Pub Date : 2023-11-10DOI: 10.33584/jnzg.2023.85.3658
Jeff Morton
Organic (peat) soils are inherently acid in their natural state with soil pH levels that decline from 4.5 – 5.0 in the surface layer of 0 – 75 mm to 4.0 - 4.5 at a depth of 400 mm. Traditionally lime has been surfaceapplied and incorporated into the lower soil layers bycultivation. An alternative method of inserting 3 - 4 t/ha of lime down to 400 mm soil depth was tested on a developing Waikato deep Moanatuatua Organic soil. When two-thirds of the lime was placed within the 300 - 400 mm layer and one-third within the 200 - 300 mm layer in summer 2021, soil pH in the 200 - 300 mm layer decreased from 5.6 in 2021 to 5.3 in 2023 and significantly increased from 4.2 to 4.9 in the 300 – 400 mm layer over the same time period. Reversing the ratio of the lime rate into the two layers resulted in asignificant increase in soil pH from 4.5 to 5.3 in the 200 – 300 mm layer and a non-significant increase from 4.2 to 4.6 in the 300 – 400 mm layer. Generally, there were corresponding decreases in soil exchangeable aluminium (Al) concentration in those layers. The ratioof lime insertion rate had no significant effect on rooting depth between years. There was a moderate correlation between soil pH and exchangeable Al when measured at depths of 0 – 400 mm. These interim results indicate that the deep insertion of lime into an acid Organic soil was effective in increasing soil pH and reducing soil Al concentration in the lower soil layers in the two years after the lime was inserted.
{"title":"Deep insertion of lime into acid organic soils","authors":"Jeff Morton","doi":"10.33584/jnzg.2023.85.3658","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33584/jnzg.2023.85.3658","url":null,"abstract":"Organic (peat) soils are inherently acid in their natural state with soil pH levels that decline from 4.5 – 5.0 in the surface layer of 0 – 75 mm to 4.0 - 4.5 at a depth of 400 mm. Traditionally lime has been surfaceapplied and incorporated into the lower soil layers bycultivation. An alternative method of inserting 3 - 4 t/ha of lime down to 400 mm soil depth was tested on a developing Waikato deep Moanatuatua Organic soil. When two-thirds of the lime was placed within the 300 - 400 mm layer and one-third within the 200 - 300 mm layer in summer 2021, soil pH in the 200 - 300 mm layer decreased from 5.6 in 2021 to 5.3 in 2023 and significantly increased from 4.2 to 4.9 in the 300 – 400 mm layer over the same time period. Reversing the ratio of the lime rate into the two layers resulted in asignificant increase in soil pH from 4.5 to 5.3 in the 200 – 300 mm layer and a non-significant increase from 4.2 to 4.6 in the 300 – 400 mm layer. Generally, there were corresponding decreases in soil exchangeable aluminium (Al) concentration in those layers. The ratioof lime insertion rate had no significant effect on rooting depth between years. There was a moderate correlation between soil pH and exchangeable Al when measured at depths of 0 – 400 mm. These interim results indicate that the deep insertion of lime into an acid Organic soil was effective in increasing soil pH and reducing soil Al concentration in the lower soil layers in the two years after the lime was inserted.","PeriodicalId":36573,"journal":{"name":"Journal of New Zealand Grasslands","volume":" 1036","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135186060","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-11-10DOI: 10.33584/jnzg.2023.85.3643
Ashleigh Van Uffelen, Xiaomeng K. S. Lucock, Alison P. Bailey
In recent years, the pressure placed on New Zealand farmers to reduce their environmental impact and convert to more sustainable land-uses has significantly increased in response to public and political concerns. This has seen an increase in the amount and complexity of environmental regulations, particularly for farmers in the Selwyn District, Canterbury. Increasing environmental regulations has contributed to an unintended side effect of a declining relationship quality between farmers and regulatory authorities.
