Is there really such a thing as ‘too much’ grass in spring...

Is there really such a thing as ‘too much’ grass in spring? Sometimes, the answer is yes. 

Looking for a top-ranked diploid perennial to keep your pastures...

Looking for a top-ranked diploid perennial to keep your pastures performing to their potential level? Look no further than Trojan.

Sustainable soil management; healthy, well-fed animals – the best...

Sustainable soil management; healthy, well-fed animals – the best time to plan ahead for these is now.

Well-managed, Trojan delivers like few other ryegrasses can. What...

Well-managed, Trojan delivers like few other ryegrasses can. What’s the secret?

Simple, practical tips for getting the best out of your 501...

Simple, practical tips for getting the best out of your 501 Chicory.

As a green, multi-graze summer feed, chicory has under-rated...

As a green, multi-graze summer feed, chicory has under-rated environmental benefits, and sowing the right chicory can add hundreds to your profit margin.

Farmers in several parts of the North Island could face further...

Farmers in several parts of the North Island could face further feed shortages in winter and spring if they don’t act soon to repair pastures killed or damaged by prolonged dry weather.

Take a look at our new multi-stemmed red clover cultivar Morrow.

Take a look at our new multi-stemmed red clover cultivar Morrow.

Next winter may seem a long way away but in reality it’s only a...

Next winter may seem a long way away but in reality it’s only a matter of weeks until kale crops are underway for dairy grazing during 2019.

Spring silage is a great way to bank a genuine pasture surplus at...

Spring silage is a great way to bank a genuine pasture surplus at this time of the year, and achieving a high ME result is easy - just don’t let your grass get too long.

We’ve made this change to highlight our link with the Royal...

We’ve made this change to highlight our link with the Royal Barenbrug Group, a fourth-generation family business based in the Netherlands.

A bumper crop of winter feed wasn’t the only thing Matt Greenwood...

A bumper crop of winter feed wasn’t the only thing Matt Greenwood ended up with after sowing Robbos fodder beet last spring.

Tyson is unique among diploid perennial ryegrasses, because it...

Tyson is unique among diploid perennial ryegrasses, because it allows farmers to pull spring forward.

We are very pleased to announce the launch of Kotuku, our new...

We are very pleased to announce the launch of Kotuku, our new large leaved white clover which replaces Kotare.

Plant Rohan SPR this spring, and you’ll soon see what makes it...

Plant Rohan SPR this spring, and you’ll soon see what makes it unique among perennial ryegrasses in NZ.

There’s a lot to like about Tuscan red clover. It’s been bred for...

There’s a lot to like about Tuscan red clover. It’s been bred for high DM yield with improved persistence under grazing, and it gives fantastic quality feed in summer and autumn.

A few years ago we were asked if it was physically possible to...

A few years ago we were asked if it was physically possible to grow a pasture that yielded 30 t DM/ha over 12 months under commercial farm conditions in NZ.

501 Chicory has no effect on FEI grading, and well-grown crops...

501 Chicory has no effect on FEI grading, and well-grown crops cost about half the price of PKE per kg dry matter.

Results from Southland confirm if you want a fodder beet that...

Results from Southland confirm if you want a fodder beet that stays leafy through autumn and into winter, even when disease is present, Robbos is the best choice.

We’re delighted to announce an initial release of Captain cool...

We’re delighted to announce an initial release of Captain cool season plantain (CSP) for sowing this spring.

Trojan diploid perennial ryegrass with NEA2 endophyte provides...

Trojan diploid perennial ryegrass with NEA2 endophyte provides superb leafy DM yield, palatability and persistence.

Turn your livestock into pigs this autumn with a new choice in...

Turn your livestock into pigs this autumn with a new choice in animal friendly grass that comes with improved insect protection.

Why would scientists use sheep if they want to find out how...

Why would scientists use sheep if they want to find out how ryegrass endophyte affects dairy cows?

