As seen in Farm Weekly, 23/04/2026

Creating a pasture system that delivers reliable, year-round nutrition is a challenge many Australian landholders know well.

Seasonal variability, soil limitations, and the demands of livestock – particularly performance animals – mean that a single-species approach rarely delivers consistent results.

Increasingly, producers are turning to thoughtfully designed, multi-species pasture systems to improve resilience, productivity and animal health.

One such success story comes from a Western Australian horse property Aspire Equine, that has transformed its land using pasture varieties from Irwin Hunter & Co.

When the property was first purchased in late 2020, it required significant rehabilitation.

Weeds dominated, pasture coverage was inconsistent, and soil health needed attention.

Rather than opting for a quick fix, the owners committed to a long-term strategy – progressively introducing a diverse range of species tailored to their soil type and seasonal conditions.

Over five years, they established a blend including Balansa clover, ARGT Resistant Safeguard ryegrass, Kikuyu, Red clover, and more recently, Shirohie millet and Strawberry clover.

Their reasoning was simple but effective: diversity drives resilience.

By combining annuals and perennials, warm- and cool-season species, and deep- and shallow-rooting plants, they aimed to create a pasture that could sustain itself and their horses throughout the year.

The result is a system that not only produces high-quality forage but also maintains consistent ground cover, significantly reducing erosion.

Seasonal adaptability was a key factor in their seed selection.

Each species plays a role at different times of the year – ryegrass and clovers providing strong winter and spring growth, kikuyu delivering durability and productivity through warmer months, and millet offering additional summer feed.

This staggered growth pattern ensures there are no major feed gaps, a common issue in less diverse pasture systems.

Establishment varied between species, but early successes were encouraging.

Balansa clover and Safeguard ryegrass performed strongly in the first season and have since become self-perpetuating, reducing the need for frequent reseeding.

Kikuyu required more patience, particularly under irrigation, but has proven its worth with excellent tolerance to hoof traffic – an essential trait for equestrian properties.

Interestingly, Red clover was initially less favoured by the horses, yet once established, it became one of their preferred grazing options.

Today, the pasture quality is described as "absolutely fantastic".

The consistency and nutritional value of the forage have allowed the owners to significantly reduce supplementary feeding, both in terms of hard feed and hay.

For a property supporting performance horses, this is no small achievement.

The animals are reported to be in superb physical and mental condition, benefitting from continuous access to high-quality grazing.

Beyond livestock performance, the environmental benefits have been equally notable.

The property now requires only minimal fertiliser inputs and limited spot spraying for weeds.

Improved ground cover has effectively eliminated erosion issues, while increased biological activity – evidenced by rising populations of dung beetles, ladybirds, and earthworms – signals a healthier, more balanced soil ecosystem.

Like any farming journey, there were challenges along the way.

Availability of preferred species occasionally required flexibility; for example, Red clover was initially sown as an alternative to Strawberry clover.

However, this adaptability proved advantageous, with the unexpected inclusion becoming a valuable component of the pasture mix.

It highlights an important lesson for producers: remaining open to alternative species can lead to equally, if not more, successful outcomes.

Perhaps the most compelling aspect of this story is its accessibility.

The owners are not professional farmers, yet through persistence, informed seed selection, and a willingness to adapt, they have achieved outstanding results.

Their experience demonstrates that with the right approach – and the right seed mix – any landholder can significantly improve pasture performance.

They strongly recommend these pasture varieties to other equestrian property owners, emphasising the benefits of year-round grazing and the visible impact on horse health and condition.

Their success underscores the value of working with proven varieties and tailored pasture solutions from Irwin Hunter & Co.

In an era where sustainability, productivity, and animal welfare must go hand in hand, this example shows what is possible.

A well-planned, diverse pasture system is not just an investment in land – it's an investment in the long-term success of the entire farming operation.

We would like to thank Aspire Equine for their continued support and highly successful year-round pasture production.

Contact your local farm supplier or Irwin Hunter & Co for more information regarding the extensive range of pasture seed and mixes.