Heritage seeds international product handbook

INTERNATIONAL

PRODUCT

HANDBOOK Featuring Heritage Seeds’ extensive range of quality temperate and tropical pastures, environmental repair, fodder crops, forage cereals and turf products.

Turf Clover & Pasture Legumes Forage Herbs & Brassicas Alfalfa

Forage Cereals Tropicals & Common Varieties General Information

www.heritageseeds.com.au

EDITION 2 The icons contained in the legend are considered to be the most important agronomic factors when selecting a variety. The information contained in the icons for each product is listed for optimum variety performance.

Products may still perform satisfactorily outside the legend guidelines.

The products denoted by this symbol are registered under Plant Breeders Rights (PBR) in Australia. Unauthorised commercial propagation or any sale, conditioning, export, import or stocking of propagating material is an infringement under the Plant Breeders Rights Act (1994). Any breach of this legislation will leave the grower/seller liable for prosecution.

Minimum Annual Average Rainfall pH range that can be used as an indicator for the suitability of a cultivar. The pH referred to is for a suspension of 1:5 soil:0.01M calcium chloride (CaCI2).

Preferred Soil Type Inoculant (rhizobia) group recommended to inoculate the cultivar in order to achieve successful nodulation and nitrogen fixation.

Irrigation

Best results under irrigation.

The information presented in this publication is offered in good faith, based on seed industry data and relevant advice. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and freedom from error.

Heritage Seeds, its agents or advisors accepts no responsibility for any loss or actions arising from viewing the publication’s content.

CONTENTS About us................................................................................... 2 Turf............................................................................................ 4 Pasture legumes...................................................................... 6 Clovers................................................................................... 6 Annual clovers..................................................................... 10 Other pasture legumes...................................................... 13 Medics................................................................................. 14 Vetch.................................................................................... 16 Forage herbs and brassicas................................................. 18 Alfalfa...................................................................................... 20 Forage cereals....................................................................... 26 Forage sorghum.................................................................... 32 Forage millet......................................................................... 33 Temperate sowing guides................................................... 34 Tropicals................................................................................. 36 Grasses................................................................................ 36 Legumes.............................................................................. 41 Tropical sowing guide.......................................................... 46 Common varieties................................................................. 48 Information............................................................................ 59 Pro-Tech seed coating....................................................... 59 Heritage Seeds offices....................................................... 64

Product Handbook

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With a product portfolio as broad as the Australian landscape, Heritage Seeds stands alone combining national distribution with exports to over 50 countries.

Heritage Seeds has the largest private seed and plant research facility in Australia, together with co-operative research and development programs that extend around the globe. The combination of new varietal discovery, quality seed production, excellence in customer service, and our ‘can do’ ethos allows Heritage Seeds to give you – our customer – the leading edge. Whether your quest is temperate or tropical pasture seed, alfalfa, forage cereals, amenity grasses, coated seed, seed for environmental repair or the development and or commercialisation of new gene technology – we have the right seed solutions for you.

Research & Development The millenium promises a new era in the evolution of gene technology and seed bioscience, revolutionising food production systems and transforming agriculture as we know it. Our focus on newly emerging seed technologies and research and development, combine to yield plant cultivars that demonstrate seed solutions for amenity, revegetation and agriculture. It is one reason why Heritage Seeds has the largest private seed and plant research facility in Australia at Howlong, NSW - as well as maintaining joint-venture research and development programs and strategic alliances spanning five continents. The search for new germplasm, plant breeding and selection, trialing and evaluation, is the basis of varietal discovery for the development of new and improved seed products.

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Heritage Seeds are also industry leaders in revegetation and environmental repair solutions maintaining ‘state of the art’ seed enhancement plants at Toowoomba, Queensland and Melbourne, Victoria. The company license seed coating technology around the globe, having over 20 years of research and development experience into coated seed products for mining, reafforestation, roadways, hydro-seeding, aerial and conventional seed broadcasting; as well as general agriculture and amenity markets. The company embraces the new technological era of improved seed products and is well placed for varietal maintenance, basic and 1st generation seed production, and commercialisation of new plant cultivars.

Exporting to the World Heritage Seeds export clean, fresh, quality seed to international customers in more than 50 countries around the globe. The Australian continent spans many latitudes from cool, temperate Tasmania to tropical Far North Queensland, providing a diversity of environments almost unavailable from any other country. Experienced seed growers link directly with Heritage Seeds to provide the highest quality standards for international customers.

Australian seed quality is only half the story; timely shipping delivery, import-export documentation, product certification, personalised service and advice, all contribute to our aim of total customer satisfaction. Heritage Seeds is one of Australia’s largest seed companies and is part of the world wide Royal Barenbrug Group. Together the group acts synergistically across continents for the research and development, production, marketing and export of seed.

Whether its supplying seed for agriculture, international golf course architects, environmental earthworks engineers, or for simple landscape construction - we have seed solutions for you.

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TURF Heritage Seeds specialises in the development and marketing of high performance proprietary turf varieties.

As part of the worldwide ROYAL BARENBRUG GROUP, one of the largest privately owned grass seed companies in the world, Heritage Seeds has strategic marketing and supply alliances throughout Australia and international markets.

®

5.5-8.0

Clay loams - Irrigation only sand

• 3 Premium quality varieties • Proven over-seeding performance (even in hotter environments such as the Middle East) • Greater adaptability / Full sun to light shade • Low growth habit / Adapted to fairway mowing height • Excellent mowing quality / Minimal shredding • Very uniform turf density with fine leaf texture • Dark green colour • Wear tolerant with good recovery • Easy spring transition • Competitively priced ®Turf Star is a registered trademark of Barenbrug USA.

