PGG Wrightson Seeds

11/04/2026

We said quick.....
And in the Waikato, Abuzz is already off to a flying start. Quick to establish and deliver early feed for grazing or silage.

See more about Abuzz on our website.
https://f.mtr.cool/jyafmkqmjw

07/04/2026

Running a small plot forage trial starts well before the seed is drilled. This autumn, we are drilling plot trials across 10 trial sites throughout New Zealand.

First, we select a suitable site, correct any soil deficiencies, and put the site through a suitable cropping round to control weeds, just like you would on a farm. Once the previous crop is finished, to prepare the trial area, we spray out and cultivate it to create a fine, firm, weed-free seedbed that will optimise germination and plant establishment.

Because we are comparing multiple cultivars, we use replicated plot trials. This allows us to accurately measure dry matter production and other performance factors, with every plot managed under the same conditions. All data collected goes through statistical analysis software to produce tables and graphs so you can make informed decisions for what cultivar is going to work best in your system.

Our plots are typically 1.2 m by 5.5 m, just 6.6 square metres or 0.00066 hectares, much smaller than an on-farm area. We use custom drills designed for these plot sizes, which means we weigh out seed for every individual plot. For example, sowing a tetraploid perennial ryegrass at 28 kilograms per hectare works out to be 25.2 grams per plot.

There is a lot that goes into preparing a trial, but we take pride in being able to produce results that will make a difference when you are making on-farm decisions.

04/04/2026

Some timely advice from Mike Fairbairn, our Southern South Island Area Sales Agronomist. As swedes continue to establish and bulk up, make sure you’re staying on top of your bug watch. Early identification and management can make all the difference to crop performance and feed value.

If you’re unsure what to look for or when to act, get in touch with your local agronomist for advice.

01/04/2026

Our Extension Agronomist Chris Sanders has recently been in Chile, continuing our long standing support of pasture development in the region. Chris visits Chile most years and is primarily based in an area at a similar latitude to New Zealand, which creates great alignment for forage systems and product performance.

The purpose of the trip was to provide sales and technical support to our Chilean partner ANASAC, which wholesales PGG Wrightson Seeds branded products through a nationwide retail network.
While there, Chris spent time with Agropasto, a consulting business that works closely with ANASAC. They are seeing excellent on farm results, particularly by prioritising the establishment of a strong clover component in pasture, something that hasn’t been common practice in Chile in recent years.

Chris also spoke to a group of local farmers, with the help of Howard Langer (ANASAC), translating, discussing pasture management strategies and introducing newer products for Chile, including Palliser and Vast.
It’s always rewarding to see New Zealand pasture expertise making a difference overseas, and to be part of conversations that drive better on farm outcomes across different farming systems.

23/03/2026

Autumn is the perfect time to assess pasture performance and identify opportunities to boost winter production. Pasture condition scoring is a valuable decision‑making tool at this stage, helping guide these decisions. Pastures with low plant populations are often strong candidates for undersowing.

Undersowing is a cost-effective way to improve rundown pastures, boosting sward density and feed quality. When choosing a cultivar to undersow, speed out of the ground and strong winter growth are key factors to get the best out of the pasture. Two cultivars from our stable that are undersowing superstars are Palliser and Lush.

Palliser is the bowler-batsman: growth and rapid establishment, with Italian and perennial persistence. It is a long-rotation hybrid tetraploid ryegrass, a good 3-4 year option.

Lush is an Italian tetraploid ryegrass, a shorter-term high producer. It jumps out of the ground quickly and has great cool-season growth. You'll boost production over a 1-2 year timeframe. This is a good option if a paddock is coming up for a cropping rotation.

For more detail on how to score your own pastures, check out the Pasture Condition Scoring section on our website.
https://f.mtr.cool/kbaptrfeyf

16/03/2026

Four seasons in, Quartz and Amigain are still delivering in Southland🌱.

This clover sward keeps performing year after year, with quality feed driving lambs to convert every bite into impressive weight gains, all while requiring less drench.

PGG Wrightson Seeds supports NZ farmers with proven seed genetics and expert advice to grow high-quality pasture and forage for better productivity.

14/03/2026

Pushing Pallaton Raphno® into winter

As we enter the autumn period, it’s important to make a strategic decision on your Raphanobrassica crop. Where plant population and crop conditions are optimal, Pallaton Raphno® can provide high-quality winter feed. However, winter performance is determined by the management decisions made now.

Start by assessing plant density. To optimise yield and dry matter production, target more than 15 plants per m². Suboptimal populations will limit both total production and grazing efficiency.

Timing of final autumn grazing is critical. From this point onward, the later into autumn you close the gate to shut paddocks up for winter, the less dry matter yield you will accumulate for your winter grazing. Closing the gate earlier allows sufficient time for recovery and dry matter accumulation ahead of winter.

