On-Farm Options – Feedbase and pasture species

This page provides a collection of resources from across regions to assist in making the right choices to improve the feedbase.  Refer to research, case studies and demonstration sites in your regional package for examples of how different feedbase improvement options have been applied in your region, and the potential impact.

Applying EverGraze principles for improvement of the feedbase

The online Pastures for Place and Purpose EverGraze Exchange is a good place to start when considering pasture improvement.  The page explains how the EverGraze principle Right Plant, Right Place, Right Purpose, Right Management can be applied for improvement of pastures to meet farm business objectives.  The process applies to both existing pastures, as well as long-term planning for selection and establishment of new pastures.

EverGraze Proof Sites at Hamilton, Wagga Wagga and Albany tested and modelled the value of different improved perennial pasture combinations.  Key messages relating to the production, persistence and profitability results are available on the following pages;

Low input native pastures also play an important role in a large proportion of farms across southern Australia.  Applying EverGraze principles for profitable use of native pastures was examined at Orange, Chiltern/Holbrook and Tamworth EverGraze Proof Sites.  Further resources for native pastures are provided below.

Dividing up the farm

The EverGraze Action (Online) – Dividing up the farm for grazing management provides a guide for mapping the farm according to production zone or land class for selection, establishment and management of pastures.

Use and management of pasture species

Following are a list of EverGraze resources and web pages for the use and management of key pasture species for southern Australia.

Also see EverGraze Proof Site pages where a range of different species were used in systems at Wagga Wagga (phalaris, tall fescue and lucerne), Hamilton (perennial ryegrass, tall fescue, lucerne, chicory and kikuyu), Albany (kikuyu, panic, chicory, lucerne and tall fescue), Tamworth (native pastures, lucerne/grass mixtures, oats), Holbrook (native pastures and phalaris), Chiltern (native pastures) and Orange (native pastures). Case studies in each region also provide examples of how a range of species can be used in local environments. Techniques for measuring pastures is essential whether assessing the herbage present in a pasture, examining changes in growth or pasture quality during the growing season, studying the influence, on the sward, of a range of superimposed treatments, or investigating the effects of pathogens on plant production.

Regional pasture growth rates

Generalised pasture growth estimates for a range of pasture species for regions across southern Australia and Queensland are provided here.

Details of how to estimate pasture growth on your own farm are shown here.

Temperate perennial grass-based pastures

Phalaris

Perennial ryegrass

Tall fescue

Cocksfoot

Tropical perennial grass-based pastures (also referred to as sub-tropical grasses)

Kikuyu

Other tropical grasses

Perennials for WA

Legumes for temperate pastures

All legumes

Lucerne

Future legumes

Future Farm Industries CRC is conducting research on new perennial legumes for temperate Australia. The following pages provide details of the projects and their findings.

Herbs

Chicory

Plantain

Native pastures

Identifying native pastures

Managing native pastures

On-Farm Conservation

Edible shrubs and perennial grasses for shelter

The Future Farm Industries CRC project Enrich has completed research on shrubs for grazing in the low and medium rainfall zones. Further information is provided here.

EverGraze conducted research on the benefits of using tall wheat grass, phalaris and shrubs for shelter during lambing. The following resources provide information on this research and application on farm:

Pasture establishment

Pasture establishment is costly, and it’s important to get it right the first time.  Following is a list of useful guides for establishing perennial pastures, and assessing the potential return on investment.

Establishment of temperate perennials

Establishment of tropical perennials

Crunching the numbers

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