Whittet Kikuyu Grass

We recommend our Kikuyu for this. It is a deep-rooted, self-repairing perennial that forms a dense pasture and spreads by stolons above and below the soil surface. It is very competitive and helps reduce soil erosion. It suits sand to heavy soils in areas with 650mm+ rainfall and is popular across coastal South West WA.

For Kikuyu, the best time to sow is when soil temperature is above 20°C and there is a high chance of several days of good soil moisture. We recommend 2 to 5 kg/ha. Our Kikuyu is coated and treated with Gaucho, and it comes in 2kg, 5kg and 25kg bags to suit anything from a small block to a large paddock.

With newly sown Kikuyu, we recommend waiting until the runners are about 20 to 25cm long and have taken significant roots. When grazing begins, check that stock are not pulling the runners out of the soil. Kikuyu is quite competitive once established, so a careful start pays off in a dense, long-lasting sward.

If it's Kikuyu, keep it grazed short. Palatability is high when the sward is kept short and has good legume content, while older growth is not readily eaten. Kikuyu also responds well to fertiliser, especially nitrogen during the warm season, which helps keep feed quality up. Rotational grazing and slashing rank growth both help.

Our Kikuyu is highly persistent and survives long dry periods. It is a drought-tolerant warm season grass that persists better under lower fertility than other kikuyu varieties. It is active from late spring through summer and early autumn, gives high quality feed if summer moisture is available, and suits sheep and cattle pastures.

Kikuyu is a good option. It tolerates waterlogging and mild salinity, suits sand to heavy soils, and performs in 650mm+ rainfall areas of the South West. It also has reasonable frost tolerance. For heavily salt-affected ground, we would point you to Puccinellia or Tall Wheat Grass instead.

You can, but with Kikuyu expect some competition. Kikuyu provides very little winter growth, and its persistence and competitiveness reduce compatibility with other pastures, including legumes. Legume content does improve palatability, though, so we suggest keeping the kikuyu grazed short in autumn before oversowing a suitable annual clover or ryegrass. Talk to us about the best companion for your soil.

No, Kikuyu provides very little winter growth. It is a warm season perennial that is most active from late spring through summer and early autumn. Many South West farmers pair it with winter-active annuals such as ryegrass or clover to fill the gap, while the kikuyu base protects the soil and provides summer feed.

We stock coated Kikuyu in 2kg, 5kg and 25kg bags, so it suits lawns, small lifestyle blocks and larger paddocks. The seed is coated and treated with Gaucho. For pasture we recommend 2 to 5 kg/ha, sown when soils are above 20°C with good moisture expected for several days.

Both are summer-active, spreading perennials. Our Kikuyu is well proven for coastal South West sheep and cattle pastures, handles waterlogging, and persists under lower fertility. Bermuda Couch Speedie is a strong choice for irrigated summer pasture and hay, including where water is salty. Talk to us about your soil, water and stock.