This study provides a new way for regulatory authorities to understand which factors influence pastoral farmers’ land-use change decisions and how these factors interact in response to environmental regulations. A total of nine pastoral farmers operating in the Selwyn District were interviewed to obtain data on how they made land-use change decisions and the impact of environmental regulations on these. Specifically, the data involved the collection of Q-sort scores, centrality scores, and the creation of causal maps.
This study found that financial factors were the most important to pastoral farmers when making land-use change decisions. However, these financial factors were strongly connected to farmers’ sense of certainty around policy and practice. Many farmers felt unsure about the impact of current and future policy and practice changes on their farms. Subsequently, they felt hesitant to make land-use change decisions without the confidence that it will remain a financially and strategically viable choice for the longer term.
This study also found that farmers had high intrinsic values surrounding environmental stewardship. Contrarily, environmental regulations drive land-use change decisions in an extrinsic form to farmers. This difference is concerning because if farmers become too focused on only doing what is required to meet regulations, it risks taking away the common-sense approach farmers already have. Overall, without improvements in the communication between regulatory authorities and farmers, the future may see increased focus by farmers on ticking boxes and less on strategically thinking about what is best for the environment.
In summary, improved understanding by regulatory authorities and actions resulting from this will greatly contribute to positive environmental outcomes being reached in an efficient manner. To encourage sustainable land-use change, regulatory authorities need to give increased thought on how future regulations are created and implemented long-term. Farmers will feel more confident to transition to more sustainable land-uses with increased certainty around policy and practice and regulations that are introduced to them in a way that better understands their role as environmental stewards.
{"title":"Factors Influencing Pastoral Farmers' Land-use Change Decisions in Response to Environmental Regulations in the Selwyn District, Canterbury","authors":"Ashleigh Van Uffelen, Xiaomeng K. S. Lucock, Alison P. Bailey","doi":"10.33584/jnzg.2023.85.3643","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33584/jnzg.2023.85.3643","url":null,"abstract":"In recent years, the pressure placed on New Zealand farmers to reduce their environmental impact and convert to more sustainable land-uses has significantly increased in response to public and political concerns. This has seen an increase in the amount and complexity of environmental regulations, particularly for farmers in the Selwyn District, Canterbury. Increasing environmental regulations has contributed to an unintended side effect of a declining relationship quality between farmers and regulatory authorities.
 This study provides a new way for regulatory authorities to understand which factors influence pastoral farmers’ land-use change decisions and how these factors interact in response to environmental regulations. A total of nine pastoral farmers operating in the Selwyn District were interviewed to obtain data on how they made land-use change decisions and the impact of environmental regulations on these. Specifically, the data involved the collection of Q-sort scores, centrality scores, and the creation of causal maps.
 This study found that financial factors were the most important to pastoral farmers when making land-use change decisions. However, these financial factors were strongly connected to farmers’ sense of certainty around policy and practice. Many farmers felt unsure about the impact of current and future policy and practice changes on their farms. Subsequently, they felt hesitant to make land-use change decisions without the confidence that it will remain a financially and strategically viable choice for the longer term.
 This study also found that farmers had high intrinsic values surrounding environmental stewardship. Contrarily, environmental regulations drive land-use change decisions in an extrinsic form to farmers. This difference is concerning because if farmers become too focused on only doing what is required to meet regulations, it risks taking away the common-sense approach farmers already have. Overall, without improvements in the communication between regulatory authorities and farmers, the future may see increased focus by farmers on ticking boxes and less on strategically thinking about what is best for the environment.
