Perennial pasture guide

Transcription

1 Perennial pasture guide the power to grow

2 Seed Force in Australia. Seed Force has screened its forages across multiple sites around Australia to ensure that we are delivering industry leading varieties for Australian farmers. In addition to our internal trials, we have also submitted our varieties into the independent PTN Pasture Trial Network) set up by ASF and MLA which measures forage yield. This data is available via the MLA website, and we recommend that you take this into account in varietal selection. Visit Pasture Trials Network at: tools.mla.com.au/ptn In addition to industry generated yield data, Seed Force has been measuring quality and persistence in our forage trials, so the Pasture EBVs supplied with our products in this guide are unique within the industry. All available data has been inserted into the Animal Performance Calculator a patented animal performance model to generate predicted economic outcomes based on yield and production over time against costs for each variety. These can help rank varieties based on animal performance rather than just yield. Perennial grass selection Perennial grasses form the backbone of much of the feed base for the high temperate zones of Australia. There are a number of options with specific attributes, and in most cases one species should be sown alone with companion legumes. In some situations two different species can be used together to broaden feed supply or to combine a higher quality and less persistent species with another that can increase the longevity of one grass species. RAINFALL ZONE WINTER RAINFALL CLIMATE COOL CLIMATE MILD SUMMERS WARMER CLIMATE HOT SUMMERS SOILS BETTER FERTILITY. SOFT SUMMERS HEAVIER SOILS. WATERLOGGING PRONE LIGHTER SOILS. HIGH ALUMINIUM BETTER FERTILITY HEAVIER SOILS. WATERLOGGING PRONE LIGHTER SOILS. HIGH ALUMINIUM PREFERRED SPECIES PERENNIAL RYEGRASS PHALARIS ALL TYPES COCKSFOOT MEDITERRANEAN TALL FESCUE PHALARIS WINTER ACTIVE COCKSFOOT PRAIRIE GRASS BETTER FERTILITY. SOFT SUMMERS PERENNIAL RYEGRASS OR TALL FESCUE COOL CLIMATE MILD SUMMERS HEAVIER SOILS. WATERLOGGING PRONE PHALARIS INTERMEDIATE RAINFALL LIGHTER SOILS. HIGH ALUMINIUM BETTER FERTILITY COCKSFOOT PRAIRIE GRASS TALL FESCUE WARMER CLIMATE HOT SUMMERS HEAVIER SOILS. WATERLOGGING PRONE PHALARIS LIGHTER SOILS. HIGH ALUMINIUM COCKSFOOT PRAIRIE GRASS COOL CLIMATE MILD SUMMERS BETTER FERTILITY. HEAVIER SOILS LIGHTER SOILS. HIGH ALUMINIUM TALL FESCUE SUMMER ACTIVE COCKSFOOT PRAIRIE GRASS SUMMER RAINFALL WARMER CLIMATE HOT SUMMERS BETTER FERTILITY. HEAVIER SOILS BETTER FERTILITY. ROTATIONAL GRAZING MEDITERRANEAN TALL FESCUE BROME GRASS PRAIRIE GRASS SUB-TROPICAL BETTER FERTILITY & MANAGEMENT KIKUYU

3 PERENNIAL RYEGRASS SF Tenacity diploid perennial ryegrass AR1 SF Hustle diploid perennial ryegrass AGENCY PERENNIAL RYEGRASS Persistent Early flowering High winter yielding Well suited to marginal dryland situations. Can be included in mixes to improve persistence Enables re-seeding in short season areas. Can thicken up pasture swards for extended life of pasture Used in mixes for carry over seed regeneration. Improves cool season production when feed is most needed >850mm irrigation mm mm 16 20kg/ha 16 20kg/ha 12 16kg/ha very early maturity Diploid perennial ryegrass High winter activity Excellent feed quality Good disease resistance Dense tillering for improved persistence More feed when it is needed Outstanding animal performance Increased palatability by stock Dryland mm >700mm or irrigation 12 16kg/ha 16 20kg/ha mid-late maturity The perennial rye that survives SF Tenacity is a persistent and high winter yielding perennial ryegrass. It has very early flowering to enable re-seeding in pasture mixes and is well suited to marginal dryland areas and where perennial ryegrass is used as a minor component in the blend. SF Tenacity is Australian grown and contains standard endophyte to aid persistence. > 2009 Unique new genetics SF Hustle is the culmination of a collaboration between Seed Force, its European shareholder RAGT and R2n the research arm of RAGT. It is a new perennial ryegrass with the strong cool season activity of NZ bred material, the persistence and warm season quality from European material and hardiness for the summer dry conditions experienced in Australia. It has performed at the highest level for yield and persistence in Seed Force and independent PTN trials sown since > 2017 CULTIVAR ENDOPHYTE AUTUMN WINTER SPRING SUMM. * Based on yields from Cressy and Warrnambool * Based on 16 trials in New Zealand TOTAL FLOWERING NUI=0 FINAL PLANT DENSITY NO. OF ARMI- TENTER- TRIALS DALE FIELD MEAN SF Tenacity Standard days Fitzroy Standard days Nui Standard SF Audacity NIL days SF Joule AR days Banquet II Endo days Bealey NEA days Matrix Standard days yields in kgdm/ha ENTRY ENDOPHYTE PLOIDY MATURITY TOTAL SF Hustle AR1 diploid +10 days 6,766 9,338 10,184 26,287 Base AR37 tetraploid +23 days 6,038 9,563 9,426 25,028 Avalon AR1 diploid +3 days 5,576 8,660 10,401 24,637 Impact II Nea2 diploid +21 days 7,003 8,195 8,941 24,138 One 50 AR1 diploid +21 days 6,134 8,922 8,841 23,896 Arrow AR1 diploid +7 days 5,518 8,217 10,145 23,881 Banquet II Endo 5 tetraploid +21 days 6,213 8,743 8,775 23,730 Matrix HE diploid +23 days 5,922 8,433 9,071 23,426 Halo AR37 tetraploid +25 days 5,826 9,217 8,179 23,221 Revolution AR1 diploid +19 days 5,077 8,304 8,772 22,153 Extreme AR37 diploid 0 5,123 8,152 8,813 22,088 Bealey Nea2 tetraploid +25 days 5,328 8,144 8,486 21,958 Helix AR1 diploid +6 days 4,784 7,493 9,420 21,697 Victorian HE diploid -10 days 5,732 7,197 8,701 21,630 Nui HE diploid 0 5,272 7,840 8,308 21,420 * Based on trial Warrnambool Victoria, sown 22 April 2014.

