L.PDS.2004 - Fescue; a low rainfall pasture tool

Summary

This Producer Demonstration Site (PDS), conducted in Upper Wimmera region of Victoria, was designed to demonstrate that winter active fescue can be a valuable pasture systems tool in the <550mm rainfall zone in Victoria. Although winter active fescue (WAF) did not hold its critical feed values as long as phalaris, the differences were minor and would have little effect on overall farm production. The PDS showed that the use of WAF can improve production and flexibility in <550 mm rainfall zone grazing systems.

Objectives

Though Covid restrictions and flooding affected communication and extension activities planned for this PDS, the project found:
• Winter Active Fescue appears to fit well into perennial grazing systems in the <550mm zone.
• The growth pattern of winter active fescue appears to increase earlier in the <550mm rainfall zone in the Wimmera & Central regions of Victoria due to warmer soil temperatures & longer sunlight hours than in the higher rainfall regions in SW Victoria.
• Fescue did not hold its critical feed values as long as phalaris but the differences were minor and would have little effect on overall farm production.
• Payback period for a fescue based pasture establishment was calculated to be 5 – 7 years at 2023 prices and costs.

Key findings

Winter Active Fescue appears to fit well into perennial grazing systems in the <550mm zone.
• The growth pattern of winter active fescue appears to increase earlier in the <550mm rainfall zone in the Wimmera & Central regions of Victoria due to warmer soil temperatures & longer sunlight hours than in the higher rainfall regions in SW Victoria.
• Fescue did not hold its critical feed values as long as phalaris but the differences were minor and would have little effect on overall farm production.
• Payback period for a fescue based pasture establishment was calculated to be 5 – 7 years at 2023 prices and costs.

Benefits to industry

The use of Winter Active Fescue in <550 mm rainfall zone grazing systems adds another dimension to grazing management. The growth habit of the fescue appears to change from areas south of the divide by commencing its growth phase earlier.

MLA action

MLA continues to deliver the Producer Demonstration Site (PDS) program, supporting livestock producers working in peer-to-peer groups to pursue new skills, knowledge and management practices applicable to their own commercial livestock production system.

Future research