Did you know a spring spray is very effective in controlling REDLEGGED EARTH MITES, to prevent damaging populations emerging next autumn? Key points: Spray in spring to control autumn outbreaks Remove females before summer egg laying October 16th ideal spray date for our southern Victorian customers Wet springs, like this season, ideal conditions for populations to flourish In spring RLEM lay diapause eggs which are extremely tough, surviving hot summers, and hatching when cooler, wet conditions arrive in Autumn – often causing significant damage to new pastures. With the help of the Timerite model, a AWI funded CSIRO program, farmers can predict the best date for spring spray, to control redlegged earth mites the following autumn. FOR EXAMPLEPOOWONG: 16th OctoberLatitude:38°20′Longitude:145°44′ […]
Category: Pasture Advice
Better results from pasture renewal with a final check
A well-timed final spray-out is essential for effective pasture renovation and cropping success. By targeting weeds and residual plant material, strategic herbicide application helps create a clean seedbed, reducing competition and maximizing the establishment of new pasture or crops. Understanding the best timing, chemical options, and application methods ensures long-term paddock productivity.
Pest protection for emerging seedlings – Insecticide Seed Treatment
Seed treatment is an effective way to protect emerging seedlings against pests, with options available for: Red-legged earth mite Blue oat mites African black beetles Aphids Cutworms Wireworms and Lucerne flea. Why use seed treatment? If you’ve encountered pasture loss in the past due to insect pressure, seed treatment is a worthy consideration. By protecting seedlings against key insects, seed treatment products help maximise plant establishment and early plant development when young seedlings are most vulnerable to pest pressure. Reducing the impact on the soil environment The active ingredient only covers the surface of each seed so that it is always located right where it is needed. The result is a reduction in the amount of chemical needed to protect […]
Pasture recovery from pugging damage
PETER NOTMAN | 2011 Despite the best efforts of many farmers, with the high rainfall in autumn, winter and early spring periods, soils have become saturated. This has led to severe pasture damage on a large number of farms in south-west Victoria and Gippsland. Recovery will depend on a number of factors, and when planning the recovery strategies best suited to your farm. KEY POINTS Prioritising your main targets early if possible. Don’t take on more than you can manage effectively. Roll as soon as soils begin to dry out – have the roller ready to go Control of weeds and pests essential both pre- and postgrazings of new re-sowings All re-sowing requires appropriate timing. All re-sowing requires good seed […]
Why grow Multi Specie Pasture Blends?
Why grow Multi Specie Pasture Blends? Improve soil and root structure Improve pasture persistence Use water and nutrients more efficiently Interrupt pest and disease life cycles Prevent soil erosion. Improve moisture holding capacity Increase nitrogen with introduction of legume Prepare soil/paddock for following crop High quality forage for livestock Increase production, healthier stock, faster weight gains Managing Multi Specie Pasture Blends Start on small areas and work out which varieties prosper on your property. Observe the results and then make adjustments as necessary. It’s important that with multi specie blends that contain broadleaf species (such as chicory, plantain) that we do not apply any post emergent herbicides such as 2,4D Amine or MCPA. This will suppress or kill they species […]
Ryegrass leaf rust & management
Leaf Rust is a term used to describe fungi that can attack ryegrass, primarily: • Crown Rust (Puccinia coronata) also referred to as leaf rust• Stem rust (Puccinia graminis) Rust can severely hamper the growth of a ryegrass plant as well as reducing the plants nutritional quality (ME) and palatability to livestock. How to identify Ryegrass Leaf Rust Crown (or Leaf) Rust appears initially as yellow dots on leaves, later developing into bright orange circular powdery spots or pustules up to 1mm in length on ryegrass plants. Rust tends to thrive in hot and humid weather. Rust also tends to attack pasture when there are high levels of herbage present. Weaker plants leaves as well as those that are moisture […]
Keys to promoting winter pasture growth
Keys to promoting winter growth Permanent pasture is the mainstay of our pastures in South Gippsland, so maximising the performance of these pastures is of utmost importance. Timing is important in the establishment new pastures as overlooked opportunities & mismanagement can have severe impacts on long term pasture performance heading into late winter and spring with diminished DM/ha returns of quality feed. Walk pastures on a regular basis and assess how far away they are from the necessary grazing, fertiliser and weed/pest control. Common weed infestations include capeweed, chickweed, dock, erodium, flatweed, marshmallow, stinging nettle & thistles. It’s important to ensure herbicide grazing withholds are observed & impact to legumes such as clovers are taken into consideration. New pastures often […]
Step by step pasture renovation
With home grown feed more important than ever Notman Pasture Seeds have prepared a range of pasture planning recommendations to optimise the establishment of ryegrass pastures this season. Peter Notman, owner of Notman Pasture Seeds and Walcha Dairy, said there are key dynamics to maximising the establishment ryegrass pastures. ‘It’s important being organised throughout the whole process, including paddock preparation, germination, weed control and through to the first grazing’ ‘Optimise paddock potential prior to sowing by reducing unwanted trash and summer grasses such as barley grass and maximising germination of weeds’ ‘A fine, firm clean seedbed and spraying out germinating weeds with a knockdown herbicides & a spike so you are ready to plant into clean paddocks. Under all cultivation […]
Using Accelerate to boost pasture growth
Accelerating pasture growth Agronomists in the Western District are urging farmers to consider using Accelerate to boost pasture growth when pasture production appears to be slowing due to falling temperatures. Notman Pasture Seeds, based in Purnim, conducted approximately 80 replicated with average responses of Accelerate gibberellic acid on perennial ryegrass of 606kg DM/ha in winter and 308kg DM/ha in spring per application. Andrew Allsop, Notman Pasture Seeds, said boosting cool season growth resulted in pastures reaching optimal grazing height quicker, allowing for more frequent paddock rotations, better land utilisation and economic results. “The rapid plant growth that can occur through the use of gibberellic acid was a standout result throughout the trials for our farmers” “Along with the use of […]
Gippsland pasture planning recommendations
Notman Pasture Seeds has prepared a range of pasture planning recommendations to optimise the establishment of ryegrass pastures this Autumn. Poowong based Peter Notman of Notman Pasture Seeds said there were key dynamics to maximising the establishment of pastures. With home grown feed in the Gippsland more important than ever it is important to get the basics right. “It’s important being organised throughout the whole process, including potential sprayout, paddock preparation, germination, weed control and through to the first grazing,” Mr Notman said. He advised farmers to optimise paddock potential prior to sowing by reducing unwanted trash such as weeds and summer grasses by grazing paddocks hard. “A fine, firm clean seedbed is important and spraying out germinating weeds with […]