Continued irrigating until rain arrived on 20 June, I believe it was woth
while, and worth the risk
Shane Stevens
COROWA
----- Original Message -----
From: "Frank Tyndall" <ftyndall@ozemail.com.au>
To: <vicdairy-l@unimelb.edu.au>
Sent: Sunday, July 02, 2006 4:31 AM
Subject: Re: Irrigation in winter
> Peter,
> I would think if the soil is short of moisture, and if you can irrigate
> the deficit amount only, by spray, or if you have to apply by flood, the
> paddocks do not remain water-logged for too long, and if it is not about
> to rain, and if fertiliser and grazing are up to the mark, definitely
> irrigate. A few "if's" there, but irrigating in winter is a risk, where
> the risk can be minimised.
>
> I think we tend to blame low soil temp unfairly for low growth in winter.
> It obviously has an effect on growth, and will reduce it to near zero if
> the grazing rotation is too short and the previous graze height too short.
> Last winter I saw 60kg DM per day growth rate at Maffra. Annual ryegrass,
> great soil moisture and nutrient, 60 days since grazing, and residue at
> previous grazing about 5cm. The "book" says 5 kg DM per day is normal.
> Regards
> Frank Tyndall
> Sale.
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