This promotional feature was provided by Barenbrug.
Home-grown pasture is your best friend when times are good. But when budgets are stretched, it truly comes into its own as a high value, high return asset.
Nothing else can match it in terms of cost-effective feed. And the more you grow and harvest directly with your animals, the lower your costs of production for every kilogram of milk, meat or liveweight gain produced on your farm.
Not all pasture seed is equal, however, some options are higher risk than others, so it really pays to dig into these differences before you sow this spring. Pick the right proven performers for your situation, and you’ll consistently get the best possible outcome, not just straight away but in the medium term as well.
Short-term fixes have their place, but it’s important to balance these with longer term pastures to deliver the best returns.
Annual ryegrass sown this past autumn as a cost-saving measure, for example, was only an interim solution. After 6 to 12 months, when it runs out, those pastures will start going backwards again without further renewal, which in turn means spending more money.
It’s also important to recognise that uncertified seed, while cheap, is unlikely to deliver value for either red meat or dairy system. In fact, it might do the opposite. There is no knowing what it contains, or how it will perform.
Of all the potential choices available to you this spring, uncertified seed is the riskiest, for many reasons. It can introduce new and unwanted weeds, produce low yield or bring other issues associated with seed of unknown origin and quality.
At the other end of the spectrum, with least risk and highest lasting value, is certified seed of top proprietary perennial ryegrass like Array, Maxsyn, and 4front. There is no question their yield, quality, seasonal growth and performance will give the best return on every dollar spent on pasture renewal this spring. Quality, germination, purity and endophyte are guaranteed and the long-term value inherent in these advanced genetics has been demonstrated time and again.
We realise some farmers can’t afford to sow as many paddocks in these high-value perennials as they’d like this spring. If this sounds like you, value might best be achieved with a hybrid like Forge.
This will grow 1- 1.5 tonnes more dry matter per ha through the cool season than a perennial for two to five years, with higher palatability for improved animal performance. It’s not a perennial and it will need to be replaced, but in the medium term, it will help your farmers get through the next few years with reliable, quality, cost-effective feed.
Pasture eaten remains a key driver of profit on farms, and when budgets are under pressure, pasture is critical to drive production. Even if it means renewing only one paddock really well, with proven pasture genetics, you’ll be better off in terms of value doing this than risking sowing multiple paddocks with uncertified seed this spring.
If you’d like to discuss this in more detail, talk to your Ruralco representative today. You’ll be glad you did!