As seen in Farm Weekly, 05/03/2026

For many Western Australian growers, regeneration is a practical goal; healthier soils; stronger pastures; lower input costs; a system that works with the seasons, not against them.

But for producers in annual ryegrass country, there's another priority that sits just as high: keeping pasture and hay free from annual ryegrass toxicity (ARGT).

That's where Self Regeneration Mix and Safeguard Annual Ryegrass (ARGT resistant) from Irwin Hunter & Co pasture seed specialists, come into their own — offering a way to rebuild pasture naturally while protecting livestock and hay markets from ARGT risk.

Regeneration that works with your farm and objectives is important to farmers like Adrian who said, "we are trying to improve the quality of our soils and feed, so we thought this particular seed mix from Irwin Hunter & Co would be the perfect fit for what we are trying to achieve."

"We also chose Self Regeneration mix because we are trying to improve the quality of our pasture, I liked the variety of the mix, particularly the fact it is ARGT resistant.

"Another appealing feature is I can leave it to set seed for the following year, if I want to.

"We are practicing regenerative farming techniques such as strip grazing; spreading the manure after each graze, then giving that strip a rest for a few weeks to allow regrowth.

"I have already recommended it to our neighbouring farmers and friends who have bought land and we think it's a great mix because we saw great results with excellent yields.

"As a result, we not only have happy, healthy cows but improved soils, good ground cover, which has greatly assisted the suppression of weeds, and increased insect life."

The idea behind the Self Regeneration Mix is simple: sow once, manage well, and let the pasture do the rest.

Built around early flowering Safeguard annual ryegrass, the mix is designed to establish quickly, provide valuable winter and early spring grazing, and then run to seed – setting up the paddock for the following season.

Instead of relying on annual re-sowing, farmers can harness natural seed set and hard-seeded legumes to carry production forward.

In a climate where autumn breaks can vary and input costs continue to climb, that kind of resilience matters.

The mix combines Safeguard ryegrass with carefully selected clovers such as Balansa, Rose clover and Subterranean clovers Dalkeith and Nungarin.

Each plays a role.

Balansa clover is hard seeded, offering strong spring growth and waterlogging tolerance.

Sub clovers contribute improved pasture persistence through hard seed.

Rose clover is also hard seeded, deep rooted and adds diversity and bulk.

Together, they create a pasture that doesn't just grow feed – it builds soil structure, supports nitrogen fixation and strengthens the overall farming system.

ARGT resistant Safeguard

For growers who've experienced ARGT, the memory lingers.

Livestock losses.

Downgraded or rejected hay.

Nervous buyers.

Limited grazing confidence.

Safeguard annual ryegrass was developed specifically to tackle this issue.

It is resistant to the nematode responsible for ARGT, dramatically reducing the risk of toxin development in pasture and conserved fodder.

In practical terms, that means greater peace of mind when grazing sheep and cattle — and more confidence when cutting hay for sale or on-farm use.

But Safeguard does more than just protect.

It behaves similarly to traditional Wimmera ryegrass in flowering time, allowing cross-pollination to occur.

Over time, this can help dilute susceptible ryegrass populations in the paddock, supporting longer-term risk reduction when combined with good management.

For farmers aiming to produce clean, reliable hay, that's a significant advantage.

Feed, hay and flexibility

Productivity still matters.

A regenerative pasture must carry stock and, in many systems, fill the hay shed too.

Safeguard ryegrass is known for strong winter and early spring growth before being locked up for seed set.

As a component of the Self Regeneration Mix, it works alongside clovers to produce a dense, leafy sward suitable for grazing or hay.

When managed correctly – including allowing part of the stand to set seed in year one – growers can strike a balance between immediate feed demand and future regeneration.

The result is flexibility.

Graze early.

Lock up selected paddocks.

Harvest hay with greater ARGT confidence.

Then rely on natural regeneration to kick-start the following season.

Management makes the difference

Like any regenerative system, success comes down to management.

Soil pH should sit at 5.0 or above, and rainfall of around 350mm or more suits best.

Rotational grazing helps maintain plant vigour.

Allowing adequate seed set in the establishment year is critical to building the seed bank that drives future persistence.

Farmers who approach it as a system — not just a seed purchase — tend to see the strongest results.

A pasture that protects and performs

Regenerative agriculture isn't about going backwards.

It's about designing smarter systems that reduce risk while maintaining profitability.

With Safeguard annual ryegrass at its core, the Self Regeneration Mix offers WA growers a practical pathway to do just that: build soil health through diverse legumes, encourage natural pasture renewal, and significantly reduce ARGT risk in grazing and hay production.

For producers wanting clean hay, confident grazing and paddocks that come back year after year, safeguarding regeneration may be one of the most valuable decisions they make.

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