Help and advice

   

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Drought Recovery: Advice from our experts

 

Using N fertiliser

Following the first significant rain (15-20mm) a quick option to increase pasture production is to apply nitrogen (N) fertiliser. However, the size of the response will depend on sufficient initial rain and subsequent following rain to ensure pastures keep growing - remember that N fertiliser is a growth multiplier and so the faster pasture is growing at and following N application the better the response. N fertiliser cannot, unfortunately, replace water. Read more

Repairing pastures

Droughts damage pastures today, but also have a negative impact on future production. After a prolonged drought, most damaged pastures will not recover to their prior state, because the gaps in pastures become filled with low-producing weeds (e.g. thistles) and grasses (e.g. poa annua, browntop), which have lower feed value. Finances are tight so well-considered planning is needed to ensure any money spent gives the greatest return. Read more

Managing animal health

One of the most important points is to feed animals the best you can under the circumstances (especially energy) and, as with pastures, try to limit any effects to this season; ie culling hard and early so as to maintain condition of remaining stock, reducing the milking interval or drying-off cows early. Try to focus more attention on at-risk animals such as young stock. Also make sure animals always have access to adequate clean drinking water. Read more

Drought-fuelled pests threaten winter feed crops - Media release

As farmers across the country grapple with drought recovery plans and dry conditions, Ravensdown’s George Kerse Business Manager Agrochemicals is warning about the impact of insect pests on winter feed. ​“As if the lack of moisture was not bad enough, the consistent extremely dry conditions mean insect pests are becoming a real issue for farmers. Read more

​Autumn Newsletter - From our CEO Greg Campbell

Newsletter - Autumn 2013This is the fist Ravensdown newsletter I’ve been involved with and I hope you agree it is an informative and varied read.

You’ll see how the acid plant development in Awatoto is increasing its reliability. You can read about our expansion in the Wairarapa and how we maintain silos on the West Coast. Your laboratory ARL and your aerial spreading business Aerowork, show how they are innovating to keep costs down.

Also included in this issue:

• Winning the bug battle below ground.
• Your farm maps just got smarter.
• Supporting young farmers.
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