4 TALL FESCUE Tall fescue selection SF Medallion mediterranean tall fescue TALL FESCUE Mediterranean tall fescue is winter active and summer dormant and best suited to warm climate areas with little summer rain and where summer dormancy is important for persistence. This includes the inland slopes of north eastern Victoria, southern and central west NSW and WA. Intermediate, otherwise known as oceanic, types have good all year round production, often with a more open growth habit. In 2009 Seed Force released a new continental tall fescue SF Finesse-Q with a broader fit than traditional continental tall fescue. Traditional summer active tall fescue is best suited to northern NSW with its summer or as the best perennial grass option for hot climate irrigation areas of northern Victoria and NSW. It is also used in summer moist areas of southern Australia such as river or creek flats and swamps. Mediterranean SF Medallion good production autumn to spring, but greater winter feed with good summer dormancy. Oceanic SF RoyalQ-100 good production across all seasons with focus on spring to autumn, more open habit and medium leaf softness. Continental SF Finesse-Q good production across all seasons with focus on warm seasons, fine and dense with soft leaf and excellent quality. High winter production Excellent feed quality High summer dormancy Nil endophyte status Produces feed when it is most needed This provides higher liveweight gain and milk per ha Provides the plant with outstanding persistence, especially in areas of hot dry summers Poses no animal health risks to all livestock classes The medal winning winter active fescue SF Medallion is a new summer dormant mediterranean tall fescue. It has been selected to produce similar yields to existing types, but with lower NDF and higher ME for increased animal intake and liveweight gain. It has shown excellent palatability and persistence in Australian trials. It has no endophyte and poses no animal health risks to grazing livestock, including horses and alpacas. SF Medallion is two weeks later flowering than current mediterranean varieties. Sole grass with clovers Mixes with lucerne 8 12kg/ha 4 6kg/ha mid season maturity > 2011 TALL FESCUE ME MJ/KG DM CP NDF EXTRA BEEF VALUE EXTRA LAMB VALUE EXTRA MILK VALUE SF Medallion $128 +$107 +$181 Resolute $66 +$50 +$92 Flecha $0 $0 $0 * Data based on yield and quality data from a three year replicated trial at Gundagai. * Beef and lamb values based on 65 utilisation at $2.50 and $2.20 respectively and milk at 75 utilisation at 40c/litre * Prices as at

5 TALL FESCUE SF Royal Q-100 oceanic tall fescue SF Finesse-Q continental tall fescue TALL FESCUE High yields all year round Better winter production High forage quality Excellent heat tolerance Better suits livestock feed requirements More feed when needed compared to other continental types. Variety suited to dairy production Higher intake by grazing animals Higher summer forage yields Increased persistence High summer forage yields SF RoyalQ-100 is a new tall fescue cultivar from a breeding program involving Mediterranean and Continental genetics, showing higher winter production than the continental cultivars and more even production through the year than the Mediterranean cultivars. It has high forage quality due to low aftermath heading, with digestibility levels in late spring and summer similar to ryegrass, and higher than other tall fescue cultivars. It has excellent rust resistance. It is very high yielding, and in overseas trials has shown up to a 36 increase in consumption compared to other fescues. SF RoyalQ-100 is a replacement option for Quantum and Advance with high yields, high quality and good persistence, but better winter activity kg/ha early maturity > 2012 Excellent fine leafed, densely tillered variety Continental type Deep rooted pastures species High quality, soft-leaf fescue for increased intake. Cultivar recommended for use by dairy cows Gives all year round high yields and quality. Best suited to areas of summer or irrigation Provides improved persistence for longer pasture life Feel the difference SF Finesse-Q is a high yielding, densely tillered, soft-leaf fescue with semi-late heading. It is extremely persistent due to its dense nature and has no fescue endophyte. It has an intermediate growth pattern better suited to much of Australia s climate, and has performed well in trials sown here in Its tiller density and high leaf quality make it well suited to dairy, beef and sheep. Its lack of endophyte makes it also suited to grazing by horses, goats and alpacas. >850mm irrigation mm mm 20kg/ha 15 20kg/ha 10 15kg/ha mid - late maturity > 2009 VARIETY AUTUMN WINTER SPRING SUMM. TOTAL kg DM/ha ME kg DM/ha CP NDF EXTRA MEAT VALUE $/HA EXTRA MILK VALUE $/HA SF RoyalQ $267 +$677 Quantum II MaxP $0 $0 Hummer MaxP ND ND ND ND ND Advance MaxP $353 +$1,037 Festival $133 +$409 Demeter $77 +$321 Martin ND ND ND ND ND Jesup ND ND ND ND ND * Based on yields from up to 7 trials * Gundagai 2006, Armidale & Whorouly 2010, Eurongilly & Tenterfield 2011, Warrnambool & Gloucester 2012 * Feed quality based on mean of 7 grazings over full year at Tenterfield site. * Feed quality analysis undertaken by NSW DPI Feed Quality Service. * Extra meat value based on 65 utilisation of feed grown and meat at $2.50/kg liveweight gain. * Extra milk value based on 75 utilisation of feed grown and milk at 40c/litre. * Seed prices as at VARIETY AUTUMN WINTER SPRING SUMM. TOTAL kg DM/ha ME kg DM/ha CP NDF EXTRA MEAT VALUE $/HA EXTRA MILK VALUE $/HA SF Finesse-Q $422 +$1,250 Quantum II MaxP $0 $0 Hummer MaxP ND ND ND ND ND Advance MaxP $353 +$1,037 Dovey ND ND ND ND ND Festival $133 +$409 Demeter $77 +$321 Martin ND ND ND ND ND Jesup ND ND ND ND ND * Based on yields from up to 7 trials * Gundagai 2006, Armidale & Whorouly 2010, Eurongilly & Tenterfield 2011, Warrnambool & Gloucester 2012 * Feed quality based on mean of 7 grazings over full year at Tenterfield site. * Feed quality analysis undertaken by NSW DPI Feed Quality Service. * Extra meat value based on 65 utilisation of feed grown and meat at $2.50/kg liveweight gain. * Extra milk value based on 75 utilisation of feed grown and milk at 40c/litre * Seed prices as at