 In summary, improved understanding by regulatory authorities and actions resulting from this will greatly contribute to positive environmental outcomes being reached in an efficient manner. To encourage sustainable land-use change, regulatory authorities need to give increased thought on how future regulations are created and implemented long-term. Farmers will feel more confident to transition to more sustainable land-uses with increased certainty around policy and practice and regulations that are introduced to them in a way that better understands their role as environmental stewards.","PeriodicalId":36573,"journal":{"name":"Journal of New Zealand Grasslands","volume":" 1051","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135186194","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-05-16DOI: 10.33584/jnzg.2022.84.3619
Malcolm Smith, Annamaria Mills, Derrick Moot
Yield differences between resident and improved pastures were quantified over a 3-4 yr period on three rainfed farms located in North Canterbury (Stockgrove, north of Amberley), Banks Peninsula (Willesden Farm) and the Mid-Canterbury foothills (Inverary Station). Improved pastures produced two- to three-times more feed annually than unimproved resident pastures at each property. At Stockgrove, improved chicory/white clover-based pastures produced 14.1±0.66 t DM/ha/yr compared with 4.36±0.41 t DM/ha/yr from unimproved pastures. Spring accounted for 85% (improved) and 72% (unimproved) of total annual DM production. At Willesden, lucerne monocultures produced 11.5±0.97t DM/ha/yr, which was more than the 4.44±0.45 t DM/ha/yr produced from resident pastures. Improved pastures at Inverary yielded 7.31±0.59 t DM/ha in summer/autumn of 2018/19, which was more than double the 3.34±0.43 t DM/ha from unimproved pastures. In 2019/2020, improved pastures produced 11.7±1.45 t DM/ha compared with 4.45±0.73 t DM/ha. In the third growth season (2020/2021) improved pastures produced 14.1±1.76 t DM/ha compared with 6.67±1.38 t DM/ha from unimproved pastures. In Year 4 (2021/22) the 12.6±1.29 t DM/ha from improved pastures was 56% more than the 8.07±0.85 t DM/ha from the unimproved pastures. Substantial increases in annual and seasonal feed supply patterns can be achieved through hill country pasture improvement.
对位于北坎特伯雷(Stockgrove, Amberley北部)、班克斯半岛(wilesden农场)和中坎特伯雷山麓(Inverary站)的三个雨养农场进行了3-4年的产量差异量化。改良草场每年的饲料产量是未改良草场的两到三倍。在Stockgrove，改良的菊科植物/白三叶草牧场产量为14.1±0.66 t DM/ha/年，而未改良的牧场产量为4.36±0.41 t DM/ha/年。春季占DM年产量的85%(改良)和72%(未改良)。在wilesden，单一栽培的苜蓿产量为11.5±0.97t DM/ha/年，高于常住牧场的4.44±0.45 t DM/ha/年。改良牧草在2018/19夏/秋的产量为7.31±0.59 t DM/ha，是未改良牧草(3.34±0.43)t DM/ha的两倍多。2019/2020年，改良草场产量为11.7±1.45 t DM/ha，改良草场产量为4.45±0.73 t DM/ha。在第三生长期(2020/2021)，改良草场产量为14.1±1.76 t DM/ha，而未改良草场产量为6.67±1.38 t DM/ha。第4年(2021/22)改良草场的12.6±1.29 t DM/ha比未改良草场的8.07±0.85 t DM/ha高56%。通过改善丘陵牧场，可以大幅增加年度和季节性饲料供应模式。
{"title":"Total annual and seasonal DM production of improved and unimproved resident pastures at three farms in Canterbury","authors":"Malcolm Smith, Annamaria Mills, Derrick Moot","doi":"10.33584/jnzg.2022.84.3619","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33584/jnzg.2022.84.3619","url":null,"abstract":"Yield differences between resident and improved pastures were quantified over a 3-4 yr period on three rainfed farms located in North Canterbury (Stockgrove, north of Amberley), Banks Peninsula (Willesden Farm) and the Mid-Canterbury foothills (Inverary Station). Improved pastures produced two- to three-times more feed annually than unimproved resident pastures at each property. At Stockgrove, improved chicory/white clover-based pastures produced 14.1±0.66 t DM/ha/yr compared with 4.36±0.41 t DM/ha/yr from unimproved pastures. Spring accounted for 85% (improved) and 72% (unimproved) of total annual DM production. At Willesden, lucerne monocultures produced 11.5±0.97t DM/ha/yr, which was more than the 4.44±0.45 t DM/ha/yr produced from resident pastures. Improved pastures at Inverary yielded 7.31±0.59 t DM/ha in summer/autumn of 2018/19, which was more than double the 3.34±0.43 t DM/ha from unimproved pastures. In 2019/2020, improved pastures produced 11.7±1.45 t DM/ha compared with 4.45±0.73 t DM/ha. In the third growth season (2020/2021) improved pastures produced 14.1±1.76 t DM/ha compared with 6.67±1.38 t DM/ha from unimproved pastures. In Year 4 (2021/22) the 12.6±1.29 t DM/ha from improved pastures was 56% more than the 8.07±0.85 t DM/ha from the unimproved pastures. Substantial increases in annual and seasonal feed supply patterns can be achieved through hill country pasture improvement.","PeriodicalId":36573,"journal":{"name":"Journal of New Zealand Grasslands","volume":"1 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-05-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136022331","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-05-03DOI: 10.33584/jnzg.2022.84.3576
K. Tozer, R. Greenfield, Steven Howarth, M. Farouk, Tracey Bayliss
