In dryland cotton cropping systems, the main weeds and effectiveness of management practices were identified, and the economic impact of weeds was estimated using information collected in a postal and a field survey of Southern Queensland and northern New South Wales. Forty-eight completed questionnaires were returned, and 32 paddocks were monitored in early and late summer for weed species and density. The main problem weeds were bladder ketmia (Hibiscus trionum), common sowthistle (Sonchus oleraceus), barnyard grasses (Echinochloa spp.), liverseed grass (Urochloa panicoides) and black bindweed (Fallopia convolvulus), but the relative importance of these differed with crops, fallows and crop rotations. The weed flora was diverse with 54 genera identified in the field survey. Control of weed growth in rotational crops and fallows depended largely on herbicides, particularly glyphosate in fallow and atrazine in sorghum, although effective control was not consistently achieved. Weed control in dryland cotton involved numerous combinations of selective herbicides, several non-selective herbicides, inter-row cultivation and some manual chipping. Despite this, residual weeds were found at 38–59% of initial densities in about 3-quarters of the survey paddocks. The on-farm financial costs of weeds ranged from $148 to 224/ha.year depending on the rotation, resulting in an estimated annual economic cost of $19.6 million. The approach of managing weed populations across the whole cropping system needs wider adoption to reduce the weed pressure in dryland cotton and the economic impact of weeds in the long term. Strategies that optimise herbicide performance and minimise return of weed seed to the soil are needed. Data from the surveys provide direction for research to improve weed management in this cropping system. The economic framework provides a valuable measure of evaluating likely future returns from technologies or weed management improvements.

Between 8000 and 10 000 ha of Grasslands Puna chicory are now sown annually in New Zealand, largely as a high quality forage herb capable of finishing a range of livestock types including deer, sheep, and cattle. This paper details the specific establishment requirements of Puna, including: weed control, renovation rotation methods, cultivation techniques and sowing methods. Management requirements are also discussed with particular emphasis on grazing management, including optimum rotation length and post-grazing residual height. Maintenance fertiliser and herbicide requirements, and stock health issues are also covered, with reference to the use of Puna in various livestock systems and its effect on profitability. Keywords: Cichorium intybus, establishment, Grasslands Puna, leaf proportion, pre-grazing height, post-grazing residual height, 'rotational block grazing', stem development, stem control

Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) is now well proven on New Zealand dairy farms as a pasture species capable of producing high levels of milk production. Compared with perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) it offers benefits of higher annual and summer growth, higher clover contents in pasture, higher green leaf to stem ratios in summer, reduced plant pulling, better animal health, grass grub (Costelytra zealandica) and Argentine stem weevil (Listronotus bonariensis) tolerance, tolerance of wet soils, and drought tolerance and growth. Tall fescue can be recommended for dairy farmers in areas where summer growth and quality of ryegrass is reduced by moisture stress or high temperatures, and for those willing to adjust their grazing and establishment practices to suit tall fescue. Keywords: dairy farms, Festuca arundinacea, tall fescue

A drought pasture demonstration programme was established on the east coast of the North Island, between 1990 and 1992. Dryland pasture species were established on 1500 ha, on 91 farms, to encourage other farmers to use them rather than relying totally on perennial ryegrass. 97% of pastures were established successfully, proving to farmers that dryland pasture species can be established reliably. As well as establishing pastures after cultivation, it was also proven that these species can be reliably established by direct drilling, or by oversowing onto hill country, using techniques developed in this programme. Some farmers monitored the amount of grazing obtained from the new pastures, and found that on average they received 112% more grazing annually than resident pastures, the largest increases occurring in summer. Many farmers also reported better animal growth rates on the new pastures, especially in summer and autumn. Monitoring of species presence in tiller cores has shown the sown species to be persisting well to date (Nov 1992), with the exceptions of tall fescue and grazing brome when sown onto hill country. The programme reinforced factors important in the establishment and grazing management of dryland pastures. The programme has brought about a noticeable change in attitude to dryland species, and seed sales have increased markedly while ryegrass sales have decreased. Keywords: Cichorium intybus, Dactylis glomerata, drought, Festuca arundinacea, demonstration, dryland pasture establishment

The Drought Pasture Demonstration Programme invloves 81 farms in the North Otago and South Canterbury areas, with an average 19.7 ha per farm, and total area of 1595 ha. The purpose is to demonstrate, in a practical and effective way, the benefits and establishment methods of drought tolerant pasture species. Ten different species of forage grasses, legumes and herbs were used, comprising 19 different cultivars. Half the area was sown in February and March 1989 with the remaining areas sown in spring 1989 and autumn 1990. Sowing was done by either full cultivation, minimum tillage or direct drilling. A 97% success rate was achieved in establishing these pastures, despite a dry and mild autumn, demonstrating to farmers that with correct technical advice the risks of poor establishment are low. The aspects most important for pasture establishment were paddock preparation, moisture at sowing, timing, sowing depth, insect control, soil fertility, initial grazing, and patience. A survey of farmers has shown that a large number of farmers in the region have already viewed the demonstration pastures, and subsequently sown their own. Keywords dryland, pasture establishment, drought, technology transfer