Kikuyu

Pennisetum clandestinum

400mm+ 5.0-7.0

Most Soil Types

• A ttractive and competitive lawn grass that spreads rapidly by tillers and stolons • Can grow in difficult soil and moisture conditions where its very deep root system assists survival. Excellent for erosion control • Should be planted in spring and early summer forms an ideal, dense, hard wearing surface for playing fields, parks, lawns and other public areas • Kikuyu will tolerate heavy grazing or cutting.

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TURF Bahia grass Paspalum notatum

700mm– 5.0-7.5 1500mm

Light Well Drained

• S uitable as a permanent pasture for intensive grazing and for hay production particularly in the higher rainfall areas • Low growing or prostrate growth habit • Strong root system and can spread slowly by stolons • When grown for grazing, it combines well with legumes and appears relatively tolerant to shading.

• Also suitable as amenity turf or as a ground cover for erosion control.

Bermuda grass Cynodon dactylon

400mm+ 5.5-7.0

Most Soil Types

• M ost widely used warm-season amenity grass • Commonly used as forage in some markets • Vigorous grass that rapidly forms a dense mat of turf during summer • Peak growth during the spring/summer period and becomes dormant during the autumn/winter period • Prefers light - medium soils • Due to its low cutting abilities is excellent for use on sports fields, cricket wickets, tennis court, golf courses, fairways, tees and lawns.

Carpet grass Axonopus affinis

600mm+ 4.5-8.0

Most Soil Irrigation Types

• Can grow on poor, low fertility, acid soils • Broad leaf, with a prostrate growth habit which forms a dense sod • Can handle up to 50% shade

Queensland Blue Couch Digitaria didactyla

600mm+ 5.5-8.0

Most Soil Irrigation Types

• A fine, even textured lawn grass with a distinctive blue-green colour • Aggressive running grass with strong stolons • Slightly more shade tolerant than Bermuda Grass (but less than Carpet Grass)

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Clover & PASTURE Legumes Pasture legumes White clover 2 - 5 kg/ha (in a mix) Trifolium repens

White clover is tolerant of, and persistent under a wide range of management systems and has a high feed value.

Its ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen makes a substantial contribution to the growth of companion grasses. White clover will grow over a wide range of soil and fertility conditions although a pH of 5.4 or higher with reasonable phosphorus levels is required for good results. It has poor tolerance of drought conditions and is best suited to medium-high rainfall or irrigation, where it will respond well to spring and summer moisture.

White clover has little winter growth, is slower to grow in the spring than ryegrass and is susceptible to shading. Spring management aimed at keeping pastures short and leafy is therefore important to maintain good clover content and to capitalise on its good growth and feed value in summer.

In white clover, a large leaf size generally means less stolons, but more potential yield. However a high stolon density and smaller leaf size means that there’s better tolerance of adverse conditions, such as drought, pests, close grazing or pugging. It’s important to select the right clover for the situation based on these attributes. Smallmedium leaf size varieties will offer better persistence and often greater nitrogen fixation under sheep and extensive beef enterprises, whereas the larger leaf varieties are better suited to dairy and beef operations with good rotational grazing. It is often useful to use a smaller and a larger variety in a pasture blend.

White Clover

Large Leaf 650mm+ 5.4-8.0

Wide B or Range AgriCOTE Types

• Australian bred white clover • Tall plant that can aggressively compete in a mixed sward with ryegrass • Excellent seedling vigour and is quick to establish with very high yield potential across all seasons • Stolon density of Storm is high compared to other large leaf types • Persistent under cutting and remains dense • High production in winter and summer.

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Clover & PASTURE Legumes Subterranean clover 6 - 8 kg/ha (in a mix) Trifolium subterraneum (inc.subterraneum, brachycalycinum & yanninicum)

Sub clovers are amongst the most widely used pasture legumes in southern Australia. They are typically used in low-medium, winter rainfall dominant areas for extensive grazing operations. The term sub clover refers to a group of three species: Subterraneum: Black seeded, acidic (4.5) - neutral soils, most soil textures, low-medium rainfall Yanninicum: White seeded, acidic - neutral pH, mediumheavy soils, medium rainfall Brachycalycinum: Neutral soils (5.8) - alkaline soils, medium-heavy soils, medium rainfall.

The features mentioned above will vary between varieties.

Sub clovers can contain varying levels of phytoestrogens that may affect fertility in sheep, although more recently developed varieties generally have lower levels. Sub clover can cause bloat. They are usually quite susceptible to RLEM; monitoring and control is needed for best performance.

Seeds are relatively large and sowing rates need to be 2 or 3 times higher than most other clovers in order to reach a similar plant density. Sub clovers are annuals and re-seeding is needed to provide persistent nitrogen fixation and quality in the pasture. Once a pasture has been established with sub clover, a couple of years of re-seeding will help create a seed bank to back-up the occasional failed season.

Sub clovers have been developed for varying rainfall and flowering dates. It is highly recommended to sow at least two varieties with differing flowering dates, so as to allow for a spread of flowering and seed set as frosts, drought, grazing, pests and herbicides may reduce seed set or cause failure. In areas with an early spring, it is suggested to sow an early and a mid-flowering type. In later areas, sow a mid-maturing and a late variety. Levels of hard-seed will vary between cultivars, although most varieties have at least some hard seed component.

Sub clover is a high quality protein feed. Sometimes older stock or those not use to an enriched diet will need greater management. In mixed swards, graze pasture according to grass stage e.g. introduce stock at 3 leaf stage of ryegrass or 5 leaf stage of phalaris. Sub clover will survive as long as there is an accompanied “spelling� phase. Opening up the sward will allow sunlight for the clover to grow and compete.