6 COCKSFOOT Cocksfoot selection SF Oasis soft cocksfoot NEW FOR 2018! COCKSFOOT This perennial grass option has typically been used in high aluminium soils and in marginal ryegrass regions, due to its improved persistence over perennial ryegrass. Existing cultivars have typically shown lower quality for animal production. It has good persistence in most soil types, handles low fertility and acid soils, but is sensitive to waterlogging. There is a range of cocksfoot types > > Summer dormant (Mediterranean types), which provide good autumn to spring feed, but will become dormant over summer to aid persistence. These types are better suited to inland areas with relatively low incidence of summer rain. > > Intermediate types which have good feed across all seasons, but have less summer activity and better persistence than summer active types in harsh environments. > > Summer active (European) types which can provide good warm season feed with some winter production. These are well suited to summer areas or where extra summer feed is wanted in cool regions which receive some summer moisture. Seed Force has screened many types and has focused its efforts on new soft leaf varieties with both high yields and much improved feed quality. These can be sown at higher density rates for intensive dairy and beef operations to provide a more persistent pasture option than perennial ryegrass with no adverse animal health effects and resistance to most plant pests such as African black beetle. High forage yields Excellent feed quality Good disease resistance More feed when it is needed Outstanding animal performance Increased palatability by stock General fit SF Oasis is a new soft-leaf cocksfoot from the RAGT program that has produced SF Greenly and SF Lazuly. It has similar leaf softness, higher ME and lower NDF like SF Lazuly, but considerably better than other commercial varieties. This enables it to deliver higher liveweight gain potential. SF Oasis has higher overall yield and improved rust resistance over Greenly and Lazuly, but similar persistence. It is a few days later flowering kg/ha late maturity > 2018 VARIETY MEAN KGDM/HA/YR CONTROL PORTO=100 FINAL DENSITY SF Oasis 5, SFR , Kara 5, SFR , Porto 5, SF Lazuly 5, SFR , SFR , SFR , SFR , SFR , SFR , SF Greenly 4, SFR , SFR , SFR , Crown Royale 4, *mean 2 sites x 3 years; Armidale NSW and Warrnambool VIC *density data taken after 4 years at the Armidale site

7 COCKSFOOT SF Lazuly soft cocksfoot Farmer feedback COCKSFOOT New soft-leaf technology Excellent production Good persistence Increased winter activity Ensures excellent palatability and quality. More feed eaten for conversion to meat or milk Suited to all pasture seasons with good grazing recovery. Greater performance than standards over the warm seasons A better option in marginal areas to perennial ryegrass and tall fescue More feed when it is needed most Good grazing recovery SF Lazuly is a new type of soft-leaf oceanic cocksfoot with improved winter activity over SF Greenly. It should be sown at higher sowing rates to produce a fine, dense soft sward. It has no adverse animal health effects from endophyte and good resistance to pasture pests. SF Lazuly has performed well in Seed Force replicated trials and in commercial sowings in Australia over the past eight years kg/ha intermediate, summer active > 2009 I have been very impressed, very impressed with Seed Force cocksfoot. It is the first time I have put cocksfoot in. It is quite different to traditional cocksfoot. It maintains its quality, which is great. I was looking for one-kilo a day weight gain, and that has been easily achieved. I am running yearling heifers on it at the moment, but the quality is good enough to milk off. It is very, very palatable. It has enabled me to free up more area of better country for the milking herd. Graham Forbes - Gloucester, NSW The Seed Force cocksfoot has been really great. We are really happy with it. We put cross-bred lambs on it in early December and are still doing one kilo a week. There was no persistence in ryegrass varieties, so we thought we would try cocksfoot to see if it would last longer. We can t fault it so far. I guess I was surprised. I was sceptical considering the old cocksfoot was always the last option. I have recommended it to other farmers and we ve had quite a few agronomists out here as well. Richard Gough - Branxholme, VIC VARIETY AUTUMN WINTER SPRING SUMM. TOTAL kg DM/ha ME kg DM/ ha CP NDF EXTRA EXTRA MEAT MILK VALUE $/HA VALUE $/ HA SF Lazuly $300 +$1,416 SF Greenly $205 +$1,283 Kara $174 -$153 Lustica $122 +$425 Porto $0 $0 Vision ND ND ND ND ND Crowne Royale $49 +$363 Uplands ND ND ND ND ND Currie ND ND ND ND ND * Based on yields from up to 7 trials. * Gundagai 2006, Armidale & Whorouly 2010, Tenterfield 2011, Armidale, Warrnambool & Gloucester * Feed quality based on mean of 7 grazings over full year at Tenterfield site. * Feed quality analysis undertaken by NSW DPI Feed Quality Service. * Extra meat value based on 65 utilisation of feed grown and meat at $2.50/kg liveweight gain. * Extra milk value based on 75 utilisation of feed grown and milk at 40c/litre. * Seed prices as at

