Farmers could face a feed shortage this season if they don't act fast to fix up widespread pasture damage caused by poor weather last winter and spring.
The extent of the damage has now become clear. Many paddocks are thin in ryegrass, and growing much less feed than normal with weeds taking the place of grass and clover.
Luckily, recent rain has set up ideal conditions for undersowing, one of the quickest and most effective ways to get pastures growing properly again before winter.
Well-known Waikato pasture specialist Richard Doney, Agriseeds, says a good undersowing programme can make the difference between having enough grass on the farm next spring, and spending extra money on supplements.
"A lot of farmers have already sorted out a renewal plan for paddocks severely damaged during all that wet weather last winter and spring, and that's great. But many of them also have an unusually high number of other paddocks which really need to be patched up before they get any worse."