A pasture and farm management survey was conducted on thirteen geographically paired regenerative and conventional beef and sheep farms in the upper North Island to identify differences in pasture attributes and management practices. Farms were paired by geographical location and livestock type. When compared to conventional pastures, regenerative pastures had a similar number of grass, legume and broadleafspecies (averaging 4, 1 and 3 species respectively), three times as much legume (13 compared to 4% content) and 30% less perennial ryegrass in total DM (P<0.01) but a similar broadleaf content. There was no difference between pasture types in pre- or post-grazing covers. Compared to conventional pastures, soils sampled from regenerative pastures had a higher pH, and herbage had higher levels of calcium, boron, molybdenum (P<0.05) and a trend towards lower Olsen P values (P=0.052). There was a divergence between farm types in fertiliser policies, with regenerative farmers generally not using synthetic nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) products and applying a wider range of nutrients. Herbicides and pesticides were used across both farm types. Changes in pasture composition (i.e., less perennial ryegrass and more clover) and soil nutrient status were consistent with lower N and P inputs on regenerative farms. Keywords: Botanical composition, botanical diversity,grazing management, regenerative farming
{"title":"A survey comparing regeneratively and conventionally managed pastures and farm management policies","authors":"K. Tozer, R. Greenfield, Steven Howarth, M. Farouk, Tracey Bayliss","doi":"10.33584/jnzg.2022.84.3576","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33584/jnzg.2022.84.3576","url":null,"abstract":"A pasture and farm management survey was conducted on thirteen geographically paired regenerative and conventional beef and sheep farms in the upper North Island to identify differences in pasture attributes and management practices. Farms were paired by geographical location and livestock type. When compared to conventional pastures, regenerative pastures had a similar number of grass, legume and broadleafspecies (averaging 4, 1 and 3 species respectively), three times as much legume (13 compared to 4% content) and 30% less perennial ryegrass in total DM (P<0.01) but a similar broadleaf content. There was no difference between pasture types in pre- or post-grazing covers. Compared to conventional pastures, soils sampled from regenerative pastures had a higher pH, and herbage had higher levels of calcium, boron, molybdenum (P<0.05) and a trend towards lower Olsen P values (P=0.052). There was a divergence between farm types in fertiliser policies, with regenerative farmers generally not using synthetic nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) products and applying a wider range of nutrients. Herbicides and pesticides were used across both farm types. Changes in pasture composition (i.e., less perennial ryegrass and more clover) and soil nutrient status were consistent with lower N and P inputs on regenerative farms. Keywords: Botanical composition, botanical diversity,grazing management, regenerative farming","PeriodicalId":36573,"journal":{"name":"Journal of New Zealand Grasslands","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-05-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45636822","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-05-03DOI: 10.33584/jnzg.2022.84.3580
T. Parminter, Christine Finnigan
In 2021 a group of farmers and landowners along the Nguturoa Stream in the Manawatū-Whanganui Region began a study into water quality. The farmers felt that they needed precise information to establish their farming priorities for improving the waterway, and for monitoring the effects of making management changes. Monthly sampling and laboratory testing were carried out across the catchment and field tests werealso undertaken at the time of sampling. The results were compared to those in the Manawatū River, the ultimate receiving environment for the catchment. The results highlighted that throughout the year the water in the Nguturoa Stream had lower dissolved inorganic nitrogen concentrations than the Manawatū River, but it had higher organic nitrogen concentrations in most months. Almost all the phosphorus results were above those measured in the Manawatū River as were the turbidity results. On seven occasions the Nguturoa Stream had E.coli results above the standard in the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020. Compared to the laboratory test results, the field tests that were used were found to be inconsistent and unreliable for catchment and farm management decision making. The results highlighted for the farmers that overland flow was a more important source of instream contamination than they expected, for nitrogen, phosphorus and E.coli as well as sediment.
