Matua Prairie Grass

We recommend Matua Prairie Grass. It keeps its palatability through the growing season, even at seedhead stage, because it doesn't produce much lignin, which makes other grasses tough and indigestible. It is a high-protein, cool season grass that suits fertile, well-drained loam to heavy soils with a pH above 5.5.

Matua Prairie Grass is a strong option. As a pasture brome, it persists longer than ryegrass and reseeds itself each growth period for a longer stand life. It suits strict rotational grazing and gives good winter production plus heat tolerance in summer. It is best on fertile, free-draining soils in higher rainfall areas.

We recommend sowing Matua Prairie Grass at 25 to 40 kg/ha, 5 to 15mm deep. Sow in early autumn into fertile, free-draining, weed-free soil with a phosphorus-based starter fertiliser, then apply ongoing nitrogen. It suits loam to heavy soils with a pH of 5.5 or more in 650mm+ rainfall areas.

For Matua Prairie Grass, we recommend strict rotational grazing, and harvesting only after plants reach boot or early seed stage. Allow a rest of 25 to 35 days between grazings, with shorter rests in cooler periods and longer rests in summer. Matua won't tolerate continuous grazing or grazing when conditions are wet and muddy.

Matua Prairie Grass is clover and herb friendly. We recommend sowing it with Tonic Plantain, Six Point Chicory, Haifa White Clover, Red Clover, lucerne or annual legumes. It is best established as the only grass in the mix to get the most from establishment and grazing. The result is a high-protein, highly palatable pasture for rotational grazing.

We suggest Matua Prairie Grass. It is a cool season grass that maintains quality in hot months and has strong summer heat tolerance, along with good autumn, winter and spring growth. It needs fertile, well-drained soil and careful rotational grazing to perform, and it suits higher rainfall zones.

Yes, if you time it right. We recommend harvesting Matua Prairie Grass only once plants reach boot or early seed stage, then resting it for 25 to 35 days before the next grazing or harvest. It keeps its palatability as it matures, and it must be rotationally grazed to stay productive and persistent.

No, we do not recommend Matua Prairie Grass for wet paddocks. It is not rated for waterlogging and performs best on fertile, free-draining loam to heavy soils with a pH of 5.5 or more. It also will not tolerate grazing under wet, muddy conditions, so keep stock off when paddocks are soft and choose a better-drained site.

Matua Prairie Grass is an annual to short-lived perennial. Most of its growth is in autumn, winter and spring, and it reseeds itself each growth period, which extends the stand's life. With strict rotational grazing and good fertility, it persists longer than ryegrass. Sow it in early autumn.

Choose Matua Prairie Grass if you want a longer-lived, rotationally grazed pasture that stays palatable at seedhead and handles summer heat. Our Italian ryegrasses, such as Amass Tetraploid Italian Ryegrass, suit faster, high-volume winter and spring feed and silage. Matua needs fertile, free-draining soil, 25 to 40 kg/ha of seed and careful grazing management to shine.