8 OTHER GRASSES ARI SF Splice hybrid festulolium SF Jeronimo prairie grass OTHER GRASSES AGENCY Hybrid cross including Italian ryegrass, perennial ryegrass, tall fescue & meadow fescue Contains AR1 endophyte Medium term option High winter production similar to italian ryegrass. Improved heat tolerance from tall fescue. Excellent quality from meadow fescue. Better suited to summer or irrigation Improved persistence over nil endophyte options. Safe grazing for all stock, including horses Well suited to medium term options where 3 5 years of highly productive pasture life is required Quality hybrid option SF Splice AR1 is a new multi-cross festulolium with AR1 endophyte which started its life in 1997 with the final cross being completed in 2007/08. There are 4 main parents in Splice and they come from 22 crosses involving italian ryegrass, perennial ryegrass, tall fescue and meadow fescue. It has a heading date 19 days later than Nui, and would be classed as a hybrid grass with 2 5 years persistence depending on summer dry. Some of the varieties that make up the crosses of SF Splice AR1 are Concord, Galaxy AR1, Advance tall Fescue, Feast, Banquet and some tall fescue and meadow fescue germplasm from Japan and Europe kg/ha CULTIVAR AUTUMN WINTER SPRING SUMMER TOTAL SF Splice AR Maverick G Perun Horizon * Based on yield from trials under sheep & beef grazing at Armidale & Whorouly 2010 and Tenterfield late maturity > 2012 Excellent palatability Excellent production Early maturity Increased winter activity Has excellent palatability and quality even when seeding. More feed eaten for conversion to meat or milk Suited to all pasture systems under rotational grazing. Greater performance than standards over the warm seasons Enables excellent re-seeding for strong pasture regeneration More feed when it is needed most A broad fit for pasture systems SF Jeronimo is a new highly winter active prairie grass with a broad fit for pasture systems where rotational grazing is used. It has similar maturity to Matua and has excellent capacity for reseeding into pasture swards. It has much improved autumn/ winter activity to ensure more feed when it is most needed. SF Jeronimo can be sown as the sole grass at high rates for intensive dairy production to provide a boost to autumn winter production. It is especially well suited to the sub tropics. It can also be used as a component of cocksfoot or tall fescue based perennial pastures to provide re-seeding into the pasture sward, especially around stock camps. It can also be used in mixes with lucerne to provide a balanced pasture with more winter production and no need for expensive winter cleaning. Sole grass with clovers & herbs Perennial pasture mixes 25 50kg/ha 4 5kg/ha early maturity > 2013 VARIETY AUTUMN WINTER SPRING YR 1 YR 2 TOTAL SF Jeronimo Gala Atom SFR SFR Matua SFR Exceltas SFR * Based on 2011 sown trial Eurongilly NSW

9 OTHER GRASSES SF Maté phalaris OTHER GRASSES Good seedling vigour Early flowering Highly autumn/ winter active Improved establishment. Greater first year yields Improved persistence for better stand longevity More feed when it is needed most Sole grass with clovers & herbs Pasture mixes 3 4kg/ha 1 2kg/ha Summer dormancy Improved persistence. Improved survival with summer active forages early - mid maturity High winter production SF Maté is a highly winter active phalaris bred in Argentina with excellent autumn to spring forage production and good persistence. It has good seedling vigour and high autumn/ winter forage yields. It has been the highest yielding phalaris across 5 independent PTN trials sown in Australia. SF Maté is about 2 weeks earlier flowering than Holdfast making it better suited to the mm mixed farming zone. It can also be sown in mixes with Landmaster or Australian for use in mm higher zone. It can be sown as the sole perennial grass with sub-clover, or in a mix with summer active cocksfoot varieties for all year round feed. It is also suited to sowing at 0.5 1kg/ha with lucerne. > 2013 MEAN GUNDAGAI & EURONGILLY AUTUMN WINTER SPRING SUMMER TOTAL FINAL DENSITY EST. KG DM/HA SF Maté treated ,555 SF Maté ,479 Holdfast ,327 Atlas ,286 Sirosa ,274 Holdfast GT ,250 Advanced AT ,063 Landmaster ,427 Maru ,218 Australian ,368 Australis ,076 Australian II ,772 *relative yields from Gundagai & Eurongilly ; Australian = 100 *final density readings taken autumn 2014 Eurongilly as not all varieties in Gundagai trial * Estimated yield based on mean yield of Australian (5,368kg DM/ha) multiplied by relative yield of each cultivar * Maté treated with Gaucho insecticide

10 OTHER GRASSES SF Acacia Plateau forage kikuyu Kikuyu Management OTHER GRASSES Rapid lateral spread High forage yields Excellent feed quality Greater cold tolerance Broad seed germination period Can achieve pasture coverage faster More feed available for livestock Improved animal performance Can establish under cooler temperatures and in autumn with temperate grasses. Will produce greater winter feed yields. Can handle staggered moisture profile. The lateral spreading kikuyu for lateral thinking producers SF Acacia Plateau is a fast-establishing forage kikuyu with improved cold tolerance and rapid lateral spreading ability. It was selected from plants growing at Acacia Plateau at the top of the Clarence River catchment close to the NSW/QLD border some 1000m above sea level. This has led to a new variety with an ability to establish and grow under cooler temperatures, yet cover over rapidly. As an excellent seeder it can produce lower cost seed enabling growers to sow kikuyu at more successful higher sowing rates at a similar cost per ha. Trials have shown it to establish faster and produce more feed than Whittet, especially in the cool season. It also has higher quality when grazed on a tight rotation length (see table below). Forage EBV s forage yield & quality Sole grass with clovers & herbs Other tropical grasses with clovers & herbs minimum 5kg/ha 2-5kg/ha > 2014 WARM SEASON COOL SEASON QUALITY BY ROTATION LENGTH (DAYS) KG DM/HA ME MJ/KG DM SF Acacia Plateau 14,816 7, Whittet 13,004 6, no. of days , Establishment Acacia Plateau can be sown in the warmer months with adequate moisture. This will usually be from November to April in northern summer or irrigation regions. It is best sown from February to April in cooler climate coastal winter regions. Ideally it should be sown with Starter fertiliser and mixes should include white and/or red clover. SF Punter chicory can also be included in the mix if broadleaf weeds are under control, otherwise it can be broadcast later. Management Once plants have established, a top-dressing of nitrogen will speed up establishment and improve winter feed production. In subsequent years Acacia Plateau will respond well to Gibberellic acid in winter. The resultant extra winter production must be balanced with extra fertiliser in spring to cover the nutrient transfer from the meat or milk production removed from the paddock. Grazing Rotational grazing is best to maximise leaf area which will maximise feed quality. This is best grazed at the 4.5 leaf stage to ensure more leaf. Grazing earlier will have good quality but lower magnesium and calcium levels. Grazing later will result in more stem development. Grazing should be monitored to ensure the high quality leaf is removed but stock should be moved before they are forced to eat down into the stems. It should be grazed to a residual of 5-7cm. If the pasture becomes too stemmy, mechanically top the pasture back to this height to restore the high leaf content. Oversowing Acacia Plateau Once established, winter production of Acacia Plateau can be increased by over-sowing or mulch planting SF Pacer leafy turnip and/ or SF Speedyl annual or SF Accelerate Italian ryegrass in autumn. SF Pacer is the fastest winter growing feed option and can be established from February with adequate moisture. Ryegrass should be delayed until soil temperatures drop usually from mid-march and SF Pacer can be included at this time as well. To improve summer quality of the kikuyu sward, it is recommended to use SF Rampart Ladino type white clover, SF Rossi red clover and SF Punter chicory. These can either be sown with the ryegrass and leafy turnip in autumn, or mulch planted in late winter/early spring when moisture or irrigation permits.

