Suited for areas south of Perth. Persistent and productive perennial mix which if allowed to establish with adequate moisture will continue to be productive in summer with the appropriate grazing systems. Suited to areas for stabilisation, like mine rehabilitation and road verges etc.
Key attributes
- Multi-species perennial base
- Perennial base for southern WA country
- Deep rooted for summer persistence
- Tolerates trampling and heavy grazing
- Suits rotational grazing systems
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 is 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 and will 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. |
Narok Setaria Dropped from July 2025 onward in favour of Amplify Phalaris. Note: should not be grazed by horses where it is the sole species (low sodium, high oxalate) |
Kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum) is a mat-forming perennial grass that spreads by underground stems. With a root system of up to 30 – 40cm on regularly grazed pasture, Kikuyu is tolerant of trampling, holds the soils and responds to high manure input. It is moderately drought tolerant and is highly productive during periods of high humidity. Kikuyu can tolerate some waterlogging and moderate salinity levels. It can tolerate soil pH as low as 4.5. Grows best in temperatures between 15 – 25°C but will tolerate up to 40°C. Kikuyu is very effective for erosion control, suppresses weeds, survives long dry periods, is highly persistent and responds well to nitrogen fertiliser in a warm season. |
Reclaimer Rhodes Grass has been bred from the earlier collections of |
Amplify Phalaris is a deep-rooted perennial capable of tolerating waterlogged and acidic soils. A great all-rounder with high winter forage yields and some summer production under favourable conditions. Amplify has the ability to go summer dormant under adverse conditions for increased persistence. A long term perennial pasture that gives you increased seedling vigour and lower toxicity. Amplify is a smart choice for growers who want a reliable and high yielding long term pasture. 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. This enables the potential for some plant recruitment through seed set. Where practical remove weed burden before sowing. Sow when soil temperatures are 18° Celsius and rising. Sow no deeper than 2cm. Do not overgraze over summer. |
Katambora Rhodes Grass is a Diploid Rhodes and is earlier flowering than Callide. It is more cold tolerant than Callide so can be sown south of Perth. Katambora Rhodes Grass has a high number of growing points with a very prostrate growth habit. Katambora Rhodes Grass is quite variable in its flowering, is more coarse in the leaf and stem and less palatable than more recent releases, and Callide. Summer active where soil moisture is available. Katambora Rhodes Grass is adaptable to a wide range of soil types and has a limited tolerance to saline conditions. |
*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 Southern Perennial Pasture Mix is an Irwin Hunter blend bringing together panic and Rhodes grasses with phalaris and kikuyu, formulated as a perennial base for southern Western Australian country.
Combining sub-tropical and temperate perennials in one mix is deliberate. The sub-tropical grasses produce through summer where moisture allows and hold the ground through heat; phalaris is a deep rooted temperate perennial that tolerates waterlogging and salinity and produces through winter and spring. Together they cover a far wider part of the year than either group alone, which is the point of a perennial pasture in the first place.
Kikuyu contributes ground cover and resilience, spreading by underground stems and stolons, tolerating trampling, holding soil and responding to manure inputs.
Sixty years of supplying growers across the southern districts sits behind the proportions, and the formulation is reviewed as better varieties become available.
Establishment is the critical phase. The paddock should be shut up and left ungrazed until plants are well anchored and cannot be pulled from the soil, which may be eight to ten months after sowing.
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. Once seeded shut the gate and do not graze until plants are well established. 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. 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.
Stand life
Kikuyu is highly persistent and survives long dry periods; Amplify Phalaris can go summer dormant for increased persistence; Reclaimer Rhodes remains productive in saline soils up to 10 dS/m. Kikuyu is very effective for erosion control, suppresses weeds, survives long dry periods, is highly persistent and responds well to nitrogen fertiliser in a warm season. 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 |