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Clover & PASTURE Legumes Red clover Trifolium pratense

3 - 6 kg/ha (in a mix)

Red clover is a tap rooted, short-lived (2-5 year) perennial legume with high feed value. It has good summer growth and some drought tolerance, but little winter growth.

It performs best on free draining soils under moderate stocking rates, long summer grazing rotations or hay production. Under high stocking rates or quick rotations its persistence is reduced. Summer moisture is required for best results. Red clover is commonly sown as a component of a permanent pasture, to boost late spring and summer growth and feed quality. It is often used as a specialist stand for hay or silage.

Red clovers contain phytoestrogens so care should be taken if feeding to breeding stock during mating (this mainly applies in the late summer and autumn periods when red clover is growing well). Phytoestrogen levels vary between red clover varieties.

Strawberry clover Trifolium fragiferum

2 - 3 kg/ha (in a mix)

This is a true perennial clover that tolerates waterlogging and drought, and is suitable for neutral to alkaline soils, although it will survive in more acidic conditions. Strawberry clover is often used in slightly saline areas, as it is more salt tolerant than white clover and most sub clovers. It is quite slow to establish, but will form a large crown in 2-3 years, and can become the dominant legume in a pasture sward.

It is often used in extensive grazing areas as a component in a tall fescue or phalaris pasture. It is very tolerant of close grazing by sheep and extensive beef once established.

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Clover & PASTURE Legumes Caucasian clover Trifolium ambiguum

3 - 5 kg/ha (in a mix)

Caucasian clover can be a very persistent perennial clover, although the right type needs to be selected for conditions as there are great variations in growth habit and climatic suitability. It is generally better suited to elevated, medium to high rainfall areas with slightly acidic to neutral pH soils. It has a strong underground root system, and once established will grow well and persist under close grazing.

Hexaploid varieties have larger leaves, are better suited to lower altitudes and are very slow (3 years) to establish.

Tetraploid varieties typically establish more quickly and will suit higher altitudes and colder conditions. The diploid varieties are suited to higher elevations again, have smaller leaves, and are more cold and waterlogging tolerant.

Caucasian clover can be a useful component in a longterm cocksfoot or phalaris pasture, particularly in elevated areas under mixed sheep and beef grazing where summer rains are common.

Alsike clover Trifolium hybridum

2 - 5 kg/ha

Alsike is a short-lived perennial clover that can be used in a similar fashion to red clover with the added feature of being able to tolerate and thrive in more acidic as well as alkaline conditions. It is very waterlogging tolerant. It has been widely used as an ideal pioneer plant, although is very productive in its own right. Like red clover, Alsike is an upright plant and can be used for making quality hay. It has been reported to produce photosensitivity in sunny conditions and may cause bloat. Over time it may not persist as fertility increases and more vigorous varieties start to dominate the pasture.

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Clover & PASTURE Legumes Annual clovers Annual clover offers a range of grazing, hay and silage options with multiple benefits including nitrogen fixation, weed control rotations and disease breaks. The addition of annual clovers to grass or hay mixes can increase feed quality, protein of feed and provide nitrogen for grass or cereal to grow.

Paddock & Grazing Management Annual clovers are suited to rotational grazing. When used in a mixed sward, graze to manage grass but ensure animals do not re-graze areas, as this will greatly affect the recovery of annual clover. In pure stands, avoid grazing in the middle of winter. Don’t graze below 5-8cm to allow maximum recovery. Avoid pugging.

In general, growth period between grazing will be around 50-60 days in winter and 30-40 days in spring. These clovers are generally annual options only, however hard seeded varieties (e.g. Balansa) can be locked up just prior to flower initiation. They will then flower and set seed, and providing there is initial dry matter, graze hard prior to the autumn break to allow maximum germination.

Monitor stock – especially relating to issues such as bloat and excess protein. Certain weather conditions, lack of fibre and other energy sources can cause some stock issues. Remove stock during such times. Allow access to good quality water.

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Clover & PASTURE Legumes Balansa clover

Trifolium michelianum/balansae

2 - 5 kg/ha (in a mix)

Annual legume for medium rainfall areas that suits most soils of acid - neutral pH. Tolerates mild salinity and some waterlogging. Suitable for grazing and fodder conservation with fair winter growth. It is very early flowering and seed set can be affected by frosts. Often used as part of a HDL mix as the earliest flowering component. Also useful as an alternative to sub-clover in perennial pastures, or to add bulk and quality to annual and Italian ryegrass hay crops.

Not known to cause bloat. Regenerates by re-seeding.

Hard-seeded.

Persian clover Trifolium resupinatum

2 - 5 kg/ha (in a mix)

Annual legume for medium rainfall areas that suits most soils of neutral - moderately alkaline pH. Tolerates mild salinity and some waterlogging. Suitable for grazing and fodder conservation with fair-good winter growth. It is later flowering than balansa and an essential component in HDL mixes. Also useful as an alternative to sub-clover in perennial pastures, or to add bulk and quality to annual and Italian ryegrass hay crops. Regenerates by re-seeding.

Hard-seeded and soft-seeded varieties available.

Berseem clover Trifolium alexandrinum

2 - 5 kg/ha (in a mix)

Annual legume for medium-high rainfall areas that suits medium-heavy soils of neutral - moderately alkaline pH. Suitable for grazing and fodder conservation with reasonable winter growth. Can be affected by frosts.

