Picture: Kiwi Seed 'Arrotas' Arrowleaf Clover

Hard seeds require longer exposure to environmental conditions before water can breach the seed coat and germinate the seed. This has long been viewed as generally undesirable in New Zealand dryland pasture systems. But this characteristic is perhaps a little misunderstood. 

An annual clover with a proportion of hard seed is included in a mix for a reason – greater first year growth than a perennial clover, and superior ability to withstand drought conditions. But the hard seed content can play an important role in the success of the permanent mixed species pasture too.

When establishing a mixed species pasture, often the farmer can run short on feed and will graze the new pasture before the annual clover has set seed. In this instance, the hard seed content in the original establishment sowing will be sitting ready to germinate the following autumn. No harm done!

When the perennial clover dries out and dies in drought conditions, the annual clover has already set seed; it dies as part of its life cycle anyway. There’s no coming back from death for a perennial clover, but the seed set with a proportion of hard seed from the annual clover means the farmer can graze it early, more years than not.

Hard seed has been getting a hard time – perhaps when it comes to resilient pastures we should all be softening our stance on it!

Hamish Stace - Kiwi Seed Agronomist 

Unprecedented flooding in Marlborough has caused significant pasture, and infrastructure loss, for our farmers and growers. Many farmers have busied themselves with track repairs and cleaning up fencelines.

We have been seeing the effects out in the field, carrying out farm visits to advise on re-establishing pasture in silt covered paddocks. Silt affected pasture isn't necessarily lost - there are a range of options for working through silt problems, some of them easier than you might think.  

Clover growth is now underway for the coming season here in Marlborough. There has been little rain, but shorter daylight hours urge the plants on.

A follow up visit on a spring sown mixed species pasture near Renwick shows Rubitas red clover as a dominant clover. It is easily recognised by the large white marks on its leaf.

The growth on show is very impressive. This will provide nutritious feed for livestock over the coming spring and summer as red clover is rich in protein, minerals and soluble carbohydrates. Rubitas is a short, prostate red clover and as a result of this is more suitable for grazing than hay making.

The most exciting feature about rubitas is its stolons above and underneath the ground. These stolons increase the tolerance to extended periods of grazing over other red clover varieties. This, together with its deep taproot make it an ideal candidate for summer dry, east coast pastures and a great companion for cocksfoots, megatas and herbs such as plantain and chicory.

Be sure to consider Rubitas next time you come to us at Kiwi Seed to help plan a new pasture mix.

The popcorn harvest is underway. Two mushroom varieties now dried and stored in our silos ready for machine cleaning. Both harvested crops were situated near Seddon and were under irrigation. Irrigation is essential given the dry summer experienced here in Marlborough and across several east coast regions. The other crops are north of Blenheim, toward Picton. In this area rainfall and soil moisture is high enough to finish popcorn in all but the extreme circumstances. Popcorn requires a good amount of heat to mature which is similar to the conditions needed for maturity of long season maize. Marlborough is considered borderline for this requirement due to its latitude.

Growers enjoy the crop. It is reliable with a good return for a broadacre venture.

Another niche market filled by Kiwi Seed.

Above: Popcorn undergoing the cleaning process.