Agronomy Guides & Advice

Beat the summer pinch before it arrives Every year, farmers watch ryegrass pastures burn off in summer. Feed gets tight, stock performance slips, and options get limited. Lucerne is the answer more farms are rediscovering. October is the time to est...

Summer feed shortages creep up fast. When pasture growth slows, having the right crop in the ground can be the difference between stock humming along or hitting a wall. Each option comes with its own strengths and catches, so the trick is matching th...

Don’t spray blind October is spray-out season. Pastures are being taken out for cropping, and drills are lining up. But before you pull the trigger, take a walk. Those damp hollows, gullies, and wet corners in your paddock aren’t just awkward to wor...

Fodder beet has earned its place in New Zealand farming systems as a high-energy, high-yield winter feed. But it’s also one of the most unforgiving crops to establish. Get the setup wrong, and you’re chasing it all season. Get it right, and you’ll pu...

Spring cereals have plenty to offer – but they move fast, to make them pay, the first 6–8 weeks after drilling are crucial. That’s when weeds compete hardest, and when nitrogen demand begins to build. Two levers make the biggest difference to final ...

Getting a spring crop off to the right start isn’t about luck - it’s about stacking the odds in your favour. The first six weeks after sowing are critical, and small missteps at this stage can echo right through to harvest. Here are five factors that...