FEED CROP RECOMMENDATIONS

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 1, Issue 24, 15 November 1983, Page 10

FEED CROP RECOMMENDATIONS

Now is when Waimarino farmers should be planning for planting of next winter's supplementary feed crop. Fodder crops are valuable feed insurance for the following winter. They are also useful in situations where initial land development is underway or where

renewal of run-out pastures is desired. Swedes and kale can also be ground-stored successfully and use of root crops can reduce winter pugging. Crop selection Initial selection of the crop is important with three primary crops to be

considered for this area — Kale (Chou Moellier), Swedes and Turnips. Kale is potentially the highest yielding brassica producing up to 1 5,000 kg of dry matter per hectare with average annual yields in good conditions running about 10,000 to 12,000 kg of

Fertiliser — Swede, Kale and Turnips all need the same rates of application. First year crop 375kg/ ha Superphosphate (3 cwt/ac). Second year crop 400 kilograms per hectare of 6:6:5 (or 3.2 cwt/ac or 3.2 bags per ac) or 200kg/ ha of 12: 10:10: 1.6 cwt/ac or 1.6 bags per ac). It is important to ensure that phosphorous is not limiting crop production. Seed Treatment Dust with Metalascyl (Apron) plus Benodanil (Calirus)at 1.5g+ 1.5gactive ingredient per kg seed, to prevent damping off disease. Mix with Thimet 20g granules at 5 kg/ha to control springtails, weevils'and wheat-bug. Cost of Fodder Crops Calculations are based on swedes and assuming all cultivation, sowing etc is done by contract. 1 ) Cost to establish crop per hectare a) Cultivation from grass (including sowing) ' $ 80.00 b) Seed and Fungicide/ Insecticide $ 10.00 c) Fertiliser 375 kg/ha Superphosphate $ 65.00 -- d) Weed Spray $ 25.00 Crop total $180.00 'ha. 2) Cost to Regrass a) Cultivation (discing) and sowing $ 40.00 b) Seed — Nui Ryegrass — 23 kg @ $2/kg Inrioculated White Clover — 7kg @ $3.60/ kg ' "$71.20'c) Fertiliser say 375 kg/ha Superphosphate , $ 65.00 Regrass total $1 76.20/ ha. Total cost $356.20 ha. ($144.20/acre)

dry matter per hectare. However, the average yield for the Waimarino is 7,500 to 9,000 kg of dry matter per hectare. Preferred varieties for this region are Maris Kestral Kale and Midas Medium Stem. When calculating feed requirements a basic rule-of-thumb is that one breeding ewe will eat one tonne of dry matter in 100 days. Swedes are a root brassica that handle cold climates rather well. Average yields for this region are 5,000 to 6,000 kg of dry matter per hectare. Preferred swede varieties would be Doon Major and Kiri (for second crops). Turnips do not produce as well as the other two crops but are faster maturing. Average district yield would be 3,500 to 5,000 kg of dry matter per hectare. Preferred varieties of turnips are York Globe and Green Globe. Factors affecting yield There are three major factors which can influence yield of these supple^^Kntary feed crops xultivation, fertiliser and diseases or pests. Cultivation problems generally stem from poor seed bed preparation or poor drilling techniques. Care should be taken to allow enough time between turning the crop or grass over and sowing of the crop. Unless a grass killer such as paraquat is used before ploughing, two weeks should be allowed. If the time is too short this affects the nitrogen content of the soil. Also the tilth should be properly prepared and

broken down by discing etc. Problems from drilling usually occur if it's done too fast and/ or too deep. Poor consolidation in Waimarino ash soils can also cause problems. Allowing reasonable time after preparation for the soil to settle then roll after sowing. • A very common problem causing low yields in fodder crops is insufficient fertiliser application. A typical symptom of fertiliser deficiency is the lack of a pure green leafed crop i.e. red and yellow leaf discolouration. Diseases and pests Various diseases and pests can severely limit crop production. Club root is caused by a soil borne fungus ( Plasmo - diophora brassica). Club root is not usually a problem in first year crops. Control involves spelling the land from brassica crops for about six years or using club-root resistant crop varieties. Bacteria "Soft Rot" gains access through dry-rot lesions and is often mistaken for Brown Heart. Control of bacterial soft-rot is primarily effected by elimination of infected crop residues through deep ploughing and by crop rotations. Certified

seed should be used to avoid seed-borne contamination. Damping Off Fungi causes weakening of plant stems at ground level. This fungal disease is easily controlled by dusting seed with Captan and Benodanil. Springtails, weevils and wheat bug are easily controlled by using Phorate granules (Thimet 20g) at planting. Winter fodder crops are a successful form of winter feed supplement. Mostcrop failures result from poor ground preparation, insufficient consolidation fol-

lowing sowing and insufficient fertiliser. It is- important to remember that your crop is costing $356.20 per hectare, by the time it gets back into grass, so care should be taken to get good results.

Swede Kale (Chou) Turnips Suggested variety Doon Major and Midas medium stem York Globe (early Superlative (1st Year) Maris Kestral maturing) Kiri (2nd Year) Green Globe (late maturing) Sowing Date November November December December (at latest) December (at latest) January Sowing Rate' 1 kg/ ha 3-4 kg/ ha 1 kg/ ha (1 lb/ac) (3-4 lb ac) (1 lb/ac) Sowing Depth 15-25 mm 15-25 mm 15-25 mm ( 54-1"). VA-n VA-l")'

Fodder Crop Recommendation