Aber high sugar grass is proving its persistence on a lower Kaituna River dairy farm where the alluvial soil can be under water in winter and too dry in summer.
A major supermarket chain is asking farmers to graze their lamb, beef and dairy stock on Aber high sugar grass for its environmental benefits.
The high sugar ryegrasses that reduced animal methane emissions in UK trials are the same varieties grown on New Zealand farms to boost animal productivity, says a seed company that has promoted high sugar grass for the past seven years.
The resilience of Aber high sugar grass has seen Tokoroa dairy farmer Graeme Barr through another dry summer.
New Zealand's biggest privately owned sheep and beef station is resowing pasture into AberHSG high sugar grass after its grazing trials showed livestock gains that could be worth an extra $1 million in annual revenue.
One of the best things about putting in high-sugar rye grass, was it held up really well under the drought conditions experienced in 2008, says Kiwitea dairy farmer David Scott.
An Opunake dairy partnership is using Aber high sugar grass for all pasture renewal after observing the performance of AberDart pasture over the past 18 months.
A grass that can boost animal production and at the same time reduce nitrogen waste should be given credit for its environmental benefits, says an environment award winning farmer.
