Veldt Grass Seed

Mission Veldt Grass is one of the most useful perennials for stabilising light, sandy soils. It is a densely tufted, long-lived bunchgrass selected for light sands and is especially good for erosion control, holding the soil once established. Sow in autumn into moist soil with weeds controlled. On non-wetting sands, furrow sowing helps seedlings establish. Adding phosphorus and a legume such as serradella lifts growth, and keep stock off until plants have headed.

Act early, because veldt grass seedlings do not compete well with capeweed and annual grasses. Prevention is best: use a good knockdown before sowing so the seedlings start in a clean seedbed. In an establishing stand, broadleaf weeds such as capeweed can be controlled with a selective herbicide registered for that use; check the label and get local advice first. Also watch young seedlings closely for insect attack.

Most often it is overgrazing. Veldt grass is very palatable and highly susceptible to set stocking, so stock can graze it out if they are left on it. Use rotational grazing so plants can rebuild root reserves, and avoid heavy grazing over summer. Let new stands set seed in their first year, and let established stands set seed every few years to thicken up. Productivity also depends on nutrient levels, so keep phosphorus up on poor sands.

On deep, acid sands, serradella is the usual partner, while sub clovers suit the slightly less acid sandy soils. Mission Veldt Grass complements serradella, lucerne where the pH suits it, and sub clovers such as Urana Subterranean Clover, which suits sands to loams. The legume adds nitrogen, which matters on poor sand. Veldt grass will grow on very infertile soil, but it only produces well when nutrient levels are adequate.

It can help. Mission Veldt Grass is a perennial that keeps using soil moisture through summer, after annual pastures have died off, so less water drains below the root zone to feed rising water tables. It works best as part of a wider perennial system, for example alongside lucerne on suitable soils, and on the light sands where it is adapted. It is not a fix for land that is already waterlogged or salty, as veldt grass does not tolerate waterlogging.

Be careful. Wild veldt grass sheds its seed as soon as it ripens, which makes good-quality seed hard to harvest, whereas Mission Veldt Grass was selected to hold its seed better and give higher seed yields. If you are offered unselected seed, ask for the seed test results and check the pure seed content, germination and weed seed content. Low germination or weedy seed can undo a whole season of establishment work.

Yes, on the right soils. Mission Veldt Grass is drought resistant and suits areas with as little as 300 mm of annual rainfall, on light sands through to loams, and it tolerates acid soils. In drier country, establishment is the risky stage, so sow in autumn into moist soil with weeds well controlled. Then let the stand set seed in its first year before grazing it hard, to build density.

Not well. Mission Veldt Grass is adapted to light sands through to loams and does not tolerate waterlogging, so it is a poor choice on clays, heavy duplex flats or paddocks that lie wet in winter. On wetter, heavier ground, phalaris or tall fescue is a better perennial grass. Keep veldt grass for the sandy rises and well-drained light soils, where it is best adapted.

Sow Mission Veldt Grass at 1–3 kg/ha, using the higher rate in higher-rainfall areas. Sow in autumn, no deeper than about 1 cm, into moist soil. Good seed-soil contact is important, so seeders with press wheels work well. Control weeds before sowing, as the seedlings compete poorly with capeweed and annual grasses.

Veldt grass is most productive in autumn and spring, and it responds to summer rain, giving green feed at a time when annual pastures have finished. Winter growth is slower. It is very palatable, has good feeding value and has no known toxicity problems for stock. Pairing it with a legume such as serradella or sub clover adds winter and spring feed and lifts the overall quality of a light-land pasture.