Often used as part of a HDL mix and can produce multiple hay cuts. Not known to cause bloat. Regenerates by reseeding. Soft-seeded.

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Clover & PASTURE Legumes Arrowleaf clover Trifolium vesiculosum

2 - 5 kg/ha (in a mix)

Annual legume for medium rainfall areas that suits welldrained soils of acid - neutral pH and tolerates mild salinity.

Suitable for grazing and fodder conservation with fair winter growth. It is very late flowering and seed set can be affected by drought. Often used as part of a HDL mix as the latest flowering component. It is also useful as an alternative to sub-clover in perennial pastures, or to add bulk and quality to annual and Italian ryegrass hay crops.

Not known to cause bloat. Regenerates by re-seeding.

Hard-seeded.

Crimson clover Trifolium incarnatum

2 - 5 kg/ha (in a mix)

Low pH tolerant annual for medium rainfall areas with well drained soils. Suitable for grazing and fodder conservation with reasonable winter growth. Traditionally used as a pioneer plant on acid soils of limited fertility. Regenerates by re-seeding. Soft-seeded.

Rose clover Trifolium hirtum

2 - 5 kg/ha (in a mix)

Early flowering annual legume that suits hard-setting acidic soils in low rainfall areas. Often used as a pioneer plant where early flowering and seed set is useful. It is not very productive or persistent over the longer period, but can do a job where sub clovers and many medics struggle.

Regenerates by re-seeding. Hard-seeded.

Gland clover Trifolium glanduliferum

1 - 3 kg/ha (in a mix)

Low pH tolerant annual for low rainfall areas in extensive grazing operations. Regenerates by re-seeding. Typically very hard-seeded.

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Clover & PASTURE Legumes Other pasture legumes Sulla

Hedysarum coronarium

8 - 12 kg/ha (sown alone)

Annual or biennial forage legume (regenerates only from seed) with potential for high yields of palatable forage or fodder. Grows in neutral to alkaline, well drained medium to heavy soils. Spring and autumn active with limited winter growth and summer dormant. Suits as a short-term grass-free break in mixed grain cropping and livestock operations in medium-low rainfall areas. Non-bloating.

Waterlogging likely to reduce performance. Limited weedcontrol options available.

Serradella

3 - 6 kg/ha (in a mix)

Acid, aluminum tolerant annual legume that suits well drained sandy soils. Suitable for grazing and hay production in low rainfall areas. Non-bloating. Tolerates Red Legged Earth Mite. Regenerates by reseeding, seed hardness depends on species: French (pink) Serradella Ornithopus sativus: High levels of soft seeds, prostrate growth habit Yellow Serradella Ornithopus compressus: Mostly hard-seeded, more upright growth, most persistent Hybrids: Intermediate level of hard seeds, intermediate growth habit.

Biserrula

Biserrula pelecinus

4 - 6 kg/ha (in a mix)

Low pH tolerant, deep rooted annual legume for low rainfall areas. Tolerant of Red Legged Earth Mites. Needs to re-generate from re-seeding each year. Varying levels of hard-seed depending on the variety.

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Clover & PASTURE Legumes Medics Strand medic Medicago littoralis

2-4 kg/ha (in a mix)

Annual forage legume that suits sandy/loamy soils in the neutral to alkaline pH range. Suits low-very low rainfall extensive grazing areas. Good for cereal/pasture rotations.

Regenerates by re-seeding. Typically very hard-seeded.

Barrel medic Medicago truncatula

2 - 4 kg/ha (in a mix)

Annual forage legume that suits neutral to alkaline pH range. Suits low-moderate rainfall extensive grazing areas.

Good for cereal/pasture rotations. Regenerates by reseeding. Typically very hard-seeded.

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Clover & PASTURE Legumes Burr medic Medicago polymorpha

2 - 4 kg/ha (in a mix)

Annual forage legume that suits heavier soils of neutral to alkaline pH range. Suits low-very low rainfall extensive grazing/cropping areas. Good for cereal/pasture rotations that have longer pasture phase. Can tolerate some waterlogging. Regenerates by reseeding. Higher level of soft seeds than strand or barrel medics.

Snail medic Medicago scutellata

2 - 4 kg/ha (in a mix)

Annual forage legume that suits heavier soils with a neutral to alkaline pH range. Suits low-moderate rainfall extensive grazing/ cropping areas. Good for cereal/pasture rotations.

Regenerates by re-seeding, soil disturbance often needed to obtain a good strike. Large seed pods are easily grazed by sheep.

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Clover & PASTURE Legumes Woolly pod vetch

15 - 30 kg/ha

Vicia villosa ssp. Dasycarpa

Namoi

Hard Seeded 400mm– Most Soil 5.0-8.0 650mm+ Types

• Mid maturing self regenerating annual • Indeterminate flowering • Suitable for grazing, hay and green manure.

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E

Clover & PASTURE Legumes Common vetch

20 - 40 kg/ha

Vicia sativa

Blanchefleur

Soft Seeded 350mm– Most Soil 5.0-8.0 650mm+ Types

E

• Mid maturity variety • Low hard seed levels • Suitable for grain, hay or green manure.

COMING SOON

Soft Seeded Most 225mm+ 5.0-8.0 Well Drained

E

• • • • •

Available commercially in 2016 High yielding, highly rust resistant common vetch variety Moderately resistant to ascochyta blight Very good early establishment Earlier in maturity by 7-12 days than Rasina (from seeding to full flowering 90-100 days) • Higher yielding in both grain and hay than current varieties in < 380mm rainfall.

