80 | Wholesale Seeds offer new ryegrass cultivar Trial data shows CM142 carries low risk of grass staggers and is completely free from the toxins lolitrem-B and ergovaline. Karen Phelps Wholesale Seeds is now authorised to produce and sell Cropmark Seeds’ CM142 endophyte under a seed production licence, delivering high-performing pastures without the traditional animal health trade-offs. Rob Campbell, wholesale trading manager at Wholesale Seeds, says the company is excited to promote CM142 and its new ryegrass cultivar, Stampede, to the New Zealand market. “High performance no longer needs to come with compromise. CM142 is a novel endophyte that provides effective insect protection as well as reducing risks to livestock,” he says. “The product has been rigorously tested and ranked in the top range of all cultivars in New Zealand’s National Forage Variety trials, delivering excellent yields without compromising animal welfare. Trial data shows CM142 carries low risk of grass staggers and is completely free from the toxins lolitrem-B and ergovaline.” Developed by Cropmark Seeds’ Research and Development team in Canterbury, CM142 was identified after screening thousands of ryegrass samples from around the world. Originating from a dry, semi-alpine region in Greece, Rob says the endophyte is ideally suited to New Zealand’s farming conditions. Its epoxyjanthitrem alkaloid profile provides strong protection against major insect pests including Porina, Black beetles and Argentine stem weevil. Rob says the introduction of Stampede, incorporating CM142, offers farmers a robust pasture RURAL SERVICES » Wholesale Seeds option with high tiller density and late heading, delivering dense, digestible forage throughout winter and early spring. “Stampede has been bred for New Zealand’s diverse climates, providing dependable feed, excellent rust resistance and quick establishment for pastures that persist over multiple years. It is suited to farmers needing a high-yield, longterm pasture with reliable growth and multi-year insect resilience,” he explains. Wholesale Seeds manages the entire production process for Stampede CM142 under licence, from seed multiplication to crop management for clients. Rob explains that this end-to-end service is a key differentiator for the company. Since its inception in 2008, Wholesale Seeds has grown from a farmer-led initiative into a national seed, fertiliser and agrichemical supplier with over 30 agronomists. “It’s all about the relationships we build with our customers. We’re small enough that the owners of our business still deal direct with clients yet large enough that we can purchase at scale and pass that competitive advantage on to our customers.” Rob says the company has maintained its focus on performance rather than price, setting high targets for crop management outcomes and helping farmers achieve consistent results. “We are not focused on particular products. Our performance is measured by the performance of our customers’ whole farm system. We set high targets and aim to achieve them.” He says Wholesale Seeds is innovative in its approach and is always looking for new ways to improve results for customers with Stampede being a good example. “Clinical and sub-clinical animal toxicosis can come with a hefty price tag for farmers, therefore finding a balance between animal safety and alkaloid production for insect deterrence is key. Stampede CM142 represents a giant leap forward for New Zealand farmers and we are very proud to help bring this innovation to our customers.” CM142 is a next-generation epoxy-janthitrem endophyte developed by Cropmark Seeds. So if you are looking for a perennial ryegrass with strong insect control, top animal performance and backed by market leading genetics - you can’t go past Stampede CM142. www.catalystag.co.nz 0800 670 770 High-yielding pasture with reliable growth in winter and early spring Dense tillering for pasture stability Compatibility with modern grazing systems A balanced approach to pasture persistence, insect protection and animal safety
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