In this issue...

• Italian ryegrasses can boost spring pasture production
  Italian or short-rotation ryegrasses have greater cool season growth potential than perennial ryegrass and offer a pasture renewal opportunity which can kick-start the milking season.
• Colostrum management: giving calves a great start to life
  Colostrum builds calves’ non-developed immune systems which is essential for the future productivity of a herd. Why is it so hard to ensure calves get quality colostrum when they need it and what management practices can help?
• Back to the future: making pasture work for you this spring
  Research by Waikato scientists in the 1970s and 80s revolutionised the way pasture was managed through winter and spring. Considering the need to minimise expenditure this year, it is important to revisit this work and understand its applicability for farming today.
• Superior forages could result from GM technology
  Improving productivity through superior feed is vital for the dairy industry. AgResearch has developed genetically modified (GM) forageswith dramatically faster growth rates and more metabolisable energy (ME). Limits on GM experimentation in New Zealand means the next stage of research - field and animal trials - may take place off shore.
• Science snapshots
• Snippets of hot science