Mackenzie grass trials

Press, 11 May 1984, Page 17

Mackenzie grass trials

Demands of the wide variations of climate and altitudes in the Mackenzie country create problems for the regrassing of sheep stations in the Mackenzie country.

To eliminate the hit and miss of the past a new grass research section has been established near Lake Tekapo. Under the supervision of Dr David Scott, of Grasslands Division, D.S.I.R. Lincoln, a 40 hectare area has been fenced into 50 by 50 metre plots. Each have been planted with various species of grass to establish regrowth characteristics relevant to the high country. Yields will

be measured during four week periods in early spring, mid summer and mid autumn. Grasses difficult to establish in the high country because of low initial fertility will be tested for possible improvement in fertility rate using artificial nitrogen before establishing the legume. Because a wide range of grasses are being advocated for high country use, tests of these hypotheses will be done by setting up a range of different fertiliser and grazing management regimes. Evaluation of the merits of birdsfoot trefoil, alsike, tall fescue, creeping legumes (with demonstration

plots for legumes), grasses, herbs and other species of the dry high country, along with scientific control, will be undertaken.

Included will be lucernes, clovers, vetch and lupins.

Also to be tested are sweet vernal, sheep’s burnett, chicory, hawkweeds such as mouse ear and Hieracium, silver tussock, blue tussock, browntop, Yorkshire fog, and Timothy. Irrigation to simulate the varying rainfalls in the region will be operated with a sprinkler system. Dr Scott, said he would not be making any statements on grass potentials until definite data is obtained.

Tekapo correspondent

Summary of the 1984 Recommended List for Autumn-Sown Wheats Character Full Special Provisional Bounty Karamu Advantage Rongotea Kopara Konini Oroua Abele Crossbow Yield as a percentage of control 120 108 105 101 99 98 94 127 116 Resistance to stripe rust* 9 7 8 4 6 8 4 8 8 Bread baking quality Poor Poor Fair Fair Fair Fair Good — — Price -20% -15% Std Std Std Contract +5% Not arranged or • contract or■contract * Score of 1 to 9 with 9 being resistant and 1 being fully susceptible.