Direct Drilling Forage Maize into Dairy Pastures in South-Eastern Australia

Forage maize (Zea mays) was planted directly into uncultivated dairy pastures after desiccation. A planter specially developed for this purpose, which used coulters, tynes and narrow rotary hoes to place fertiliser and seed precisely, achieved excellent crop establishment in dense red­brown earth soils. Yields were up to 22.7 t of dry matter/ha, similar to that of cultivated seedbeds with flood irrigation and 10% less than with furrow irrigation. Key agronomic requirements for success were a specialised planter, good surface drainage, adequate pre- and post­planting weed control and a requirement for early application of irrigation water and nitrogen fertiliser. Soils with drainage characteristics and texture suited to growing lucerne (Medicago sativa) or white clover (Trlfolium repens) were best for direct-drilled maize. Direct drilling can save time and expense while improving timeliness and maintaining soil structure. The technique described offers good prospects for increasing dry matter production on dairy farms by rotating forage maize with pastures without cultivation: