Self Regeneration Mix

Self-regenerating pasture built on ARGT resistant ryegrass

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Safeguard ARGT resistant ryegrass; Dalkeith and Nungarin Sub clovers; Paradana Balansa; Hykon Rose clover: Suited for sowing in areas with lower rainfall and where Wimmera exists and farmers wish to reduce the risk of ARGT poisoning. Productive across a wide range of soil types. A mix to consider for Regenerative Pasture or Cover Cropping.

Key attributes

  • Includes Safeguard annual ryegrass
  • Self-regenerates from the soil seed bank
  • Reduces resowing costs
  • Early flowering for reliable seed set
  • Suits cropping rotations

Mix components

Formulation 2025

Component
Safeguard ARGT Resistant Annual Ryegrass
The only early flowering commercial Annual Ryegrass with ARGT resistance that can inoculate Wimmera pastures for future protection against ARGT. Dalkieth Subterranean Clover The only early flowering commercial Annual Ryegrass with ARGT resistance that can inoculate Wimmera pastures for future protection against ARGT.
Border Balansa Clover
Large leaved, white flowered, erect, ~7 days earlier flowering than Paradana Balansa; replaced by Paradana Balansa from 2023
Annual legume with good spring production well suited to our Mediterranean-type climate growing satisfactorily on a wide range of soils.
Dalkeith Subterranean Clover: A very versatile and proven subterranean clover with good seed set ability that combines well with other species in this mix. Self Regeneration Mix is based around
A mid-maturing, semi-erect self-regenerating annual clover selected for its tolerance to waterlogged soils and clover scorch resistant. Although tolerant to waterlogging it has low salt tolerance. Combines well with other species.
Izmir Subterranean Clover to a wide range of soil types. Providing additional bulk over the growing season when combined with other species in this mix.
Early maturing hard black seeded variety with good persistence due to the high level of hard seeds. Due to Nungarin’s earlier maturity production declines into late spring. Self Regeneration Mix contains certified Safeguard ARGT resistant annual ryegrass which is resistant to the nematode that causes outbreaks of ARGT, a toxin producing bacterium which affects livestock throughout WA, including high rainfall areas. Therefore, livestock grazing Safeguard ARGT resistant Annual ryegrass pasture have a significantly reduced risk of developing annual ryegrass toxicity in the pasture, hay or grain. It is safe to graze in spring and summer and should produce enough feed to graze in the first year. It also has the potential to provide grazing opportunities during winter and spring before locking up for seed set. The establishment of safeguard should provide successful cross pollination with any existing Wimmera and provide ARGT resistance for the next year and with a good management plan, over several years, it should assist with eradicating and combating signs of ARGT on your farm. A Irwin Hunter Spokesperson said: “This mixture has the potential to provide grazing opportunities during the winter and early spring period before locking up for seed set” Self-regeneration mix recommended sowing rate A minimum of 12 kgs/ha or up to 15 kgs/ha where there is a likelihood of a higher Wimmera plant population. The higher seeding rate will increase the effectiveness of cross pollination with the local Wimmera ecotype, increase winter production and assist with second year regeneration.

*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 Self Regeneration Pasture Mix was introduced by Irwin Hunter to serve the large number of growers who need an early flowering pasture that will come back on its own, and it is built around certified Safeguard ARGT resistant annual ryegrass.

That choice is deliberate and specific. Annual ryegrass toxicity is a serious problem in Western Australian pasture, and Safeguard is the only annual ryegrass Irwin Hunter will recommend for pasture regeneration in this state, because it flowers early, while there is still time for effective cross-pollination with the resident Wimmera ecotype. That cross-pollination is the mechanism by which resistance is carried into the following year's population, so the paddock becomes progressively safer rather than needing to be resown.

The mix combines that ryegrass with clovers that set seed for regeneration in following years, so the pasture rebuilds itself from a soil seed bank.

It gives growers two things at once: protection against ARGT, and a pasture that regenerates without the cost of resowing. It also provides grazing through winter and early spring before the paddock is locked up for seed set.

Planting & grazing notes

Optimal sowing time Autumn/Winter; where background annual ryegrass population is high, cultivate and spray with non-selective herbicide the year before sowing to reduce Wimmera seed reserves; where background levels are low, use minimum-disturbance sowing; leave an unsown test strip to monitor local ryegrass; lightly graze at ~6 weeks/6-8cm to increase tillering (best managed with younger/lighter beef cattle or sheep); rotational/controlled grazing between 10-15cm, closing no lower than 3cm; remove/reduce stock from mid-September so head emergence of Safeguard and Wimmera are in sync (Safeguard normally heads early October); after seed set and drying off, stock can return to graze residues; test paddock in subsequent years to confirm the ARGT bacterium is under control (DPIRD Testing Services).

