Ryegrass monocultures and mixtures containing at least one or two other grass species were compared on three sites over 3-6 years. At Atiamuri, under intensive dairying, a tall fescue-cocksfoot pasture yielded 3.7 t/ha/yr, and 14 kg/ha/day in spring and 17 kg in summer, more than the mdnocuiture. Under dairying at Opiki, a phalaris-ryegrass mixture yielded 1.8 t/ha/yr, and 5 kg/ha/day in winter and 7 kg in autumn, more than the monoculture. At Castlepoint Station, a cocksfoot-tall fescue pasture yielded 1.4 t/ha/yr, and 11 kg/ha/day in summer, more than the monoculture. These pastures would more closely meet (or exceed) animal feed demands, so increasing gross farm income through increased animal performance and carrying capacity. Keywords Grasslands Kara cocksfoot, Grasslands Maru phalaris, Grasslands Puna chicory, Grasslands Roa tall fescue, ryegrass monoculture, dry matter yield, animal demand

(Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), established successfully at most sites. Findlay-Wilkinson analysis of annual total herbage accumulation (THA) of four sites, found that Maru production was above average and resident production was below average. Variation in THA between sites and years was related to variation in annual rainfall (621-1484 mmI year). Wana was the most persistent grass at all sites (60% of THA after 4-6 years), followed by Nui (51 % of THA after 4-6 years). Maru was only persistent at Southland, Wairarapa, and Taupo (averaging 39% ofTHA after 4-6 years). Matua was only persistent at Wairarapa (32% of THA over 5 years), and Roa was only persistent at Taupo (58% of THA over 5 years). At most sites, at least one grass species (in many instances more) outperformed the resident sward.

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

A series of trials in Taupo, Wairarapa, and Southland showed that 'Grasslands Maru' phalaris (Phalaris aquatica L.) was well suited to dry hill country. It yielded as well as or better than 'Grasslands Nui' ryegrass and resident swards on an annual basis, being particularly productive in winter, spring and summer. Its spread by rhizomes ensured good swards which remained productive even under set-stocking. Maru suppressed grass grub numbers and continued to produce well under grass grub attack. Responses to fertiliser were good, but withholding fertiliser did not suppress Maru to any greater extent than other pasture grasses. These trials have shown that the seasonal and annual yields of Maru can add flexibility and improved production to hill country farming. Keywords: 'Grasslands Maru phalaris. seasonal production, grass grub, fertiliser, persistence, shelter, hill country

Introduction: One of the major impediments to developing better restoration strategies is the inadequate documentation of past restoration efforts. In 2008, Greening Australia commenced ecological restoration on the Nurcoung property in Victoria to enhance local biodiversity, and in this paper we report on the habitat restoration outcomes in the three Ecological Vegetation Classes (EVC) found on this property.

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

A trial was conducted on a seasonally dry slope near Taupo as part of a national series investigating the persistence and productivity in dry hill country of five grass species established from overs owing under contrasting nitrogen (N) and summer grazing regimes. The average annual total herbage accumulation (HA) (1983-87) was greatest from phalaris (Phalaris aquatica L. 'Grasslands Maru') swards (12100 kg DM/ha, 65% Maru); followed by a species mixture (11700 kg DMlha); tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.

Cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata) is the second most commonly sown grass species after ryegrass in New Zealand farming. In 1980, Grasslands Apanui was replaced by two new but very different cocksfoot cultivars characterised by improved digestibility and rust tolerance, cool-season growth and greater persistence. Grasslands Wana, semiprostrate and densely tillered, was developed for dryland pastures of low soil fertility heavily set stocked by sheep. Grasslands Kara, of low tiller density and open structure, was developed for lowland pastures of higher soil fertility as a companion to other tufted grass species to be rotationally grazed. Despite the different intended uses for the two cultivars, Wana was widely used in all environments. As a consequence, many farmers have been disappointed with the dominance of by Wana, particularly in lowland pastures of medium to high fertility where important companion grasses and clover have been suppressed, leading to poor pasture palatability. This paper describes key cultivar differences and discusses their implications for North Island farming systems, using the results of two on-farm trials to demonstrate cultivar and management effects. Guidelines on sowing rates, cultivar selection and management techniques for avoiding and reversing cocksfoot dominance are provided. Keywords: cool-season production, Dactylis glomerata, dominance, Grasslands Wana, Grasslands Kara, 'target cocksfoot percentage', lowland