As seen in Farm Weekly, 27/03/2025

Farmers are continuously seeking solutions that maximise productivity while ensuring long-term land health in the ever-evolving landscape of sustainable agriculture.

Self Regeneration Pasture Mix offers an efficient and cost-effective way to maintain high-quality feed year after year.

Irwin Hunter & Co. has been at the forefront, providing innovative seed solutions tailored to WA's farming conditions.

Self Regeneration Pasture Mix, enhanced with Safeguard ARGT-resistant ryegrass, is a prime example of a self-regenerating pasture mix incorporating resilient species that establish strong root systems, set viable seeds, and naturally regenerate over multiple seasons if allowed to come to seed in spring.

This approach reduces the need for replanting and improves soil structure, moisture retention, and microbial activity – critical components for long-term agricultural sustainability and pasture performance.

Irwin Hunter & Co's Self Regeneration Pasture Mix is a designed pasture blend of Safeguard annual ryegrass and legumes promoting sustainable and productive grazing systems.

The basis of the mix is Safeguard ARGT resistant annual ryegrass, which plays a crucial role in improving pasture resilience.

This variety successfully cross-pollinates with Wimmera ryegrass, ensuring that the following year's progeny inherits resistance to annual ryegrass toxicity (ARGT).

Bred out of Wimmera, Safeguard thrives in Western Australia's conditions as an early-flowering annual ryegrass, making it an ideal choice for pasture regeneration.

By flowering early, while soil moisture levels remain high, it increases the likelihood of a successful seed set, contributing to long-term pasture sustainability.

Self-regeneration mix offers valuable grazing opportunities during winter and early spring.

It allows farmers to maximise forage availability before the pasture is locked up for seed set and ensures immediate and future productivity.

Additionally, the mix includes several complementary legumes that further enhance the pasture quality.

Paradana Balansa is a key component that is a prolific seeder, results in good persistence, and is ideally suited for regeneration.

Hykon Rose clover is a robust annual legume known for its strong spring production.

Its adaptability to thrive on a range of soils makes it a valuable inclusion.

Another element of the mix is Dalkeith subterranean clover, a highly versatile and proven subterranean clover variety.

Known for its excellent seed-setting ability, Dalkeith integrates well with other species in the mix, ensuring a diverse and resilient pasture composition.

By combining these high-quality species, the Self Regeneration Pasture Mix provides a well-balanced approach to sustainable grazing, improving soil health and long-term pasture persistence.

Safeguard annual ryegrass

Purchasing certified Safeguard from IHSeeds ensures that ryegrass remains resistant to annual ryegrass toxicity (ARGT) – a widespread issue for livestock producers across the State.

ARGT outbreaks are increasingly reported in high-rainfall zones, posing a significant threat to farmers, particularly in the hay industry.

However, growers can eliminate this problem by simply sowing certified Safeguard, a variety specifically bred to combat ARGT while delivering exceptional pasture performance.

Safeguard is the only ARGT-resistant annual ryegrass available in the pasture seed market.

It delivers excellent winter yields and was developed specifically for livestock and hay producers to safeguard against ARGT infecting their pastures.

It produces vigorous, leafy growth that supports multiple cuts and grazing cycles.

Safeguard, bred out of Wimmera with ARGT-resistant genes, gives growers the best chance to protect their livestock while producing excellent winter pasture.

This variety acts as a biological control, disrupting the cycle of Anguina funesta nematodes that spread ARGT and preventing the proliferation of Clavibacter toxicus, the toxin-producing bacterium responsible for the disease.

With a sustained 2-3 year management program, ARGT can be eliminated from the farmer's paddocks.

This advanced ryegrass variety offers multiple advantages beyond ARGT resistance.

It delivers exceptional early-season growth, ensuring a quick start to grazing rotations, and exhibits a robust seed set for reliable regeneration.

This combination of Safeguard ARGT-resistant ryegrass and nitrogen-fixing legumes makes Self Regeneration Mix an effective solution for farmers looking to enhance pasture regeneration while maintaining high-quality grazing options.

Its adaptability and regenerative potential provide a valuable strategy for pasture improvement in Western Australia's variable conditions.

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