From the field...

Kia ora <<First Name>>,

Welcome to the Quorum Sense Newsletter for July 2022. Our first item is a report on the successful bale grazing field day in Southland. We also have a new podcast and a webinar on available for replay, a report about Quorum Sense-supported regional groups and finally, the release of our comprehensive viticulture case study series.

Bale grazing field day, Southland

Happy well-fed cows, no mud and lower N leaching trial results were some of the observations made by attendees of the bale grazing field day held in early July. Hosted by dairy farmers Dylan & Sheree Ditchfield, Ross Monaghan and team from AgResearch and Quorum Sense, the day attracted more than 80 farmers and industry personnel. The field day included visits to the AgResearch trial taking place on the farm and to see bale grazing in action.

Farmers heard about how to trial bale grazing on their own farms this winter by starting with just one paddock or a couple of hectares. The details were included in the field day handout as well as information on the Ditchfield’s bale grazing system and the AgResearch trial. This is available as a download on our website here.

For more bale grazing information see: https://www.quorumsense.org.nz/case-study-content/bale-grazing

Podcast release this month

(episode #18)

Dairying team Janette and Carla Perrett discuss how moving to regenerative organic dairying has cut health costs, improved soil fertility and created deep connection with stock and land.

Animal health through nutrition - supplementing grazing livestock webinar - is now available

Listen to the webinar here

In this Quorum Sense webinar we look into how farmers can test for and identify limitations in animals diet, and how to support or supplement animal nutrition, especially during times of high demand (calving/lambing and mating).
 

Regenerative viticulture case study now live

We recently launched our regenerative viticulture case study, with pages of data and information backing up the 12 videos.  The case study looks at the regenerative innovation occurring on two very different vineyards: a large family owned and operated vineyard in Marlborough producing high quality sauvignon blanc; and a smaller vertically integrated vineyard in the Waipara Hills producing a diversity of organic wines.

Check out the full case study page here.

Finally, some insight into the QS team's own regenerative goings-on :

Deane Parker
"Nothing pretty to look at around here, we've had 28ml in the last 24 hours and 60 in the last 48 hours. One of the wettest winters in memory. Moral support to all the farmers struggling with the wet conditions, spring will come!" 

Chloë Dear
"We have been grazing our dairy ewes on a multi-species winter mix undersown with perennials with much success. Very happy with the way it has been working and the sheep love the mix. That came to a halt on Monday with the deluge - the ewes were up to their ankles on the feed so they were shifted in the yard and implement shed with baleage and hay. We hope to be back on the paddocks soon once the water level drops.