11 COMPANION SPECIES Companion Species COMPANION SPECIES Most perennial pastures are made up of a perennial grass sown with other companion species. It is important that the companion species are selected for regional suitability and their ability to enhance the pasture sward. This should be for both agronomic and livestock performance benefits. Legumes All pasture legumes can fix Nitrogen which will help the health and production of the grasses in the sward. Whilst there will be some differences between species and possibly varieties, pasture legumes can contribute around 20kg Nitrogen per tonne of Dry Matter contribution to the sward. Whilst this will reduce the total yield of grass compared to applying fertiliser Nitrogen alone, it does also provide the additional benefit of filling in gaps in the sward where grass population declines over time, plus they will usually have higher feed quality than grass higher Crude Protein, higher ME and lower NDF. When combined with grass, legumes can help achieve nutritional balance if the ratio of grass to legume is around 70/30. Obviously if legume content is too high it can increase the risk of bloat. There is a range of pasture legumes suited to sowing with perennial pastures including both perennial and self-regenerating annual options. Perennial options 2-7 years > > White clover where adequate will allow persistence > > Red clover on well drained soils with higher incidence of summer, > > Lucerne where soil ph is greater than 5.0 CaCl 2 and other requirements are met. You should select grazing tolerant lucerne where they are included into a pasture mix primarily for grazing by stock. Annual self-generating options Spring seed set will enable regeneration after following autumn > > Sub-clover suited to a wide range of winter and soil types, and the most grazing tolerant legume, > > Medics best suited to winter and neutral-alkaline soils, less tolerant of waterlogging, > > Balansa clover hard seeded, aerial seeding species, Herbs The use of pasture herbs has become more widespread with a better understanding of their role in a pasture sward. In general herbs have very low NDF, so can increase pasture intake when mixed with higher NDF grasses. They usually have adequate Crude Protein for most livestock types and higher ME than grasses except when reproductive. They also have a deep tap root and can access more minerals than shallow rooted pasture species. Sown at 1-2kg/ha in a pasture mix, they are an ideal addition to improve forage nutritional balance and livestock performance. > > Chicory select perennial types with greater longevity. They also contain condensed tanins to reduce bloat risk in pasture swards and are able to regenerate from seed if allowed. > > Plantain better suited to harsher environments where they are able to persist compared to many other forages. They have good winter activity, but select for later flowering to sustain pasture quality later into the season. > > Arrowleaf clover hard seeded aerial seeder which can provide good carryover dry feed, > > Crimson clover ideal pioneering clover for newly established country low in fertility, > > Other annual aerial seeding legumes include gland, persian, berseem, rose and bladder clovers, plus serradella, biserrula and woolly pod vetch.

12 HERBS SF Punter SF Endurance HERBS chicory plantain Excellent quality feed Low dense crown high tillering variety Persistent medium-term option Suited to mixes for 3 5 years. Can regenerate from seed to thicken up in sward Better establishment and year round feed. Ideal companion species to pastures mixes Suited to mixes for 3 5 years. Can regenerate from seed to thicken up in sward Don t take a punt on any old chicory SF Punter is a deep rooted perennial herb providing outstanding summer productivity and feed quality. It has high mineral uptake and is extremely persistent. It provides a high energy forage with proven animal health benefits and increased animal production at a time of year when pasture quality is low. Being more winter active than some varieties, SF Punter can be sown at any time when there is adequate moisture for good germination and establishment. Sole species Pasture mixes 4 5kg/ha 1 2kg/ha highly winter active > 2006 Mid season maturity All season growth Frost tolerant Feed for all seasons Suited to a broader range of environments Fills more than one feed gap Will still grow feed in extreme winter cold SF Endurance is a new forage plantain with improved feed production across all seasons. Plantain is a drought hardy deep rooted perennial herb well adapted to low fertility soils. Existing varieties have either been winter active and early flowering or summer active and late flowering. SF Endurance provides similar winter feed to Tonic, but with improved warm season production. It is ideal for pasture mixes where producers are looking for a contribution from plantain across all seasons. Sole species Pasture mixes 5 8kg/ha 1 2kg/ha mid - late maturity > 2011 CULTIVAR AUTUMN WINTER SPRING SUMMER TOTAL SF Punter Puna * Data based on mean of yields from Gundagai and Tenterfield trial PLANTAIN AUTUMN WINTER SPRING SUMMER TOTAL SF Endurance Tonic Boston * Data based on yields from Tenterfield trial

