Suited for areas north of Perth. A mix ideally adapted to a wide range of soils. A larger portion of the mix is Gatton Panic with the remainder being Rhodes grass. Sustainability and productivity of this pasture mix is highly relative to allowing it ample time to establish and managing its grazing appropriately. Also suited to areas for stabilisation, like mine rehabilitation and road verges etc.
Key attributes
- Finecut Rhodes with Gatton Panic
- Exclusive to Irwin Hunter Seeds
- Deep rooted and drought persistent
- Good erosion control and ground cover
- Suits grazing, silage and hay
Mix components
Formulation 2026
| Component |
|---|
Finecut Rhodes Grass has been bred from Katambora and offers improved dry matter production, increased leaf to stolon ratio over Katambora, has increased palatability and has excellent hay attributes. Finecut Rhodes has finer leaves and stems than Katambora, has a more upright growth habit and over time has established itself across a wide range of soil types and farming systems throughout northern and southern Western Australia. Finecut Rhodes can be sown where grazing, silage and hay are required. |
Gatton Panic Grass is a medium height bunch grass variety of guinea grass similar to Green Panic. Gatton Panic has broader dark green leaves and smooth stem nodes, is highly adaptable and resilient, with the ability to establish across a wide rainfall zone. Gatton Panic will establish more easily than other panic grasses and can give very good first year production. Gatton Panic can be grown on lighter soil types but requires good soil nutrition to persist. Where practical remove weed burden before sowing. Sow on a well-prepared seedbed when soil temperatures are 16 – 18° C and rising. Sow no deeper than 2cm. It is recommended to shut the gate and only graze after 8 to 10 months or when plants are well anchored. If desired broadcast / sow any additional legumes in the first autumn after grazing, then re-introduce livestock to get seed to soil contact. Implement a rotational grazing system. Graze at 25 to 30cm and leave a residue of 12 to 15cm. Do not overgraze over summer. After the first grazing has been completed move to a rotational grazing system where possible. Perennial pastures need a longer spell between grazing than temperate pastures to grow the herbage (biomass) to achieve the best production outcome. Like temperate grasses, perennial / sub-tropical grasses will increase the below ground root mass as the above ground leaf mass accumulates, increasing the accumulation of water-soluble carbohydrates, (energy plants use) for later use to grow more biomass. By adopting a rotational grazing system using the height suggestions below as a guide, the retention of biomass after grazing and the subsequent root mass retained will act as a reserve to kick start the next period of leaf growth. Recovery from grazing will vary considerably depending on the time of year, biomass retained after grazing, soil moisture and plant nutrition. Once rotational grazing has been started a suggested guideline on grazing height for sub-tropical / perennial grasses is as follows: Going in at 25 to 30cm. Graze down to a residue of 12 to 15cm. It is important to reduce grazing pressure over summer, (unless there is adequate moisture for plant growth), or when seed set is occurring to provide the potential for some plant recruitment through seed set. Sow when soil temperatures are 16- 18° C and rising. Sow no deeper than 2cm. Soil pH: 5 + Rainfall: 300 mm + Sowing rate: 4 – 8 Kgs/Ha Optimal planting – Spring – Soil temperatures 16-18ºC and rising. |
Reclaimer Rhodes Grass has been bred from the earlier collections of |
Katambora Rhodes Grass is a widely adapted, warm-season perennial valued for its persistence, drought tolerance and reliable forage production. It establishes quickly, forming a dense, leafy pasture with vigorous stolons that provide excellent ground cover, soil stabilisation and rapid recovery after grazing. Well suited to grazing, hay production and permanent pasture systems, Katambora performs across a wide range of well-drained soils under both dryland and irrigated conditions. It offers moderate salinity tolerance, produces high spring and summer dry matter yields and contributes to improved soil structure and reduced erosion. |
*Occasionally some varieties in our mix will be replaced with a like-for-like variety where the original is not available or not easily accessible. Varieties in the mix will be specified on the bag label.
About this variety
The WA Northern Perennial Pasture Mix is exclusive to Irwin Hunter Seeds. It is not a blend that can be bought elsewhere, and it exists because sixty years of trading into the northern districts has taught us which sub-tropical perennials actually hold on up there and in what proportions they work together.
The mix is built around Rhodes grass with Gatton Panic. Rhodes is highly stoloniferous, binding the soil and forming a dense mat that provides genuine erosion control on light country, while Gatton Panic brings depth of root, drought persistence and the ability to respond quickly to light showers that a deeper rooted grass would not register. The two occupy different parts of the profile and different parts of the season, which is why the combination outperforms either sown alone.
The formulation has not stood still. Its components have been reviewed and changed across editions as better varieties have become available, and the current blend reflects what is performing now rather than what performed a decade ago.
It suits northern grazing country where a perennial base is wanted for summer production, ground cover and stability, and it is best established with the paddock shut up until the plants are properly anchored.
Planting & grazing notes
Shut gate 8-10 months until well anchored; rotational grazing; graze in at 25-30cm to residue of 12-15cm; do not overgraze over summer. Finecut Rhodes can be sown where grazing, silage and hay are required. It establishes quickly, forming a dense, leafy pasture with vigorous stolons that provide excellent ground cover, soil stabilisation and rapid recovery after grazing. Well suited to grazing, hay production and permanent pasture systems, Katambora performs across a wide range of well-drained soils under both dryland and irrigated conditions. If desired broadcast / sow any additional legumes in the first autumn after grazing, then re-introduce livestock to get seed to soil contact.
Stand life
Katambora Rhodes Grass valued for persistence and drought tolerance (2026 formulation); Reclaimer Rhodes remains productive in saline soils up to 10 dS/m (2020-2025 formulations). Gatton Panic can be grown on lighter soil types but requires good soil nutrition to persist.
How it's sold
| Form | Pack | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Bare | 25 kg | In stock |
