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| Latest update | |
| Booklet: | Grazing of the Wheat Grain Crop [1.5M PDF] |
| Updated: | 03 October 2008 |
The project is tracking well towards achieving the Year 2 objectives.
Three field studies were initiated during 2005 which aim to meet the Year 2 objectives:
Year 2
Field study A
Maximising drymatter yield (for grazing) without affect grain yield
An autumn sowing date (March, April) x sowing rate (grain crop = 100 plants/m2, cereal forage crop = 250 plants/m2) x plus/minus autumn nitrogen (100kgN/ha) trial has been set up to investigate whether a ‘grazed grain crop’ should be managed in autumn like a grain crop or a forage crop.
Drymatter & metabolisable energy have been mapped over mid-late tillering and early stem elongation. The area was grazed in mid-late August at late-tillering (April sown) to GS30 (March sown).
Harvest occurred in the week beginning 7th February 2006. Raw data was forwarded by harvest subcontractor Cropmark. AgResearch will analyse, disseminate and report outcomes to FAR, due 15th March, likely 1st May 06.
Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus (BYDV) infected (aphid vectors) many Canterbury cereal crops in winter 2005. Initial analysis of the harvest results still show differences between treatments albeit that yield overall has been reduced by the BYDV.
As of 21/7/06 FAR are in receipt of the final (Year 2) report from AgResearch. The report has important information & data that will assist in the immediate preparation of the best management guidelines booklet. Preparation of the booklet is now underway.
Field study B
Cultivar evaluation
A small plot cultivar trial was set up to study autumn sowing date (March, April) and feed value & drymatter production of a range of autumn wheat cultivars.
Harvest occurred in the week beginning 23rd January 2006. Raw data was forwarded by harvest subcontractor NZ Arable.
Field study C
Evaluate lamb growth on grain cultivar vs. forage cultivar vs. annual ryegrass
Equinox (grain cultivar), Doubletake (forage triticale) & Tama (annual ryegrass) blocks have been set up for grazing and consequent liveweight gain comparisions.
Grazing was begun at late-tilling of the March sown (250 plants/m2) Equinox.
Hoggets are weighed on and later off the blocks. Liveweight gain per head, and liveweight gain per hectare will be measured. Hoggets are strip grazed on the blocks for approximately 1 month.
No herbicides of fungicides were used, so to observe grazing effect on weed & disease.
Machine yields will not be taken from these areas.
Analysis by AgResearch revealed that lamb liveweight gain measurements showed that the grazed wheat crop gave significantly greater liveweight gains than the industry standards of ryegrass or triticale. This result is very positive for the project in terms of promoting the grazing of the wheat grain crop as a significant economic & sustainable opportunity for mixed cropping farmers.
FAR Arable Update
FAR Arable Update Cereals No.171 Grazing of the wheat grain crop - Year 2. May 2006. This information sheet was delivered to all cereal growers and industry on the FAR mailing list database (approximately 3000 members/subscribers). The project was cited as funded by MAF SFF & FAR.
Key Points
- Equinox wheat produced greater lamb liveweight gain (300g/head/day) than Tama annual ryegrass (249g/head/day) or Doubletake triticale (216g/head/day) over a 30 day period.
- Grazing the Equinox was economically desirable, providing $810/ha additional income, equivalent to growing a further 3.12t/ha of grain.
- When grazing March and April sown wheat, a plant population of 250plants/m2 gave improved drymatter production and increased grain yields compared to more conventional plant populations for grain crops sown at the same time.
- The application of autumn nitrogen gave significant benefits to both forage and grain production when no spring nitrogen was applied.
- Equinox gave the best combination of both forage yield at GS31 and grain yield compared with five other autumn wheat cultivars.
- Previous trials have shown that grazing at GS30-31 (beginning of stem
elongation) gives the best
compromise for forage accumulation without loss of grain yield from grazing.
Year 3
A project committee meeting was held on the 28th March 06. The purpose was to present to the committee the interim results from Year 2 such that Year 3 could be effectively planned. At this stage the committee was in agreement that no new field work other than the farm demonstration need to occur in Year 3, and were satisfied that all required information was in hand to commence the best management guidelines booklet planning/writing.
Once the booklet outline is complete, the farmer project management group will meet to discuss, making sure all reasonable information/questions are covered within the booklets outline. This must occur before late-July at latest to allow time for confirmation, printing & delivery to grain growers before mid-August.
Latest update
The 3 year project is complete, with all project milestones achieved.
Project objectives and benefits:
Historically (40 years ago), farmers grazed cereal grain crops but a number of changes in cereal agronomy including earlier sowings and new cultivars led to a marked increase in grain yields. With such high potential yields grazing was one aspect which was perceived to be detrimental to yield. The problem recently was that there was little knowledge on how to maximise production from grazing/grain systems. Information on the best grazing practices, crop management thereafter and financial returns was required.
