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…

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I’ve heard this comment before, and that Phalaris is toxic to livestock. While both comments aren’t entirely wrong, they may be based on a past experience that goes back decades…

the current varieties are much better palatability than the original ones that were tried in WA. Toxicity can be an issue when grazing stressed plants after a big…

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Hi Susie, try Muirs.co in Landsdale Perth.

I have had success with their branch in Manjimup.

I have quite high leaf to stem ratio, even with the longer recovery periods. The cow pats are telling me that I am still a little low on fibre at the moment! This will change as we get towards senescence, but that will be a while off here.

the question about cows vs sheep: I’m not sure on the answer to that, but I do like the way cattle…

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That’s a great article Mark. I totally agree that it is a delicate time of the year with grazing management. The way I tackle this period is by focusing on the grass first, soil second and animal requirements third – the animals are doing well without too much of our influence! My aim is to prolong the growing potential of our pasture and…

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Thanks for your comprehensive reply Mark. Tissue tests I did on some yellowing oats showed I had the usual suspects of mg and mn deficiency, but also had low calcium. I have applied a foliar to address this now, so will see what happens. I like your comment about the importance of getting calcium addressed in the soil rather the plant. I…

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I listened to a podcast from John Kempt the other day and he mentioned that for foliar application, Calcium needs to be in the chelate form. Are most of the products on the market in a micronized carbonate form?

Great photo’s Kate.

it doesn’t appear that your sheep are suffering from lack of nutrition 🤠

Our cool season grasses are typically high in ME and protein but can lack the fibre, hence the scouring – particularly early winter when there is a high leaf to stem ratio with our annual plants. Grazing lower will increase the fibre better than grazing…

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That’s sensational Mark! A true testament to your recommendations. A great benchmark for us all!

I am familiar with your trial site Justin. We are running 8 identical trials in other catchments…

Last year H2O was the most limiting factor . The N plots also had all other nutrients applied so it will be interesting to see if the Guildford bulb remains a dominant species in the composition!

your site also has a pH over 5 so that should help…

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Hi Kate, what a difference 2 weeks have made! We have a nice mix of rain and sunny days, bit warmer than usual and the pasture has responded beautifully. Cows are now on grazing rotation, aiming plus 60 days before 2nd lap.

I am starting them off for overnight on grass at high density ( 150 hd on 1-2 ha) and then back to sacrificial paddock…

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Hi Will,

have you done a soil test of the affected area? My experience has been that Guildford bulb will favour three things. Low pH soils, low Phosphorous levels and to some degree soil compaction.

i have had really good success by lifting pH to over 5 in CaCl and addressing P levels according to soil test recommendations.

cheers

Eric

Hi Kate,

We have just enough moisture to keep most annuals alive but not really growing much – it’s been a tough couple of weeks watching a good germination thin out and wilt. We are still waiting for another good 10ml + rain event to wet up the root zone! Maybe tonight/tomorrow! Cows are still in a sacrifice paddock here. I don’t want to…

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Photo is of

high density vs low density (neighbour) last summer and plantain responding to late summer rain.

Kate, the intention is to match the experience that Mark described earlier regarding utilisation, trampling and manure on stockpiled feed over the non growing season.

This is best achieved with the high density grazing, which is a combination of small area and frequent moves. The main difference between the growing season and non growing will…

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Redmond, WA. Which is 20min out of Albany.

That’s awesome Mark to hear someone else’s experience with ‘total grazing’. There wouldn’t be too many around these parts that have heard about it.

I haven’t yet done the course but am thinking about it. I am going into my first summer under this system and so far so good.

Everyone around me is cutting silage and now hay, which is early due…

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Dormancy of our temperate grasses is important in our dry summers. Chicory and plantain no problem but the grasses will lose persistence if they are summer active. I have seen failed paddocks of summer active tall fescue and seen perennial rye act as a biannual ( persisted one summer) of course there will be exceptions – valley floors that…

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Stock density is really important. I have 70 cow, calf pairs and 20 heifers on about a ha/day to achieve the grazing pressure required.

It doesn’t matter if you get the daily area a bit wrong. I’m always learning and adjusting according to pasture biomass availability, composition and time of year. The point is you are not grazing the new…

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Interesting discussion. I believe grazing management is the most important consideration for any livestock system. Our livestock are our employees – they work for us to improve soil function. I agree with your definition of overgrazing.

Essentially grazing management is all about managing time. I have applied the RCS and probably most…

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I have successfully established chicory, plantain, cocksfoot, perennial veldt grass and phalaris over the last three seasons. I have tried winter active tall fescue as well, however it’s probably more suited to higher fertility loams. Where I have got it to grow, it goes reproductive too quickly.

Cocksfoot, veldt grass and chicory are good…

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