SUMMERLANDS STATION VISIT – JANUARY 24, 2017
Waihopai Valley, Marlborough
ARROWLEAF CLOVER TOPDRESSING PROJECT

2014 whilst fertilising pastures on river flats, 2kg/ha of Arrotas Arrowleaf Clover was added and broadcast with the fertiliser into native pasture.

The results have been quite outstanding.

Spring/summer 2016 - the volume of legume placed a strain on the animal numbers to cope with the feed on offer, over the months October until Christmas.
On my visit, a mid-January rain had started off next season’s plants. This may result in a false strike, but later rains will start the process proper.

The lesson – Arrotas Arrowleaf is without question the best of the top flowering annuals in a dry, hot, north facing situation where soil moisture is never at saturation.

A hot dry February is the key, sow then, graze then steer manage next season’s results then, simple…..

Build your seed bank and let your seed bank look after you.

It’s possible 1000kg seed per ha may be dropped from the last season plants. Visualise that, and the investment was only $25-$50 per hectare.

Clovers, ignore them at your peril.

Bruce