What Rhodes grass can I sow south of Perth where it gets colder in winter?
We recommend Katambora Rhodes Grass for sowings south of Perth. It is more cold tolerant than Callide and handles lower temperatures better than most Rhodes grasses. It is widely adapted, establishes easily and suits loamy sands through to loams with pH 5 or higher. Sow in spring once soil temperatures reach 16°C and are rising.
Which summer grass can take heavy grazing once it's up and going?
Katambora Rhodes Grass tolerates heavy grazing once established. It is an older variety with a prostrate, spreading habit that protects its growing points. We still recommend rotational grazing, starting at 25 to 30cm and not grazing below 12 to 15cm if you want good regrowth. Avoid overgrazing over summer to keep the stand persistent.
What soil temperature do I need before sowing tropical grass seed?
Wait until soil temperatures are 16°C and rising, which usually means spring. For our Katambora Rhodes Grass, make sure there is good soil moisture and a chance of follow-up rain. Sow 4 to 8 kg/ha onto or just below the surface, no deeper than 2cm. Spraying out weeds and existing pasture first reduces competition.
Is there a pasture grass that helps with nematodes in the soil?
Katambora Rhodes Grass provides nematode resistance, which makes it a useful perennial in paddocks where nematodes are a concern. It is widely adapted and easy to establish, suits pH 5 or higher and handles mild waterlogging and mild salinity. We recommend sowing it with other sub-tropical grasses for better production through the season.
How should I prepare a paddock before sowing a perennial summer pasture?
Start with a soil test for pH and fertility, then spray out existing pasture and persistent weeds. Prepare a fine, firm seedbed and apply lime or gypsum if needed. If broadcasting Katambora Rhodes Grass, run drag harrows, mesh or a light roller behind to get seed-to-soil contact, but avoid this on wet soils that may crust.
Can Katambora handle salty or wet ground?
Katambora Rhodes Grass has only limited tolerance to salinity and handles mild waterlogging. It suits paddocks with slight problems, but not serious salt scald. For saline country we recommend Reclaimer Rhodes Grass, and for wetter paddocks north of Perth, Callide Rhodes Grass. Katambora grows best on loamy sands to loams with pH 5 or higher.
I want a tough, easy to establish perennial grass for a dry-ish block with 300mm rain, what do you suggest?
We suggest Katambora Rhodes Grass. It is widely adapted, easy to establish and suits areas with 300mm or more of rainfall, needing less rain than Callide. It is summer active where soil moisture is available and forms a spreading, prostrate stand. Give new pastures 8 to 10 months, or until plants go reproductive, before the first grazing.
What legumes can I add to a Rhodes grass paddock and when?
We recommend broadcasting or sowing legumes into Katambora Rhodes Grass in the first autumn after its first grazing. Then bring livestock back in to push the seed into the soil. Choose legumes that suit your soil and rainfall, and keep up a fertiliser plan so both the grass and the legume stay productive. Talk to us about which clover suits your paddock.
Katambora vs Finecut Rhodes grass, is the newer one worth it?
Finecut was bred from Katambora and gave 23% more dry matter in trials, with finer stems, higher palatability and more uniform flowering, so it is the better choice for hay. Katambora is coarser and less palatable, but it is cold tolerant, takes heavy grazing and provides nematode resistance. Many growers sow both in a mix.
Is the Katambora seed coated and certified?
Yes, our Katambora Rhodes Grass is coated and treated with Gaucho, which makes it easier to sow and improves seed placement. We are an Australian Seed Federation member and follow its Code of Practice, providing Certified Quality Assured Seed with labels showing species, purity and germination. Store the seed somewhere cool and dry until sowing.
