Pasture Grasses Seed

Sirosa (Phalaris aquatica) is a winter active Phalaris that demonstrates a variable growth habit and forms dense tufts of wide blue/green leaves that are very palatable to sheep and cattle. It has a low summer dormancy so it can respond and take advantage of any summer rainfall. Sirosa has good seedling vigour which contributes to ensuring successful establishment. Sirosa will not tolerate set stocking systems for a long period of time and is now superseded by the more persistent varieties such as Holdfast.
Sirosas ability to grow in acidic conditions increases the range of pasture species available to combat soil degradation. However Sirosa is not well suited to very acidic soils or areas with high Aluminium levels. Establishing a perennial pasture based on Phalaris will improve farm productivity compared to systems relying on Annual Grasses. Nitrogen produced by pasture legumes usually grown with annual grasses leaches down though the soil profile taking nutrients with it and leaving acidic elements behind. The deep rooted nature of Sirosa Phalaris draws these nutrients back up to help prevent or slow down the onset of acidification. Another major benefit of the deep root system of Phalaris is it improves persistence and productivity under drought conditions.

Atlas PG (Phalaris aquatica) is a semi-erect to erect, winter active variety, suited to dry marginal rainfall regions, which forms thick dense tufts of wide blue-green leaves that are very palatable to sheep and cattle. Atlas PG requires a growing season of 8-9 months and is the first winter active phalaris developed with summer dormancy. This will lead to better long term persistence of Atlas PG in districts prone to false breaks. However, given significant summer rainfall, Atlas PG will still respond but herbage production will be reduced compared to other more summer active types such as Holdfast or Landmaster. Atlas PG has excellent seedling vigour which will assist in successful establishment along with strong persistence. Once established, Atlas PG will be able to handle periods of waterlogging and inundation. Atlas PG's ability to grow in dry, temperate environments extends the range of pasture species available to combat soil degradation. Establishing a perennial pasture based on Phalaris will improve farm productivity compared to systems relying on annual grasses. Nitrogen produced by pasture legumes, usually grown with annual grasses, leaches down though the soil profile, taking nutrients with it, and leaving acidic elements behind. The deep-rooted nature of Atlas PG Phalaris draws these nutrients back up to help prevent or slow down the onset of acidification. Another major benefit of the deep-root system of phalaris is it improves persistence and productivity under drought conditions.

Australian II (Phalaris aquatica) is a prostrate, semi-winter active variety, which forms thick dense tufts of wide blue-green leaves that are very palatable to sheep and cattle. It was selected as a superior replacement for Australian and Uneta.A significant advantage of Australian II is its ability to persist under heavy grazing in dry, acidic conditions. Australian II's prostrate growth makes it well-suited to set stocking systems and it demonstrates superior grazing tolerance and persistence compared to other Phalaris varieties. It has excellent seedling vigour, which will assist in successful establishment. Once established, Australian II will tolerate periods of waterlogging and inundation.Australian II will extend the range of pasture species available to help combat soil degradation. Establishing a perennial pasture based on Phalaris will improve farm productivity compared to systems relying on annual grasses. Nitrogen produced by pasture legumes usually grown with annual grasses leaches down though the soil profile, taking nutrients with it, leaving acidic elements behind. The deep-rooted nature of Australian II Phalaris draws these nutrients back up along the soil profile to help prevent or slow down the onset of acidification. Another major benefit of the deep-root system of Phalaris is it improves persistence and productivity under drought conditions. It is also useful in reducing recharge zones and helps prevent dry land salinity.

Holdfast (Phalaris aquatica) is a semi-erect, winter active Phalaris, which forms thick dense tufts of wide blue-green leaves that are very palatable to sheep and cattle. It was selected as a superior replacement for Sirosa. Holdfast has excellent production and persistence in areas with high acidity and moderate rainfall. It has a low level of summer dormancy so it can respond to summer rainfall, potentially providing feed all year round. Holdfast has excellent seedling vigour which will assist in successful establishment. Once established, Holdfast will tolerate periods of waterlogging and inundation. Holdfast's ability to grow in acidic conditions increases the range of pasture species available to combat soil degradation. Establishing a perennial pasture based on Phalaris will improve farm productivity compared to systems relying on Annual Grasses. Nitrogen produced by pasture legumes, usually grown with annual grasses, leaches down though the soil profile, taking nutrients with it, leaving acidic elements behind. The deep-rooted nature of Holdfast Phalaris draws these nutrients back up along the soil profile to help prevent or slow down the onset of acidification. Another major benefit of the deep-root system of Phalaris is it improves persistence and productivity under drought conditions. It is also useful in reducing recharge zones and helps prevent dry land salinity.

Landmaster (Phalaris aquatica) is a semi-erect, winter active variety, suited to moderate rainfall regions, which forms thick dense tufts of wide blue-green leaves that are very palatable to sheep and cattle. It was selected as a superior replacement for Sirosa. Landmaster is renowned for its ability to grow in more highly acidic, less fertile conditions compared to other Phalaris varieties currently available. It has also shown to have better persistence than Cocksfoot in low fertility soils. Landmaster has a low level of summer dormancy so it can respond to summer rainfall, potentially providing green feed all year round. It has excellent seedling vigour, which will assist in successful establishment. Once established, Landmaster will tolerate periods of waterlogging and inundation.Landmaster's ability to grow in dry, low fertile soils extends the range of pasture species available to combat soil degradation. Establishing a perennial pasture based on Phalaris, will improve farm productivity compared to systems relying on annual grasses. Nitrogen produced by pasture legumes, usually grown with annual grasses, leaches down though the soil profile, taking nutrients with it, leaving acidic elements behind. The deep-rooted nature of Landmaster Phalaris draws these nutrients back up along the soil profile to help prevent or slow down the onset of acidification. Another major benefit of the deep-root system of phalaris is it improves persistence and productivity under drought conditions. It is also useful in reducing recharge zones and helps prevent dry land salinity.