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Forage Herbs & Brassicas Chicory

5 - 6 kg/ha

Cichorium intybus

Chicory is a persistent leafy herb lasting 2-3 years with a large tap root. It performs best in fertile, free draining soils in regions of greater than 550mm rainfall. It has potential for high dry matter of excellent quality with most growth through warmer periods.

Chicory should be sown at 5-6kg/ha as a sole stand or at 1-2kg/ha as part of a grass clover mix. Often used as an annual (summer) forage in combination with millet, clover or forage brassicas.

Chicory requires a well prepared seed bed and soil temperatures of greater than 10°C for successful establishment. Chicory should be rotationally grazed on a 4-6 week rotation and will require added nitrogen for maximum performance.

Forage Chicory

Winter Active 550mm+ 4.5-7.5

Most Soil Types

• Performs all year round including winter • Fast establishment and regrowth after grazing • High quality winter active forage chicory with a leafy and erect growth habit • Responds to summer rain • Low crown gives good production over 2-3 years • Alternative to alfalfa in problem soils • Sown at 5-6kg/ha with legumes and 1-2kg/ha as part of a pasture mix.

Plantain

Plantago lanceolata

3 - 5 kg/ha

A drought tolerant, deep tap-rooted perennial herb with high digestibility. Spring or autumn sown, with potential for year-round growth. Usually sown as a specialist paddock as weed control in mixed stands may be problematic.

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Forage Herbs & Brassicas Forage brassicas

2 - 6 kg/ha

Brassica hybrid

Brassicas are potentially high yielding, high quality annual crops that are established during the warmer months to fill a summer, autumn or winter feed gap.

Sowing rates vary widely, and depend on many factors including: condition of the seed-bed at sowing time, method and accuracy of sowing equipment, seed size and length of time to maturity.

Brassicas need a fine, weed-free seed bed, with a pH of 5.5 or above. Crops may respond to boron, molybdenum and phosphorus. Nitrogen application is usually needed, but care should be taken to avoid nitrate poisoning, particularly with drought (or other) stressed crops. Newly introduced stock should be carefully monitored, and may take a little time to become accustomed to the crop. Flowering crops should not be fed to livestock.

Within the brassica options there are good forage solutions as well as great versatility. Seek specific advice for your situation.

Forage rape

2 - 5 kg/ha

Brassica napus

Rape is a fast maturing leafy, single or multi-graze crop that can be sown for summer, autumn or winter feed. It typically has higher protein and dry matter than turnips. Rape can be sown from early spring to late summer depending on its use.

Usually sown as a lone stand, but may be sown in combination with other summer forages such as millet, or often sown for winter feed in combination with annual or Italian ryegrasses with good results. Rapeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s feed value is high, but usually the crop must be mature before grazing, approximately 10-12 weeks after sowing.

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ALFALFA Alfalfa

Medicago sativa

Alfalfa is used as a long term pasture for grazing and/or hay production, a short term stand in cropping rotations, or as the legume component of mixed pastures. Being a legume, alfalfa has the ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen, providing nitrogen for its own growth, to companion species or increasing soil nitrogen levels for subsequent crops.

Alfalfa can utilise more rainfall and dry the soil profile with a large taproot that can easily grow to three metres depth or more to access deep soil moisture. This taproot also acts as an energy store for the plant making established alfalfa very hardy.

Alfalfa has a moderate tolerance of salinity, which combined with its ability to dry the soil profile and lower the water table makes it a useful tool in managing soil salinity, particularly as an option in recharge areas.

The main limitations to alfalfaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s use are soil waterlogging and high soil aluminum (Al) levels which inhibit root development and cause difficulties with establishment.

Modern alfalfa varieties are now available that have been developed in Australia under grazing for Australian and international conditions, with adequate resistance to key pests and diseases, ensuring they have the best chance of performing in a broad range of countries and environments.

Selection of the right alfalfa variety is a crucial component of establishing a successful, productive and profitable alfalfa stand.

Sowing rates

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Rainfall

kg/ha

Plant counts (after 1st summer)

350 - 450 mm

4-6

15 - 40

450 - 600 mm

6-8

50 - 70

600 - 800 mm

10 -15

80 -120

800 mm+/Irrigation

18 - 35

130 -160

ALFALFA Winter dormant alfalfa Winter dormant alfalfas grow actively through spring and summer and into early autumn when growth rates decline.

They can be very productive under high rainfall or irrigation, but less productive than winter active types in regions with winter dominant rainfall below 650mm.

These varieties generally have a low prostrate crown giving good grazing tolerance and improving persistence. They also have a high leaf to stem ratio which can contribute to higher feed and hay quality. Winter dormant alfalfas are not suited to late autumn/early winter sowing.

These alfalfas are best suited to irrigated hay production or long term pasture situations in colder, wetter environments, where rainfall continues into late spring and early summer, and winter grazing is provided by other pastures or crops.

Winter dormant alfalfas can also be used in mixtures with perennial grasses.

Winter active alfalfa Winter active alfalfas have an intermediate crown and can provide excellent grazing tolerance and persistence. They are the most versatile and therefore the most popular alfalfa group giving good growth into late autumn and holding their quality longer than highly winter active varieties.

Winter active varieties are best suited to medium term mixed farming situations that require grazing tolerance and the ability to make reasonable quality hay. They are well suited to irrigated or dryland production and are useful as a pure stand or as a perennial legume component in pasture blends for regions with 450-650mm winter dominant rainfall.

These alfalfas also make excellent permanent summer forage crops in the high rainfall dairy regions because they provide feed over a longer period than summer brassicas without the insect problems.