The hunt for New Zealand’s next novel endophyte breakthrough.

The hunt for New Zealand’s next novel endophyte breakthrough.

Getting the best out of a top growing perennial ryegrass at this...

Getting the best out of a top growing perennial ryegrass at this time of the year comes down to one simple step: graze it three to four days earlier than other paddocks.

A brand new 2000 square metre cool store capable of keeping over...

A brand new 2000 square metre cool store capable of keeping over 1500 tonnes of ryegrass seed.

It might seem a bit early to be talking about summer feed...

It might seem a bit early to be talking about summer feed shortages. But in some parts of the North Island, the pieces are already in place for a potentially big feed deficit.

Few new pastures grow as fast or as much during winter as Shogun...

Few new pastures grow as fast or as much during winter as Shogun, and that’s one reason it has now become the hybrid ryegrass of choice for so many farmers across New Zealand.

There’s only one thing worse than seeing a badly pugged pasture...

There’s only one thing worse than seeing a badly pugged pasture in the middle of winter, and that’s living with the result – lost growth and the cost to repair the damage in spring.

Thank you to all those that entered. Here is a list of the lucky...

Thank you to all those that entered. Here is a list of the lucky winners who have won their own personalised pair of Barenbrug pasture measuring boots.

Farmers aren’t the only ones getting seed drills ready this...

Farmers aren’t the only ones getting seed drills ready this autumn. New Barenbrug pasture trials are being sown throughout the upper North Island as part of the company’s long running regional R&D programme.

When it comes to high performance annual ryegrass, you can’t go...

When it comes to high performance annual ryegrass, you can’t go past new Hogan as a 6-8 month annual ryegrass for paddocks which will be sown in spring crop.

It’s hard to know what the weather will bring this autumn. But if...

It’s hard to know what the weather will bring this autumn. But if it turns dry on your farm, having seed in the ground early, ready to germinate when rain does come, can be a good move. 

From dryland lucerne under sheep grazing in Wairarapa to more...

From dryland lucerne under sheep grazing in Wairarapa to more than a dozen Italian and annual ryegrass cultivars in the National Forage Variety Trials in Manawatu, Barenbrug’ lower North Island regional research programme has something for everyone this year.

After more than 10 years on the market, and countless paddocks of...

After more than 10 years on the market, and countless paddocks of very palatable, high performance tetraploid ryegrass pasture, it’s time for Bealey to retire.

Tyson, the new perennial ryegrass for sheep and beef, continues...

Tyson, the new perennial ryegrass for sheep and beef, continues to shine for the right reasons in a challenging North Canterbury pasture trial which has now been under evaluation for four years.

A new addition promises to make the DairyNZ Forage Value Index...

A new addition promises to make the DairyNZ Forage Value Index even more useful this year.

A novel science project at Barenbrug in Canterbury has cast new...

A novel science project at Barenbrug in Canterbury has cast new light on a pasture challenge that has not been widely investigated since the 1970s.

If you could use more early spring pasture to feed ewes with...

If you could use more early spring pasture to feed ewes with lambs at foot, New Zealand’s earliest heading perennial ryegrass is worth a second look this autumn. 

There’s a lot to like about undersowing. It’s fast, it’s...

There’s a lot to like about undersowing. It’s fast, it’s relatively cheap, you can cover a big area of ground, and you don’t lose much feed in the process.

Winter milk production often means using a lot of supplement to...

Winter milk production often means using a lot of supplement to keep autumn calving cows well fed through the colder months of the year.

Getting new grass to last and perform on peat soils in Taranaki...

Getting new grass to last and perform on peat soils in Taranaki starts with careful establishment and special attention over the first winter on Robin Rye’s farm east of Eltham.

North Island dairy farmers are being urged to give yellow bristle...

North Island dairy farmers are being urged to give yellow bristle grass the boot this month if they want save money and produce more milk from pasture over summer.