Disease & pest resistance

Self Regeneration Mix is based around Safeguard ARGT Resistant Annual Ryegrass that will successfully cross pollinate with Wimmera providing ARGT resistance to the following year’s progeny. A mid-maturing, semi-erect self-regenerating annual clover selected for its tolerance to waterlogged soils and clover scorch resistant. Self Regeneration Mix contains certified Safeguard ARGT resistant annual ryegrass which is resistant to the nematode that causes outbreaks of ARGT, a toxin producing bacterium which affects livestock throughout WA, including high rainfall areas.

Stand life

Self-regenerating; if managed well (locked up annually to seed) should continue to provide high quality pasture into subsequent years. Safeguard ARGT Resistant Annual Ryegrass is the only annual ryegrass that Irwin Hunter & Co will recommend for pasture regeneration in Western Australia as it flowers early whist there is still good moisture levels in the soil, thereby increasing the chances of a successful seed set. Early maturing hard black seeded variety with good persistence due to the high level of hard seeds. The higher seeding rate will increase the effectiveness of cross pollination with the local Wimmera ecotype, increase winter production and assist with second year regeneration.

How it's sold

FormPackStatus
BioNPK-S coated25 kgIn stock
Self Regeneration MixSelf Regeneration Mix

FAQs

How do I reduce ARGT poisoning risk in my annual ryegrass paddocks?

We recommend our Self Regeneration Mix, built around Safeguard, an ARGT-resistant annual ryegrass. Safeguard cross-pollinates with Wimmera ryegrass to help reduce ARGT risk over time. Remove stock from mid-September so Safeguard and Wimmera head at the same time, and test paddocks in later years.

What pasture mix suits lower rainfall wheatbelt paddocks that already have Wimmera ryegrass?

Our Self Regeneration Mix suits lower rainfall areas where Wimmera exists. It combines Safeguard ARGT-resistant ryegrass with Dalkeith and Nungarin sub clovers, Paradana Balansa and Hykon Rose clover, and is productive across loamy sand to heavy soils with pH 5.0+.

How much should I sow of an ARGT resistant ryegrass and clover mix?

For our Self Regeneration Mix we recommend 12 to 15 kg/ha, using the higher end where the Wimmera population is likely to be high to improve cross-pollination. Don't sow deep: broadcast and harrow lightly, or preferably sod-seed with a triple disc into uncultivated soil.

How should I graze a new self-regenerating pasture in its first year?

For our Self Regeneration Mix, graze lightly at about six weeks or 6 to 8cm to increase tillering, ideally with younger or lighter beef cattle or sheep. Then graze between 10 and 15cm, closing no lower than 3cm. Remove stock from mid-September for seed set, then graze residues after drying off.

What pasture handles a bit of salt on wheatbelt flats and comes back each year?

Our Self Regeneration Mix tolerates mild salinity and regenerates if locked up to set seed each year. It suits loamy sand to heavy soils with pH 5.0+. For heavily salt-affected or scalded ground, we suggest talking to us about Puccinellia or Tall Wheat Grass instead.

How do I prepare a paddock with lots of Wimmera ryegrass before sowing new pasture?

Where background ryegrass is high, we recommend cultivating and spraying with a non-selective herbicide the year before sowing our Self Regeneration Mix, to reduce Wimmera seed reserves. Where levels are low, use minimum-disturbance sowing. Leave an unsown test strip to monitor local ryegrass.

Can I cut hay from a self-regenerating pasture?

Yes, our Self Regeneration Mix suits winter and early spring grazing and hay. Keep in mind cutting can reduce seed set, and regeneration depends on the pasture being locked up to set seed. Consider cutting only part of the paddock if you want strong regeneration.

What's in Self Regeneration Mix?

Self Regeneration Mix contains Safeguard ARGT-resistant annual ryegrass, Dalkeith and Nungarin sub clovers, Paradana Balansa and Hykon Rose clover. Safeguard is early flowering and ARGT resistant, and the clovers regenerate from seed and suit a wide range of soils. It is coated with BioNPK Powder S.

How do I know if Self Regeneration Mix has fixed my ARGT problem?

We recommend testing the paddock in the years after sowing Self Regeneration Mix to confirm the ARGT bacterium is under control, for example through DPIRD Testing Services. Managing grazing so Safeguard and Wimmera flower together helps resistance build up in the local ryegrass.

Self Regeneration Mix vs Nitro Mix?

Self Regeneration Mix combines Safeguard ARGT-resistant ryegrass with sub and aerial clovers for grazing and hay, aimed at paddocks with ARGT risk. Nitro Mix is legumes only, focused on building soil nitrogen and structure. Choose Self Regeneration Mix if you want a grass and clover pasture that regenerates.