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ALFALFA Highly winter active alfalfa Highly winter active alfalfas are bred for late autumn/ early winter sowing and have excellent seedling vigour for undersowing. Some of the newer Australian bred material in this group has increased grazing tolerance because it was selected from and developed for these broadacre grazing systems.

These alfalfas have a more upright crown and erect growth habit, they are well suited to a 3-5 year cropping rotation system in the 300-500mm rainfall zones. They provide maximum growth from winter dominant growing season rainfall. Generally highly winter active alfalfas do not persist as well as more dormant types.

Dormancy

Dormancy rating

Life expectancy

Suitability

Winter dormant

3 to 5

8 years +

Grazing and fine cut hay

Winter active

6 to 7

6 to 8 years +

Grazing/hay, general purpose

Highly winter active

8 to 10

3 to 5 years +

Winter feed, hay production, short pasture phase

Paddock & grazing management Alfalfa is a highly nutritious feed that does require specific management. Maximum production and persistence will occur when alfalfa is rotationally grazed. Whilst alfalfa will not produce much in its first season, it will grow rapidly offering choice grazing once the stems are matured.

Ideally once grazed, it should be spelled to allow crowns and root carbohydrate reserves to restore themselves.

At certain times of rapid growth, alfalfa will produce higher tannins that cause build up of detergents and gas within the rumen-causing bloat. At these times of year, it is best to allow the plant to go through its growth spurt, diffuse the tannins through DM and graze once slowing down.

However avoid grazing with hungry stock. Ensure stock is acclimatised, allow run-off areas or alternative sources of fibre.

Being a legume, alfalfa not only fixes large amounts of nitrogen but has high protein levels also. In intensive production systems, excess protein could be an issue and needs to be managed with alternative fibre sources or over sown energy options such as cereals or grasses.

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ALFALFA Alfalfa

Dormancy 5

Semi Winter Dormant 325mm+ 5.8-8.0

Deep AL or Well AgriCOTE Drained

• S emi winter dormant variety with fine stems and a low, broad crown • Suited to challenging, wet, cold environments • Persistent under grazing and performs well in both irrigated and dryland environments • Good Anthracnose and Phytophthora root disease resistance • Ideal for hay production with very bushy and dense growth.

Alfalfa

Dormancy 6

Winter Active Deep AL or 325mm+ 5.8-8.0 Well AgriCOTE Drained

• T he most grazing tolerant commercial alfalfa variety in Australia • Persists under periods of set stocking up to 2 months once established • Requires minimal rotational grazing management • Exceptional persistence across a range of environments from low to high rainfall, dryland and irrigation • Broadly adapted to a variety of farming systems • Well suited to mixed swards with perennial grasses such as winter active tall fescue, cocksfoot or phalaris.

Product Handbook

23

ALFALFA Alfalfa

Dormancy 7

Winter Active

Deep AL or 350mm+ 5.8-8.0 Well Irrigation AgriCOTE Drained

• V ery persistent and tolerant of grazing, resulting in highly productive long-term stands • Broad low crown, many fine upright stems which carry a high number of large leaves • Broad pest and disease resistance profile • Higher total dry matter than more winter dormant varieties • Suited to continual harvesting, hard grazing and treading • Bridges the summer and autumn feed gaps.

Alfalfa

Dormancy 7

Winter Active

Deep AL or 350mm+ 5.8-8.0 Well Irrigation AgriCOTE Drained

• • • • •

24

Even more broadly adapted and grazing tolerant than Sardi 7 High yielding, multi-purpose with excellent persistence Strong pest and disease resistance and good grazing tolerance Improved performance in cold, wet environments Well suited to grazing and hay production with a broad crown and high leaf to stem ratio.

ALFALFA Alfalfa

Dormancy 10

Highly Winter Active

Deep AL or Irrigation 350mm+ 5.8-8.0 Well AgriCOTE Drained

• H ighly productive 3 - 4 year+ option suited to dryland systems with a winter dominant rainfall pattern • Valuable in farming systems with intensive management, such as dairy farms • Exceptional seedling vigour and regrowth after cutting and or grazing • Broad base of pest and disease resistance with no weakness to any of the major alfalfa diseases • High winter growth and good grazing tolerance • Suited to cropping rotations, pasture mixes and hay production systems requiring maximum yield.

Alfalfa

Dormancy 10 350mm+ 5.8-8.0

Highly Winter Active Deep AL or Irrigation Well AgriCOTE Drained

• S uited to cropping rotations, pasture mixes and year round hay production systems • Improved forage production and persistence over SARDI 10 • High winter growth and grazing tolerance • Very good seedling vigour • Highly productive 3 - 4 year+ option • Multiple screens for excellent disease and insect resistance.

Product Handbook

25

Forage Cereals Forage cereals in general are quick to establish and relatively robust. They have strong winter and spring growth and well managed crops produce moderate to high quality feed that can either be directly grazed or cut and conserved as hay or silage.

Establishment Forage cereals are well suited to sowing into either a prepared seed bed, or more commonly, by direct drilling into spray-fallows or crop residues. Consider the paddock history, or conduct a soil test to determine fertiliser requirement, however a modest application of DAP or similar at the time of planting is usually beneficial. Consider the options for pre-emergent herbicides and insecticides where appropriate as they will give the crop the best chance to out-compete pests. In heavy trash situations, incorporating an early application of a molluscicide for slugs or snails may be necessary.

Sowing depth should be between 10-35mm, although slightly deeper sowing is often still satisfactory. Assess the crop for weeds again when it has developed 3-4 true leaves, and treat accordingly. Forage cereal crops are generally ready for a light first grazing when 20-25cm high, down to about 10cm. This will be around 6-8 weeks after sowing depending on conditions, and the crop can be allowed to re-grow for multiple subsequent grazings.

