WA Northern Perennial Pasture Mix

Mainly panic with Rhodes grasses

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Suited to areas north of Perth. A mix ideally adapted to a wide range of soils. The larger portion of the mix is Gatton Panic, with the remainder Rhodes grass. The sustainability and productivity of this pasture depend on allowing it ample time to establish and managing its grazing appropriately. Also suited to stabilisation areas such as mine rehabilitation and road verges.

Key attributes

  • Suited to areas north of Perth
  • Mainly Gatton Panic with Katambora and Finecut Rhodes
  • Adapted to a wide range of soils
  • Summer production for grazing, hay and silage
  • Stabilises soil on mine sites and road verges

Mix components

Formulation 2026

Component
Katambora Rhodes Grass
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. Performs across a wide range of well-drained soils under both dryland and irrigated conditions. Offers moderate salinity tolerance.
Finecut Rhodes Grass
Bred from Katambora, with improved dry matter production, a higher leaf to stolon ratio, increased palatability and excellent hay attributes. Finer leaves and stems and a more upright growth habit; suited to grazing, silage and hay.
Gatton Panic Grass
A medium height bunch grass similar to Green Panic, with broader dark green leaves. Highly adaptable and resilient, it establishes more easily than other panic grasses and can give very good first year production. Can be grown on lighter soils but needs good soil nutrition to persist.

*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 seed blend

The WA Northern Perennial Pasture Mix combines Gatton Panic, the larger portion of the mix, with Katambora and Finecut Rhodes grasses. Gatton Panic establishes more easily than other panic grasses and can give very good first year production, while the Rhodes grasses form dense, leafy pasture with vigorous stolons that give excellent ground cover and rapid recovery after grazing.

Like temperate grasses, perennial and sub-tropical grasses build root mass as leaf accumulates, storing energy to grow more biomass. With a rotational grazing system that retains biomass after grazing, that root reserve kick-starts the next period of leaf growth.

Planting & grazing notes

Sow in spring when soil temperatures are 16–18°C and rising, on a well-prepared seedbed, no deeper than 2cm; where practical remove the weed burden before sowing. Once sown, shut the gate and only graze after 8 to 10 months, when plants are well anchored and cannot be pulled easily from the soil (especially important with horses). After the first grazing, move to a rotational grazing system where possible: go in at 25 to 30cm and graze down to a residue of 12 to 15cm. Perennial pastures need a longer spell between grazings than temperate pastures. Recovery from grazing will vary considerably depending on the time of year, biomass retained after grazing, soil moisture and plant nutrition. Reduce grazing pressure over summer (unless there is adequate moisture for growth) and while seed is setting. If desired, broadcast any additional legumes in the first autumn after grazing, then re-introduce livestock to get seed to soil contact. Horses: Gatton Panic, the main grass in this mix, contains oxalate, which can cause big head (calcium deficiency) in horses grazing it for long periods; seek advice from a vet or equine nutritionist on calcium supplementation.

Stand life

A persistent perennial pasture when given ample time to establish and grazed appropriately. Reducing grazing pressure during seed set allows some plant recruitment from seed. Gatton Panic can be grown on lighter soil types but requires good soil nutrition to persist.

How it's sold

FormPackStatus
Bare25 kgIn stock
WA Northern Perennial Pasture Mix — galleryWA Northern Perennial Pasture Mix

FAQs

What perennial pasture mix should I sow north of Perth for summer feed?

We recommend our WA Northern Perennial Pasture Mix. It is designed for areas north of Perth and adapted to a wide range of soils, from light sands to loams with pH 5 or higher. Most of the mix is Gatton Panic Grass, with Rhodes grasses making up the rest, giving summer-active perennial feed where soil moisture is available.

What's in a good summer perennial grass blend for the Geraldton or Gingin area?

Our WA Northern Perennial Pasture Mix is mostly Gatton Panic Grass, with Katambora Rhodes Grass and Finecut Rhodes Grass making up the rest. It suits areas north of Perth with 300mm+ rainfall, soil pH 5 or higher (CaCl2) and light sands to loams, and provides summer production for grazing, hay and silage.

How much of the northern perennial mix do I sow per hectare?

We recommend sowing our WA Northern Perennial Pasture Mix at 6 to 8 kg/ha, no deeper than 2cm, into a well-prepared seedbed. Sow in spring once soil temperatures reach 16 to 18°C and are rising, and where practical remove the weed burden before sowing to give the young grasses the best start.

How long do I have to wait before letting horses onto a new tropical pasture?

We recommend keeping horses off our WA Northern Perennial Pasture Mix for 8 to 10 months, until plants are well anchored, because horses can pull young plants out. Then graze rotationally, going in at 25 to 30cm and leaving 12 to 15cm. The mix is mainly Gatton Panic Grass, which contains oxalate, so provide horses with a calcium supplement on your vet's advice.

Is there a perennial seed mix for stabilising road verges or mine rehab?

Yes, our WA Northern Perennial Pasture Mix is suited to stabilisation work such as mine rehabilitation and road verges north of Perth. The Rhodes grasses spread by stolons to cover ground and hold soil, while Gatton Panic Grass adds deep roots. Allow ample establishment time, as the success of the mix depends heavily on it.

Can I cut hay or silage from a summer perennial pasture?

Yes, our WA Northern Perennial Pasture Mix is suitable for grazing, hay and silage. Finecut Rhodes Grass in the blend has finer leaves and stems and excellent hay attributes. Let the stand establish fully before the first cut, then manage it so plants keep enough residue to regrow over summer.

What perennial grass mix copes with a bit of salt on light soils?

Our WA Northern Perennial Pasture Mix tolerates mild salinity and suits light sands to loams with pH 5 or higher. For paddocks with a more serious salt problem, we suggest sowing Reclaimer Rhodes Grass on its own. It stays productive in moderately saline soils once established, and salt-tolerant legumes can be added later.

How do I keep a new tropical grass pasture alive through its first summer?

Give it time and do not overgraze. With our WA Northern Perennial Pasture Mix, whether it lasts depends heavily on establishment time and grazing management. Wait 8 to 10 months before grazing, then use rotational grazing from 25 to 30cm down to 12 to 15cm. Gatton Panic Grass in particular needs careful first-summer management to keep plant numbers up.

I'm not getting much rain, is a perennial mix worth sowing in the 300mm zone?

It can be. Our WA Northern Perennial Pasture Mix suits areas with 300mm or more of rainfall and is summer active wherever soil moisture is available. Gatton Panic Grass responds quickly after rain, and Katambora Rhodes Grass is valued for its persistence and drought tolerance. Sow in spring with good soil moisture and a chance of follow-up rain.

Northern vs Southern Perennial Pasture Mix, which one do I need?

Choose by location. Our WA Northern Perennial Pasture Mix is suited to areas north of Perth and is mainly Gatton Panic Grass with Rhodes grasses. The WA Southern Perennial Pasture Mix is for areas south of Perth and adds Amplify Phalaris, which tolerates waterlogged and acidic soils, and Kikuyu to the panic and Rhodes grasses.

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