Vibe Series
Long-Term Pasture Persistence: Lessons for Resilient Farming
Pasture persistence is central to the productivity, profitability and resilience of New Zealand’s pastoral farming systems. But how well do different pasture species and cultivars actually perform over the long term – and how much does the establishment year influence what happens down the track?
For more than a decade, the Lincoln University Long-Term Pasture Persistence Trial has been building one of the country’s most comprehensive datasets on pasture performance. Based at Lincoln University’s Ashley Dene Research Farm and supported by the T.R. Ellett Agricultural Research Trust, the trial compares perennial ryegrass, cocksfoot and tall fescue cultivars through sequential annual sowings on the same farmlet.
The long-term data provide valuable insights into yield, botanical composition, tiller density and basal cover, revealing how genetics, establishment conditions and growing environments interact to shape pasture persistence.
At this VIBE event, Dr Tom Maxwell and Lincoln alumnus Dr Gerald Cosgrove will share what the first ten years of the trial can tell us about growing persistent pastures in Canterbury’s challenging conditions. Working together on the project, they will explore why establishment conditions matter, what the data reveal about cultivar performance and how these findings could inform practical decisions for farmers looking to build more resilient pastures.
Join us for an engaging conversation about what long-term research can teach us about getting pastures to last – and what that means for the future of farming.
Tuesday 13th October 2026
4.00pm-5.30pm
Memorial Hall, Lincoln University