CA-CoP CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE
for sustainable production intensification

Dear Subscribers,

Professor John Baker, CEO and Chairman of  Baker No-Tillage Ltd and the promoter of the  Cross Slot No-Tillage Systems, has reminded us (see below) that almost all CA practiced in New Zealand involves pasture leys regularly integrated into the system. 

Amir Kassam
Moderator
CA-CoP
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: John Baker <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Mon, Jul 8, 2013 at 10:20 AM
Subject: Leys and CA
To: "[log in to unmask]" <[log in to unmask]>
Cc: Amir Kassam <[log in to unmask]>


Dear colleagues

 

For what it is worth, almost all CA practiced in New Zealand involves pasture leys regularly integrated into the system. Sometimes these are cut for hay. Other times they are intensively grazed in situ. Often they are subjected to both. One of the more intensive system involves spraying the ley with glyphosate about 3 days before harvesting it for silage and then immediately no-tilling a new arable or forage crop into the cut (and dying) ley stubble.

 

There is no doubt that pasture leys have a positive effect on soil health in the NZ CA systems, but of course this all takes place in a temperate climate, making it easy to achieve compared with arid or semi-arid climates. Nonetheless, we have come to understand how leys fit into the CA system better than most.

 

Kind regards

 

 

Dr C John Baker

CEO and Chairman

Baker No-Tillage Ltd

89 Kawakawa Road

PO Box 181

Feilding 4740

New Zealand

 

Phones:  +64 (0)6 323 1119 (O)

                   +64 (0)6 329 2775 (H)

                   +64 (0) 21 715 205 (M)

 

www.crossslot.com

 

 

 

 




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