What perennial grass will survive a hot, dry WA summer?
Summer-dormant grasses are built for it. Mediterranean tall fescue, Mediterranean cocksfoot and phalaris slow down or go dormant over summer and regrow after the autumn break; cocksfoot persists in the lowest rainfall, tall fescue from about 450 mm and phalaris from about 500 mm. Summer-active tall fescue keeps growing in warm weather but needs 650 mm or more, summer rain or irrigation.
What's the difference between puccinellia and tall wheatgrass for salt land?
Puccinellia is the better choice on the wettest, saltiest ground: it survives more than three months of winter inundation, provided plants stay partly above water, and summer surface salinity up to about 50 dS/m. Tall wheatgrass tolerates less salt, to a summer ECe of about 20 dS/m, and won't persist where waterlogging runs into spring, so it suits better-drained, moderately saline sites with 425 mm or more of rain.
What perennial grass grows on deep, acid, infertile sand?
Perennial veldt grass is one of the few temperate perennials that thrives on deep, acidic, low-fertility sand. It's drought-hardy, tolerates high aluminium and suits areas from about 300–400 mm of rain, but it grows slowly in winter and won't tolerate waterlogging. Sow 1–2 kg/ha in autumn, and keep it away from bushland, where it can spread as a weed.
Why are sheep staggering after grazing new phalaris growth?
That sounds like phalaris staggers, caused by alkaloids that build up in young phalaris shoots, especially when autumn rain falls on warm soil after a dry spell. Move the sheep off the phalaris now; many don't fully recover. Prevent it with cobalt, as a rumen bullet or sprayed cobalt sulphate, and by introducing stock gradually with hay, never hungry. Ask your vet to confirm the cause.
What grass will grow in a paddock that stays wet all winter?
Tall fescue and phalaris are the most reliable perennial grasses for paddocks that stay wet through winter: both tolerate waterlogging and short-term flooding, and tall fescue also handles moderate salinity. They suit areas with about 450–500 mm of rain or more. Both are slow to establish, so sow early on the break into a clean seedbed. If the wet ground is also salty, sow puccinellia instead.
Why is my new perennial grass pasture so slow to establish?
That's normal. Most temperate perennial grasses, including tall fescue, phalaris and cocksfoot, have weak seedlings and grow slowly in their first year, so weeds and early grazing easily set them back. Sow early on the break into a weed-free, firm seedbed, no deeper than 1–2 cm, and keep grazing light until plants are firmly anchored. Expect full production from the second year.
Which perennial grass handles acid soil?
Cocksfoot is one of the most acid-tolerant perennial grasses, handling low pH and higher aluminium better than phalaris, and it suits lighter soils. Tall fescue also tolerates soil pH (CaCl2) below 4.8 and moderate aluminium. Phalaris has traditionally been sensitive to acid, high-aluminium soils, although newer acid-tolerant varieties are available. On strongly acid paddocks, liming widens your options.
What grass gives the best-quality winter feed on fertile, well-drained soil?
Prairie grass is hard to beat for winter feed quality on fertile, free-draining soils in high-rainfall country, about 800 mm and up, or under irrigation. It's very palatable and grows well in cool weather, but it needs good fertility and rotational grazing rather than set stocking to persist, and it won't tolerate waterlogging. The seed is large, so it's sown at 25–40 kg/ha.
Is tall fescue better than perennial ryegrass in WA?
Where summers are long and dry, often yes. Tall fescue roots deeper and handles heat, drought, waterlogging and moderate salinity better, so it usually outlasts perennial ryegrass outside the wettest South West country. Ryegrass establishes faster and is more palatable. Many graziers sow both, or pair tall fescue with clover, and keep fescue grazed short so it doesn't go rank.
How do I keep a perennial grass pasture productive for years?
Graze it rotationally and give it time to recover. Perennial grasses rebuild root reserves between grazings, so avoid set stocking, especially in autumn after the break and during summer stress. Leave at least 4–5 cm of leaf behind, keep phosphorus, potassium and sulphur at soil-test targets, and control weeds and pests before they open up gaps.
