| 75 Re-grassing is a very important tool Simply maintaining a 10% annual renewal programme may only keep pace with pasture ageing. Farmers wanting to lift the overall performance of their platform may need to consider a higher renewal rate. Aimee Wilson RURAL SERVICES » Catalyst Performance Agronomy Every paddock has a use-by date. Over time, weeds, pest pressure, pugging and declining pasture quality gradually erode production, reducing the amount of dry matter a farm can grow and the value it can deliver. For dairy farmers, regrassing is one of the most important tools for reversing that decline. Done well, renewing pasture can lift dry matter production, improve feed quality and reduce reliance on bought-in supplements. But deciding which paddocks to renew, when to do it and how much of the farm to regrass is where expert agronomy can make the difference. For Catalyst Agronomy, regrassing is a core component of its Performance Agronomy™ approach – treating pasture renewal not as an isolated job, but as a strategic farm investment. “Regrassing is about looking at the whole farm and understanding where the biggest opportunities are,” regional manager Derek Thelning said. “It is not simply about putting a new cultivar in the ground. It is about identifying the paddocks that are holding the farm back and developing a renewal programme that delivers a measurable return.” Run-out pastures can produce significantly less dry matter than newly established swards. Typical modelling shows older paddocks producing around 12,000kg DM/ha/year compared with as much as 18,000kg DM/ha/year from a well- established new pasture in the first couple of years. Quality matters too. Older swards can sit around 10.5 MJME/kg DM, compared with more than 11.5 MJME/kg DM in a high-performing new sward. That difference can translate into more milk produced from every kilogram of pasture consumed. The financial case can therefore be compelling. On a 200ha dairy platform, renewing 10% of the farm each year could cost around $30,000 annually at an assumed renewal cost of $1,510/ha. With a $2.00/kg MS profit margin and 75% grazing efficiency, modelling indicates the first cohort of renewed pasture could generate more than $1,300/ ha in milk revenue in its first year – before accounting for potential savings in supplement costs. However, Catalyst’s modelling highlights an important point: simply maintaining a 10% annual renewal programme may only keep pace with pasture ageing. Farmers wanting to lift the overall performance of their platform may need to consider a higher renewal rate, with modelling showing five-year cumulative net farm profit increasing to around $455,000 at a 15% annual regrassing rate and $600,000 at 20%. Getting there requires a paddock-by-paddock strategy. Catalyst agronomists can assess pasture age, weed and pest pressure, soil conditions, production potential and the suitability of different renewal methods. They can also help determine whether cultivation or direct drilling is appropriate, identify the best timing for establishment and build the programme around the farm’s seasonal and financial constraints. “Every paddock is different, so the right regrassing programme has to be tailored to the farm,” he said. “The goal is to put investment where it will have the greatest impact.” For dairy farmers, regrassing is ultimately about more than replacing an ageing pasture. It is about Herbicides Insecticides Fungicides Adjuvants Supporting Catalyst Performance Agronomy with our range of: Proudly supporting Catalyst Performance Agronomy Biological inputs that deliver real on-farm results. Biological inputs that deliver real on-farm results. Independent trials. Proven performance. Manufactured in New Zealand. www.emnz.com protecting the farm’s productive base and making sure every hectare is contributing as much as it can. With the right agronomy, pasture renewal becomes a planned investment rather than a reactive cost – helping build a more productive, profitable and resilient dairy system. WE DELIVER SOLUTIONS THAT WORK. We expect them to because of the investment that went into their development. Naturally you expect them to because you depend on them. But in today’s economic environment, it’s not enough to plant and hope. At Agricom we work to replace hope with confidence. We do this through the expertise and commitment of our people, who work with you to integrate our products into your system for maximum gain. Our people through their knowledge and expertise, ensure you optimise those tools. That sets us apart. AGC3136 For more information contact 0800 183 358, visit your local seed merchant or agricom.co.nz Our products perform year in and year out. PROUD TO SUPPORT
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