Winter Feed Sorted: How to Use Accelerate Gibberellic Acid for Fast Pasture Growth

Frequently Asked Questions by Farmers

Need a winter feed boost? Accelerate GA3 is a simple, cost-effective way to drive fast pasture growth when things slow down. Here’s what it does, how to use it, and how to make it work on your farm this season.

What is Accelerate Gibberellic Acid?

Accelerate is a plant growth booster with gibberellic acid (GA3), a natural hormone that drives cell growth. Applied in cooler months, it kickstarts pasture growth and can add extra much needed pasture growth.

Do I need to use Accelerate as part of an ongoing program?

Not necessarily. Accelerate isn’t something you must apply month — it’s a flexible tool. You can use it strategically, when feed is tight or growth is lagging. Many farmers have their own program, such as:

• 2-4 times, such as May, June, July and August; OR
• Once off, only during their Autumn weed spraying; OR
• Targeting cold snaps to speed grazing rotation & recovery

How much extra growth can I expect?

Under good conditions, our southern Victorian trials have shown Accelerate can deliver 300 to 600 kg DM/ha of extra growth per application. Results vary depending on:

• Soil moisture and fertility
• Leaf area at application
• Time of year and temperature

What’s the best time of year to use Accelerate?

Apply from late April to mid-September as pasture growth slows in cooler conditions. It’s most effective in winter when soil temps are above 5°C (10cm deep, 9am), and less useful once spring growth kicks in and feed is ahead.

How do I decide which paddocks to treat? Prioritise:

• Recently grazed or slower-growing paddocks.
• Underperforming paddocks that aren’t growing what you need.
• Paddocks that have had nitrogen recently and still have green leaf to absorb the spray.

How often can I apply Accelerate?

For best results, spray every month around your grazing rotation, ideally a few days after grazing once enough leaf has regrown for uptake.

How soon after grazing should I hit paddocks with Accelerate?

Apply once pastures have regrown 2–3 full leaves. That’s the sweet spot for uptake and response. Spraying too early limits the effect—wait until there’s enough leaf to work with.

How do I apply it, and at what rate?

Apply 40 g/ha of Accelerate 200SG in 100 L water/ha with a non-ionic penetrating surfactant such as FLX700. Mix fresh—don’t leave it overnight.

What sizes does it come in?

Accelerate comes in 12.5ha bottles, or 150ha boxes.

How long does it take to see a response?

Growth kicks in within 7–10 days. Full response seen by 14–21 days, depending on temperature and grazing pressure.

How does it work in the plant?

When applied, gibberellic acid is absorbed through the leaf and moves through the plant’s nutrient stream, triggering faster leaf expansion and shoot growth. This leads to quicker canopy development, improved light interception, and more dry matter — especially useful when natural growth is slowed by cool soil temperatures.

Does Accelerate steal growth from spring?

No — Accelerate doesn’t steal spring growth. It brings growth forward to fill winter gaps. Just make sure nutrients are there to match the extra growth, or you risk drawing down reserves and slowing later growth.

Which pasture types are suitable?

Accelerate is effective on most pasture types in southern Australia, especially perennial ryegrasses, cocksfoot, and phalaris.

Can I spray on newly sown pastures?

You can, but it’s not essential. Their natural growth rate is already strong in the early establishment phase if soil temps and fertility are right. That said, many farmers still include them when blanket-spraying the whole platform for practicality and coverage efficiency. Best practice: wait until the first grazing has occurred and some regrowth is evident before applying.

Can I tank mix with other products during spraying?

Yes, in general gibberellic acid can be tank-mixed with:

• Nitrogen (e.g. UAN or liquid N)
• Trace elements or root stimulants
• Pasture herbicides
• Always check labels and compatibility

Will Accelerate affect pasture quality?

Research indicates that Accelerate does not significantly change the dry matter, moisture content, crude protein, digestibility, or metabolizable energy (ME) of the pasture.

Is there a withholding period?

No. Gibberellic acid is non-toxic and has no withholding period. Stock can graze immediately, though it’s best to let pasture bulk up for 7–14 days post-application for maximum benefit.

Can I apply Accelerate if rain is expected?

Light rain after spraying is usually fine and won’t require reapplying. But heavy rain soon after application can reduce effectiveness by washing it off before it’s absorbed. To improve rain fastness, add FLX700 or Trouper adjuvant — they help the product stick to the leaf longer.

Can you spray Accelerate on frosted pastures?

It’s not recommended. Frosted pastures have limited leaf activity, which means poor uptake and a weak response. Wait until the frost has lifted and the pasture has recovered with active green leaf growth before spraying.

Does Accelerate harm clover?

No — Accelerate doesn’t harm clover, but it doesn’t boost it either. Grasses respond fast, which can shade out clover — just like on nitrogen-heavy farms. One-off sprays are less of an issue, but long-term or repeated use needs timely grazing to keep clover in the pasture base.

Can I apply Accelerate and Root Growth Formula together?

Yes — they can be tank mixed and applied at the same time. Accelerate drives top growth, while the root formula supports below-ground development.

Will dry conditions reduce the response from Accelerate?

Yes — dry conditions limit response. Accelerate needs active growth, so without moisture, uptake and effect drop off.

Got another question? Get in touch with the team below.

For more detailed information or specific advice tailored to your farm’s conditions, consult with Notman Pasture Seeds.

Gippsland team

South-West Vic team