Central Canterbury grower Andrew Brooker’s comments were typical, milling wheat off light, irrigated land near Kirwee having done “far better than expected” though January’s rain had made Conquest’s Hagberg falling number borderline.
“Discovery did 12t/ha and the Conquest a touch under 11t/ha.”
Brooker’s ryegrass was “still close to 3t/ha off the paddock” despite 50mm of rain on it in the swath, and while early-sown spring barley was “ordinary” because of poor establishment in dry, cold seedbeds later sowings were “pretty good.” Unlike some clovers further south, where January’s rain produced excessive growth Brooker’s did nearly 1t/ha off 11ha.
“That’s pretty good for us, especially considering it was late-established and struggled for water.”
Pak choi was proving “a bit average” as Brooker’s harvest drew to a close in mid-March but carrot seed already in the bin had gone “very well”. Radish, still to harvest, was looking “really good”.
Snow peas for seed were perhaps the pick of his harvest, coming in at an exceptional 5t/ha. “Normally if we get 4t/ha we’re happy.”
FAR were due to hold trial results round-up meetings in early April. Go to www.far.org.nz for details.
