FEATURE 34 <strong>Ashburton</strong> <strong>Courier</strong>, <strong>April</strong> <strong>21</strong>, <strong>2022</strong> www.ashburtoncourier.co.nz WINTER FEED & SILAGE Autumn grub and slug warning Arable farmers arebeing advised to keep agoodeye out for grass gruband slug populations heading into the busy autumn sowing period. In the case of grass grub, FARresearcher Richard Chynoweth says in adry year, many eggs arelost to desiccation, but thisseason’s wetter than average December and January meansalot of the eggs have survived and hatchedinto larvae. They’regoing to be tricky to manage and there are alot of factors to consider, he says. “It's quite easy to find grass grub larvae now as the good feeding season means they are biggerthan they would usually be at thistimeof year. ‘‘On theupside, this means they are potentially more susceptible to cultivation damage, but on the downside, they’re hungry. grub larvaeatpresent, but once those weeds are removed, presowing,they'll be sitting there waitingfor the new crop to come through andcancause enormous damage at that point. The use of ashort term cover crop that provides afood source mayactually provide someprotection of the main crop planting by advancing larval development so the stop 2474667 AVAILABLE NOW... BALE FEEDER Heavy duty2.4m x1.4m with 1.6mm steel sheet base. Competitiveprice–depending on quantity We canrepair and service: •Round bale feeders •Calf feeders •Sheep feedersand more Anddon’t forget we repair rotaryboomirrigators Phone 308 5903 weekdays l Email:agserve@xtra.co.nz On call 7days: Doug: 027 282 2245, Matt (Tomo): 0<strong>21</strong> 518 538 15 Malcolm McDowell Drive, <strong>Ashburton</strong> ThreeRivers Bale Feeders • Holds round or squarebales • Strong yetflexible. • Lightweight 35kg –staff and stock friendly • Easily movedbyhand –notractor needed • Will notrust and UV stable • Insulatedfor hotwirerollover • Optional adjustable ring – stop stock jumping in • New Zealand made • Custom built options available Grubby finds ...Grass grubs can decimate crops during awet season. feeding earlier in winter. “Naturally occurring pathogens are another thing to factor in.The wet seasonwill have suitedthem as well, but it’s really difficult to know what impactthey will haveon larvalpopulations. ‘‘Mysuggestion to all growersistoget outwith a spadeand look atthe number of larvae they'vegot, Alistair 027 487 6711 www.balefeeder.weebly.com l sherwoodhays@gmail.com especially relativetohow manyseeds of the cropthey're goingtoplant and make acall as towhether they need toput some treatmenton.” For slugs the story isslightly different as slugs’ major reproductiveperiod is just beginning,sothe summer rainfall may nothave influenced numbers to any greatextent,yet. 2476220 Feed quality fears There’s no shortageoffeed forupper South Islandsheep andbeef farmers —but qualityiscoming intoquestion. Beef+LambNewZealandisencouraging farmers establishing new cropsand pastures to keep aneyeout forslugs andother insect pestsbecauseofmoistsoils andpasturesurpluses. More pasture thatch than usual is creatingan environment for insectstothrive, as farmers deal with othergrass qualityproblems. Northern SouthIsland extension manager Lucy Murraysaidsome farmers haduptotwo winters’worth of feedinfrontofthem. Feed quality wasdropping duetoalarge feedsurplus, andfarmerswould need to focusonmaintainingfeed quality to maximise animalproductioncome springand nextsummer. ‘‘Weneed to encourage farmers to target key paddocks that theywill be lambingonand grazing lambs on in spring. Farmersmay wanttolook atbuying in stock to help managefeed qualityandthere areafewoptions with weaner calf sales, store lambs coming up from Southlandand dairy cattle forfattening.’’ AUTUMN SPECIAL *All prices plus GST Silage Tines .820 curvedfor silage grabs Only 25 available OUR SPECIAL PRICE $60 ea Phone: 03 308 2059 Mobile: 0274 326 847 mcmullanent@xtra.co.nz www.mcmullanenterprises.com PHOTO: RICHARD CHYNOWETH However, it’s important to note thatthankstothe wet season, unirrigated farmsare sitting on thesame conditions as irrigated ones,and may need to be more vigilant than usual. As withgrass grub, monitoringfor slugs is going to be absolutely key, especially in the high riskcrops like brassicasand clovers.’’ 2474676 IN BRIEF FEEDSERVICE Anational service hasbeen activatedbythe MinistryofPrimary Industriestosupport farmers sourcing feed.Priority areas are thoseaffectedbyrecent flooding anddroughtconditions. The activationis supported by B +LNZ and DairyNZ, withFederated Farmers contracted to deliver it. Theservicematches willing buyers and willing sellers –like a dating service, but forfeed. Registering is simple–ifyou require feedgohereorifyou have feed for sale go here. Oryou cancall0800Farming (0800 327 646) and select option 2 to request acall back. GUMBOOT RUN Join the Gumboot Runfundraiser, organised by FarmFit, from 6pm <strong>April</strong> 29 throughto6pm on May1to support mentalhealth. Donationsraisedduring the run willgotowards mental health charitiesIAmHope, andWill To Live.Anyone interestedcan download the Strava App by mobile phone and logkilometresasyou runduring those dates. For every kilometre run, donations will be raised to support the two charities. A&PCOMPETITION Alan Broomhall hasbeennamed overall winner of theMayfieldA&P Associationon-farmheifer competition.Itwas organised and run by Hayleyand JonDampney. Mr Broomhallhad second placing success in two classes; the Class 3GrazierR1Heifers, andthe Class4GrazierR2Heifers. TheMayfieldA&P committee wasthankful for thecommunity support and sponsorship forthe event. Full results:Overallwinner Alan Broomhall. Class1Owner R1 Heifers: 1st Grant Early, 2ndFraser Hutchinson ,3rd Steve Schmack. Class2Owner R2 Heifers: 1st MarkMcDonald, 2ndFraser Tasker,3rd BenWoodhouse. Class3Grazier R1 Heifers: 1st MikeRigarslford,2nd Alan Broomhall, 3rd DaveKing. Class4Grazier R2Heifers: 1st Dave King, 2ndAlanBroomhall, 3rdJames Murdoch. Spot Prizes: Ben Woodhouse most even line and Bert Oliver beef line.
Free Delivery in <strong>Ashburton</strong> Give us acalltoredeem T’s&C’sApply Massive IN-STORE Savings Call us @034<strong>21</strong> 6997 to secureone
Change language