Mixing tetraploid perennial ryegrass with a diploid offers...

Mixing tetraploid perennial ryegrass with a diploid offers exciting potential to produce the same or more milksolids from fewer cows, with easier pasture management.

A new perennial ryegrass from Barenbrug combines the best of...

A new perennial ryegrass from Barenbrug combines the best of tetraploid feed quality with more early spring growth and better total yield than Bealey.

In DairyNZ’s latest rankings for the Forage Value Index (FVI...

In DairyNZ’s latest rankings for the Forage Value Index (FVI) Barenbrug is unique in having a top ranking, five star ryegrass in all categories of the FVI, not just for this part of the country but in every region in the system.  

Home Grown Feed, just released by Barenbrug, explains latest...

Home Grown Feed, just released by Barenbrug, explains latest grazing management techniques and innovations as well as key principles for getting the best out your pastures in the season ahead.

Pastures damaged by pugging or treading during wet weather can...

Pastures damaged by pugging or treading during wet weather can quickly put the brakes on the start of a new season.

Barenbrug’ latest diploid perennial ryegrass promises a big...

Barenbrug’ latest diploid perennial ryegrass promises a big improvement in early spring productivity.

Whether you’re feeding dairy cows, beef cattle, sheep or deer, a...

Whether you’re feeding dairy cows, beef cattle, sheep or deer, a summer crop of 501 Chicory has much to offer this season.

Un-seasonally warm temperatures; humid dull days and explosive...

Un-seasonally warm temperatures; humid dull days and explosive plant growth rates have created the ultimate high risk environment for nitrate poisoning on many farms this season.

Grass into Gold: Use of supplements is down, the six week in calf...

Grass into Gold: Use of supplements is down, the six week in calf rate is well up.

If you haven’t sown your new pastures yet, there’s no better time...

If you haven’t sown your new pastures yet, there’s no better time than now to get seed into the ground.

New Zealand’s top selling diploid and most widely used tetraploid...

New Zealand’s top selling diploid and most widely used tetraploid perennial ryegrasses both contain NEA2 endophyte. Why is this? What makes it so successful?

A common question being asked at present is this: “should I keep...

A common question being asked at present is this: “should I keep my chicory for a second year?”

Farmers who want early spring growth from their new pasture do...

Farmers who want early spring growth from their new pasture do not need to sow an early heading perennial ryegrass. 

The relatively wet summer weather we’ve had this year, combined...

The relatively wet summer weather we’ve had this year, combined with high temperatures, have created ideal conditions for crown rust in ryegrass in the upper North Island.

Just because farms in our region have not been hammered by summer...

Just because farms in our region have not been hammered by summer drought this year doesn’t mean pastures are high in feed quality.

White clover is a key competitive advantage in NZ’s pastoral farm...

White clover is a key competitive advantage in NZ’s pastoral farm sector. And that means the choice of white clover cultivar is important when you’re getting ready to renew pastures this autumn.

DairyNZ has recently released its latest rankings for the Forage...

DairyNZ has recently released its latest rankings for the Forage Value Index (FVI), the independent, region specific, profit-based index for short-term and perennial ryegrass cultivars. 

Pasture has never been more important in creating strong...

Pasture has never been more important in creating strong, resilient farm systems than it is now. So Barenbrug has made it easier for farmers to get more out of their pastures this autumn with a new free booklet called ‘Do the Right Thing’.

Both milk solids yield and cow condition have benefited from...

Both milk solids yield and cow condition have benefited from improved feed quality on the 330 ha property Cameron Woodhouse contract milks in the Wairarapa.

Italian and perennial ryegrass will be direct drilled very soon...

Italian and perennial ryegrass will be direct drilled very soon on Kathy Craw and Logan Bowler’s Marton farm as they aim to repeat the success of early sowing last autumn.

Winning the best new pasture category of DairyNZ’s annual Pasture...