Sowing Rates kg/ha

500mm Rainfall

600mm Rainfall

700mm Rainfall

800mm Rainfall

Irrigation

70

80-90

80-90

80-90

100-120

Grazing management True forage cereals are developed to withstand grazing pressure and can be grazed through winter with minimal loss of total forage yield if grazed correctly. The crop should only be grazed when the roots have developed sufficiently to anchor the plants so that they will not pull out. This is generally the case once the crop has reached 25cm in height. Ideally the crop should be grazed before the first node has developed, to avoid the loss of the nodes and resulting tiller death. As a rough guide the crop should be grazed at a height of 25-30cm.

26

Forage Cereals How hard to graze Post grazing height is critical in maintaining crop yield. The crop should be grazed to no lower than 10cm or just above the first node. If the first node is removed, regrowth will be significantly reduced as the removal of the node will result in the death of that tiller. True forage cereals do have the ability to re-tiller post grazing however this regrowth will be slower than growth from established tillers resulting in lost production.

On-going management Rotational grazing is the best way to maximise crop production and the crop can be re-grazed each time it reaches 25-30cm in height. As the crop progresses it is inevitable that the nodes will begin to rise and additional care must be taken to avoid over grazing and tiller death.

Grazing crops at these later stages of development will most likely reduce the yield at final harvest. Set stocking of forage cereal crops will often give the best results for fattening cattle, particularly in northern Australia. For best results the stocking rate needs to be adjusted depending on the growing conditions and growth rate of the crop.

Adverse conditions Grazing when the soil is very wet will result in crown and root damage and recovery and total yield will be reduced.

If conditions become very dry, grazing to 10cm to remove leaf tissue may aid survival by reducing evapo-transpiration.

Product Handbook

27

Forage Cereals Forage oats Avena sativa

Forage oats are a broadly adapted and reliable winter forage crop and are the most widely used of the forage cereals.

Forage oats are easy to establish and are the only true forage cereal that can be sown in late summer and early autumn, giving forage oats the highest potential yield of the forage cereals.

Forage oats have a winter habit â&#x20AC;&#x201C; growth will slow over the colder months and are slow to establish if sown too late. They produce reasonably well from a late winter/early spring planting given a higher sowing rate. In southern Australia barely yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) is a significant disease limiting production in susceptible varieties.

28

Forage Cereals Forage Oat

True Forage Cereal 400mm+ 4.5-8.0

• • • •

Most Soil Types

Excellent seedling vigour leading to more early growth Very late maturity which stays leafy into late spring Up to 15% higher yields – more feed Potentially more durable leaf rust resistance.

Forage Oat

True Forage Cereal 400mm+ 4.5-8.0

Most Soil Types

• C omplete rust resistant to all Australian pathotypes of leaf rust • Produces a very high forage yield under both dryland and irrigated conditions • Good recovery from grazing and will tolerate heavy grazing • The stem and leaf thickness of Aladdin makes it suitable for oaten hay production • Late maturity helps to keep quality through the growing season.

Forage Oat

True Forage Cereal 450mm+ 4.5-8.0

Most Soil Types

• Very fast autumn winter growth • Good spring bulk up for hay/silage • Good BYDV tolerance.

Product Handbook

29

Forage Cereals Forage triticale Triticale hexaploide

Triticale is a cross between wheat and cereal rye or rye corn. Combining the quality and yield of wheat and the broad adaptability of rye, triticale is an extremely hardy and adaptable species. It has good disease resistance and is suited to a wide range of climates and growing conditions including light, sandy soil. It can also tolerate acid soils and waterloggging better than other forage cereal species, and has a more developed root system, giving better suitability to light soils.

The reliable grain yield of triticale is the key factor in its use for whole crop silage production. With whole crop silage the crop is taken through to near maturity and while other cereals lose feed quality rapidly after emergence and continue to fall, the quality of triticale climbs again as the grain fills.

Forage Triticale

True Forage Cereal 450mm+ 4.8–8.0

• • • • • • •

30

Mid/late maturity Stripe rust resistant Very high forage yield or whole crop silage option Excellent winter vigour Very good resistance to lodging Long and broad leaves Can be sown earlier than the original Crackerjack.

Most Soil Types

Forage Cereals Forage barley Hordeum vulgare

Barley has fast establishment and high winter production and is best suited to late planting situations where its quick early growth under cold conditions can be an advantage over other forage cereals. Barley provides excellent forage for grazing, hay or silage, with good forage quality. The later planting window gives more flexibility with late finishing crops like maize and earlier finish gives the best chance of getting the summer crops sown early into adequate soil moisture.

Forage Barley

True Forage Cereal 450mm+ 5.4-8.0

• • • • • •

Most Soil Types

Awnless true forage barley bred to replace Dictator Fastest winter growth of all true forage cereals Suits late sowing Rapid establishment and early growth Fast to first grazing Quick regrowth after grazing.

Product Handbook

31

Forage SORGHUM Forage sorghum

15 - 30 kg/ha

Sorghum spp.

A warm season, annual grass used for strip grazing, silage and hay, capable of very high yields under the right conditions. Irrigation usually essential for best performance.

There are many varieties, hybrids and sub-types - select with care to suit your conditions. In southern Australia, cool tolerant varieties should be used. It should be sown when soil temperature is over 16°C and rising. Crops less that 50cm high or under drought or other stresses may create issues with prussic acid poisoning, depending on the condition of the crop and the variety.

