Survey of paspalum in New Zealand pastures

Abstract

A survey was undertaken among farm advisory officers of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries to determine the distribution of, production from, and attitudes to Paspalum dilatatum in New Zealand. Paspalum is widespread throughout most of Northland, Auckland. Bay of Plenty, Waikato, and Poverty Bay. It is present in most of the remainder of the North Island and in north-western South Island. Abundance is decreasing in Northland and is static in most other districts except Waikato where some increase was noted. Factors such as site, soil type, and kind and intensity of farming system influence abundance. Distribution limits are set by winter temperatures, but summer temperatures influence its ability to compete with other pasture components. Growth normally begins in November, reaches a maximum in January, and declines quickly in April and May. Animal consumption is high over the whole growth period and highest from December to March. Attitudes to paspalum were related to its abundance in a district. Ability to produce herbage during summer was the characteristic considered most desirable, and exclusion of other pasture components by becoming sod-bound was regarded as the most undesirable feature.