Winning the best new pasture category of DairyNZ’s annual Pasture Renewal Persistence Competition was a pleasant surprise for Aaron this summer.

North Canterbury farmers keen to hoard every drop of soil...

North Canterbury farmers keen to hoard every drop of soil moisture after the first proper rain in 18 months should spray run out paddocks with herbicide as soon they get a weed strike.

Brightwater, December 22: Between the coldest winter in 20 years...

Brightwater, December 22: Between the coldest winter in 20 years, El Nino and the low payout it hasn’t been the easiest season to start sharemilking near Nelson

Cutting his stocking rate from 3.8 to 3.4 cows/ha has given...

Cutting his stocking rate from 3.8 to 3.4 cows/ha has given Hayden Cartright the opportunity to catch up on pasture renewal this spring.

Back in September Barenbrug ran a competition in conjunction with...

Back in September Barenbrug ran a competition in conjunction with the NZ Farming Facebook page in which we gave one lucky winner $1000 worth of pasture seed.

Marton, 2 November: Renewing the ‘right’ paddocks has taken on...

Marton, 2 November: Renewing the ‘right’ paddocks has taken on new meaning

Strong healthy ryegrass plants will survive dry conditions better...

Strong healthy ryegrass plants will survive dry conditions better than those which are weak.

Grass is a wonderful thing, except at the end of October when it...

Grass is a wonderful thing, except at the end of October when it goes to seed!

Invitation swede has been in the market for seven years now, with...

Invitation swede has been in the market for seven years now, with no unusual stock health issues reported.

There’s quite a bit of interest in double cropping this year and...

There’s quite a bit of interest in double cropping this year and by ‘double’ we mean sowing the same crop in the same paddock over two or more years.

Caledonian kale has been around for a while now, but there’s...

Caledonian kale has been around for a while now, but there’s still nothing like it when it comes to providing a winter crop with both excellent DM yield, and high quality.

Sowing ryegrass or brassica seed before soils reach minimum...

Sowing ryegrass or brassica seed before soils reach minimum temperatures for successful germination is never a good idea, even in years like this when spring gets off to a slow start in Southland and Otago. 

If it’s a choice between doing nothing with a poor paddock this...

If it’s a choice between doing nothing with a poor paddock this spring, or sowing it in chicory or turnips, you’re better off cropping it.

Cheap seed is not always as cheap as it may appear.

Cheap seed is not always as cheap as it may appear.

Tips for pasture management during lambing and calving.

Tips for pasture management during lambing and calving.

The Pasture Renewal Charitable Trust (PRCT) has launched a new...

The Pasture Renewal Charitable Trust (PRCT) has launched a new campaign aimed at encouraging farmers to renew 10% of pasture annually. PRCT project manager Tim Wood says the 10% target is a national average across sheep and beef and dairy farms.

The adverse conditions, particularly in North Canterbury, has...

The adverse conditions, particularly in North Canterbury, has reduced farms ability to produce feed.  To get things back on track, home grown feed is the cheapest option. 

This update is all about looking after pastures that have been...

This update is all about looking after pastures that have been affected by the recent floods in the lower north island.

Darfield 2 July: The first in-calf heifers are due to arrive this...

Darfield 2 July: The first in-calf heifers are due to arrive this week on Dougal and Alana King’s 365 ha conversion in central Canterbury, and in one key respect they won’t be a day too soon. 

Hedgehope 29 June: It’s been a wet, cold June on the Murdoch’s...

Hedgehope 29 June: It’s been a wet, cold June on the Murdoch’s Southland farm but in-calf cows are dry literally as well as figuratively, and pastures are safe from treading damage thanks to the wintering barn Blair and Rebecca built in 2008, plus a feedpad.

Carterton 11 June: Even though he knew some paddocks were not...

Carterton 11 June: Even though he knew some paddocks were not growing as well as others this past season, Cameron Woodhouse says he was still startled to find out just how big the difference was in terms of DM/ha.