Kasbah Cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata) is a hardy, deep-rooted Perennial Grass that is well suited to dry conditions and acid soils. It has good seedling vigour and early growth producing tillers that are a deep green and become a flat bluish-green colour during the spring period. Kasbah has a semi-erect to erect habit and demonstrates early season maturity. Kasbah is classed as a Mediterranean type (summer dormant) which is more tolerant of harsh dry conditions compared to summer active types. It will accommodate a wide range of soils including better persistence on lighter soils compared to Porto. However, when placed in a higher rainfall environment it will become less competitive compared to other varieties. Kasbah maximum herbage production is during the autumn and winter periods. Due to its early maturing nature spring production can be lower compared to other varieties. It demonstrates excellent summer dormancy compared to other Mediterranean types such as Currie, which enhances long term persistence in low rainfall areas. Cocksfoot can be very persistent and become the dominant pasture if not carefully managed. Levels of Cocksfoot in the pasture mix should be monitored as animal performance may decline if it becomes the dominating species. It is suggested that Cocksfoots are used in mixtures with other grasses such as Atlas PG, Holdfast or Landmaster Phalaris and Fraydo Tall Fescue. Other companion species include Lucerne, White Clover and Sub-Clover.

Porto Cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata) is a hardy Perennial Grass that is well suited to dry conditions and acid soils. It has an intermediate growth habit (moderate summer dormancy) and is able to provide good herbage levels during the summer period. In higher rainfall zones it will out yield varieties such as Currie. Porto has good seedling vigour and early growth producing tillers that are a flat bluish-green colour. It has an erect growth habit and demonstrates late maturity. Whilst Porto demonstrates good productivity in higher rainfall zones, its performance and persistence can reduce in low rainfall environments. It is in these environments that varieties such as Kasbah or Currie are a better alternative.Cocksfoot can be very persistent and can become the dominant pasture if not carefully managed. Levels of Cocksfoot in the pasture mix should be monitored as animal performance may decline if it becomes the dominating species. It is suggested that Cocksfoots be used in mixtures with other grasses such as Phalaris or Tall Fescue. Other companion species include Lucerne, White Clover and Sub-Clover.

Currie (Dactylis glomerata) is a hardy Perennial Grass that is well suited to dry conditions and acid soils. It has good seedling vigour and early growth producing tillers that are deep green and become a flat bluish-green colour during the spring period. Currie has an erect growth habit and demonstrates mid to late season maturity. Currie is classed as a Mediterranean type (summer dormant) which is more tolerant of harsh dry conditions than Porto Cocksfoot. It will accommodate a wider range of soils, including better persistence on lighter soils compared to Porto. However, when placed in a higher rainfall environment it will become less competitive compared to other varieties. Currie's maximum herbage production is during the autumn, winter and spring periods. It is not completely summer dormant and if given appropriate conditions, will provide low to moderate levels of herbage growth. Cocksfoot can be very persistent and become the dominant pasture if not carefully managed. Levels of Cocksfoot in the pasture mix should be monitored as animal performance may decline if it becomes the dominating species. It is suggested that Cocksfoots are used in mixtures with other grasses such as Phalaris or Tall Fescue. Other companion species include Lucerne, White Clover and Sub-Clover.

Fraydo (Festuca arundinaceae) is a deep-rooted, densely tillered Mediterranean Fescue. It has an erect growth habit with a long stem and short spikes relative to other cultivars. Fraydo has very strong seedling vigour which makes it relatively easy to establish compared to other Fescue varieties. It demonstrates strong winter activity along with a high level of summer dormancy. This combination allows Fraydo to be very productive in temperate rainfall regions whilst providing excellent persistence in hot, dry summer conditions and protection against false breaks. Fraydo is well suited to a range of soil types and can tolerate short periods of waterlogging. It is especially productive for a 7-8 month growing season with moderate to high rainfall. As Fraydo is a soft leaf type it will provide higher quality feed that is suitable to all classes of stock compared to tough leaf types. Fraydo has demonstrated good levels of Crown and Stem Rust resistance.

Demeter (Festuca arundinacea) is a deep-rooted, densely tillered Continental Fescue. It has an erect growth habit which demonstrates strong spring and summer activity and low winter production. Demeter will provide excellent persistence and performance in growing regions which are spring and summer rainfall dominant. Long term persistence can be reduced if grown in areas where drought stresses are commonly encountered during the summer period. Demeter is adaptable to a wide range of soil types and is tolerant of low fertile, poorly drained areas and moderate salinity. It is especially productive for a 6-7 month growing season with a moderate to high rainfall. Demeter is a tough leaved variety and palatability to stock is generally low compared to soft-leaved Fescue varieties. This attribute provides Demeter with superior tolerance to low summer rainfall, mismanagement and low soil fertility, compared to soft leaved types. This makes Demeter suited to marginal situations where long-term persistence is required.