Flooding offers mixed conditions for autumn planting
Announcement posted by PGG Wrightson Seeds (Australia) Pty Ltd 10 Apr 2017
Widespread rain across much of the country has created mixed conditions for planting winter pastures, with farmers advised to plant now or monitor soil moisture closely over the coming weeks.
Allan Mudford is the Northern Product Development Manager for PGG Wrightson Seeds Australia and said the there is an opportunity for producers in the western zones of south east Queensland to plant oats and annual ryegrass.
“Flooding and water logging in the eastern zones will however delay planting, but I would suggest farmers plant any higher ground with an annual rye grass like Winter Star II or Diamond T as soon as possible,” Mr Mudford said.
“I would then suggest planting Italian varieties like Concord II or Nourish for late winter and spring/summer production when the lower country dries out.”
Farmers living in flooded areas should also prepare for Autumn planting now.
“Farmers living in flooded areas should be prepared to plant as soon as possible if no follow up rain occurs – before the colder soil and air temperatures set in,” Mr Mudford said.
“In areas that have been dry all this summer current rain will allow a good opportunity to plant over the next two to three weeks.”
Mr Mudford said Autumn offers the ideal window for planting winter pasture.
“Autumn is that time of year that can set you up for 12 months of production. A good autumn planting can produce more pasture over your winter period, and that results in more profitability on farm,” Mr Mudford said.
“When selecting a pasture variety, farmers should determine what periods they are more likely to need more feed and plan by using different varieties. For example, some producers need early winter production and some need more feed later in the winter.”
An ideal planting profile would include early and late maturing pastures, to enable a high volume of winter feed and late-season pasture for hay and silage, that could be used for next winter or even in a drought.
“10 years ago farmers used to plant one variety of pasture, now 60 percent of farmers use different varieties to create different production curves,” Mr Mudford explained.
“There are better genetics in the varieties today and they are growing longer into the season then what they used to.”
Timing is critical, with planting technique and soil moisture impacting optimum growth.
“Some of the flood irrigation does not work - you can have plant damage, so the type of irrigation is very critical,” Mr Mudford explained.
“It’s also important to have a good understanding of the root structure of your plants and monitor soil moisture, so you get the most bang for your dollar in terms of irrigation water.”
Mr Mudford said Concord II is a good consistent variety of pasture that is suited to a wide range of soils and environmental conditions across Australia.
“Concord II is fast establishing, has good rebound after grazing and has a nice densely tillered, which leads to more feed for the cows to consume,” Mr Mudford said.
“It also has an exceptionally long season to it - in the north we get it to grow into late January and silage coming into Spring and Summer.”
With 18 years’ experience with PGG Wrightson Seeds Australia, Mr Mudford visits a number of farms and advises farmers in different areas with different farming conditions.
“Our staff have a good base knowledge of how farmers are achieving higher productivity in a large range of environments. We get to visit a wide range of farms and sometimes they have problems and sometimes they have great stories of high productivity, so we can share those stories,” Mr Mudford said.
For more information on how Concord II can improve your pasture production, contact your local PGG Wrightson Seeds’ Sales Agronomist as listed at www.pggwrightsonseeds.com.au
Ends.
Photo Caption - Allan Mudford, PGG Wrightson Seeds Northern Product Development Manager
For media enquiries:
C7EVEN Communications
Adam Arndell, 02 6766 4513 / 0403 372 889
adam.arndell@c7even.com.au
Allan Mudford is the Northern Product Development Manager for PGG Wrightson Seeds Australia and said the there is an opportunity for producers in the western zones of south east Queensland to plant oats and annual ryegrass.
“Flooding and water logging in the eastern zones will however delay planting, but I would suggest farmers plant any higher ground with an annual rye grass like Winter Star II or Diamond T as soon as possible,” Mr Mudford said.
“I would then suggest planting Italian varieties like Concord II or Nourish for late winter and spring/summer production when the lower country dries out.”
Farmers living in flooded areas should also prepare for Autumn planting now.
“Farmers living in flooded areas should be prepared to plant as soon as possible if no follow up rain occurs – before the colder soil and air temperatures set in,” Mr Mudford said.
“In areas that have been dry all this summer current rain will allow a good opportunity to plant over the next two to three weeks.”
Mr Mudford said Autumn offers the ideal window for planting winter pasture.
“Autumn is that time of year that can set you up for 12 months of production. A good autumn planting can produce more pasture over your winter period, and that results in more profitability on farm,” Mr Mudford said.
“When selecting a pasture variety, farmers should determine what periods they are more likely to need more feed and plan by using different varieties. For example, some producers need early winter production and some need more feed later in the winter.”
An ideal planting profile would include early and late maturing pastures, to enable a high volume of winter feed and late-season pasture for hay and silage, that could be used for next winter or even in a drought.
“10 years ago farmers used to plant one variety of pasture, now 60 percent of farmers use different varieties to create different production curves,” Mr Mudford explained.
“There are better genetics in the varieties today and they are growing longer into the season then what they used to.”
Timing is critical, with planting technique and soil moisture impacting optimum growth.
“Some of the flood irrigation does not work - you can have plant damage, so the type of irrigation is very critical,” Mr Mudford explained.
“It’s also important to have a good understanding of the root structure of your plants and monitor soil moisture, so you get the most bang for your dollar in terms of irrigation water.”
Mr Mudford said Concord II is a good consistent variety of pasture that is suited to a wide range of soils and environmental conditions across Australia.
“Concord II is fast establishing, has good rebound after grazing and has a nice densely tillered, which leads to more feed for the cows to consume,” Mr Mudford said.
“It also has an exceptionally long season to it - in the north we get it to grow into late January and silage coming into Spring and Summer.”
With 18 years’ experience with PGG Wrightson Seeds Australia, Mr Mudford visits a number of farms and advises farmers in different areas with different farming conditions.
“Our staff have a good base knowledge of how farmers are achieving higher productivity in a large range of environments. We get to visit a wide range of farms and sometimes they have problems and sometimes they have great stories of high productivity, so we can share those stories,” Mr Mudford said.
For more information on how Concord II can improve your pasture production, contact your local PGG Wrightson Seeds’ Sales Agronomist as listed at www.pggwrightsonseeds.com.au
Ends.
Photo Caption - Allan Mudford, PGG Wrightson Seeds Northern Product Development Manager
For media enquiries:
C7EVEN Communications
Adam Arndell, 02 6766 4513 / 0403 372 889
adam.arndell@c7even.com.au