{"title":"Water quality information for farmer decision-making in the Nguturoa catchment, Manawatu","authors":"T. Parminter, Christine Finnigan","doi":"10.33584/jnzg.2022.84.3580","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33584/jnzg.2022.84.3580","url":null,"abstract":"In 2021 a group of farmers and landowners along the Nguturoa Stream in the Manawatū-Whanganui Region began a study into water quality. The farmers felt that they needed precise information to establish their farming priorities for improving the waterway, and for monitoring the effects of making management changes. Monthly sampling and laboratory testing were carried out across the catchment and field tests werealso undertaken at the time of sampling. The results were compared to those in the Manawatū River, the ultimate receiving environment for the catchment. The results highlighted that throughout the year the water in the Nguturoa Stream had lower dissolved inorganic nitrogen concentrations than the Manawatū River, but it had higher organic nitrogen concentrations in most months. Almost all the phosphorus results were above those measured in the Manawatū River as were the turbidity results. On seven occasions the Nguturoa Stream had E.coli results above the standard in the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020. Compared to the laboratory test results, the field tests that were used were found to be inconsistent and unreliable for catchment and farm management decision making. The results highlighted for the farmers that overland flow was a more important source of instream contamination than they expected, for nitrogen, phosphorus and E.coli as well as sediment.","PeriodicalId":36573,"journal":{"name":"Journal of New Zealand Grasslands","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-05-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41327801","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-05-03DOI: 10.33584/jnzg.2022.84.3569
D. Stevens, M. Casey
Future variations in temperature, rainfall and storm intensity need to be translated into on-farm metrics to understand the impacts on lambing date and survival. A lamb survival model based on heat loss was developed and applied in a daily time step to present and future climate scenarios, at three regions throughout the lower South Island representing hill and lowland farms. Future scenarios (2040-2049) were modelled, based on forecast climate trends. Changes in temperatures from the 1990-1999 period to the 2000-2010 period matched or exceeded change predictions from global modelling. Predicted increases in temperature had little effect on lamb survival. Average air temperature over the periodtwo weeks before to four weeks after planned start of lambing was ~7ºC in every region and topography, matching the rise in spring pasture growth. Future climate scenarios indicated the potential to schedule lambing 10 to 20 d earlier than current practice by 2040, hence increases in lamb liveweight of 1.5 to 5.5 kg by December 15th may be possible. Opportunities to lamb earlier as increased temperatures promote earliergrass growth in spring may help increase pre-summer lamb liveweight gain and mitigate the potential impacts of increased occurrence of summer dry periods.
