Establishing drought-tolerant pasture species on east coast downlands by direct drilling

Abstract

Successful establishment of drought-tolerant pastures through direct drilling on erosion prone dry East Coast downlands can be guaranteed if some simple management practices are put in place. Pasture mixtures containing mainly Grasslands Wana cocksfoot, Grasslands Maru phalaris Grasslands Roa tall fescue and Grassland Tahora white clover were direct drilled into 450 ha on 60 paddocks in North Otago. Establishment of new pastures on paddocks that had been double herbicide treated prior to sowing (spray-fallow technique), were significantly superior to those treatments that only had a single spray prior to drilling. Correct sowing depth was made possible with the use of the Massey University bioblade direct drill. Its inverted 'T' coulter creates an underground cavort with sufficient tilth to provide an ideal microclimate for seedling establishment. The success of the programme is reflected in the fact that 50% of farmers involved have established new pasture by direct drilling since the programme was implemented, 93% intend establishing pastures by direct drilling in the future and 98% hive sown, or intend to sow, pastures using alternative species to perennial ryegrass. Keywords: direct drilling, drought-tolerant species, erosion, pasture establishment, spray-fallow technique, summer fallow