[Eric Dobbe]

Not one size fits all with this question. The aim in my opinion is to maximise diversity of our pasture and in my case i like to use perennials as much as I can. The challenge is mostly with establishment, where many factors influence success, namely soil type, soil function and nutrition and background pasture species.

To maximise diversity of our pasture through management it’s important do non selective grazing. To achieve this, high density, short duration and high utilisation will give the most opportunity for diversity of species. If you follow the idea of take half, leave half then it’s likely you will create a greater grass dominant sward.

As for specific mixes: I like to add subclover and ryegrass into my kikuyu base pasture and I have had success doing this with sowing at the break if the kikuyu is very suppressed through grazing or you can achieve good results when the kike slows down in early winter. I like this mix because if you get it right, the kikuyu will not be visible during the spring flush.

For my perennial pasture establishment i like to add temperate grasses with herbs chicory and plantain as well as the annual legume serradella and possibly other arial seeded clovers. Once established, over sowing with ryegrass and larger seeded subclovers is a good plan if not already there in the background. For perennials systems to persist, long recovery (70 days plus) are going to be very important.

hope that answers some of what you are asking.