Pondering future prospects for protein

Pondering future prospects for protein

What might the future hold?

What might the future hold?

If the numbers stacked up to invest right now in one simple thing...

If the numbers stacked up to invest right now in one simple thing to produce 10% more milk or meat in 2025/26, would you do it?

 Or would you let the opportunity pass you by?

A big new facility in Hamilton will put premium grass seed on...

A big new facility in Hamilton will put premium grass seed on farm faster this autumn, and in peak condition for sowing.

Provenance is everything

Provenance is everything

No-one knows what the next 12 months will bring. But one thing is...

No-one knows what the next 12 months will bring. But one thing is certain – new pasture sown this autumn will help (or hinder) your future more than you might think.  

Fed exactly the same, some animals produce more milk or meat than...

Fed exactly the same, some animals produce more milk or meat than those grazing right next to them. What if you could achieve the same with ryegrass? More easily, and for the same amount of nitrogen?

Picture this. It’s a beautiful evening in February 2026. The...

Picture this. It’s a beautiful evening in February 2026. The paddock you’re standing in used to be one of your worst. Today, it’s your best – new grass and clover are humming, the cows are full and happy.

How are wintering systems changing on-farm?

How are wintering systems changing on-farm?

And warm up with the prospect of cleaner, kinder winters.

And warm up with the prospect of cleaner, kinder winters.

Here’s a fast (and timely) fact - about 70% of lamb foetal growth...

Here’s a fast (and timely) fact - about 70% of lamb foetal growth occurs in the last third of ewe pregnancy, or roughly the final 50 days before lambing. 

And that means your ewes needs every nutrient-dense mouthful of feed they can get during this time, because their energy requirements go through the roof.

In pasture, as in parenting, patience wins

In pasture, as in parenting, patience wins

Diverse pastures put to the test

Diverse pastures put to the test

How some farmers get clover on steroids

How some farmers get clover on steroids

Sharp furrows come at a cost

Sharp furrows come at a cost

Imagine leaching up to 30% less nitrogen, for free, with no loss...

Imagine leaching up to 30% less nitrogen, for free, with no loss of animal production. No feed additives required, no new animal genetics, just a slightly different mindset.

Anyone can sow and grow an average pasture. But for new grass to...

Anyone can sow and grow an average pasture. But for new grass to make your neighbours green with envy, you need to go just a little further.

Efficiency top of mind this season? You’re not alone! Achieving...

Efficiency top of mind this season? You’re not alone! Achieving great performance without breaking the bank is the order of the day, no matter where or what you farm.

The survivor’s guide for parched pasture  

The survivor’s guide for parched pasture  

What’s the highest yielding feed crop you can grow on your farm?...

What’s the highest yielding feed crop you can grow on your farm?

Maize silage? Fodder beet? Brassicas?

Think again! It’s none of these.

Good things come to those who take their time.

Good things come to those who take their time.

Turn the clock back on early ageing  

Turn the clock back on early ageing  

Forge shrugs off the cold in Northern Southland

Forge shrugs off the cold in Northern Southland

And save more than you realise

And save more than you realise

Bombardier kale – high energy stalks, long grazing window

Bombardier kale – high energy stalks, long grazing window

Array - the ryegrass hard-working ruminants have been waiting for...

Array - the ryegrass hard-working ruminants have been waiting for.

Serve with pride, and watch them thrive

Serve with pride, and watch them thrive

And take some pressure off your budget, too   

And take some pressure off your budget, too   

What’s one sure-fire way to tame risk? 

What’s one sure-fire way to tame risk? 

  Staying ahead when temperate becomes temperamental 

  Staying ahead when temperate becomes temperamental 

  Staying ahead when temperate becomes temperamental 

  Staying ahead when temperate becomes temperamental 

Same as the old boss, but better

Same as the old boss, but better

And get set to fire on all cylinders next season   

And get set to fire on all cylinders next season   

We’re excited to bring you four cultivars that will add...

We’re excited to bring you four cultivars that will add significant value on farm.

Happy partners work wonders  

Happy partners work wonders  

Where food is scarce, water is rationed and only the fittest...

Where food is scarce, water is rationed and only the fittest thrive

Every day a phenomenal chemical process takes place on your farm...

Every day a phenomenal chemical process takes place on your farm, one that began millions of years ago.  

Take one prolific, persistent diploid ryegrass. Mix it with a...

Take one prolific, persistent diploid ryegrass. Mix it with a succulent, high energy tetraploid. Add clover. Stand back and wait for your cows and your staff to say thank you very much.

New grass and clover seedlings are just like lambs and calves. If...

New grass and clover seedlings are just like lambs and calves. If they don’t get a good start, their growth and production is compromised forever. They’re more difficult to manage, too.

Whether it’s plantain, turnips, kale, white clover, diverse...

