Seed Services
Massif Alliance:
“Introducing New Products & Ideas”
Increase Cropping + Retain Stock = Extra income
Many Farmers especially those in the high rainfall regions are considering if they should sell off the stock and go for total cropping. The alternative could be. "Increase cropping and retain the stock". This entails increasing the productivity of the stock to make land available for increased cropping. Our aletrnative can help do this.
Major increases in stock prices. = Stock owners dilemma.
REBUILDING THE HERD v CASHING IN.
The principals of Massif Alliance would like to have an alternative considered.
Animal production mainly for meat is on the up. The supply situation is increasing prices which should enhanse profitability.
Why not have the best of both worlds and retain stock numbers and increase cropping by the ulitisation of grazing cereals.
Two such cereal are Massif Oats which has been around for many years and Forerunner Triticale that has only been grown in WA in the last 4 years.
Both lines are long season and can grow to over 2metres tall.
Experience has now shown they both have great grazing potential and can be grazed multiple times at a high stocking rate. This in turn cuts down the hightand the stalkiness when it comes to making hay.
"Our aim is to assist long term customers to increase productivity in their animal products and hay production. We look forward to sharing their experiences on how they have utilised this crop that has been grown in Western Australia without disease or insect problems for four years."
Early sowings are important for early winter and total fodder production. Early sowing is especially important to allow good growth before cold winter temperatures restrict growth.
In 2010 there was one of the most widespread drought in WA farming history. After the low production oaten hay crop had been cut or were not worth baling. Forerunner which was still green picked up a late rain and was producing 5 to 7 tonnes of baled hay per ha.
In 2011 over 60% of export hay in WA was ruined becuase of September rain, plus there was 1000’s of tonnes of substandard hay stored in farmers sheds and many thousands of dollars was spent purchasing fungicides to combat leaf rust in oat crops. Forerunner Triticale was growing witin metres oat crop badly effected by rust with out any sign of leaf rust.
Over a major part of the agricultural areas in 2012 it was again a very dry and becuase of Forerunner deeper rooting characteristics it still produces a viable hay production.
In September 2013 it rained for over 20days in most areas. The early cut hay crops then had problems with mould. The later maturing Forerunner Triticale and Massif Oats benefited from the late rains and haymaking didn't need to start until late October or early November after the spring rains.
It was this year where the real benefits of these lines as grazing cereals were estabilished.
2014 Was a realygood year for fodder production. The dry warm spring meant these vareties fourished. Although some of the oaten again was spoiled with Setember rains. The Forerunner showed it's benefit as a nursery crop when sown with pasrture species or vetches. In onr region the vetch/Forerunner hay was 13 Me. These combintions were grazed, then cut for silage or hay.
Why not consider Forerunner Triticale or Massif Oats as a backup.It wasn’t troubled by leaf rust, the haymaking was later so missed most of the spring rains and it had feed qualities equal export hay standards.