Dairy support has three main functions in the support of a high-performance dairy platform:
Note: When sowing grass in the Upper North Island, it is essential that a cultivar with AR37 endophyte is selected and insecticide treated seed is used, as insect pest pressure in this region is extensive.
Below is a good example of a sustainable rotation that includes some key forage opportunities on a dairy support runoff or farm.
Diploid perennial ryegrass regenerative pasture phase
Tetraploid hybrid
Italian ryegrass
Fescues
Cocksfoot
Summer crops can be sown in mid to late October for summer grazing of young stock and pasture renovation.
These include:
Often pastures can be degraded through intense summer conditions and undersowing of damaged pasture is a strategic part of autumn recovery and autumn sown fast feed
* Legion has been bred, selected and successfully tested as a perennial and will function as a perennial ryegrass. Due to a small number of tip awns Legion is certified as Lolium Boucheanum.