Grazed pastures based on ryegrass species provide most of the feed for dairy cattle in New Zealand. There are many cultivars of perennial (Lolium perenne), annual and Italian (L. multiflorum), and hybrid (L. boucheanum) ryegrasses available for dairy farmers to use in pasture renewal. This study describes an index which ranks ryegrass cultivars relative to a genetic base according to the estimated economic value (EV) of seasonal dry matter (DM) traits. A farm system model was used to derive EVs ($ ha−1 calculated as change in operating profit divided by unit change of the trait) for additional DM produced in different seasons of the year in four regions. The EV of early spring DM was consistently high across all regions, whereas EV for late spring DM was moderate to low. Genotype × environment analysis revealed significant reranking of DM yield among ryegrass cultivars across regions. Hence, separate performance values (PVs) were calculated for two mega‐environments and then combined with the corresponding season and region EV to calculate the overall EV for twenty‐three perennial ryegrass and fifteen short‐term ryegrass cultivars. The difference in operating profit between the highest ranked and lowest ranked perennial ryegrass cultivar ranged from $556 ha−1 to $863 ha−1 year−1 depending on region. For short‐term ryegrasses used for winter feed, the corresponding range was $394 to $478 ha−1 year−1. Using PV for DM yield, it was estimated that plant improvement in perennial ryegrass has added $12–$18 ha−1 year−1 (depending on region) operating profit on dairy farms since the mid‐1960s.

trial to measure the effects of establishment techniques and fertiliser application on seedling establishment and early root and rhizome development of Caucasian clover (Trifolium ambiguum) was sown in early October 1992, on a low-fertility, depleted short tussock grassland site at Mesopotamia Station, South Canterbury. Three sowing techniques, broadcasting, sod seeding and strip seeding, each with, two rates of fertiliser, 150 or 300 kg/ha molybdic sulphur superphosphate, were used. By mid December, 48 and 38% establishment had occurred in the strip and sod seeding respectively, but only 9% inthe broadcast. Strip seeding was the most successful technique. resulting in earlier rhizome and tap: root development and wider lateral spread of rhizomes. However, both strip seeding and sod seeding resulted in all plants developing rhizomes 9 months after sowing. Plants from broadcasting were small with few rhizomes in the,first season. The higher fertiliser rate improved establishmenttrial to measure the effects of establishment techniques and fertiliser application on seedling establishment and early root and rhizome development of Caucasian clover (Trifolium ambiguum) was sown in early October 1992, on a low-fertility, depleted short tussock grassland site at Mesopotamia Station, South Canterbury. Three sowing techniques, broadcasting, sod seeding and strip seeding, each with, two rates of fertiliser, 150 or 300 kg/ha molybdic sulphur superphosphate, were used. By mid December, 48 and 38% establishment had occurred in the strip and sod seeding respectively, but only 9% inthe broadcast. Strip seeding was the most successful technique. resulting in earlier rhizome and tap: root development and wider lateral spread of rhizomes. However, both strip seeding and sod seeding resulted in all plants developing rhizomes 9 months after sowing. Plants from broadcasting were small with few rhizomes in the,first season. The higher fertiliser rate improved establishmenttrial to measure the effects of establishment techniques and fertiliser application on seedling establishment and early root and rhizome development of Caucasian clover (Trifolium ambiguum) was sown in early October 1992, on a low-fertility, depleted short tussock grassland site at Mesopotamia Station, South Canterbury. Three sowing techniques, broadcasting, sod seeding and strip seeding, each with, two rates of fertiliser, 150 or 300 kg/ha molybdic sulphur superphosphate, were used. By mid December, 48 and 38% establishment had occurred in the strip and sod seeding respectively, but only 9% inthe broadcast. Strip seeding was the most successful technique. resulting in earlier rhizome and tap: root development and wider lateral spread of rhizomes. However, both strip seeding and sod seeding resulted in all plants developing rhizomes 9 months after sowing. Plants from broadcasting were small with few rhizomes in the,first season. The higher fertiliser rate improved establishment and growth, particularly in the strip seeding-treatment; By using a strip-seeding technique Caucasian clover was established ai rapidly as white clover and plants of both species were similar in size after 5 months. Keywords: broadcast seeding, establishment, fertiliser, rhizomes, sod seeding, sowing methods, Trifolium ambiguum, Trifolium repens, tussock grasslands

The novel endophyte, AR37, in ryegrass has reduced porina larval survival and plant damage in pot trials. To determine the effect of AR37 on larvae in the field, populations were estimated in two ryegrass field trials in Canterbury. Plant damage and plant densities were also scored in one trial. At Ceres Farm, no porina were found in Italian ryegrass 'Status' infected with AR37 whereas low populations (

Over the last 10-15 years 'Ceres Tonic' plantain (Plantago lanceolata) has been added to many ryegrass/ white clover pastures in Northland. From 2001 to 2009, measurements were undertaken monthly in six locations throughout Northland to record the dry matter contribution of 'Tonic' plantain in mixes relative to perennial ryegrass-based pasture, using pasture cages in paired paddocks. Keywords: pasture mixes, dry matter production, seasonal distribution of dry matter, persistence

The responses of hexaploid caucasian clover (Trifolium ambiguum) to four contrasting grazing regimes were compared with those of white clover (T. repens) in an endophytic (Neotyphodium lolii) hybrid ryegrass pasture on a fertile lowland site. After 2 years, frequent grazing (set stocking) by sheep reduced caucasian clover cover to 10% compared with 25.5% in infrequent grazing (rotational grazing) treatments (mean spelling time 25 days). Similarly, frequent grazing reduced caucasian clover rhizome plus root dry weight (780 kg DM/ha when sampled to 100 mm depth in frequently grazed plots, compared with 3220 kg DM/ha for infrequent). Under frequent grazing treatments, mean white clover cover was 21%, under infrequent hard grazing it was 26% and under lax infrequent grazing it was 14%. The reduction in ryegrass tiller population from 5720/m2 in the infrequently and laxly grazed treatments to 4150/ m2 in the frequently hard grazed pastures indicated the severity of that hard grazed treatment. These results show that in lowland ryegrass pastures on high fertility sites, the stoloniferous growth form of white clover may be superior to the rhizomatous strategy of caucasian clover when grazing by sheep is frequent throughout spring, summer and autumn. Keywords: caucasian clover, cover, grazing frequency, grazing intensity, kura clover, rhizomes, ryegrass, Trifolium ambiguum, Trifolium repens, white clover