In mid-April, we decided to lock up our poorest-performing paddock and sow it with Gippy Dryland seed from Graham’s Seeds. Our aim is to improve the persistence of the more palatable grass species in this area of Willarah Farm. The Gippy Dryland mix contains Perennial Ryegrass, Clover, and Cocksfoot – early-maturing species that will set seed next spring, establishing a long-lasting, palatable pasture cover.
Following seeding, the paddock will be removed from the rotation until the pasture has grown sufficiently to allow a light grazing. It will then be rested again to enable the seed to set during late spring.
At Willarah Farm, we avoid herbicides and minimise tillage to encourage biodiversity and improve soil structure. This approach fosters healthier plants and, ultimately, produces tastier beef. It’s a delicate balance, as shown in the first photo, just a week after initial treatment, the less palatable grass bounced back strongly, which could impact seed germination. To control this, we allowed the cows to graze the paddock quite low before harrowing twice to suppress the persistent bent grass. We then direct drilled the seed the same day, just ahead of some rain.
The second photo, taken last week, shows a promising seed strike emerging. This weekend, we plan to apply Seasol’s PastureMasta, aiming to accelerate pasture establishment before the onset of colder winter conditions. PastureMasta is a specialised blend of Seasol with fish, liquid humate, and added nitrogen, formulated for optimal pasture performance. Its benefits include:
- Improved pasture regrowth and palatability
- Increased pasture growth in early autumn and late spring
- Enhanced pasture nutrition with essential trace elements
- Boosted soil biological activity
By combining careful pasture management with natural soil and plant health practices, we’re confident this approach will strengthen pasture persistence and contribute to the ongoing productivity and sustainability of Willarah Farm.
