As seen in Farm Weekly, 06/02/2025

The need for sustainable and productive pastures has never been greater in today's farming landscape.

With increasing interest in regenerative agriculture, farmers seek ways to improve soil health, boost yields, and maximise grazing efficiency.

One farmer who has seen firsthand the benefits of a tailored pasture solution is Chris.

Chris has transformed his farm into a thriving, high-yielding pasture system supporting grazing and hay production by opting for a Mix & Match custom seed blend from Irwin Hunter & Co (IHSeeds).

"We chose to have a custom blend made to best suit our conditions and provide us with good grazing and a meadow hay crop," he explains.

By selecting a mix of late-season diploid and tetraploid ryegrass along with Paradana Balansa and Persian clovers, he ensured a pasture that would be fast-growing, high-yielding, and capable of rapid regrowth after cutting - critical factors for his operation.

Like many farmers in the region, Chris's property has its own challenges, including low-lying clay-loam soil that retains water and can become difficult to work after heavy rainfall.

Seeding too early risks losing the crop to excessive rain, while delays can impact the growing season.

"We were fortunate to get planting done perfectly this year," he says.

Working with a contractor, Chris prepared the soil with a light-speed till, harrowed the clay twice to create an even seedbed, and used an air seeder for planting.

Chris got advice from Irwin Hunter & Co to ensure success.

Why choose a custom pasture mix for your farm?

Custom pasture mixes in WA allow farmers to tailor their pastures to specific soil types and climate conditions, optimising growth, yield, and resilience.

They enhance soil health by nitrogen-fixing legumes, extending grazing seasons, and improving livestock nutrition.

Additionally, they support regenerative agriculture by promoting biodiversity, suppressing weeds, and increasing soil carbon sequestration.

With self-regenerating species, they reduce replanting costs while providing high-quality feed, making them a sustainable and profitable choice for modern farming.

Chris's decision to invest in a custom pasture seed mix stemmed from the need to tailor his pasture to the specific conditions of his property.

"We used the IH Seed Guide to decide which seed best suited our conditions and the purpose of the pasture," he said.

The results were quickly visible - within 7-10 days, the first signs of germination appeared, and by 8-10 weeks, the ryegrass and clover crop was fully established and ready for grazing.

Outstanding results

The decision to use a custom mix paid off with remarkable results.

"Pasture quality was impressive - we ended up with a heavy crop, and the regrowth after grazing was quick and thick," Chris said.

His hay production exceeded expectations.

"The difference from last season was incredible," he said, attributing the improvement to the quality seed mix and soil amendments.

Beyond yield, the pasture delivered significant benefits to livestock.

"We observed many benefits - fat cattle, a good yield of quality meadow hay for sale as well as for our own use," Chris reports.

Including legumes in the mix also contributed to soil health, and even after cutting, there was enough standing dry feed to sustain grazing for months.

We grow our hay primarily for horse breeders, and they are impressed with the quality.

The ground feed was terrific for our young cattle and has dramatically reduced the amount of hay we needed to keep to feed out this summer.

Long-term impact and regeneration

One of the key advantages of Chris's custom mix was its ability to regenerate naturally, reducing input costs and ensuring ongoing productivity.

"Yes, we cut the pasture when it reached its peak in the growing and flowering stage.

"We saw rapid regrowth and received decent rainfall in the weeks after cutting," he said.

Allowing the pasture to set seed before grazing again has helped build a self-sustaining system.

Although the full extent of soil improvement will be assessed with upcoming soil tests, Chris is confident in the positive changes.

"Yes, we've seen improvements in the soil, but we will be conducting soil testing again in February to see exactly what has occurred."

A farmer's recommendation

Reflecting on his experience, Chris highly recommends IHSeeds' Mix & Match, custom pasture mixes.

"The seed from our experience has been excellent and I highly recommend it.

"I haven't used any other seed companies on this property in these conditions, and I will continue to use IH."

Chris emphasises the importance of the right seed selection for farmers considering their pasture options.

"Using the IH Pasture Growers Guide allowed me to order the correct seed.

"I don't think you can go wrong with IHSeeds."

The value of custom pastures

Chris's story is a testament to the benefits of custom pasture mixes.

By carefully selecting a blend suited to his farm's conditions and goals, he has created a pasture that is not only highly productive but also resilient and sustainable.

His success highlights the importance of tailored pasture solutions in modern farming, which deliver strong yields, healthier livestock, and long-term soil improvement.

For farmers looking to optimise their pastures, Irwin Hunter & Co's Mix & Match option provides the flexibility and quality needed to achieve outstanding results.

Whether for grazing, hay production, or soil regeneration, a customised pasture mix can make all the difference.

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