PASTURE SPECIES AND MIXTURES FOR THE AUCKLAND PROVINCE

Abstract

The Auckland Province can be divided into two main climatic regions : ( 1) The, Central Plateau (2) The Lower and Coastal Regions The central plateau is characterised by fairly cold winters with severe frost at times, while the lower-lying and coastal regions lying to the north almost fall into the sub-tropical zone. This region, which includes the Waikato Basin, is reasonably suited to the growing of paspalum species and the frost-free areas suit kikuyu, a tropical grass. In parts of the central plateau the soils are so coarse in texture that in some seasons there is not sufficient moisture to support a high-producing sward of grasses and clovers. Here lucerne can, with advantage, replace much of the pasture for hay and for grazing. Apart from such small exceptions, the region is very well suited to the growth of red and white clover, cocksfoot, and ryegrass, provided the fertility is increased to the extent needed to support these pasture plants. Other grasses and clover may grow in association or in place of those generally desirable pasture plants. These include Yorkshire fog, Poa pratensis, Poa trivialis, Poa annua, browntop, sweet vernal among the grasses and Lotus major (pedunculatus), subterranean clover, and suckling clover among the clovers.