As seen in Farm Weekly, 09/04/2026

Like large-scale farms, smallholders need to maximise every hectare, making careful planning and management essential.

Whether you're keeping horses, cattle, sheep, or simply improving land health, a well-managed pasture can provide feed, reduce costs, and enhance soil quality.

Improved pastures are the foundation of productive, resilient and environmentally responsible small landholdings across Western Australia.

Yet too often, pasture decisions are based on guesswork rather than planning – leading to declining productivity, rising input costs and fragile soils.

When managed well, improved pastures lift carrying capacity, support animal health, improve soil function and protect waterways.

When managed poorly, they quickly become weedy, nutrient-leaky and unproductive.

The difference comes down to clear objectives, the right species mix and disciplined grazing management.

The first step is defining purpose.

Many small properties attempt to run mixed enterprises without a clear feedbase strategy.

Landholders need to identify their livestock, understand feed gaps and determine a sustainable year-round stocking rate.

These decisions guide everything that follows – from paddock layout to pasture mix and fertiliser inputs.

Soil constraints must then be addressed.

South-west WA soils are typically acidic and low in nutrients, with sandplain country often affected by water repellence and leaching.

Soil testing prior to sowing is essential.

Correcting pH is critical.

Lifting topsoil pH (Ca) towards 5.5 through liming supports legume persistence and improves pasture performance.

On sandy soils, addressing non-wetting and compaction – and adopting split or slow-release fertiliser strategies – can significantly improve nutrient use efficiency.

Species selection should match soil type, rainfall and intended use.

In higher rainfall zones, kikuyu-based systems undersown with annual ryegrass and sub clover provide reliable groundcover and valuable summer–autumn feed.

On lighter sands and duplex soils, hard-seeded legumes such as Serradella or Biserrula paired with ryegrass or oats offer cost-effective winter–spring production and nitrogen input.

For smallholders, simplifying species selection can be a major advantage.

Irwin Hunter & Co. (IHSeeds) offers a wide range of Specialist pasture seeds and mixes suited to different soil types, rainfall zones and livestock systems.

For smaller properties, where paddock conditions can vary significantly across limited acreage, having access to tailored seed options can help improve establishment success, seasonal feed balance and long-term pasture performance.

Where soils are well-drained and adequately limed, temperate perennials such as cocksfoot, tall fescue and lucerne can further improve resilience and support fodder conservation.

Importantly, species choice should follow land capability – not trends.

Wet, winter-waterlogged flats are rarely suited to high-input pasture systems and are better managed with adapted species, occasional grazing or revegetation.

Freer-draining rises and slopes can support more intensive production.

Subdividing paddocks based on soil type and drainage, rather than arbitrary boundaries, allows grazing pressure and inputs to be managed more effectively – especially on smaller holdings.

Pasture establishment remains one of the most common failure points.

Broadcasting seed before the break may seem economical, but it often delivers poor results.

Successful establishment often begins 12 months in advance, with weed control, reduced annual grass seedset and good groundcover retention.

Cultivation or pre-sowing knockdown and selective herbicides are far more effective than post-emergent corrections.

A firm, well-prepared seedbed, correct sowing depth and the use of quality, inoculated seed – supported by fertiliser matched to soil test results – are essential.

Getting this phase right sets up pasture performance for years to come.

The first season of grazing is equally critical.

Grazing should only begin once plants are well anchored.

Rotational or strip grazing systems are far more effective than continuous stocking, allowing plants to recover and maintain feed quality.

Groundcover should be protected at all times.

Maintaining at least 70 per cent cover reduces erosion, protects soil biology and limits nutrient and sediment loss, particularly during heavy winter rainfall.

Stocking rates must be adjusted to seasonal conditions rather than relying solely on supplementary feeding.

Ultimately, improved pastures are not just about greener paddocks – they are about building systems that work within the limits of soil, climate and landscape.

For small landholders, the message is clear.

Define your purpose, understand your soils, select the right species and mixes for your conditions, and manage grazing with discipline.

That's how small properties shift from underperforming hobby blocks to productive, profitable and resilient feedbases built for the long-term and protecting the region's sensitive soils and waterways.

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