EFFECT OF SEEDING RATE ON YIELD DISTRTRUTION OF TAMA/RAHU GREENFEED AT TWO SITES IN SOUTHLAND

Abstract

Rahu ryecorn, the most productive cereal under grazing in this environment, was evaluated at four seeding rates in combination with Tama ryegrass also at four seeding rates and compared with pasture. The trial was direct-drilled at two sites, Gore and Riversdale, in early autumn 1975. At Gore the optimum sowing rate combination was 70 kg/ha Rahu with 30 kg/ha Tama. This yielded 8 710 kg DM/ha from 5 grazings to the end of October. The drier Riversdale site yielded 6260 kg DM/ha over the same period at an optimum sowing rate combination of 140 kg/ha Rahu with 30 kg/ha Tama. Tiller number, tiller weight and quality measurements are presented and discussed, together with yield data in relation to all grass Farming management in Southland.