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TESTIMONIALS
Adopting the latest innovative grasses is just one of the projects being tackled in a major development programme on the property of an award-winning Maori farming partnership north of Gisborne.
Pakarae Whangara B5 Partnership is midway through a $2 million, five-year development including fencing, fertiliser, regrassing and reticulated water systems for stock. The extensive 5600 hectare hill property has 11 full-time staff and carries 50,000 stock units following the joining of two neighbouring Maori incorporations of Ngati Konohi in 2006 to provide economies of scale.
Richard Scholefield with Joanne Amyes
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- Excellent dry matter production
- Suitable for dairying and intensive sheep and beef
- Improved tiller density for even better persistence
- Late heading date (18 days later than Nui)
- Bred for increased sugars and higher digestibility (ME)
- No Lolitrem B (the main agent causing ryegrass staggers)
- Endo5 provides protection against Argentine Stem Weevil, Pasture Mealy Bug and adult Black Beetle.
BANQUET® II is a tetraploid long rotation ryegrass, suitable for permanent pasture. BANQUET® II originates from a technically advanced breeding programme, and has a range of features far ahead of other ryegrasses. Tetraploid and late flowering, BANQUET® II has also been selected for increased sugar content and digestibility, which improves rumen efficiency, animal performance, and protein utilisation.
BANQUET® II contains a novel endophyte (Endo5) that has been successfully tested in an official AgResearch animal safety trial. BANQUET® II contains elite ryegrass genetics from three origins that provide even better levels of persistence, and winter and summer dry matter production.
Sowing and Establishment
BANQUET® II (tetraploid) seed is heavier than diploid seed, so ideally BANQUET® II should be sown at a 40% higher rate than diploid cultivars. Sow at a minimum of 22kg/ha in a mix with SUPERSTRIKE® clover. BANQUET® II performs best on sites with reasonable soil moisture and medium to high fertility.
Grazing Management
As with all grasses overgrazing of BANQUET® II should be avoided. Given the higher palatability of tetraploids, stock may graze it to lower residuals than diploid perennial ryegrasses. As BANQUET® II Endo5 contains Ergovaline for insect protection, avoid prolonged set stocking or grazing of fresh regrowth of these pastures during summer and autumn.