Pastoral Summer Active Fescue

Good base rates of phosphorus are necessary for maximum DM production especially during establishment phase. DM production is directly related to nitrogen availability. Consult your Upper Murray Seeds agronomist or fertiliser advisor for nitrogen application rates.

Tall fescue should be sown at approximately 10-20kg/ha on its own or 4-10kg/ha in a perennial blend. Sow into a weed-free seed bed at roughly 1-1.5cm depth. Rolling the seedbed after sowing will aid establishment. Fescues are best sown in autumn, because growth will be slow at soil temperatures below 12˚C.

Avoid sowing fescue with ryegrass, as fescue has poor seedling vigour while ryegrass is very competitive and has the potential to crowd out the fescue seedlings. Fescue is commonly sown with phalaris or cocksfoot.

During emergence it is essential to monitor regularly for damage from insects such as RLEM and lucerne flea, and spray as required. Inspect during early stand life for populations of black-headed cockchafer and slugs. Contact your Upper Murray Seeds agronomist for spray application rates.

Fescue is a slow establishing species so early weed control is crucial to long term viability of the stand. Always use knockdown herbicide to ensure you are sowing into a clean seedbed. Monitor for post-emergent weeds and spray as required. Use options such as spray-grazing for broadleaf weeds once the stand is established.

Pastoral fescue can be lightly grazed when plants resist pulling and the root system is well developed, this is typically in late winter or early spring. Fescue should be rotationally grazed to ensure the plant does not exceed 10-12cm, which will maximise tillering and encourage active leaf growth.

Pastoral will provide nutritious and palatable feed throughout spring and summer.

To optimise livestock weight gain and health, ensure livestock are vaccinated and drenched. To prevent nutritional problems, make gradual diet changes when introducing hungry stock to lush pastures.

An animal health problem known as ‘fescue foot’ has been reported in cattle grazing fescue dominant pastures but it is a very rare condition. Pastoral does not contain wild or novel endophytes.