Establishment and Persistence of major temperate grasses and tropical pastures in Southern Australia: A review

Summary

Pasture establishment and persistence have been nominated as two key areas restricting producers from investing in improved pasture genetics. This project was a review of the historical research and to provide recommendations to address these deficiencies the review considered a range of literature, including scientific and “grey” sources, looking specifically at these issues as well as considering the extension materials available to assist producers.  Factors considered within these areas were climate, species and cultivar selection, sowing rates and timing, soils, weed control, nutrient supply and grazing management.  The review highlighted critical objective information and research deficiencies in the areas of; status of the pasture feedbase, pasture modelling, zones of pasture adaptation, estimated rates of establishment failure, physiological drivers of plant persistence, utilization of genetic resources, legumes-grass balance and the value of N to grasses as well as pests and diseases.  With respect to extension materials, given the scientific literature available, most subjects were adequately covered and available to producers.  However where the gaps in extension material occurred they mirrored gaps in research literature. It was considered that coordination of extension materials on a national level would be highly beneficial.  Addressing these issues will provide greater clarity in decision making, reduce pasture establishment risk, increase confidence in improved plant genetics and result in more productive and profitable farming systems.
It was considered that future extension materials on pasture establishment and persistence need to:
• be based on robust scientific information but also use emotional and value based hooks to encourage change
• develop user friendly ways for a producers to determine: where money should be invested on farm, the expected return from a newly sown pasture and which paddock is the most profitable to sow
• acknowledge and promote  the importance of legumes  as a production driver in the pasture system
• acknowledge and promote farm fodder crops and fodder conservation as part of preparing for perennial pasture sowing
• increase the awareness of grazing management to encourage legume regeneration and grass persistence.