Introduction

At a Glance:
Location: Condingup
Area: 14000 ha
Rainfall: 500 mm
Soil type: sand over clay
Enterprise mix: 40% Crop, 60% pasture

Condingup farmer Andrew Fowler started growing Winterstar, a tetraploid annual ryegrass, in 2004 sowing 150 ha. The aim was to provide increased pasture production after a cropping phase and to address erosion issues.

He now grows 1000 ha and it's proved to be an excellent pasture phase option as it produces a high quality fodder for livestock and contributes to improved soil health and stability, benefiting the following cropping phase.

Ryegrass is quite a versatile pasture and grows well in a range of soil types.

Andrew typically chooses paddocks that have been in crop for several years where clover production was especially low. Andrew typically grows ryegrass for 2-5 years followed by a cropping phase with canola being the first crop.

In the paddock

Variety: Andrew chose Winterstar as it has a good ability to compete with Wimmera and provides a longer growing season.

Sowing

Time of sowing: It fits around the cropping program as the same equipment is used (May - June). Sowing rate: 20 kg/ha if purchased, 30 kg/ha if harvested and depending on germination per cent.
Sowing method: Double disk opener
Row Spacing: 25cm
Fertiliser application: 50-100 L/ha Flexi-N® and 150 kg/ha Superphosphate

Grazing Management

Grazing management is the key to success with ryegrass. Andrew rotationally grazes at the beginning and end of the of the season however set stocks during lambing as lambing ewes are difficult to move. Andrew allows ryegrass to set seed at the end of the season to ensure a good regeneration.

Harvesting preparations

Due to the cost of establishment, harvesting ryegrass is one option Andrew has investigated to reduce costs. He estimates it costs 20 c/kg as opposed to $3/kg for purchased seed. However the seeding rate of harvested seed will have to be adjusted according to the germination percentage.

Pest and Weed Management

Ryegrass diseases: Small amount of rust but can be managed by grazing
Pests: Red legged earth mites
Weeds: Weed control in pastures is vital prior to sowing as weed competition is a major cause of establishment failure and production loss. Capeweed tends to dominate ryegrass at establishment however Andrew controls this by spraying and grazing to ensure a good pasture establishment.

Environmental issues

Similar to most farms on the sandplain water logging and erosion are major factors that influence production. Andrew has found that the extensive root system of ryegrass combined with subclover has increased the percentage groundcover thus decreasing the susceptibility of wind and water erosion.

Difficulties

The potential for the new ryegrass varieties to be a weed in the following cropping phase is a concern for many farmers. Andrew has noticed in a following canola crop only small populations of Winterstar are present. On Andrew's property there is no known herbicide resistance in these new ryegrass varieties so control with herbicides isn't a problem provided the correct rates are applied and other weed control strategies are used. In addition, Andrew has observed that if the pasture is too "rich" for the livestock giving them diarrhoea. Providing a bit of roughage will aid their rumen adjusting to lush feed.

Benefits

Overall Andrew has found that ryegrass has helped with clover production and weed control especially capeweed. Winterstar has proved to be persistent after grazing which has provided Andrew with an opportunity to increase his potential stocking rates.