Whether it’s plantain, turnips, kale, white clover, diverse pasture or perennial ryegrass, sustainable farm grown feed is the name of the game right now.

One region. Four farms. Four hundred-plus hectares. Nearly 1300...

One region. Four farms. Four hundred-plus hectares. Nearly 1300 cows. Nineteen valued employees. Six different projects. And more than 250 paddocks…

Checking lambs this month? Check the state of your paddocks at...

Checking lambs this month? Check the state of your paddocks at the same time, and you’ll be well on your way to a better season.

If you’ve spent more on supplements than you budgeted for...

If you’ve spent more on supplements than you budgeted for recently, you’re not alone. It’s been a really challenging year feed-wise.

New research reveals extra benefits, confirms key success factors

New research reveals extra benefits, confirms key success factors

Mention fodder beet, and the first thing you probably think of is...

Mention fodder beet, and the first thing you probably think of is high dry matter and high energy.

Sow the right chicory this spring, and even if the season turns...

Sow the right chicory this spring, and even if the season turns dry later, you’ll still be able give your cows leafy, delicious summer grazing.

Happy, healthy animals, tucking into lush green grass, with a...

Happy, healthy animals, tucking into lush green grass, with a beautiful mountain in the background – it’s the classic image of rural Taranaki.

Every blade of grass holds the power to dilute rising costs

Every blade of grass holds the power to dilute rising costs

What’s gorgeous, nutritious, made in the North Island, happy in...

What’s gorgeous, nutritious, made in the North Island, happy in the sun and guaranteed to tempt the fussiest eater? 

Farming doesn’t stand still, and neither does plant breeding.

Farming doesn’t stand still, and neither does plant breeding.

For new pasture you can be proud of – even if it feels too dry to...

For new pasture you can be proud of – even if it feels too dry to think about it right now – consider sowing seed before it rains, instead of waiting for the autumn weather to smile on you.

Imagine if your average paddocks came out of summer ready to grow...

Imagine if your average paddocks came out of summer ready to grow as well as your best ones.

Looking for ways to make your farm more sustainable in the future...

Looking for ways to make your farm more sustainable in the future? One solution could be under your feet right now. And if it’s not, you can put it there in the next few weeks.

The continual wet weather in the Southern South Island means...

The continual wet weather in the Southern South Island means pasture damage on farms, which needs repaired to keep your property growing to its potential. Fast, and relatively cheap, undersowing lets you re-seed areas damaged without losing much feed in the process.

If we sow too early, when conditions are too cold, the crop is...

If we sow too early, when conditions are too cold, the crop is slow to establish. Competition from weeds can also be more of a problem, because they can germinate and start growing before the chicory does.

If spring-sown, summer forage crops are part of your feed plan...

If spring-sown, summer forage crops are part of your feed plan for the season ahead, it’s time to think about picking the paddocks to sow.

The basics of pasture renewal never change. This one process is a...

The basics of pasture renewal never change. This one process is a chain made up of 9 links, each of which is as important as the next.

Picking the best pasture for red meat farms can be easier said...

Picking the best pasture for red meat farms can be easier said than done, because so many variables and goals have to be factored into the decision.  

Agriculture is changing fast, but 4front, our new tetraploid...

Agriculture is changing fast, but 4front, our new tetraploid perennial ryegrass, will help you stay one step ahead, and your animals will benefit, too.

If you don’t have enough clover in your pastures, you’re not...

If you don’t have enough clover in your pastures, you’re not alone – white clover is struggling on many farms these days. 

Growing great lambs is one thing. Doing it quickly can be another...

Growing great lambs is one thing. Doing it quickly can be another story.

Whether you’re looking for a multi-use catch-crop after winter...

Whether you’re looking for a multi-use catch-crop after winter grazing or fast, nutritious feed to help recover from autumn drought, oats and Italian ryegrass combined will deliver the goods this spring in a new mix called Catch-crop+.

Agriculture is changing fast, but staying one step ahead of the...

Agriculture is changing fast, but staying one step ahead of the pace is about to get easier for you, and your animals will be happier too.

Perennial ryegrass is the beating heart of our pastoral farm...

Perennial ryegrass is the beating heart of our pastoral farm systems. Yet in many cases we still establish short term crops like maize with far more care and attention. 

Unusually high insect pressure saw spring-sown crops take a real...

Unusually high insect pressure saw spring-sown crops take a real hiding in some regions this season.

With less than six months before pastoral farmers must comply...

With less than six months before pastoral farmers must comply with strict limits on nitrogen use, plantain is back in the spotlight for autumn sowing this year.

There’s a popular saying that everything old is new again.

There’s a popular saying that everything old is new again.

Regenerative Agriculture (RA) is presently a topic of discussion...

Regenerative Agriculture (RA) is presently a topic of discussion world-wide.