13 LUCERNE SF Force 5 SF Force 7 LUCERNE grazing tolerant lucerne grazing tolerant lucerne Grazing tolerance Low dense crown high tillering variety Good pest and disease resistance Able to withstand extended periods of set stocking. Improves stands persistence for rotations up to 7+ years Handles set stocking and high grazing pressure. High leaf to stem ratio for improved hay quality Excellent production and quality over an extended period Performance with persistence SF Force 5 lucerne was developed for grazing under set stocking by selecting plants that excelled and persisted under two years of set stocking. It has good pest and disease resistance and is the ideal choice where producers are looking to plant lucerne with an expected stand life of 7+ years. SF Force 5 has a low dense crown and produces high yields of leafy high quality forage with good leaf to stem ratio ideal for grazing or hay. It is best recommended for all livestock, mixed farming or hay producers looking for a persistent lucerne suited to long rotations between cropping phases, and for grazing by sheep or cattle. >900mm irrigation mm mm mm <450mm 10 20kg/ha 8 10kg/ha 6 8kg/ha 4 6kg/ha 2 4kg/ha semi winter dormant > 2008 > Dairy, sheep & beef > Hay Grazing tolerance Good pest and disease resistance Handles medium to low zones along with high irrigation input systems Able to withstand extended periods of set stocking. Improves stands persistence for rotations up to 5 7 years Excellent production and quality over an extended period Well suited to mixed farming zone to tolerate long grazing periods. Can also be used in high or irrigated situations Set stock your block SF Force 7 lucerne was developed for grazing under set stocking by selecting plants that excelled and persisted under two years of set stocking. It has good pest and disease resistance and is the ideal choice where producers are looking to plant lucerne in a rotation for 5 7 years. SF Force 7 lucerne has been selected for use in the mixed farming belt of Australia. It will tolerate long periods of grazing and enable producers longer stand life than highly winter active types to extend the pasture phase in key farming practices. >900mm irrigation mm mm mm <450mm winter active 10 20kg/ha 8 10kg/ha 6 8kg/ha 4 6kg/ha 2 4kg/ha > 2008 > Dairy, sheep & beef > Hay LUCERNE MEASURED ACTIVITY APHIDS LEAF & STEM DISEASES NEMATODES SN SAA BGA PA PRR CCR BW FW EXTRA VALUE $/ha SF Force MR - HR HR HR MR HR HR +$415 Kaituna R HR HR MR R R - HR -$7 Aurora HR HR - R MR LR - R $0 * Mean of relative yields of three year trials from both irrigated trial at Muswellbrook and dryland trials at Denman and Gundagai. * Extra value based on value of extra yield of lucerne over Aurora from three year trials at $200/t. LUCERNE MEASURED APHIDS LEAF & STEM DISEASES EXTRA NEMATODES VALUE ACTIVITY SN SAA BGA PA PRR CCR BW FW $/ha SF Force R - HR HR MR R HR HR +$555 SARDI HR HR HR HR HR - - R +$178 Genesis R R - R HR MR - MR +$181 Aurora HR HR - R MR LR - R $0 * Mean of relative yields of three year trials from both irrigated trial at Muswellbrook and dryland trials at Denman and Gundagai. * Extra value based on value of extra yield of lucerne over Aurora from three year trials at $200/t.

14 CLOVERES SF Rampart SF Quest CLOVERES ladino white clover white clover Erect, large leaf type High forage yields High protein and digestibility High nitrogen fixation Well suited to planting into tropical grasses such as kikuyu More feed available for livestock Outstanding animal performance Reduced requirement for Nitrogen fertiliser Improved establishment vigour Ladino white clover is a cross between several selections of plants collected in Oregon USA. Ladino types are more erect, large leaved types with improved establishment vigour and ability to stand up above companion grasses. This is particularly important when selecting a legume to plant with or spread into kikuyu-based pastures, but will also be relevant to sowing into more summer growing temperate grasses such as cocksfoot and tall fescue. Ladino types also produce higher levels of Nitrogen when correctly inoculated. This can help reduce the required Nitrogen fertiliser in stands with good Ladino clover content. SF Rampart has performed at the highest level in US trials and is performing well in Australia. Pasture mixes with other clovers, perennial grasses and herbs 2-4kg mid-late maturity > 2016 Good seedling vigour Early flowering Highly autumn/ winter active Establishes well in mixed swards. Provides ease of grazing to all livestock Provides improved recovery after grazing and persistence Suited to inclusion in mixes in both winter and summer dominant regions and under irrigation Large leaf SF Quest is a high yielding large leaf and highly stoloniferous white clover with good persistence under grazing. It is well suited to sowing in pasture mixes for beef and dairy grazing where white clover will persist. Sole species As sole clover with perennial grass With perennial grass and other clovers 6 10kg/ha 2 3kg/ha 1 2kg/ha early maturity > 2009 WHITE CLOVER AUTUMN/WINTER SPRING/SUMMER TOTAL SF Quest Haifa * Source: white clover trial Gundagai

15 CLOVERES COMPANION SPECIES SF Rossi diploid red clover SF Blackhawk arrowleaf clover NEW FOR 2018! CLOVERES Diploid red clover High first year yield Excellent pest and disease resistance Lower sowing rate needed per hectare to reduce costs Provides yield benefit for areas where red clover may only last one year Improved plant density into second year. Provides greater second year yields Sole species As sole clover with perennial grass With perennial grass and other clovers 6 10kg/ha 4 6kg/ha 2 3kg/ha Excellent re-seeding ability High forage yields High protein and digestibility Improved disease resistance Strong regeneration for good longevity More feed available for livestock Outstanding animal performance Better establishment and seedling survival Sole species Pasture mixes with other clovers, perennial grasses and herbs 6 10kg/ha 1 4kg Rev up your pasture legume content SF Rossi is a diploid red clover bred by RAGT in Europe. It has good first year production and improved pest and disease resistance to ensure improved second year yield. early maturity > 2009 Improved forage yield production SF Blackhawk is a new hard-seeded arrowleaf clover with improved forage yield production. It has been selected for improved resistance to pythium and bean yellow mosaic virus. It produces forage well into late spring, which can be used as deferred grazing into summer. To enable maximum regeneration, rest the paddock during flowering and seed production, then return stock for grazing. Seed can pass through animals and still regenerate. SF Blackhawk has performed well in trials in Australia at Tenterfield and Shepparton. It should be planted in early autumn and will handle acid to neutral soils. It is not recommended to cut for hay in the first year. mid maturity > 2018 RED CLOVER AUTUMN/WINTER SPRING/SUMMER TOTAL SF Rossi NZ Red * Source: red clover trial Gundagai 2008.

