A staggering 130 growers and industry personnel turned out to hear the latest on FAR’s new research project - Sustainable Ryegrass Production.
This is one of the numerous FAR research projects to be successful in the recent MAF Sustainable Farming Fund (MAF SFF) funding round.
Richard Chynoweth, FAR Project Manager was accompanied by Phil Rolston of AgResearch and Murray Kelly of PGG Wrighton at meetings throughout Mid Canterbury to discuss what can be done to ensure higher and more consistent ryegrass seed yields.
Richard says the reasons for huge variations amongst ryegrass seed crops needs to be better understood. “In addition to the information which we currently know, close monitoring of yield and yield component differences will help us to identify key performance indicators (KPI’s) as a basis for determining guidelines for improved crop management.
“Some growers can achieve a high yielding crop in the region of 2200kg/ha whilst crops of the same cultivar on the same farm and soil type may only achieve 1200kg/ha. The aim of this research is to help growers maintain a more consistent yield, while understanding what is required to achieve yields above 3000kg/ha, which some growers already achieve, albeit inconsistently.”
The project is to continue for three years. Year one will focus on identifying monitoring processes, setting up of fieldwork and organising a number of farmer discussion groups. Results from year one trials will be analysed in year two with year three focusing on the extension of the projects results via arable updates, seminars and workshops.
For more information on this project, please contact the Project Manager, Richard Chynoweth on 03 325 6353 or 021 860 246.