A real opportunity for NZ mixed cropping farmers was not being realised – wheat crops can be grazed in spring, providing feed and extra income, without compromising the yield or quality of the grain crop. However, most growers were concerned that grazing would damage the growing point of the wheat plant, reducing ear numbers and/or photosynthetic area and, therefore, reduce yield.
The project aimed to give growers the confidence to graze the crop, while also giving them financial and sustainable reasons for doing so.
Financial benefits
- Grazing worth $150-250/ha at a time when feed is limiting will greatly improve feed availability across the whole farm.
- Income from the grazing the wheat comes in 3 months after grazing compared to some 6 to 12 months later if grain was the only income stream from the crop. Grazing wheat improves the cashflow of a wheat crop.
- Reduced need for fungicides, herbicides and straw-shorteners. Grazing may remove diseased leaves and weeds, and shorten the crop straw, reducing the risk of lodging. Cost savings of around $100 per ha could be achieved.
- Market diversification – wheat and lambs.
Environmental
Reduced reliance on agrichemicals and improved soil sustainability by incorporating animals in the farming system.
Social
$100-200 additional income on a $1000/ha wheat gross margin could be the difference between an arable farming operation being viable or not. MAF Arable Farm Monitoring Report 2006, “Profitability has taken quite a hit. The arable farm model profitability has fallen 59% since 2003, despite a reasonably good production season. Arable has not been feeling very positive about the future as margins for growers continue to be squeezed. There are more than a few top farmers in Canterbury looking seriously at conversion of part or all of their farms to dairy farming”.
This project provides answers to the following problems faced by growers:
- Grazing management – How late can I graze? What stocking rates can I use? How long should I leave stock on the paddock? What is the value of the feed to my stock? How can I grow more drymatter prior to grazing with no reduction in grain yield.
- Maximising benefits in the crop – Does grazing lower the level of disease? Does it remove diseased/infested leaves? What is the best disease/pest control strategy for grazed crops? Should I apply nitrogen after grazing to get faster re-growth? Will sheep reduce weeds so that herbicide usage can be reduced? Will grazing be as effective as straw-shorteners in preventing crop lodging?
The main project publication (booklet) gave growers access to practical and financial information on the benefits of grazing wheat, and how best to do it, giving them the confidence to take advantage of this opportunity. With financial benefits estimated up to $10 million over 5 years (20,000ha wheat (half NZ total) x $100/ha of grazing x 5 years) across mixed farming enterprises, and also expected environmental advantages, this project will make a positive difference to the mixed cropping farmers across New Zealand.
Outline of methodology used:
Year 1 - Understanding fundamentals
At four field sites around NZ studies were conducted to:
- Determine the ideal time to graze so that dry matter production, feed value, and grain yield are maximised.
- Determine feed value & dry matter of the crop at different growth stages (particularly in late winter/early spring)
- Monitor disease levels, crop lodging, and weed levels so that it can be determined when agrichemicals can be successfully excluded
- Demonstration sites illustrating the above points included field day visits. Written summaries and seminars were delivered.
Year 2 - New knowledge
The results from Year 1 field projects on optimum growth stage for grazing were used in Year 2 studies to examine the effect of sowing date. Studies were conducted to:
- Determine sowing dates that maximise dry matter production for grazing while producing a satisfactory grain crop
- Evaluate which cultivars provide the most dry matter of the best feed value, while producing the highest yielding grain crop
- Measure weight gains of animals grazing wheat.
- Define appropriate nitrogen fertiliser application timing for ‘grazed’ as opposed to ‘standard’ wheat.
- Determine whether autumn applied nitrogen is beneficial to dry matter production without being detrimental to the grain crop
- Monitor sowing date impact on disease levels, crop lodging, weed levels to determine when exclusion of agrichemicals can be made due to different grazing treatments
- Demonstration sites illustrating the above points at field-days and seminars with written summaries sent to all NZ grain growers
Year 3 - System development
- Finalised guidelines for the grazing of wheat grain crops.
- Investigated the financial benefits of grazing wheat - comparing wheat grazing to other typical crop/animal gross margins.
- Designed and conducted an on-farm field scale demonstration of the grazed grain crop, which enabled farmers and industry to visually see how the crops look before and after grazing. Main outcomes from the demonstration farm will be reported in rural press.
- Create a "best management practice" booklet which will be distributed to all grain growers throughout NZ via FAR mailing list, and made available on both the MAF SFF and FAR websites
- By farmers having practical and financial information on the benefits of grazing wheat, and how best to do it, they will have the confidence to take advantage of this opportunity. With financial benefits cumulating up to $10 million across mixed farming enterprises, and also expected environmental advantages, this project will make a positive difference to the mixed cropping farmers across New Zealand.
