New Zealand pasture species

New Zealand dairy farming is pastured-based. Perennial ryegrass and white clover are the mainstay of most farming systems, with other plant species integrated into pasture or planted as special-purpose crops. Each plant species has cultivars bred to suit particular climates, soil types and farm systems.

Persistence (lifespan), optimal growing seasons, nutritional qualities, pest resistance and grazing management differ between the various species and their cultivars.

A variety of species can be seen in this pasture. It is referred to as a ‘mixed sward’. © DairyNZ.