16 CLOVERS Subterraneum clover selection RAINFALL (mm) CLOVERS Subterraneum clover (sub clover) is a pasture legume native to the Mediterranean basin, the western Atlantic coast of Europe and west Asia. This makes it well adapted to other areas of the world with similar climates, such as southern Australia, South Africa, Chile, Argentina, New Zealand and USA (California, Oregon and Texas). VARIETY Recommended SF Tammin Bindoon Plant features > > Annual life cycle: Sub clover is an annual legume, which germinates in autumn and completes seed production in spring/early summer (timing depends on cultivar). > > Natural re-seeding: Sub clover regenerates naturally each year from seed set in previous years, without the need for re-sowing. > > Persistence over seasons: Sub clover is a reliable seed producer. Most seeds germinate in the following autumn, but some seeds remain dormant as hard seeds (the proportion depends on cultivar), which soften over subsequent summers for germination. This results in natural reseeding even after poor seasons for seed production. > > High feed quality: Green sub clover has similar feed quality characteristics to lucerne and white clover. > > Improved soil fertility: Sub clover fixes nitrogen, with the aid of Rhizobium bacteria, for its own growth and supplies N to other grasses and herbs in the pasture. It also provides N in the soil for crops and other plants in following years. > > Easy-care grazing: Sub clover is very grazing tolerant, due to its prostrate growth habit, flowers close to the ground and burial of its seed-containing burrs. Subspecies and soil type suitability Sub clover consists of three subspecies, adapted to different soils. > > ssp. subterraneum is adapted to well-drained, moderately acid (ph Ca ) soils. Most cultivars belong to this group. This type actively buries it burrs. > > ssp. yanninicum is also suited to moderately acid (ph Ca ) soils, but is well adapted to waterlogged or poorly drained soils and to soils that hold their moisture. They actively bury their burrs. > > ssp. brachycalycinum is best suited to welldrained, neutral-alkaline (ph Ca ) soils. They have long, thin burr stalks and seek out cracks or stones to develop their burrs, rather than actively burying them. Selecting the best sub-clover variety for your situation The chart below can help you select varieties that have been bred for improvements in yield, pest and disease resistance, hardseededness and seed yield for regeneration. You should select the correct sub-species (subterranean, yanninicum, brachycalycinum or mix) for different soil types in paddock (based on the information on page 46). Then select the most appropriate variety for your. It is often advisable to mix 2-3 varieties to cover the fact that seasons and can vary by year. For example: > > a mix or SF Narrikup and SF Rosabrook could be used in mm to cover higher or lower years, or > > a mix of SF Rouse and SF Rosabrook could be used where parts of a paddock can become waterlogged in some years but is reliable. Subterranneum (Suited to better drained acid soils) Yanninicums (Suited to periods of water logging) Brachycalycinums (Suited to alkaline or cracking soils) Recently Outclassed Well Outclassed Recommended Recently Outclassed Outclassed Recommended Outclassed Izmir Geraldton/ Nungarin Losa Dalkeith Lawson Monti Urana Seaton Park/York SF Yanco Riverina Trikkala SF Narrikup Campeda Coolamon Goulburn Junee/Woogenellup Mintaro Rosedale Gosse Clare SF Rosabrook SF Rouse Denmark Mt Barker Antas Karridale Larissa Leura Napier

17 CLOVERS CLOVERS SF Yanco SF Rouse CLOVERS sub-clover sub-clover Sub species yanninicum (cream seeded) High seed yields Mid-season flowering Strong clover scorch resistance Good hard seed levels Tolerant of water-logging. Well suited to flood irrigated hay production. Higher seedling regeneration in years 2 and beyond. Higher autumn/winter yields from more plants. Produces more feed in medium-high zone. Will re-seed in early season finishes Better plant survival and forage yields Protects against seedling losses with false breaks Sole species Pasture mixes 5 10kg/ha 2 5kg/ha mid maturity > 2017 Rainfall mm Sub species yanninicum (cream seeded) High seed yields Mid-late flowering Moderate hard seed levels Tolerant of water-logging Well suited to flood irrigated hay production Higher seedling regeneration in years 2 and beyond Higher autumn/winter yields from more plants Produces more feed in high zone Will re-seed in early season finishes Protects against seedling losses with false breaks Sole species Pasture mixes 5 10kg/ha 2 5kg/ha mid - late maturity > 2017 Rainfall mm Better seed regeneration and disease resistance for more feed SF Yanco is a mid-season yanninicum sub-clover providing a new and improved replacement for Riverina, Trikkala and Monti. It is well adapted to moderately acidic (ph CaCl ) soils prone to waterlogging and to loamy and clay soils with good water retention. It is highly resistant to both Race 1 and 2 of clover scorch (Kabatiella caulivora) and that coupled with its outstanding seeding ability, ensures highest autumnwinter forage yields and high total yields. It is best suited to areas with approximately mm annual average and where the growing season extends into November. SF Yanco is suitable for permanent and semi-permanent pastures. It can be used in cropping rotations, but at least two years of pasture are required between crops. VARIETY AUT/ WINT TOTAL PHYTHOPHTHORA DAMAGE* LEAF CLOVER DAYS TO SEED HARD RUST* SCORCH FLOWERING SEEDEDNESS IMPACT# RACE 1 RACE 2 PERTH Napier Gosse no data Riverina SF Yanco Trikkala Monti no data 3.5 no data forage and seed yields are relative to control variety Riverina = 100 data based on 3 years at 4 sites Manjimup & Mt Barker, WA and Echuca & Koroit, VIC. * susceptibility values based on 0 = very resistant, 10 = very susceptible # impact is damage to the plants infected Improved forage yields and regeneration SF Rouse is a mid-late flowering yanninicum variety. It is a replacement for Gosse and Napier with a flowering time between them but superior field performance. It has higher forage yield, especially in autumn/winter, higher seed yields and higher seedling regeneration densities than Gosse. It also has higher resistance to both Races 1 and 2 of clover scorch disease and to leaf rust than Gosse. SF Rouse is well adapted to moderately acidic (ph CaCl ) soils prone to waterlogging and mm annual and where the growing season extends to midlate November. VARIETY AUT/ PHYTHOPHTHORA CLOVER DAYS TO SPRING WINT DAMAGE* LEAF SEED HARD SCORCH FLOWERING RUST* SEEDED-NESS RACE 1 RACE 2 IMPACT # PERTH Napier SF Rouse Gosse no data Riverina Trikkala Monti no data 3.5 no data * forage and seed yields are relative to control variety Gosse = 100 * susceptibility values based on 0 = very resistant, 10 = very susceptible # impact is cotyledon damage to germinating plants Yield and seed yield data from trials at Mt Barker and Manjimup, WA and Echuca and Koroit VIC