Marton 22 May: Pasture renewal, drainage and broadleaf herbicide...

Marton 22 May: Pasture renewal, drainage and broadleaf herbicide for buttercup control remain farm budget essentials for 2015/16 while Kathy Craw and Logan Bowler put other capital purchases on hold. 

Cost-conscious dairy farmers finalising their budgets can tackle...

Cost-conscious dairy farmers finalising their budgets can tackle the low payout on two fronts – reining in operating expenses while spending wisely to protect and maintain their profit base. This is especially important in the South Island, where poor pastures left as they are act as a financial handbrake. 

Reporoa 8 May: New pastures are looking ‘great’ on the Central...

Reporoa 8 May: New pastures are looking ‘great’ on the Central Plateau farm Joy farms with husband Deverel and are nearly ready for their first light nip-off with calves. 

Waitaki Plains 7 May: Production is going well and pasture growth...

Waitaki Plains 7 May: Production is going well and pasture growth is also holding up for sharemilkers Morgan and Hayley Easton, with the latest average farm cover at 2650 kg DM/ha.

Timaru 29 April: Pasture covers have started to increase on...

Timaru 29 April: Pasture covers have started to increase on Hayden’s South Canterbury dairy farm, with the most recent average reaching 2280 kg DM/ha, and that’s a welcome change after a long and challenging dry spell. 

All eyes were on Craig and Trish Sinclair last week as the...

All eyes were on Craig and Trish Sinclair last week as the winners of the Hawke’s Bay Farmer of the Year opened their gates for a field day to reveal the ins and outs of their very smart business. 

Totara Flat 24 April: Pasture growth has been above expectation...

Totara Flat 24 April: Pasture growth has been above expectation for Paul on the West Coast this autumn, and as a result he’s been able to milk through March and most of April feeding grass only.

With crops or annual/Italian ryegrass grown in summer dry areas...

With crops or annual/Italian ryegrass grown in summer dry areas this year, the potential for nitrate poisoning is greater than usual. This most commonly happens when you start grazing the crop this autumn/early winter, so take care transitioning stock as outlined in this story.

Drury 2 April: Take care not to overgraze pastures during a dry...

Drury 2 April: Take care not to overgraze pastures during a dry and challenging summer has proved its worth for sharemilkers Susan and Mark Dyer on 160 ha (eff) at Ararimu this season.

Marton 2 April: New pastures are in the ground more than a month...

Marton 2 April: New pastures are in the ground more than a month earlier than last year on Kathy Craw and Logan Bowler’s Rangitikei property.  

One of the problems with our “new-normal” of dry or droughty...

One of the problems with our “new-normal” of dry or droughty summers is the effect these are having on our sowing season. In years like this, many farmers are starting sowing later than ideal, and the season is more condensed.

Morrinsville 30 March: ‘Fantastic’ autumn growth after good rain...

Morrinsville 30 March: ‘Fantastic’ autumn growth after good rain has seen recent pasture covers hit a surprise high of 2520 kg DM/ha on the 80 ha Aaron sharemilks with his wife Sarah at Tahuna.

Hedgehope 30 March: Daily pasture growth rates are finally...

Hedgehope 30 March: Daily pasture growth rates are finally getting close to where they should be after a challenging spring and summer on the Murdochs’ totally self contained System 5 property in Southland.

Rain in the past few weeks has helped alleviate dry conditions...

Rain in the past few weeks has helped alleviate dry conditions for many farmers throughout the country. With some soil moisture available, it’s now critical to strike the right balance between feeding animals, and maximising pasture and crop growth. This will make a big difference to how fast you get production back on track for spring. 

Reporoa 18 March: Twelve ha of new pasture should be in the...

Reporoa 18 March: Twelve ha of new pasture should be in the ground by this weekend on Joy and Deverel Thomas’ Central Plateau farm, thanks to recent rain.