Tonic Plantain

Mineral rich year-round perennial grazing herb

Plantago lanceolata L.

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A highly digestible and nutritious perennial herb that establishes quickly and can be grown on a wide range of soil types. It has a deep root system so relatively drought tolerant with good winter and spring growth. Tolerates frequent grazing. Has high levels of protein. For sheep, dairy and beef cattle.

Key attributes

  • High winter, spring and early summer production
  • Deep rooted perennial grazing herb
  • Increased mineral levels for a balanced diet
  • Broad leafy growth from a central crown
  • Palatable to all classes of stock

About this variety

Tonic is a plantain, a deep rooted perennial grazing herb with broad, leafy ribbed leaves growing from a central crown, and it is grown for both its production pattern and its mineral content.

It produces strongly through winter, spring and early summer, which places its feed where most Australian systems need it, and its deep root system allows it to keep going as conditions dry.

The mineral profile is the other reason it is used. Tonic carries increased levels of minerals compared with grasses, contributing to a more balanced diet for grazing stock, and the high quality forage it produces is readily eaten by all classes of livestock.

As a herb it complements grasses and clovers rather than replacing them, adding a third feed type with a different rooting depth and a different mineral contribution, which is why it appears in so many diverse pasture mixes.

Tonic suits both dryland and irrigated country, and is best rotationally grazed to protect the crown and maintain leaf production.

Planting & grazing notes

Rotationally graze to achieve optimum production. Not tolerant of waterlogged soils. Caution: sown as a sole species or as a dominant sward component, may cause milk taint in dairy cows if grazed for extended periods. Tonic can provide an excellent addition to both dryland and irrigated pastures in the south western areas of WA, and with its very upright growth habit and high palatability is well accepted by all classes of grazing stock.

Stand life

Shown persistence under a range of conditions (stated, no specific duration given)

How it's sold

FormPackStatus
Bare25 kgIn stock
Tonic Plantain

FAQs

What pasture plant is high in minerals for sheep and cattle?

We recommend Tonic Plantain. It is a deep-rooted perennial herb known to have higher levels of calcium, magnesium, zinc, sodium, cobalt, copper and phosphorus. It is highly digestible, nutritious and high in protein, and it suits sheep, beef and dairy.

Is there a herb that helps with worms in lambs?

Tonic Plantain is a good option. Laboratory testing suggests plantain species have some anthelmintic properties. It is also mineral rich, highly digestible and high in protein, so it is useful for lamb finishing. We recommend it as part of a mixed pasture.

What herb gives good winter and spring feed in South West dryland pastures?

We recommend Tonic Plantain. It gives high levels of winter, spring and early summer production and suits both dryland and irrigated pastures in south-western WA. It has an upright growth habit and high palatability, and it is well accepted by all classes of grazing stock.

How much plantain seed should I sow per hectare?

For Tonic Plantain, we recommend 6 to 10 kg/ha as a monoculture, or 3 to 4 kg/ha in a mix. It is best sown with ryegrasses and legumes. It suits loam to heavy soils with a pH of 5 or above, where good soil nutrition is maintained.

What should I avoid sowing on waterlogged paddocks when putting in a herb mix?

Avoid relying on Tonic Plantain on waterlogged paddocks, because it is not tolerant of waterlogged soils. For wet areas, 6 Point Chicory tolerates waterlogging better. Plantain performs best on well-drained loam to heavy soils with good nutrition and a pH of 5 or above.

Can a herb cause milk taint in dairy cows?

Yes, plantain species can cause milk taint in dairy cows if they are sown as the only species or become dominant in a pasture that is grazed for long periods. For Tonic Plantain, we recommend sowing it with ryegrasses and legumes, and grazing rotationally, to avoid this.

What drought-tolerant herb handles frequent grazing?

Tonic Plantain is deep-rooted, so it is relatively drought tolerant, and it tolerates frequent grazing. It establishes quickly and suits a wide range of soils. Rotational grazing gives the best production. Our sources give different rainfall guides, so talk to us about your district.

Who bred Tonic Plantain?

Tonic Plantain was bred by Dr Alan Stewart at the Ceres Research Station in New Zealand. It has shown persistence under a range of conditions in beef, sheep and dairy systems and has reported yields similar to ryegrass-based pastures.

What should I sow Tonic Plantain with?

We recommend sowing Tonic Plantain with ryegrasses and legumes, at 3 to 4 kg/ha in the mix. Good partners include our Italian or perennial ryegrasses, Haifa White Clover, Red Clover and 6 Point Chicory. This gives a wider range of feed than traditional pastures.

Tonic Plantain vs 6 Point Chicory, which is better for my farm?

Tonic Plantain gives strong winter and spring growth, is mineral rich, has anthelmintic properties and suits well-drained loam to heavy soils. 6 Point Chicory is a summer forage with a deep tap root that tolerates waterlogging. Many farmers sow both together.

View all Herbs

Six Point Chicory

High quality summer forage