Lincoln University Dairy Farm (LUDF) has been taking another look at establishing plantain and how to combat weed pests.

In this episode, Anne Lee finds out more about the approach from Farm Source Technical Ag Specialist Russell Hamilton and catches up with LUDF Partnership and Demonstration Lead Antoinette Archer about how the farm is performing in a tricky, cooler summer season. The conversation explores why treating pasture as a crop is critical to maximising both quality and total production, how setting clear objectives upfront shapes renewal and management decisions, and how onfarm monitoring and data are being used to guide timely responses as seasonal conditions shift.

 

Host:
Anne Lee, Senior Journalist, Dairy Country

Guests:
Russell Hamilton, Technical Ag Specialist, Farm Source
Antoinette Archer, Partnership and Demonstration Lead, LUDF

 

Russell outlines the importance of viewing each paddock as its own crop, assessing performance, identifying constraints and setting a clear plan to lift long-term productivity. LUDF wanted to improve plantain establishment and longevity by addressing weed pressure, soil fertility and pasture renewal sequencing, he explains. Russell steps through the use of an Italian ryegrass cropping phase to reset paddocks and allow the use of the right herbicides in a timely way to reduce weed seed banks and create the right conditions for ryegrass, clover and plantain-based pastures. He highlights how getting establishment right upfront can significantly increase lifetime pasture yield and farm profitability.

 

Antoinette provides a seasonal update from LUDF, describing what has been a tricky year to manage with cooler, wetter conditions limiting pasture growth rates and reducing energy levels in pasture. She explains how close monitoring of pasture, cow condition and milk production has enabled the team to assess conditions early and act, including the decision to move to a three-in-two milking schedule and begin putting autumn management plans in place. Antoinette also outlines how these learnings will be shared with farmers at the LUDF Focus Day on March 4, where the team will unpack the season’s challenges, decisions and practical takeaways in more detail.

 

Find out more about the Better pastures together podcast from Barenbrug here: https://www.barenbrug.co.nz/podcasts

Lincoln University Dairy Farm (LUDF) has been taking another look at establishing plantain and how to combat weed pests.
In this episode, Anne Lee finds out more about the approach from Farm Source Technical Ag Specialist Russell Hamilton and catches up with LUDF Partnership and Demonstration Lead Antoinette Archer about how the farm is performing in a tricky, cooler summer season. The conversation explores why treating pasture as a crop is critical to maximising both quality and total production, how setting clear objectives upfront shapes renewal and management decisions, and how onfarm monitoring and data are being used to guide timely responses as seasonal conditions shift.
&nbsp;
Host:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Anne Lee, Senior Journalist, Dairy Country</li>
</ul>
Guests:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Russell Hamilton, Technical Ag Specialist, Farm Source</li>
<li aria-level="1">Antoinette Archer, Partnership and Demonstration Lead, LUDF</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Russell outlines the importance of viewing each paddock as its own crop, assessing performance, identifying constraints and setting a clear plan to lift long-term productivity. LUDF wanted to improve plantain establishment and longevity by addressing weed pressure, soil fertility and pasture renewal sequencing, he explains. Russell steps through the use of an Italian ryegrass cropping phase to reset paddocks and allow the use of the right herbicides in a timely way to reduce weed seed banks and create the right conditions for ryegrass, clover and plantain-based pastures. He highlights how getting establishment right upfront can significantly increase lifetime pasture yield and farm profitability.
&nbsp;
Antoinette provides a seasonal update from LUDF, describing what has been a tricky year to manage with cooler, wetter conditions limiting pasture growth rates and reducing energy levels in pasture. She explains how close monitoring of pasture, cow condition and milk production has enabled the team to assess conditions early and act, including the decision to move to a three-in-two milking schedule and begin putting autumn management plans in place. Antoinette also outlines how these learnings will be shared with farmers at the LUDF Focus Day on March 4, where the team will unpack the season&rsquo;s challenges, decisions and practical takeaways in more detail.
&nbsp;
Find out more about the Better pastures together podcast from Barenbrug here: <a href="https://www.barenbrug.co.nz/podcasts">https://www.barenbrug.co.nz/podcasts</a>

DAIRY Country is your mainstay in dairy farming as your trusted source for adding value to your dairy farming business with seasonal on farm stories and exclusive technical advice weekly with your host, Anne Lee.

Formally the NZ Dairy Exporter since 1925, DAIRY Country is part of the CountryWide network based in Canterbury, New Zealand.

Get in touch with our Anne Lee - anne@countrywidemedia.co.nz if you have a great insight to share with our
thousands of readers and listeners in New Zealand and around the world.

Don’t miss our weekly episodes of the DAIRY Country Podcast by hitting the subscribe button now and join our DAIRY Country weekly email newsletter to get the latest in-depth stories in your mailbox so you are always ahead of the game in the
business of dairy farming into the future.

DAIRY Country is your mainstay in dairy farming as your trusted source for adding value to your dairy farming business with seasonal on farm stories and exclusive technical advice weekly with your host, Anne Lee.
Formally the NZ Dairy Exporter since 1925, DAIRY Country is part of the CountryWide network based in Canterbury, New Zealand.
Get in touch with our Anne Lee - anne@countrywidemedia.co.nz if you have a great insight to share with our thousands of readers and listeners in New Zealand and around the world.
Don&rsquo;t miss our weekly episodes of the DAIRY Country Podcast by hitting the&nbsp;subscribe button now and <a href="https://dairyexporter.co.nz/sign-up/">join our DAIRY Country weekly email newsletter</a> to get the&nbsp;latest in-depth stories in your mailbox so you are always ahead of the game in the business of dairy farming into the future.