How to Successfully Sow New Pasture This Spring in New Zealand

Written By Nathan McGaveston

Every spring thousands of hectares of pasture are renewed across New Zealand. Some establish quickly and produce excellent feed before summer, while others become thin, weedy and disappointing.

The difference is rarely luck.

Successful pasture establishment comes down to soil nutrients, timing, temperature, moisture, seed selection, weed control and grazing management.

This guide walks through every step from spraying out through to the post grazing.

  • Choosing the right paddock

  • Soil testing

  • Spraying out

  • Seed selection

  • Soil temperature

  • Fertiliser

  • Sowing depth

  • Rolling

  • Weed control

  • Insect control

  • First grazing

  • Common mistakes

Spring pasture sowing requires reliable summer moisture for young pastures to establish, it can sometimes be tricky getting new pasture in early enough but avoiding the risk of cold temperatures slowing establishment, which can often lead to high weed content.

For best results wait till soil temperatures are 8°C and rising before sowing ryegrass, and 12°C and rising for brome grasses and tall fescue.

Spring is an important season for farmers as it marks the beginning of the grazing and growing season for many types of forage crops. Proper planning and preparation is essential for a successful spring sowing.

6-7 weeks before sowing

  • Choose paddock

  • Soil test

  • Book contractor

  • Order seed and fertiliser

  • Apply required nutrients as soon as possible

3 weeks before

  • Spray out

  • Monitor and treat insects

1 week before

  • Prepare seedbed

  • Final fertiliser

Sowing day

  • Check soil moisture

  • Check drill calibration

  • Check sowing depth

1 and 2 weeks later

  • Monitor emergence

  • Check and treat for slugs and other insects

  • Check springtails

First grazing

  • Graze at 2½–3 leaves do a pull test first

  • Graze lightly

Post grazing

  • Monotor weeds and insects treat as needed

  • Apply further nutrients (nitrogen) if required

The 10 Biggest Spring Sowing Mistakes

  • Sowing into cold soils

  • Not controlling insects

  • Sowing too deep or too shallow

  • Poor seed-soil contact

  • Grazing too early

  • Waiting too long after spraying

  • Buying second grade or low germ seed

  • Not soil testing

  • Ignoring compaction issues

  • Using the wrong pasture species

Here's a check to help ensure a smooth spring sowing season:

  • Spraying out:

    Good soil fertility, moisture & temperature is key to seed gemmation and to get any crop off to a great start, try to spray out as early as possible if you don’t need the feed, this may help conserve soil moisture for when you sow. Check for existing insect pest populations and take this opportunity to deal with them. Also a good time to add in any soil biological products, microbes, fish, TM, worm castings, humate, fulvic etc. (Tip if adding fulvic acid 1 part to 5 parts herbicide you can reduce your herbicide by up to 25% improving your soil health goals.)

  • Crop Selection:

    Determine which forage crops you will sow in the spring. Common options include grasses like ryegrass and clover, fescue, legumes like alfalfa lucerne, brassicas, chicory, plantain and other annual or perennial forages.

  • Soil Testing:

    Conduct soil tests to assess nutrient levels and pH. Adjust soil fertility based on the crop's requirements and the soil test results.

  • Seed Selection:

    Purchase high-quality seeds from reputable suppliers. Consider factors like seed variety, disease resistance, and yield potential.

  • Equipment Inspection:

    Check and maintain all sowing equipment, Ensure proper calibration of seed drills to achieve the desired seeding rate.

  • Seedbed Preparation:

    Seedbed preparation is about creating the best environment for the seed to germinate and also fixing any underlying problems such as soil compaction and weeds, Prepare seedbeds according to your soil type, environment and moisture conditions at the time by plowing, harrowing, and levelling the soil to create a suitable planting surface, or look at the more eco options of no till, strip till, direct drilling or broadcasting.

  • Weed Control:

    Plan for weed control measures, which may include pre-emergence & post-emergence herbicides or mechanical weed removal methods, consider seeding rates, and if direct drilling cross drill to create a dense sward and reduce future pugging and weed issues.

  • Fertilization:

    Apply fertilizers based on soil test recommendations and crop requirements. Consider using manure or compost if available and other soil biological products

  • Planting:

    Follow recommended planting depths and spacing for the selected crops. ryegrass/white clover seed mixes at <10mm deep to get the best establishment of the clover, white clover seed is sensitive to sowing depth and establishes much faster sown at this depth or otherwise broadcast separately and roll in just below the surface. Ryegrass is less sensitive to sowing depth and still establishes well sown at 20 mm. ensure you have a consolidated seedbed. The exception to sowing shallow is in dry conditions, sometimes it is better to drill seed a little deeper into better soil moisture but In these conditions white clover may struggle, clover seed can be spread on later when conditions improve. Cross-drill if possible for better results.

    Ensure proper seed-to-soil contact for optimal germination. Always keep an eye out for pests and deal to them like slugs and springtails

  • Pest and Disease Management:

    Implement pest and disease monitoring programs to detect any issues early.

  • Grazing Management:

    If you practice rotational grazing, plan your grazing schedule and paddock rotations based on the growth of the forage crops.

  • Record Keeping:

    Maintain detailed records of planting dates, seed varieties, fertilizer applications, and any pest or disease issues encountered as these often come in handy later on.

  • Contingency Planning:

    Develop contingency plans for adverse weather conditions or unexpected challenges that may arise during or after the spring sowing season.

New pastures or building up old pastures by stitching into existing, undersowing or over-sowing is an opportunity to lift farm production, Taking time to do it well pays off in the long-term.

What good establishment looks like

Week 2

✓ Even emergence

Week 4

✓ 2 - 2.5 leaves

Week 8-10

✓ Ready for first grazing

Week 10-12

✓ Dense pasture

Take temperatures at 9am, 5-10 cm below the soil surface for several consecutive mornings.

Many sow too early into cold soils. The seed sits dormant, insects attack it, weeds emerge first and establishment suffers.

Pasture options

By following these tips, farmers can prepare their fields and crops for a successful spring sowing season, ultimately ensuring a steady supply of high-quality forage for the season.

You may also be interested in

Soil Temp Result

<8°C Slow germination

8–10°C Variable establishment

10–12°C Good ryegrass establishment

>12°C Excellent growth

Spring pasture renewal is one of the highest-return investments on most New Zealand farms when it is done well. Taking the time to prepare the paddock properly, choosing the right seed, monitoring soil temperature, and managing the first grazing will usually deliver better pasture persistence, higher utilisation and improved returns for years to come.

If you're unsure which pasture species, sowing rate or renewal strategy best suits your farm, we're happy to help.

  • Contact us today, if you’d like a chat or visit on spring sowing options, seed pricing.

Nathan McGaveston
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