{"title":"Understanding the impacts of climate change on lamb survival and lambing date in Southern New Zealand","authors":"D. Stevens, M. Casey","doi":"10.33584/jnzg.2022.84.3569","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33584/jnzg.2022.84.3569","url":null,"abstract":"Future variations in temperature, rainfall and storm intensity need to be translated into on-farm metrics to understand the impacts on lambing date and survival. A lamb survival model based on heat loss was developed and applied in a daily time step to present and future climate scenarios, at three regions throughout the lower South Island representing hill and lowland farms. Future scenarios (2040-2049) were modelled, based on forecast climate trends. Changes in temperatures from the 1990-1999 period to the 2000-2010 period matched or exceeded change predictions from global modelling. Predicted increases in temperature had little effect on lamb survival. Average air temperature over the periodtwo weeks before to four weeks after planned start of lambing was ~7ºC in every region and topography, matching the rise in spring pasture growth. Future climate scenarios indicated the potential to schedule lambing 10 to 20 d earlier than current practice by 2040, hence increases in lamb liveweight of 1.5 to 5.5 kg by December 15th may be possible. Opportunities to lamb earlier as increased temperatures promote earliergrass growth in spring may help increase pre-summer lamb liveweight gain and mitigate the potential impacts of increased occurrence of summer dry periods.","PeriodicalId":36573,"journal":{"name":"Journal of New Zealand Grasslands","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-05-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41715382","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-05-03DOI: 10.33584/jnzg.2022.84.3565
Andrea Babylon, S. Woodward, P. Beukes
Evaluating the ability of perennial ryegrass to continue underpinning New Zealand’s low-cost dairy production systems under future climate change scenarios requires a modelling approach. In this study, climate projections for different climate change scenarios were used in the BASGRA pasture model to predict changes in annual yields and seasonal pasture growth rate patterns of perennial ryegrass. These predictions, including uncertainty, were made for the years 2010-2014, 2040-2044 and 2090-2094 in 14 dairy-dominant subregions in the Upper North Island of New Zealand. The suitability of perennial ryegrass is expected to decline in the future across all subregions, with worse outcomes expected under higher atmospheric greenhouse gas levels. Winter is expected to be the season least affected by climate change and summer the most affected. Late-winter/spring is predicted to become the main growing season, followed by late-autumn/early-winter. The ability offarmers to adapt their farming practices is essential in remaining profitable and internationally competitive.
{"title":"Summer growth rates and annual yields of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) in the Upper North Island are expected to decline as a result of climate change","authors":"Andrea Babylon, S. Woodward, P. Beukes","doi":"10.33584/jnzg.2022.84.3565","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33584/jnzg.2022.84.3565","url":null,"abstract":"Evaluating the ability of perennial ryegrass to continue underpinning New Zealand’s low-cost dairy production systems under future climate change scenarios requires a modelling approach. In this study, climate projections for different climate change scenarios were used in the BASGRA pasture model to predict changes in annual yields and seasonal pasture growth rate patterns of perennial ryegrass. These predictions, including uncertainty, were made for the years 2010-2014, 2040-2044 and 2090-2094 in 14 dairy-dominant subregions in the Upper North Island of New Zealand. The suitability of perennial ryegrass is expected to decline in the future across all subregions, with worse outcomes expected under higher atmospheric greenhouse gas levels. Winter is expected to be the season least affected by climate change and summer the most affected. Late-winter/spring is predicted to become the main growing season, followed by late-autumn/early-winter. The ability offarmers to adapt their farming practices is essential in remaining profitable and internationally competitive.","PeriodicalId":36573,"journal":{"name":"Journal of New Zealand Grasslands","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-05-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41730512","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-05-03DOI: 10.33584/jnzg.2022.84.3603
J. Morton, J. Moir, D. Moot