Outcomes
Summary of results
- Ten field trials over four seasons showed that grazing the autumn sown wheat grain crop at GS30-31 (ear at 1cm to first node – late August/early September) gives the best compromise for forage accumulation without loss of grain yield from grazing.
- In a liveweight gain trial, wheat produced greater lamb liveweight gain (300g/head/day) than annual ryegrass (249g/head/day) or triticale (216g/head/day) over a 30 day period.
- Liveweight gain resulting from grazing wheat was economically desirable, providing $810/ha additional income, equivalent to growing a further 3.12t/ha of grain.
- Flow on cost savings due to grazing can equate to a further $100–$150/ha.
- When grazing March and April sown wheat, a plant population of 250plants/m2 gave improved drymatter production and increased grain yields compared to more conventional plant populations for grain crops sown at the same time.
- The application of autumn nitrogen gave significant benefits to forage yield at GS30–31.
- Wheat cv. Equinox gave the best combination of both forage yield at GS31 and grain yield compared with five other autumn wheat cultivars.
- Information delivered to growers re ‘Grazing the Wheat Grain Crop’ has been timely in regard to limited arable business cashflows. The cold 2006 winter led to feed shortages - the project offered growers an opportunity to use their wheat grain crops as a feed crop when pasture and other feed supplies were short in late winter. Those that did take the opportunity were very pleased with the feed and also the immediate regrowth, combining to give them the confidence to graze other wheat grain crops in the future.
- Information dissemination – extension of results
- July 2004 - FAR Arable Update (information sheets) “Grazing of the wheat grain crop” posted to 2250 growers and industry throughout the South Island and Southern North Island.
- August 2004 - Project is outlined in presentation to FAR International Conference. Feedback requested.
- August 2004 - Grazing wheat article in FAR Crop Action weekly email newsletter.
- November 2004 - Chertsey field day site viewed and discussed at public FAR field day (growers & industry).
- November 2004 - Bulls field day site viewed and discussed at public FAR field day (growers & industry).
- December 2004 - Milford/Temuka field day site viewed and discussed at public FAR field day (growers & industry).
- December 2004 - Chertsey field day site viewed and discussed at public FAR Arable Site Open Day (growers & industry) – Major arable field day each year.
- August 2005 - FAR Arable Update (information sheets) posted to 2250 growers and industry throughout the South Island and Southern North Island.
- December 2005 - Lincoln field day site viewed and discussed at public FAR field day (growers & industry).
- May 2006 - FAR Arable Update (information sheets) “Grazing of the wheat grain crop – Year 2” posted to 2250 growers and industry throughout the South Island and Southern North Island.
- September 2006 - In early September the planned "best practice guidelines booklet" was delivered to all NZ cereal growers and industry subscribers on the FAR mailing list (relevant to approximately 2300 members/subscribers). Delivered at the time of the season where the opportunity exists to graze wheat, the booklet aimed to give growers the confidence to graze, answering all possible questions on the different aspects of grazing the wheat grain crop including:
- Project background
- The optimum timing for grazing wheat
- The economics of grazing wheat
- Nutritional value of wheat
- Grazing management
- Management of a wheat crop set up for grazing
- Applicability to other cereals
- Farmer experiences of grazing wheat grain crops
- Who else in the world is grazing wheat
- Agrichem with-holding periods relevant to grazing wheat
A copy of the booklet is attached and further copies are available from the FAR office 03 325 6353 or www.far.org.nz. The booklet was a success with much comment re the booklet itself, but also for growers sourcing various information, which followed with further discussion – and even action!
- September 2006 - "Rural Delivery" is a farming show featured on TV ONE on Saturdays at 7.30am and 12.00pm. The project was featured on Episode 28 on the 23rd September 2006 http://www.ruraldelivery.net.nz/absolutenm/templates/featuresTemplate.asp?articleid=345&zoneid=6 .An eight minute story was presented with Anton Nicholls (Project Manager), Craige Mackenzie (Farmer, Project Committee) and David Mitchell (Farmer, Project Referee) illustrating the opportunity that exists to graze the wheat grain crop, and farmer experiences so far with grazing wheat. The article was put together very well and many people commented that (with the pictures) they could fully understand the opportunities that exist. Copies are available from Showdown Productions info@showdownproductions.co.nz For a general overview of the grazing wheat opportunity, this is a "must see".
- September 2006 - A field evening was held at the farm scale demonstration site – Don & Andrew Harts, Methven. The format for the evening was a discussion group type forum facilitated by Anton Nicholls and hosted by Andrew Hart. The attendees got to view wheat being grazed, the remarkable regrowth since grazing, and discuss stocking rate, grazing duration etc.In fact the demo area was such a success that the Harts are aiming to bring grazing of wheat in to their normal wheat crop management.
