Paddock Plants Field Day 21st March 2009
Paddock Plants Field Day 21st March 2009
Pasture grasses are the backbone of most grazing enterprises in the Orara Valley, but the ability to identify them is the key to their management for production and sustainability.
Orara Valley landholders have an opportunity to gain the skills of identification and management during a paddock plants field day being run by NSW Department of Primary Industries and Coffs Harbour Regional Landcare near Coramba on Saturday, March 21.
Kempsey-based district agronomist Carol Rose said many pasture grasses could be difficult to recognise and urged producers to take the time to attend the field day.
”Knowing what grasses you have and whether they are introduced, naturalised or native is the first step in their management,” Ms Rose said.
”This year presents an opportune time to inspect pastures, as many species are currently flowering and therefore are at their best in terms of identification.
”Seeing what you have is important in assessing management tactics in the future for these pastures. Understanding your species also allows you to assess your potential production and any possible problems.”
Most pastures in the Orara Valley contain a large number of grasses and other herbaceous species. The dominant species, usually grasses, largely determines the pasture characteristics, according to Ms Rose.
”The composition of a pasture varies from year to year depending on climate, grazing and fertiliser, and other factors, giving landholders the scope to alter species composition to meet management and sustainability goals.
”However, this is only possible if the individual species can be recognised.”
The paddock plant field day will highlight the recognition features of many grasses that are currently flowering and seeding in the pastures of the region along with their strengths and weaknesses.
This paddock plant field day is free. However numbers are strictly limited and bookings are essential. Bookings can be made by contacting Craig Stehn at Coffs Landcare on 66511308.
The day will run from 10.00 am to 3.00 pm, with morning tea supplied. However, participants will need to bring their own lunch, chair and sun protection. They can also bring along pasture plants (preferably flowering) from their own property for identification. Information sheets for each plant species from the day will be provided, along with the book “Grasses of the North Coast of NSW”.
Click below for a copy of the flier.