A range of options exist to improve pasture in the South Island hill and high country. Pasture yield and the cost of seed, lime and fertiliser from 55 trial sites were used to calculate partial gross margins (GM) for a range of improvements on different slopes and aspects. On drillable land, for average rainfall <500 mm/ yr, pastures should be based on subterranean clover or perennial lupins. Lucerne can be used where root growth is not limited by soil depth. At 500-750 mm/yr rainfall, lucerne and perennial lupins, with subterranean or Caucasian clover, are viable. Where rainfall is >750 mm, lucerne and Caucasian, white and red clover can be sown. At similar rainfall, soil moisture is more limited on non-drillable hill compared with drillable land, and aspect must be considered. At <750 mm/yr on sunny aspects, clover, e.g., subterranean or balansa,are the best options, and shady areas can be improved with subterranean clover. Late winter application of 30-50 kg/ha nitrogen can be used on shady aspects with less than 750 /yr rainfall or sunny aspects with higher rainfall. For >750 mm/yr rainfall on shady aspects, pasture should be managed to maximise legume content, and over-sowing white clover should be considered.Keywords: Drillable, hill, aspect, legumes, rainfall
{"title":"What are the best pasture improvement options for different South Island hill and high-country environments?","authors":"J. Morton, J. Moir, D. Moot","doi":"10.33584/jnzg.2022.84.3603","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33584/jnzg.2022.84.3603","url":null,"abstract":"A range of options exist to improve pasture in the South Island hill and high country. Pasture yield and the cost of seed, lime and fertiliser from 55 trial sites were used to calculate partial gross margins (GM) for a range of improvements on different slopes and aspects. On drillable land, for average rainfall <500 mm/ yr, pastures should be based on subterranean clover or perennial lupins. Lucerne can be used where root growth is not limited by soil depth. At 500-750 mm/yr rainfall, lucerne and perennial lupins, with subterranean or Caucasian clover, are viable. Where rainfall is >750 mm, lucerne and Caucasian, white and red clover can be sown. At similar rainfall, soil moisture is more limited on non-drillable hill compared with drillable land, and aspect must be considered. At <750 mm/yr on sunny aspects, clover, e.g., subterranean or balansa,are the best options, and shady areas can be improved with subterranean clover. Late winter application of 30-50 kg/ha nitrogen can be used on shady aspects with less than 750 /yr rainfall or sunny aspects with higher rainfall. For >750 mm/yr rainfall on shady aspects, pasture should be managed to maximise legume content, and over-sowing white clover should be considered.Keywords: Drillable, hill, aspect, legumes, rainfall","PeriodicalId":36573,"journal":{"name":"Journal of New Zealand Grasslands","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-05-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45178553","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-05-03DOI: 10.33584/jnzg.2022.84.3594
D. Stevens, Anna Taylor
Legumes have the potential to alter farm eco-efficiency, but options for low fertility hill country are limited. Caucasian clover tolerates low fertility while producing pastures with high legume content. If we establish significant amounts of Caucasian clover-based pastures in our hill country farms, can we increase the eco-efficiency and profitability of those farms? We used published data to predict the production of Caucasian clover-based pastures, based on weather data and soil moisture deficit prediction, for four farms representative of low rainfall in the South Island. Scenarios with 10, 20 or 30% of the farm improved with Caucasian clover/grass pastures were compared to current systems. A staged approach was used to sequentially add increased lamb finishing, increase hogget liveweight, improve ewe nutrition and more beef finishing. This aimed to utilise the extra high-quality feed produced. Ecoefficiency measures of GHG emissions were compared to productivity measures of product per hectare and profitability. An analysis of return on investment will be provided. Results are currently being analysed. Initial indications mirror previous work where legumes are added to the farm system. Emissions per kg of product are reduced, though overall emissions may increase as the total amount of product is increased. These will be presented in detail in the final paper. The transition to incorporate Caucasian clover changes feed supply due to slow establishment and this varies dependent on the location. We will explore the impacts of this variability on the implications of adding Caucasian clover to farm systems in this low rainfall environment in the full paper. Ecoefficiency improvements can be gained by introducing legumes. However, transition costs to introduce Caucasian clover need to be recognised and planned for before the benefits can be captured. Understanding of the climatic conditions on individual farms will ensure good planning and execution when establishing Caucasian clover and capturing the benefits in both eco-efficiency and profitability.