Nitrogen management should also be in the plan. Apply nitrogen following the final autumn graze to support winter feed development. Nitrogen is pivotal for plant health and increasing protein levels. Prior to winter grazing, ensure a nitrate test is completed to eliminate nitrate poisoning and manage animal health risks.

Checking plant numbers, grazing management, and nutrient strategy will determine how effectively your Pallaton Raphno® performs through winter.

If you require support in making a decision about your Pallaton Raphno® crop, please connect with your PGG Wrightson Seeds representative or your local merchant representative.
https://f.mtr.cool/nebchywzti

09/03/2026

Have you ever wondered how far you can push lamb weights? Our very own Ethan Butcher, Forage System Specialist and farmer, has been asking himself the same question. He started his farming career aiming for 21 kg carcass-weight lambs, but soon realised he was eating into his autumn and then lambing covers to achieve it. Instead of taking the easy option and dropping lamb weights, he chose to rethink his system. By introducing summer forage crops, he halved his regrassing rotation and created a more resilient, productive feed base.

Like a traditional Southland system, Ethan has 10% of his farm in winter brassicas, but now also runs 10% in summer brassicas (Cleancrop™ Leafy Turnip or Pallaton Raphno®), 10% in pure clover (an Amigain and Quartz mix), 10% in annual or Italian ryegrass (Abuzz and Lush), as well as 10% in new permanent pasture (Vast, Quartz, Amigain) each year. “Each year, I shift a larger proportion of my farm out of underperforming pastures and into new high-quality forages. I then have to find something to do with all the extra feed, which for me has meant putting an additional 0.5 kg of carcass weight on all my lambs annually.” After averaging 22.5 kg carcass weight lambs last season, Ethan is on track to average 23 kg this season, without altering his average slaughter date. “For me, profitability and drench resistance have been my two biggest focuses. This change in system, with the summer crops, is allowing me to halve my drench use while increasing my profit, so two massive wins for me.”

How far can he push lamb weights? Ethan doesn’t think he even knows the answer yet.

07/03/2026

First Graze Management of New Pastures.

You only get one chance to establish new pastures, so it is critical to get all your swedes in a row to get the most out of your investment. You may think pasture is all about grass. In fact, it is actually all about the clovers. They are the Legacy of all our pastures.

Competition is a clover killer. Weeds should be sprayed early to help reduce this, while first graze needs to happen as soon as the pasture passes the pull test. First graze should be a short, sharp exercise where only the top third to a half of the cover is removed. Avoiding Excess covers will minimise shading of the clovers, maximising persistence.

As autumn clocks off a little earlier each day, remember that the window for successful clover establishment narrows as soil temperatures continue to fall. Talk to your local PGG Wrightson Seeds representative to find out your local sowing deadlines in your area or for more new pasture management tips.

02/03/2026

As autumn bears down on us and the days start to get shorter, it is time to start feed budgeting for the cooler seasons ahead.

For farms looking for extra pasture production this winter consider planting a cool season active (CSA) ryegrass cultivar such as Abuzz annual ryegrass, Lush Italian ryegrass or Palliser hybrid ryegrass.

These cultivars have been bred for enhanced cool season dry matter production, providing feed on farm when you need it most.

A recent autumn sown trial in Canterbury highlighted the advantages of planting a CSA cultivar with the annual ryegrass control, Lush Italian ryegrass and Palliser hybrid ryegrasses producing 49%, 34% and 20% more dry matter through winter and early spring than the perennial ryegrass control.

Take control of your autumn seed and plant a CSA cultivar.

For more information on which CSA variety will best suit your farm system contact your local PGW Seeds representative. https://f.mtr.cool/hnupkhznui

PGG Wrightson Seeds supports NZ farmers with proven seed genetics and expert advice to grow high-quality pasture and forage for better productivity.

16/02/2026

There’s nothing better than arriving on farm to see a farmer confident they’re set to smash lamb finishing this season, thanks to our Sika chicory.🌱🐑

Want to learn more about Sika chicory? Click the link below to check it out!
https://f.mtr.cool/njxeivkmdk

14/02/2026

Since 1982, Michael Norriss has been perfecting his craft. Starting out as a junior plant breeder, he’s worked his way to being the lead grass breeder for PGG Wrightson Seeds. He’s spent four decades shaping plants to be more productive, persistent, and disease-resistant.

The breeding process starts with hundreds of thousands of individual plants. Over time, Mike and his team remove any unfavourable grasses, until about 100 plants remain. These grasses get sent to four sites across the country and are rigorously tested under different climatic, management, and grazing regimes. Only the best of the best across all sites are chosen as worthy cultivars.

Mike has bred many reputable grasses over the years, including Concord, Winter Star II, and Base AR37. Now, his most recent developments he’s most proud of are our new diploid perennial ryegrass, Midway AR128 and tetraploid perennial ryegrass, Vast AR128. His selections are met with patience and precision; it takes anywhere from 10 – 15 years to breed a new variety. It’s slow work, but that’s what makes his grasses work.