As seen in Farm Weekly, 12/02/2026

IHSeeds has worked closely with growers for 60 years, selecting pasture species and varieties that suit individual farm systems.

Pasture selection is one of the most influential decisions made on farm, yet it is often reduced to choosing what is familiar or readily available.

In a farming environment shaped by rising input costs, variable seasons and increasing pressure on productivity, selecting the right pasture species and varieties has never been more important.

By selecting the right combination of species and varieties, farmers can improve feed quality, extend the grazing season, support livestock health, suppress weeds and build soil resilience – all at the same time.

Rather than relying on generic blends, IHSeeds' Mix & Match option allows growers to match species performance to their farm.

The most successful pasture systems are those designed specifically for a farm's soils, climate and production objectives.

A farmer's understanding of their individual paddock's soil type, fertility, drainage and pH conditions influence on selected species' ability to deliver stronger establishment, improved feed quality and greater long-term resilience is key.

Clay-loam soils for example behave very differently to sands or duplex country, and selecting species that suit those conditions is critical to success.

Western Australia's mixed farming pasture systems must balance early winter growth with late-season performance and the ability to cope with late starts or dry finishes and choosing varieties for a custom mix with proven local adaptability reduces risk and helps ensure feed availability across the growing season.

Mix & Match options provide improved resilience, combining complementary grasses and legumes chosen specifically for local conditions, whether that's low rainfall, acidic sands, waterlogging, or salinity.

This diversity spreads risk across species, ensuring that if one component struggles due to season variability, others continue to perform, resulting in more consistent feed availability across seasons.

Custom mixes can be fine-tuned for performance, persistence and regeneration allowing pasture composition to align with enterprise objectives – whether increasing carrying capacity, producing quality grazing, silage or hay, or rebuilding underperforming paddocks.

Mixes also enhance pasture productivity and livestock performance.

By balancing fast-establishing grasses with nitrogen-fixing legumes, farmers can achieve high-quality, palatable feed that supports weight gain, milk production, and overall animal health.

The inclusion of hard-seeded and regenerating species improves persistence, reducing the need for frequent re-sowing and lowering long-term input costs.

Soil health is another major benefit provided by mixes with the inclusion of Legumes that naturally fix nitrogen and reduce reliance on synthetic fertilisers, while diverse root systems improve soil structure, organic matter, and moisture retention.

Over time, this leads to healthier soils that are better equipped to cope with climatic variability.

This allows farmers to make better use of available moisture and convert pasture growth into feed when it matters most.

One WA producer who recently adopted a custom pasture Mix & Match, reported strong establishment on clay-loam soils, excellent seasonal growth and impressive hay yields, along with successful regeneration into the following season.

The mix delivered reliable feed quality while also contributing to improved soil condition — outcomes that reflect the value of selecting the right species for the right paddock.

As farming systems continue to evolve, tailored pasture solutions will play an increasingly important role in helping growers meet both production and sustainability goals.

Pasture choice is far more than a seed purchase.

When species and varieties are selected with intent — considering soil, climate, livestock and long-term outcomes — pasture becomes a strategic investment in your farm's productivity and resilience.

Working with Irwin Hunter & Co. gives growers access to the widest range of species, local expertise, and practical advice developed for Western Australian conditions over the past 60 years.

With the right advice and the right mix, your farm's pasture system will be more productive, resilient, and economically sound — built to perform not just this season, but for years to come.

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