Fescue; a low rainfall pasture tool
| Project start date: | 19 February 2020 |
| Project end date: | 30 April 2023 |
| Project status: | Completed |
| Livestock species: | Grass-fed Cattle, Sheep, Lamb |
| Relevant regions: | Victoria |
| Site location: | South west VIC: Concongella, Winjallok, Avoca & Paradise |
Summary
The demonstration showed that the use of Winter Active Fescue can improve production and flexibility in <550 mm rainfall zone grazing systems. The growth habit of the fescue appears to change from areas south of the divide by commencing its growth phase earlier.
From demonstrations previously conducted, PPS concluded that winter active fescue (WAF) could be a productive and persistent perennial grass option for use in the below 550 mm rainfall zone.
WAF has been demonstrated to fulfil a role in perennial systems in Southern Victoria but its early heading trait and potential earlier loss of feed quality has meant that management issues have arisen.
The winter growth pattern of WAF appears to increase earlier in the <550mm rainfall zone in the Wimmera & Central regions of Victoria due to warmer soil temperatures & longer sunlight hours than those in the higher rainfall regions in SW Victoria.
Although WAF did not hold its critical feed values as long as phalaris, the differences were minor and would have little effect on overall farm production.
Objectives
By March 2023; in the Stawell - St Arnaud region:
1. Demonstrate on five sites, that including winter active fescue as a proportion of the farm pasture area in the <550mm rainfall zone will increase production in individual paddocks by>50% and have the potential to increase overall farm dry matter production by an estimated 10 - 20% depending on the area of new pasture established. Higher gains are possible if a greater proportion of the farm has perennial pastures established in the longer term.
2. Demonstrate the improved grazing management required to maintain perennial pastures in the region and improve producer knowledge and skills throughout the project. Produce best practice guidelines for the use of winter active fescue in the regions pasture systems.
3. Promote the demonstration results through a range of Perennial Pasture Systems (PPS) extension activities including in the PPS quarterly newsletter and the PPS Facebook page.
4. Conducted a minimum of one information sessions/field days each year focusing on the demonstration results, including poster presentation at the PPS annual conference.
5. As a result of this project (assuming a positive outcome):
• 40+ PPS members will have or will be planning to implement winter active fescue into their pasture system.
• Producers in other regions will have access to the demonstration results and many will have or be planning to use winter active fescue as a result of the project. This outcome is not quantifiable as PPS will not necessarily be able to confirm the feedback.
Key findings
Winter Active Fescue appears to fit well into perennial grazing systems in the <550mm zone.
The growth pattern of winter active fescue appears to increase earlier in the <550mm rainfall zone in the Wimmera & Central regions of Victoria due to warmer soil temperatures & longer sunlight hours than in the higher rainfall regions in SW Victoria.
Fescue did not hold its critical feed values as long as phalaris but the differences were minor and would have little effect on overall farm production.
Results from the current and previous PPS demonstrations shows that total dry matter production of the winter-active fescue cultivars compares favourably with winter-active phalaris cultivars. Previous PPS trials highlight that production is higher than Australian phalaris and Uplands cocksfoot.
Payback period for a fescue based pasture establishment was calculated to be 5 – 7 years at 2023 prices and costs.
Communication and Extension activities were affected by Covid restrictions as well the “La Nina” spring flooding in 2022. PPS believes that it achieved the project obligations but adoption has been delayed due to the communication and extension activities not taking place as early as planned.
Benefits to industry
The use of Winter Active Fescue in <550 mm rainfall zone grazing systems adds another dimension to grazing management. The growth habit of the fescue appears to change from areas south of the divide by commencing its growth phase earlier.
MLA action
MLA continues to deliver the Producer Demonstration Site (PDS) program, supporting livestock producers working in peer-to-peer groups to pursue new skills, knowledge and management practices applicable to their own commercial livestock production system.
Future research
PPS considers that there is now sufficient information on the use of winter active fescues in the <550 mm rainfall region of Western Victoria for producers and agronomists to make decisions on its use in pasture systems.
The project results were compromised by the above average spring rainfall conditions experienced through the three years of the project. A longer period of funding may have allowed further relevant results to be obtained.
PPS notes that MLA has recognised this issue and has extended the PDS period from 3 to (up to) 6 years.
