How to renew pasture

This list can be used to check all factors behind good pasture renewal.  The key is to do all aspects well. In a good season you may get away with shortcuts in technique, but in poor climatic conditions shortcuts will be a liability.

Many factors can cause poor performance in existing pastures. These problems must be identified and corrected if pasture renewal is to succeed.

Poor feed allocation is mostly commonly caused by incorrect break size. Knowing the crop yield (see measuring crop yield), likely utilisation, animal requirements and crop ME is vital to set the right break size.

Industry regulations and guidelines mean many physical features need to be considered in selecting paddocks for grazing fodder beet. A specific wintering plan is now required for all winter crops, including an animal wellness plan.

Successful pasture establishment depends on proper technique, timing, sowing depth and drilling method. Seedbed consolidation and optimal sowing dates ensure good seed-to-soil contact, moisture retention, and uniform germination for strong establishment.

Correct soil fertility is critical for optimal plant growth and to obtain the best results from pasture renewal. Soil test prior to sowing and apply remedial fertiliser as required.

Healthy soils support sustainable, profitable plant growth. Soil structure and biology are key physical indicators of soil quality, and play a critical role in selecting appropriate pasture renewal methods.

Regenerative Agriculture (RA) is presently a topic of discussion world-wide. This section looks at two aspects of RA in the context of New Zealand’s grazed livestock systems - the improvement of soil and soil carbon/organic matter.

Pasture establishment takes 12 months. Good management during this time gets new plants off to a strong start and helps them persist. A pasture is not successfully established until you have a dense, well tillered sward one year after sowing.