Perennial Grasses - Matching pasture species with environment in high rainfall zones
Sarah Baker, AusWest Seeds, South West NSW
Environmental factors
Soil characteristics
Soil type influences what species are best suited to be grown in a paddock. Perennial grass
species vary in tolerance to soil acidity and aluminum levels. For example, cocksfoots are more
tolerant of acid soils than fescues. Soils with high clay levels and prone to water-logging suit
species such as tall fescue and phalaris, whereas free draining soils are favoured by cocksfoots
and bromes. Table 1 provides more information on species and their preferred soil type.
Rainfall pattern
Rainfall pattern (summer dominant, winter dominant or uniform), affects when pastures will be
productive and which species will be best suited to a region. Plants need the most soil moisture
during active growth, so seasonal growth of pasture species should be matched to rainfall. For
example growing a summer active cocksfoot is going to grow best in a summer dominant rainfall
area because the rainfall occurs when the plant is actively trying to grow. If the summer active
cocksfoot was planted in an area with hot, dry summers it would not persist due to lack of
moisture.
Temperature
Temperate perennial grasses prefer temperatures between 12 and 30ᵒC for
growing (DPI, 2016). Perennial ryegrass is most productive at 20ᵒC (Hunt &
Halligan, 1981) and production declines at 24ᵒC (Agricom, 2017). The optimum growing
temperature for tall fescue is higher than ryegrass, 26ᵒC and active growth continues
into the mid 30ᵒC (Agricom, 2017). This means tall fescue is better adapted to warmer
springs and summers than perennial ryegrass. Most temperate grass species will tolerate frost,
however minimal growth occurs once temperatures fall below 8ᵒC (DPI, 2016).
Table 1: Preferred environmental conditions for perennial temperate grass species. (Compiled from AusWest Seeds Pasture guide; DPI, 2016)
| Species | Varieties | Minimum Rainfall | Soil Type | Growing Season | Other |
| Summer active cocksfoot | Savvy Porto |
500-700 mm | Well drained, tolerant of acidity | Spring, Summer, Autumn | Slow to establish but can persist for many years. Well suited for mixes with legumes and herbs |
| Summer active tall fescue | Hummer Quantum II |
650-700 mm | Moderate to heavy clays, tolerant of water logging | Spring, Summer, Autumn | Highly productive in spring and requires good grazing management at this time. Actively grows at higher temperatures than ryegrass. Well suited for mixes with legumes and herbs. |
| Phalaris | Australian II, Atlas PG, Holdfast GT | 400-500 mm | Moderate to heavy clays, some varieties tolerant of acidity | Depends on variety | There are both winter dormant and winter active types of phalaris. Well suited for mixes with cocksfoots, fescues, legumes and herbs. |
| Perennial ryegrass | Kingsgate, Prospect, One50, Halo | 60-700 mm | Suited to most soil types | Autumn, Winter, Spring | Quicker to establish than other perennial grasses. High feed quality. New endophytes provide plant benefits with minimal impact on animals. Well suited for mixes with clovers. |
| Prairie grass/bromes | Atom, Gala, Exceltas | 600-650mm | Well drained fertile soils | All year round. Highest in spring | Maintains feed quality in reproductive phase. Well suited for mixes with legumes and herbs. |
Plant factors
Pastures do not grow at the same rate all year round. It is important to think about when a pasture species is going to be most productive (see Table 1) and how this will fit in with your livestock needs such as lambing/calving, weaning and finishing. Some species have a period of dormancy such as winter dormant phalaris varieties whereas other have summer dormancy such as perennial ryegrasses. The pasture growth curve is also influenced by climate. The following link indicates pasture growth for different regions: http://www.makingmorefromsheep.com.au/turn-pasture-into-product/tool_8.2.htm
Compatibility with other species
Temperate grasses are suitable for mixes with clovers and/or herbs and forage brassicas. Sowing a clover with a grass is generally advised as the clover through rhizobia provide nitrogen for the grass. However it is important to remember than when more species are included in a mix there are reduced herbicide options for weed control. Fast establishing grasses such as ryegrass, should not be sown with a slow establishing grasses such as tall fescue or cocksfoot because the ryegrass will out compete the other grasses.
When is feed needed?
When is your feed shortage? Which pasture species are going to fill or reduce your feed gap?
Remembering that the amount of pasture growth will be influenced by all of the factors discussed
above.
When choosing a pasture to sow environmental factors and plant factors should be considered
before choosing a variety. Think about what species is going to grow in your environment and
give you feed when you need it.
References:
Agricom (2017). Tall fescue management guide. Retrieved from http://agricom.com.au/assets/Uploads/Tall-Fescue-Management-Guide-A4-Aus.pdf
AusWest Seeds (2018). Pasture Reference
guide.
Department of Primary Industries (DPI)(2016). Temperate perennial pasture establishment guide.
Steps to ensure success. Retrieved from http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/679126/temperate-perennial-pasture-establishment-guide.pdf
Further reading:
AusWest Pasture guide
DPI Temperate perennial pasture establishment guide: http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/679126/temperate-perennial-pasture-establishment-guide.pdf