{"title":"Recognising issues of using Caucasian clover to increase farm eco-efficiency and profit","authors":"D. Stevens, Anna Taylor","doi":"10.33584/jnzg.2022.84.3594","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33584/jnzg.2022.84.3594","url":null,"abstract":"Legumes have the potential to alter farm eco-efficiency, but options for low fertility hill country are limited. Caucasian clover tolerates low fertility while producing pastures with high legume content. If we establish significant amounts of Caucasian clover-based pastures in our hill country farms, can we increase the eco-efficiency and profitability of those farms? \u0000We used published data to predict the production of Caucasian clover-based pastures, based on weather data and soil moisture deficit prediction, for four farms representative of low rainfall in the South Island. Scenarios with 10, 20 or 30% of the farm improved with Caucasian clover/grass pastures were compared to current systems. A staged approach was used to sequentially add increased lamb finishing, increase hogget liveweight, improve ewe nutrition and more beef finishing. This aimed to utilise the extra high-quality feed produced. Ecoefficiency measures of GHG emissions were compared to productivity measures of product per hectare and profitability. An analysis of return on investment will be provided. \u0000Results are currently being analysed. Initial indications mirror previous work where legumes are added to the farm system. Emissions per kg of product are reduced, though overall emissions may increase as the total amount of product is increased. These will be presented in detail in the final paper. \u0000The transition to incorporate Caucasian clover changes feed supply due to slow establishment and this varies dependent on the location. We will explore the impacts of this variability on the implications of adding Caucasian clover to farm systems in this low rainfall environment in the full paper. \u0000Ecoefficiency improvements can be gained by introducing legumes. However, transition costs to introduce Caucasian clover need to be recognised and planned for before the benefits can be captured. \u0000Understanding of the climatic conditions on individual farms will ensure good planning and execution when establishing Caucasian clover and capturing the benefits in both eco-efficiency and profitability.","PeriodicalId":36573,"journal":{"name":"Journal of New Zealand Grasslands","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-05-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46952231","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-05-03DOI: 10.33584/jnzg.2022.84.3577
N. Schon, A. Roberts, Rhys Narbey
Soil health was assessed across land conversions from forestry (Pinus radiata) to irrigated dairy pasture. Samples were collected and indicators of soil fertility, organic matter, soil physical condition and biological activity assessed. Soil health scores were calculated from the indicators and distance from optimum shown in radar plots. Soil health was improved for pastoral land use following conversion from forestry. The timesince forestry ceased and irrigation commenced had a signification effect on indicators of soil health, although many were not optimum even for the sites longest out of forestry/under irrigation. The main factors contributing to lower scores across all sites were suboptimal fertility,high C:N ratios, high macroporosity, low microbial respiration and low earthworm abundance and diversity. Some aspects (e.g., fertility) could be managed through nutrient application, while other aspects are more difficult to manage (e.g., C:N ratio and biological activity). Management targeting these properties may accelerate the path to a healthy and well-functioning soil. The inclusion of a wider range of indicators can help to better understand and manage soils during the conversion from forestry to pasture. This approach could be useful across all pasture systems to help ensure well-functioning soils.
{"title":"Assessing soil health following conversion from forestry to pasture in Canterbury","authors":"N. Schon, A. Roberts, Rhys Narbey","doi":"10.33584/jnzg.2022.84.3577","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33584/jnzg.2022.84.3577","url":null,"abstract":"Soil health was assessed across land conversions from forestry (Pinus radiata) to irrigated dairy pasture. Samples were collected and indicators of soil fertility, organic matter, soil physical condition and biological activity assessed. Soil health scores were calculated from the indicators and distance from optimum shown in radar plots. Soil health was improved for pastoral land use following conversion from forestry. The timesince forestry ceased and irrigation commenced had a signification effect on indicators of soil health, although many were not optimum even for the sites longest out of forestry/under irrigation. The main factors contributing to lower scores across all sites were suboptimal fertility,high C:N ratios, high macroporosity, low microbial respiration and low earthworm abundance and diversity. Some aspects (e.g., fertility) could be managed through nutrient application, while other aspects are more difficult to manage (e.g., C:N ratio and biological activity). Management targeting these properties may accelerate the path to a healthy and well-functioning soil. The inclusion of a wider range of indicators can help to better understand and manage soils during the conversion from forestry to pasture. This approach could be useful across all pasture systems to help ensure well-functioning soils.","PeriodicalId":36573,"journal":{"name":"Journal of New Zealand Grasslands","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-05-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42532094","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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