Set your farm up for success with smart autumn pasture planning. Learn the key steps to selecting the right species, soil preparation, and nutrient management for a productive season.
Tag: Pasture Renovation
Fundamentals and ryegrass selection after a dry summer
Optimising pasture after a dry summer starts with the fundamentals. Learn how soil fertility, weed control, and ryegrass selection impact dairy farm profitability. Discover the benefits of annual vs. Italian ryegrasses for quick winter feed and long-term productivity. Read expert insights from Notman Pasture Seeds.
Step by step guide to establishing Chicory forage crop
Chicory premium forage option that supports exceptional animal nutrition, offering a balanced protein-to-energy ratio. It is low in fibre, promoting improved live weight gains and enhanced milk yield in dairy cattle, while delivering excellent performance outcomes for grazing livestock. Selecting the Right Type The first step in choosing a chicory variety is to identify its role in the pasture system. Whether you need a perennial type for longer-term use or a bi-annual variety for shorter durations will influence the selection process, helping to narrow down the options. The longevity of perennial chicory depends on factors like soil fertility, pest and disease management, environmental conditions, and how well it is maintained. Spring Sowing Advantages Chicory establishes rapidly in warm soils with […]
Spring sown pasture tips
Enhancing your perennial pastures with spring oversowing in September and October whilst sufficient soil moisture is available for emerging seedlings is a common practice for south east Australian farmers looking to drive more production. Here Notman Pasture Seeds explores the advantages, disadvantages and in-depth suggestions on optimising spring sown pasture. Spring sowing advantages Spring sowing disadvantages Enhance harvest density and quality Improve silage and hay DM yields with spring sown italian ryegrasses such as Surge Italian Ryegrass. Over sowing with fast establishing italian ryegrasses provides exceptional yield, and luscious leaf growth. Surge is ideal in this scenario this September as it will improve pasture density when it comes time to harvest for silage & hay. And with soil temperatures & daylight […]
Renewing pugged pastures
After what most Gippsland farmers would consider a normal rain sodden winter, paddocks across the region have become saturated to a point that it has led to severe pasture damage, and recovery will depend on a number of factors when planning what strategies you may wish to take. Gippsland farmer and owner of Notman Pasture Seeds Peter Notman has provided some tips for repairing pugged pastures. Pugged pasture re-sowing options We have observed a large amount of successful spring grass sowing during our 30 years in the field when there is good planning, timing, seed soil contact and fertility. The spring pasture re-sowing window is short, so as soon as soils are dry enough to get machinery on the re-sowing […]
Better results from pasture renewal with a final check
A well-timed final spray-out is essential for effective pasture renovation and cropping success. By targeting weeds and residual plant material, strategic herbicide application helps create a clean seedbed, reducing competition and maximizing the establishment of new pasture or crops. Understanding the best timing, chemical options, and application methods ensures long-term paddock productivity.
Pest protection for emerging seedlings – Insecticide Seed Treatment
Seed treatment is an effective way to protect emerging seedlings against pests, with options available for: Red-legged earth mite Blue oat mites African black beetles Aphids Cutworms Wireworms and Lucerne flea. Why use seed treatment? If you’ve encountered pasture loss in the past due to insect pressure, seed treatment is a worthy consideration. By protecting seedlings against key insects, seed treatment products help maximise plant establishment and early plant development when young seedlings are most vulnerable to pest pressure. Reducing the impact on the soil environment The active ingredient only covers the surface of each seed so that it is always located right where it is needed. The result is a reduction in the amount of chemical needed to protect […]
Spring into action with our Top Crop & Multi Specie Blends
We’ve put together a selection of our Top Crop & Multi Specie Pasture blends that have a proven track record in providing diverse feed options for summer and early autumn: Top Crop Brassica & Herbs Top Crop Millet & Brassica Top Crop Millet & Rape Summer Multi Species Pasture Blend Top Crop Brassica & Herbs High quality summer forage A extremely high quality, easy to manage blend of Chicory, Plantain, White Clover, Leafy Brassica & Forage Rape. Top Crop Brassica & Herbs is an excellent way to increase pasture quality through to early Autumn when you can potential drill perennial grasses back in.This blend combines herbs and clovers with a brassica crop, allowing the brassica to act as a cover […]
Pasture recovery from pugging damage
PETER NOTMAN | 2011 Despite the best efforts of many farmers, with the high rainfall in autumn, winter and early spring periods, soils have become saturated. This has led to severe pasture damage on a large number of farms in south-west Victoria and Gippsland. Recovery will depend on a number of factors, and when planning the recovery strategies best suited to your farm. KEY POINTS Prioritising your main targets early if possible. Don’t take on more than you can manage effectively. Roll as soon as soils begin to dry out – have the roller ready to go Control of weeds and pests essential both pre- and postgrazings of new re-sowings All re-sowing requires appropriate timing. All re-sowing requires good seed […]
Managing grass for lower sugar content
Fertiliser: It’s essential your paddock has enough nutrients to grow leafy and minimise the sugar concentration. Overgrazed poor pastures often have Native species: Native species are lower in sugar, however they don’t tolerate hard grazing very well. Hard grazing generally depletes the roots reserves. In an ideal world pastures are rotated to give the root reserves a rest. Graze earlier in the day: Generally lower sugar levels in the morning, or even in the shady areas of a morning. Sugars raise in the afternoon. Sunshine / Shade: