first autumn rains – and to reflect on missing the opportunity to host us all at Bonavaree last week. On the farm Yes it is raining! When … Read more
The recent rain across the country may cause pastures to green up. Stay off them if you want to have feed in spring. At this time of year it is important to get a canopy of green leaves covering the ground extensively before winter temperatures cause growth rates to slow. For dryland farmers the rain … Read more
In his report on Overseer the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment has indicated that in its current state it does not meet the standards required of a regulatory tool (access the report here). He has recently followed this up with comments about the lack of activity by the current Government to address the issues raised. … Read more