Grass species used and pasture establishment practices in central New Zealand

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Abstract
This survey was carried out to obtain information on seed establishment practices of dairy and sheep farmers of the central districts of New Zealand, from South Auckland to Canterbury. Sheep and dairy farmers in different regions did not differ significantly in their pasture establishment practices. Many sowed pasture seed every year, and old pastures were renovated rather than new land developed. Most either broadcast or drilled their seeds; a small proportion of farmers used both methods. An increase in drilling is anticipated. Farmers used, or intend using, simple pasture mixtures containing 2–4 grass species. Single pasture species have been, and will be used either for renovating old pastures, establishing special purpose leys, or for seed production. Ryegrass was the most popular grass species and ‘Grasslands Nui’ the most widely used cultivar. Farmers generally sowed their pastures in autumn, irrespective of region. They relied on their experience to select pasture species, and the seeds were purchased from seed merchants who made up the seed mixture. Seed rates used by farmers were 30–35 kg/ha.

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