18 CLOVERS CLOVERS SF Tammin SF Narrikup CLOVERS sub-clover sub-clover Image courtesy of DAFWA. Early flowering High hard seed levels Delayed hard seed breakdown VARIETY AUTUMN High forage yields in lower environments Provides quick feed in autumn and winter Will re-seed in early season finishes Protects against seedling losses with false breaks Will maintain better persistence and yield over time Less seed lost due to out of season Some seed will survive after 3 year cropping phase High hard seed levels SF Tammin is a more persistent and resilient early flowering subterraneum clover (ssp. subterraneum). It was developed for cropping rotations in low-medium ( mm annual average ) areas with the novel traits of RLEM cotyledon resistance and much higher hardseededness than other cultivars. SF Tammin also has a much slower breakdown of hard seed in the autumn making it able to handle false breaks. It will still have 15 hard seed after 3 years, improving its ability to recover in short cropping phase rotations. WINTER SPRING RLEM DAMAGE # SEED Sole species Pasture mixes HARD SEEDED-NESS 5 10kg/ha 2 5kg/ha early maturity > 2017 Rainfall mm DAYS TO FLOWERING PERTH SF Tammin Nungarin Izmir Geraldton Losa Dalkeith Urana * forage and seed yields are relative to control variety Dalkeith = 100 * susceptibility values based on 0 = very resistant, 10 = very susceptible # impact is cotyledon damage to germinating plants All data is based on trials at Cunderdin and Katanning WA and Eurongilly NSW Seedling redlegged earth mite tolerance Mid season flowering Increased winter feed Increased spring feed Improved seedling regeneration Tolerance to red-legged earth mite SF Narrikup is a very vigorous mid-late season subterraneum clover (ssp. subterraneum). It is best suited to well-drained, moderately acid (ph CaCl ) soils in areas of southern Australia with approximately mm mean annual and where the growing season extends to mid- November. Emerging seedlings of SF Narrikup suffer less damage from red-legged earth mite than older subterraneum clovers. SF Narrikup has high winter production, driven by strong seedling regeneration. VARIETY WINTER Improved establishment. Greater first year yields. Reduced need for insecticide & application costs Produces more feed in mm zone 87 more winter feed than Campeda. 29 more winter feed than Junee 13 more spring feed than Campeda. Similar spring feed to Junee 61 more winter feed than Campeda. 19 more winter feed than Junee SPRING PHYTOPHTHERA IMPACT RACE 177 RACE 173 CLOVER SCORCH IMPACT RLEM DAMAGE LIGHT Sole species Pasture mixes HARD SEED > 2013 Rainfall mm SEEDLING REGENERATION 5 10kg/ha 2 5kg/ha mid - late maturity DAYS TO FLOWERING RACE 1 RACE 2 PERTH WAGGA SF Narrikup Campeda Junee Coolamon Seaton Park York * Forage comparisons developed from data supplied by DAFWA from sites at Esperance, Kojunup and Williams WA, Kybybolite & Turretfield SA, and Harden NSW * Impact measures damage when disease was present

19 CLOVERS CLOVERS SF Rosabrook sub-clover Notes Red-Legged Earth Mite tolerance Late flowering High yielding SUB CLOVER WINTER Improved establishment. Greater first year yields. Reduced need for insecticide application costs Produces more feed in high zone Produces more feed per hectare. Produces lower cost feed New breakthrough red legged earth mite tolerant sub-clover for increasing pasture legume content SF Rosabrook was developed by the National Annual Pasture Legume Improvement Program (NAPLIP) as a replacement for cv. Denmark with improved cotyledon tolerance to Red-Legged Earth Mite (RLEM). It results from a single backcross, with cv. Denmark as the recurrent parent, and has a flowering time of 143 days from an early May sowing in Perth, the same as Denmark. SF Rosabrook is suited to well drained, moderately acid (ph CaCl ) soils in areas of southern Australia where the growing season extends to mid-late November, corresponding to a minimum annual of approximately 650 mm. It is well suited to permanent pasture systems, but should regenerate strongly following occasional years in crop. It is not suited to 1:1 crop/pasture rotations. SPRING RLEM DAMAGE HARD DAYS TO FLOWER RACE 1 RACE 2 light SEEDED-NESS infestation PERTH WAGGA PHYTHOPHTHERA CLOVER SCORCH IMPACT IMPACT RACE 177 RACE 173 Sole species Pasture mixes 5 10kg/ha 2 5kg/ha late flowering > 2011 Rainfall > 600mm SF Rosabrook Denmark Coolamon Goulburn Leura Karridale Mt Barker * Forage comparisons developed from data supplied by DAFWA based on trials at Casterton and Heywood (Vic), Gerogery and Harden (NSW), Mt Barker (WA) and Narracoorte (SA). * Impact measures damage when disease was present.

20 Notes For further product information talk with your local Territory Manager for a copy of the following additional Seed Force product guides: Winter crop guide Lucerne guide Forage crop guide