Ian had been frustrated by the lack of green available for him to finish his prime lambs by January after several failed Springs and dry Summers, he had a look around to see what was green at that time of year and noticed Paspalum growing on the roadside outside his fence.

 

This prompted him to collect some of the seed and set up a small trial plot along with another C4 plant Kikuyu and a few other pasture plants that if conditions were right would give him some better Summer pasture.

 

He also decided to commit himself to sowing a paddock with the mix, as Ian said he is now 76 and had to get on with the job.

 

 

Atlas Phalaris – for winter-feed

Jessup Max P Tall Fescue – for summer growth

Atom Prairie grass- for spring to summer growth

Whittet Kikuyu – C4 grass for summer growth

Paspalum dilatatum – C4 for summer growth

Chicory (Puna &Grouse) – herb for summer growth

Palastine Strawberry clover – perennial for summer growth

Stamina GT6 Lucerne – persists under grazing

Local ecotype of subterranean clover (self sown)

 

The previous pasture, which was bent grass and toxic ryegrass dominant, Ian suggested these were introduced by Irish immigrants to the district in their wheat crops in the mid 1800’s, was grazed short by sheep in August then sprayed with 2 litres of glyphosate in early September. Even with the failure of the spring rain Ian took the gamble and sowed the mix with DAP through a Duncan seeder in November.  He was lucky to receive 100mls of rain in December and 50 mls in January.

 

 

Walking through the paddock most of the sown species were able to be identified even though the area is still under severe moisture stress. The paddock has recently been grazed for 2 weeks and the lambs had eaten most of the species although the kikuyu was not selected as well as the other species. Increased stocking rate would probably overcome this.

 

Ian gave an interesting history of the property and a run down of the local geology; he has his own volcano on the property!

 

Don Cook from Farmright gave an interpretation of the soil test analysis of the trial paddock and explained to field day participants the requirements needed to establish a successful new pasture, emphasising the need to make sure that soil nutrition and Ph were adequate before attempting to sow.

 

Stuart Kemp from Pasture wise gave an interesting talk on the merits of the different species that Ian had included in his pasture mix.

 

Karl Drever from Stephens Pasture Seeds was on hand to give advise on species and sowing techniques and also

Vicki Nink from the Kilmore Rodwells store.