Issue 60 / Summer / February 2015

Hi #subname#

Welcome to the February edition of Specialty Seed's SeedData Newsletter.

As I write this many farmers throughout the country have had some light rain relief while here in Canterbury it still is very dry.

I've been looking at dry land Kale crops and comparing them to dry land fodder beet crops.

At this stage given the same conditions, the fodder beet looks like it's winning the dry matter production race as the kale looks down and out for the count. It will be interesting to see who wins the in the end.

In this month's there's a lot to talk about including shear for life, South Island Field days, Pasture recovery after a drought and three new short term ryegrasses to the market.


Please browse the topics below:

• Shear for Life - Fundraising for Cancer research.
• South Island Agricultural Fields Days 2015
• Pasture recovery after the drought
• New short term grasses timely arrival

Shear for Life - Fundraising for Cancer research.


Specialty Seeds are happy to be involved with the sponsorship of the "Shear for life" event coming up on the 28th of this month.

James Hill and Cole Wells will be shearing to raise funds for prostate cancer research and treatment. It is a very worthwhile cause. I know the two boys have been training hard for the event and are taking the task very seriously.

If you click on our pop up section within this newsletter, it will take you straight to the page were you can make a donation. Please feel free to do so. I'm looking forward to going down to the event and I will report back to you in the March newsletter.

Please use the following links for more information or to make a donation. All donations are very gratefully received.


Website Link: Donate directly to Shear for Life
Download Link: Download the Shear for Life flyer
Contact Link: Contact Specialty Seeds if you have any questions.


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South Island Agricutltural Field Days 2015.


The annual South Island Agricultural Field Days are coming around again between Wednesday the 25th and Friday the 27th of March.

This year the event will be held in Canterbury at the brand new venue at: 1191 Courtenay Road, Kirwee.

The new venue is located 25 minutes West of Christchurch Airport. Click here for a google map location.

I know the organisers have all being putting their heart and soul into ensuring that all runs well at the new venue and I for one am looking forward to being there.

For more information on the South Island Agricultural Field Days please click on the banner above or contact us.


Website Link: Click here to see the South Island Agricultural Field Days website
Contact Link: Contact Specialty Seeds if you have any questions.

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Pasture recovery after the drought.


As most of us are aware, the drought has had a significant affect on livestock and pastures.

While stock management has been the focus for farmers, some thought should be given to how to manage your pastures once the rains arrive.

By clicking on the image to the right you will be taken to a newsletter from the NZ Grasslands association with a very interesting article written by Agriseed's Graham Kerr that has some really useful tips on what to do.

Should you have any questions that arise after reading this article or if you would like to discuss your farms strategy for pasture recovery after the dry, please feel free to contact us for a chat.


Website Link: NZ Grassland Association Newsletter - March 2015
Contact Link: Contact Specialty Seeds if you have any questions.

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As always, we hope this issue has been of some value to you. If you have a comment on this newsletter or anything on our website, please give us a call on our Freephone: 0800 727 8873, send us an email at: mail@specseed.co.nz.


Kind Regards



Stephen Finch & David Percival
Specialty Seeds - New Zealand