VIII. Dargaville

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Abstract
Pasture growth rates over 12 years are presented for a site near Dargaville, Northland. The pasture consisted of paspalum (Paspalum dilatation), perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), Poa species, and white clover (Trifolium repens). Yields were obtained from a grazing trial cut by a standardised method using movable cages. Mean yield and standard error of individual samples are given for standard dates at 14-day intervals. Mean annual yield was 17 160 kg DM/ha of which 15% was produced during the winter months of June, July, and August, 30% during spring, 33% during summer, and 22% during autumn. The ryegrass component had maximum growth rates from early October to mid November and paspalum from mid January to mid March. Over summer and autumn paspalum production averaged 32% of the mean annual sward yield and it was strongly correlated with monthly mean daily air temperature (spring r = + 0.606, summer r = + 0.732, autumn r = + 0.823, P < 1%). Total pasture yield in winter and winter rainfall were negatively correlated (r = - 0.663, P < 5%).

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