New pasture mixes developed by University of Melbourne researchers are growing longer into the season than traditional ryegrass pastures.
Pastures of fescue and their own triple mix have a longer production cycle, says WestVic Dairy co-ordinator, Tim Nelson.
There are perennial pastures but, because we re not irrigating in this district, they have a very short production cycle.
The trials aim to improve pasture production and give us better seasonal distribution. This will allow us to have a better match between feed supply and demand across the whole of lactation rather than short, sharp seasonal burst of pasture production, after which we either have to conserve fodder or buy-in fodder, he said.
The pasture mix trial is funded by the Dairy Research and Development Corporation (DRDC).
There are a variety of pasture mixes being used to accurately compare on a field scale the traditional pastures with the new, mixed pastures that the University of Melbourne researchers have decided to use.
The overall aim is that we ll get a greater farmer knowledge of the attributes and the potential benefits of different pastures.
The trials have taken place on a variety of sites, reflecting the different soil types across the region, from heavier clay soils in the north to sandier loams on the coastal plains.
The triple mix and the fescue mix is starting to demonstrate that it has the potential to produce longer into the season than the traditional ryegrass pastures, said Tim.
Obviously, the purpose now is to demonstrate that this will translate into increased milk production. There will be some further trials taking place at the Glenormiston College, where we ll be looking at milk production.
WestVic Dairy staged a series of field days on the research in February and plans to organise more field days to deliver the research information to farmers.
WestVic Dairy is the Regional Development Program of the DRDC.
Contact Tim Nelson or Zhongnan Nie at WestVic Dairy on 5557 8200 or e-mail westvicdairy@standard.net.au