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The GREEN HORSE - sustainable horsekeeping

AUGUST SEPTEMBER 2008
Vol 30-2

In the Current Issue of The Green Horse you will find the following articles:

Information Exchange - Reader's Tips, Views and Questions
Weed Watch - White Cedar by Nicola Field
Growing Equine Herbs - Blue Flag Iris by Fiona Adams
Mail Order Menace by Sandy Lloyd
Deeds, Steeds and Weeds
Growing Good Grass by David Rogers
Weed Frenzy Pt 1 by Chris Ferreir

Growing Good Grass by David Rogers

If you are considering sowing sub tropical perennial grasses like Rhodes Grass and Kikuyu in the coming season, it pays to be well prepared. Sub tropical pastures need to be sown into warmer temperatures than temperate pasture varieties so the best time to establish them is generally in early spring. The weather needs to be warm enough for the pastures to germinate and grow, yet still receive at least a germinating rainfall and a significant follow up to ensure good establishment. Good site preparation and early management is critical for successful grass growing.

Weed and Pest Control
Weed control is critical for successful establishment. Perennial pasture seedlings are very poor competitors and weed competition will reduce your establishment success. Weed control should start in early to mid August, with the aim of 100 percent control of weeds.
Around four weeks prior to sowing, apply a non-selective herbicide (eg. Glyphosate at two litres per hectare) or a full cultivation. This should be followed with a further application of herbicide just prior to sowing to remove any late germinating weeds. The follow-up application should also include a bare-earth insecticide to remove pests like Red-legged Earth Mite that will predate upon your germinating seedlings, potentially affecting their density and establishment.

Sowing the Pasture
In general, these pastures should be sown early - around mid September - to ensure that the chances of significant rainfall to germinate and establish these plants are high.
In wetter areas that are likely to remain moist for long period of time early control of weeds may be difficult and trafficability is likely to be poor. There is a larger window of opportunity on these sites and pasture can be sown later. However, you should get on to them as soon as you can.
Seeding depth is critical. Seed needs to be sown around five to ten millimetres deep. Sowing seed too deep can dramatically affect the number of seedlings that successfully establish. If you are not confident that your seeding gear is accurate enough to plant at this shallow depth, consider alternative sowing methods.
Many growers have had success by dropping the seed on the surface, then following this with a light set of harrows to gently ‘tickle’ the seed. If possible, follow this with a roller to ensure good seed to soil contact.

arly Grazing Management
Sub tropical perennial grasses are very susceptible to being pulled straight out of the soil if grazed by livestock too early. After germination, plants are investing their energy into sending a long tap root down into the soil. At this stage they are easily plucked out of the ground, snapping the tap root off at the base of the plant. The plant needs significant rainfall six to eight weeks after germination to enable it to develop its lateral roots which lock into the ground. Once this has occurred it is possible to graze the stand lightly.

Other Considerations
Kangaroos love these pastures and will come for miles once they find a stand to feed on. If there are many kangaroos feeding on the stand, particularly early in its development, it can have a severe impact - reducing plant density and the success of the establishment.
Almost all perennial pasture varieties require some form of rotational grazing to persist and be productive. If you leave your horses on the pasture without a break, you will lose your perennials. If you are not prepared (or do not have the space) to rotate your livestock and spell the paddock regularly, consider other pasture options. The exception to this rule is Kikuyu which can be set stocked once it is well established, though it will perform better in a rotational grazing system. Even so, horses should be yarded to allow the pasture to regenerate if you do not have the paddock space to move them around.
There is likely to be an increased demand for seed of these pastures this year and seed availability may be limited. If you are planning to sow these pastures this season and you haven’t already ordered your seed, do it now.

For more information call the local Department of Agriculture or Primary Industries in your state.