- September 2006 - National Radio interviewed Anton Nicholls re the project. The 5-10 minute interview was aired on Saturday the 30th September 2006 as part of their farming programme.
- September 2006 - Post the demo field evening, the Ashburton Gaurdian & Timaru Herald ran articles outlining the project, the demo site, and the overall concept/opportunity. The articles promoted the guidelines booklet to a reader base which covers the two largest cereal growing areas in NZ, Mid Canterbury and South Canterbury.
- September 2006 - Grazing wheat article in FAR Crop Action weekly email newsletter.
- October 2006 - Grazing wheat article in FAR Crop Action weekly email newsletter.Results from the demonstration site e.g. ungrazed vs grazed grain yields are expected to be reported via FAR after harvest e.g. March
- March 2007 - Grazing wheat article in FAR Crop Action weekly email newsletter.
- August 2007 - Project key points presented in article in NZ Cropping Yearbook 2007.
- August 2007 - FAR Arable Update (information sheets) "Grazing of the wheat grain crop – Year 3" posted to 2250 growers and industry throughout the South Island and Southern North Island. This update summarised the 3 year project.
- At all times the project has been cited as funded by MAF SFF & FAR.
October 2006
The project is tracking well towards achieving the Year 3 objectives.
Year 3
Background
A project committee meeting was held on the 28th March 06. The purpose was to present to the committee the interim results from Year 2 such that Year 3 could be effectively planned. At that stage the committee was in agreement that no new field work other than the farm demonstration need to occur in Year 3, and were satisfied that all required information was in hand to commence the best management guidelines booklet planning/writing.
The season and the opportunity
Information delivered to growers re ‘Grazing the Wheat Grain Crop’ was timely this season especially. The cold winter lead to a feed shortage. The project offered growers an opportunity to use their wheat grain crops as a feed crop when pasture and other feed supplies were short in late winter. Those that did take the opportunity were very pleased with the feed and also the immediate regrowth, combining to give them the confidence to graze other wheat grain crops in the future.
Technology Transfer
In early September the planned ‘best practice guidelines booklet’ was delivered to all NZ cereal growers and industry subscribers on the FAR mailing list (relevant to approximately 2300 members/subscribers). Delivered at the time of the season where the opportunity exists to graze wheat, the booklet aimed to give growers the confidence to graze, answering all possible questions on the different aspects of grazing the wheat grain crop including:
- Project background
- The optimum timing for grazing wheat
- The economics of grazing wheat
- Nutritional value of wheat
- Grazing management
- Management of a wheat crop set up for grazing
- Applicability to other cereals
- Farmer experiences of grazing wheat grain crops
- Who else in the world is grazing wheat
- Agrichem with-holding periods relevant to grazing wheat
A copy of the booklet is attached and further copies are available from the FAR office (free of charge to FAR members/subscribers, $10 each otherwise).
The booklet was a success with much comment re the booklet itself, but also for growers sourcing various information, which followed with further discussion – and even action!
- ‘Rural Delivery’ is a farming show featured on TV ONE on Saturdays at 7.30am and 12.00pm. The project was featured on Episode 28 on the 23rd September 2006 http://www.ruraldelivery.net.nz/absolutenm/templates/featuresTemplate.asp?articleid=345&zoneid=6 . An eight minute story was presented with Anton Nicholls (Project Manager), Craige Mackenzie (Farmer, Project Committee) and David Mitchell (Farmer, Project Referee) illustrating the opportunity that exists to graze the wheat grain crop, and farmer experiences so far with grazing wheat.
The article was put together very well and many people commented that (with the pictures) they could fully understand the opportunities that exist.
Copies are available from Showdown Productions info@showdownproductions.co.nz For a general overview of the grazing wheat opportunity, this is a ‘must see’.
- A field evening was held at the farm scale demonstration site – Don & Andrew Harts, Methven. The format for the evening was a discussion group type forum facilitated by Anton Nicholls and hosted by Andrew Hart. The attendees got to veiw wheat being grazed, the remarkable regrowth since grazing, and discuss stocking rate, grazing duration etc.
In fact the demo area was such a success that the Harts are aiming to bring grazing of wheat in to their normal wheat crop management.
- National Radio interviewed Anton Nicholls re the project. The 5-10 minute interview was aired on Saturday the 30th September 2006 as part of their farming programme.
- Post the demo field evening, the Ashburton Gaurdian - Timaru Herald ran articles outlining the project, the demo site, and the overall concept/opportunity. The articles promoted the guidelines booklet to a reader base which covers the two largest cereal growing areas in NZ, Mid Canterbury and South Canterbury.
Copies of the newspaper articles are attached.
- Results from the demonstration site e.g. ungrazed vs grazed grain yields are expected to be reported via FAR after harvest e.g. March
- At all times the project has been cited as funded by MAF SFF & FAR
