Latest Ruralco News

Once again, we have seen some extreme weather through the winter period. While not as damaging as some previous years, the excess water across areas of Canterbury has been visually obvious for some periods.

Understanding nitrogen (N) levels in soil is important, as this nutrient is a key driver of growth and yield.

Mohaka AR37 is bringing a new dimension to the hybrid ryegrass category, coupled with the industry’s leading endophytes for insect protection and new high producing genetics.

Fodder beet remains a staple option in our ne w operating environment, where there is a focus on land use and nutrient losses. It is a flexible low-nitrogen crop that can meet regulatory requirements, while offering high yields and serving as a low-cost, high-energy feed with performance advantages for animals.

High-octane hybrid looks after your animals and your finances.

Cropmark Seeds are excited to release a new Spring barley to the New Zealand market that comes from the world leading Syngenta UK barley breeding programme.

No two farms are the same and that is even more so when it comes to the mineral needs of livestock upon them. Variations in soil type, feed inputs and fertiliser levels will all have a complex, interacting impact upon an animal’s level of valuable nutrients and trace elements.

Over the past couple of years around the world “green” energy options have become very much the main topic of any discussion on energy use. This has been at both a macro or national level, and an individual business level.

Catch crops, also commonly referred to as cover crops, are nothing new. Already used extensively in cropping, they are traditionally sown in autumn to provide feed over winter for stock, conserve nutrients and reduce weeds, water runoff and soil erosion.

The autumn period has again produced a consistent spell of warmer weather and with a steady stream of regular rainfall, we are set up heading into winter. Soil temperature has remained consistent, although the cold spell currently should slow pasture growth. Feed surpluses have been good in the latter part of autumn and the drier conditions earlier had meant irrigation remained on through mid-autumn.