High sugar grasses boost profitability

• Published date: 28 September 2022
• Publication title: Central Rural Life

Germinal New Zealand’s award-winning Aber High Sugar Grasses (HSG) have been a key part of the farm’s permanent pasture mix for more than 10 years because they can withstand the cool and unpredictable climate of the Canterbury foothills

‘‘At the end of the day we are in the business of growing grass first and producing milk second,’’ Mr Barlass says.

‘‘The quality and quantity of milk is only as good as the forage we’re providing our stock.’’

Andrew runs two dairy operations near Methven, spread over 800ha with 1500 milking cows. His grandfather bought the farm in the 1940s and it has stayed in the family ever since — run by his father David since 1975 and now Andrew.

The farm has grown over time, with the purchase and lease of additional land. The dryland property is self-contained, which is unusual for Canterbury dairying, and all stock is raised and wintered on-farm during winter — with no supplement imported.

‘‘We take a more traditional approach and look to be self-sufficient,’’ Andrew says.

‘‘Winter feed is rotated through the farm and used as a tool to enable regrassing as pastures run out. We also use catch crops and are increasing the diversity of species in our new pastures.

‘‘Being unirrigated, the operation is subject to climate variability. To manage this, silage is made from surplus grass, usually in spring, occasionally in autumn, and used to fill feed deficits.

‘‘The self-contained approach gives us a good level of oversight and control, as we don’t have to rely on supplementary feed sources and all young stock is close at hand.

‘‘We have a full picture of the entire operation at all times, helping us understand our environmental footprint and proactively manage issues.’’

Agricultural sustainability is an ongoing challenge for farmers like Mr Barlass, as they seek to comply with Government-imposed nitrogen caps and other water quality controls. Pasture-based mitigation techniques and soil protection are important in the current environment, he said..

‘‘We are increasingly aware of soil health and microbiology.

‘‘We’re taking a more holistic approach to fertiliser management — using more potassium and trace elements, and lifting the pH of soils to make...