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Spring pasture sowing solutions

 

Benefits of spring sowing

In southern Australia most pastures are established in autumn to take advantage of the most reliable rainfall period of winter and early spring. This can sometimes result in pastures that struggle through cold, wet conditions and heavy infestations of winter germinating annual weeds such as capeweed, barley grass, silver grass, winter grass and toad rush.

Mach 1 annual ryegrass, Armidale Research Site NSW

In cool climate areas where reliable spring rainfall or irrigation exists, spring sowing can provide a safe alternative with a number of benefits which include:

  • Warmer ground temperatures
  • Faster seedling establishment
  • Less risk of pugging newly established pastures
  • Better control of winter germinating weeds
  • Better establishment of perennial clovers

Diploids and Tetraploids

DLF Seeds has led the ongoing development of both diploid and tetraploid ryegrasses. Many farmers have seen the benefits first hand of using Base AR37 as a tetraploid perennial ryegrass to One50 perennial ryegrass which is a late season diploids.

Isaac Berry, DLF Seeds Product Development Manager says “In recent years farmers have also found the place of hybrid ryegrasses on farm, Mohaka AR37 (tetraploid) can persists for 3-5 years, provide excellent winter and spring production, and provide high quality silage and hay opportunities later in the season. hybrid ryegrasses are suited to farm systems wanting Italian like production but perennial ryegrass persistence.” Explains Isaac.

Dependable diploids

  • Densely tillered
  • Competitive with weeds
  • Cope with lower fertility 
  • Ideal for grass to grass situations
  • Can handle wetter enivronments 
  • Can be set stocked or rotationally grazed 

Tasty tetraploids

  • Fast to establish and clover friendly
  • Extremely tasty and palatable
  • Excellent pasture utilisation
  • Very high quality
  • Higher animal dry matter intakes
  • Better animal performance
  • Great for silage and hay quality

Over sowing pugged pastures

A wet winter can create a situation where many dairy pastures have been pugged by cows, which can result in pasture production losses of up to 25%. It also presents an opportunity for weeds to invade, particularly difficult to control weeds such as dock. Good early management of this problem can quickly restore paddocks back to productivity for late spring and summer and ensures they will give the best response to autumn rains. DLF Seeds have simplified decision making with an easy to follow pasture evaluation checklist, and best pasture remedial action.

Want to know more?

Visit dlfseeds.com.au for our full range of leading pasture options. Or get in touch with your local DLF Seeds Sales Agronomist.