If your summer chicory looks fantastic at the moment, probably...

If your summer chicory looks fantastic at the moment, probably the last thing you want is to spray it out to prepare for sowing new perennial pasture.

NEA endophytes are the obvious choice for anyone who values...

NEA endophytes are the obvious choice for anyone who values animal welfare and performance.

Picking the best mix of pastures for red meat farms has never...

Picking the best mix of pastures for red meat farms has never been easier.

The basics of pasture renewal never change. This one process is a...

The basics of pasture renewal never change. This one process is a chain made up of 10 links, each of which is as important as the next.

Whether you’re looking for perennial, hybrid or shorter-term...

Whether you’re looking for perennial, hybrid or shorter-term winter feed ryegrass options, we have you covered.

The very first grazing of a newly sown perennial pasture is...

The very first grazing of a newly sown perennial pasture is arguably the most important of its whole life.

With warming soil temperatures, summer crops of 501 Chicory will...

With warming soil temperatures, summer crops of 501 Chicory will soon be in the ground, if they are not already. As well as providing palatable, high quality, multi-graze feed for lactating cows, this cultivar has excellent DM yield potential.

Are you happy with the clover content of your pastures? The...

Are you happy with the clover content of your pastures? The target is 30%, and remember there’s generally much less clover present than you think, thanks to the top heavy nature of clover plants.

At this time of year, when temperatures are not yet ideal for...

At this time of year, when temperatures are not yet ideal for ryegrass germination, there is still a good way to put delicious, leafy new grass in front of your livestock in the shortest time possible.

There’s an old saying that it costs as much to grow a high...

There’s an old saying that it costs as much to grow a high yielding crop as it does to grow one that yields poorly.

Picking the best mix of pastures for red meat farms can be easier...

Picking the best mix of pastures for red meat farms can be easier said than done, because so many variables and goals have to be factored into the decision.  

High-yielding hybrid ryegrass is an all-round winner for farmers...

High-yielding hybrid ryegrass is an all-round winner for farmers wanting to improve livestock performance, farm profitability and soil nutrient management.

Spring has arrived, and will bring a sea of broadleaf weeds to...

Spring has arrived, and will bring a sea of broadleaf weeds to many farms if pastures damaged by wet weather are not fixed soon. 

With less than 12 months before pastoral farmers must comply with...

With less than 12 months before pastoral farmers must comply with strict limits on nitrogen use, plantain is back in the spotlight for spring sowing this year.

No matter how busy you are this month, there’s one job your...

No matter how busy you are this month, there’s one job your future self will thank you for doing, if you can fit it in.

Pastures affected by dry conditions last season are likely to...

Pastures affected by dry conditions last season are likely to grow hundreds of tonnes less grass than normal in the next 12 months, and bought-in supplements are both scarce and expensive. 

The name behind some of New Zealand’s best-known pastures and...

The name behind some of New Zealand’s best-known pastures and forage crops is changing this spring.

If spring-sown, summer forage crops, like chicory or turnips, are...

If spring-sown, summer forage crops, like chicory or turnips, are part of your feed plan for the season ahead, this story is for you. 

Before we know it, it will be time to sow feed crops for next...

Before we know it, it will be time to sow feed crops for next winter.

There’s a lot of focus on measuring winter feed crops at the...

There’s a lot of focus on measuring winter feed crops at the moment, so this story is about what to look for. 

Current dry conditions exacerbate the damage caused by insect...

Current dry conditions exacerbate the damage caused by insect pests in new pasture, and make it more evident.

Many farmers are wintering more stock this year than they planned...

Many farmers are wintering more stock this year than they planned to, for reasons beyond their control.

Livestock has been the top priority in areas hit by the recent...

Livestock has been the top priority in areas hit by the recent dry – and rightly so – but now, pastures also need attention, to fuel farm recovery after rain, and provide the main source of feed for the next 12 months.

Barenbrug has made premium grass seed available at close to cost...

Barenbrug has made premium grass seed available at close to cost for Southland farmers battling to repair paddocks after this month’s flood emergency.

There’s a popular saying that everything old is new again.

White...

There’s a popular saying that everything old is new again.

White clover is no exception. For 100 years, it’s done great things for New Zealand farming.

Farmers in parts of Southland will run short of feed this winter...

Farmers in parts of Southland will run short of feed this winter if they don’t act soon to offset poor crop growth.

If you liked Alto, we have a new grass for you that will fit even...

If you liked Alto, we have a new grass for you that will fit even better. Governor is Alto’s replacement, the persistent, fine leaved all-rounder that grows more feed when it’s most valuable.

Mark your calendars – in a few weeks one of New Zealand’s best...

Mark your calendars – in a few weeks one of New Zealand’s best known seed companies is opening the gate to its new research site for southern pasture systems.