32

Forage SORGHUM Forage millet

10 - 20 kg/ha

Echinochloa utilis

A warm-season, fast growing annual grass. Needs soil temperatures of 14°C and rising for good germination.

Usually sown in late spring as millet does not tolerate frost. Often used as a summer forage or hay/silage crop in summer irrigated areas. Can be sown alone or mixed with rape, turnips or chicory. Ready for grazing in about 6-8 weeks after sowing. Palatable and free of prussic acid.

Product Handbook

33

SOWING GUIDES Species

Seedling Vigour

Autumn

êê

êê

Seedling Vigour

Autumn

êêêê

êêê

Dormancy

Seedling Vigour

Autumn

5 - Winter dormant

êê

êêê

Sardi-Grazer

6 - semi-winter active

êêê

êêê

Sardi 7

7 - semi-winter active

êêê

êêê

Sardi 7 series2

7 - semi-winter active

êêê

êêê

Sardi 10

10 - highly winter active

êêêê

êêêê

Sardi 10 series2

10 - highly winter active

êêêê

êêêê

Product

White clover Storm

Species

Product

Chicory

Commander

Maturity

Sub-type

late

lge

Maturity -

Species Product Sardi 5

Alfalfa

Species

Forage cereal

34

Sub-type -

Product

Maturity

Sub-type

Seedling Vigour

Autumn

Dictator 2

early

barley

êêêêê

êêêê

Gallileo

mid

oat

êêêê

êêêê

Genie

mid-late

oat

êêêê

êêêê

Aladdin

mid-late

oat

êêêê

êêêê

Mammoth

mid-late

oat

êêêê

êêêê

Crackerjack 2

mid-late

triticale

êêêê

êêêê

Winter

Early Spring

Late Spring

Summer

êêê

êêêê

êêêê

êêêê

Sowing rate kg/ha Pure stand

Mix

Oversowing

4-6

2-3

n/a

Sowing rate kg/ha

Winter

Early Spring

Late Spring

Summer

êêê

êêêê

êêêê

êêêê

Winter

Early Spring

Late Spring

Summer

ê

êê

êêêê

êêêêê

2-8

6-15

18-35

êê

êêê

êêêê

êêêêê

2-8

6-15

18-35

êê

êêê

êêêê

êêêêê

2-8

6-15

18-35

êê

êêê

êêêê

êêêêê

2-8

6-15

18-35

êêê

êêêê

êêêê

êêêêê

2-8

6-15

18-35

êêê

êêêê

êêêê

êêêêê

2-8

6-15

18-35

Winter

Early Spring

Late Spring

Summer

êêê

êêêêê êêêêê

Spread Presc. Drill 6-8

5-6

Mix 3-4

Sowing rate kg/ha Low-Med Med-Hi Irrig’n rainfall rainfall

Sowing rate kg/ha Spread Presc. Drill

Mix

-

90-120

70-100

40-60

êêêê

êêêê

êêêêê

-

90-120

70-100

40-60

êêêê

êêêê

êêêêê

-

90-120

70-100

40-60

êêêê

êêêê

êêêêê

-

90-120

70-100

40-60

êêêê

êêêê

êêêêê

-

90-120

70-100

40-60

êêêê

êêêê

êêêêê

-

90-120

70-100

40-60

Product Handbook

35

TROPICALS Tropical Grasses Hybrid Brachiaria 700mm+ 5.0-8.0

Most Soil Types

Brachiaria decumbens x ruziziensis x brizantha • Available for sales outside the Americas • Suitable for environments that would generally be considered outside the normal range for adaptation for many Brachiaria species • Will tolerate acid soils of high aluminum • Forage yields recorded up to 27mt dry matter/Ha/year & 16% Crude Protein • Very palatable, grazing & drought tolerant • Recommended for cattle, sheep, goats and some types of surface dwelling fish • Suitable for direct grazing, cut and carry methods, bailing and ensilage.

Hybrid Brachiaria 700mm+ 5.0-8.0

Most Soil Types

Brachiaria decumbens x ruziziensis x brizantha • • • •

Available for sales outside the America’s.

Similar in growth habit, and characteristics to Mulato II More water logging tolerance than Mulato II Suitable for direct grazing, cut and carry methods, bailing and silage • Resistant to diseases and pests (spittlebug) • Recommended for cattle, sheep, goats and some types of surface dwelling fish.

Buffel Grass

Biloela Buffel Cenchrus ciliaris

350mm+ 5.5-8.0

• Taller, more robust buffel, later maturity • Establishes readily in heavy soil types • Greater drought tolerance.

36

Light to AgriCOTE Heavy or Bare

TROPICALS Buffel Grass

Gayndah Buffel Cenchrus ciliaris

350mm+ 5.5-8.0

Light to AgriCOTE Medium or Bare

• Finer, medium height buffel that establishes readily • Adapted to a wide range of soil types, medium maturity • Good stock tolerance.

Buffel Grass

USA Buffel Cenchrus ciliaris

350mm+ 5.5-8.0

Light to AgriCOTE Medium or Bare

• Fine stemmed, medium height, dense variety • Early maturity, purple flowers • Suitable for lighter, textured, well drained soils.

Bluegrass

Hatch Creeping Bluegrass Bothriochloa insculpta

600mm+ 5.0-7.0

Wide AgriCOTE Range or Bare Types

• Good drought and grazing tolerance with creeping stolons • A strong stoloniferous grass suitable for hay production • Can be slower to establish than other grasses.

Bluegrass

Bisset Bluegrass Bothriochloa insculpta

600mm+ 5.0–7.0

Wide AgriCOTE Range or Bare Types

• F iner in the stem, later maturing and more stoloniferous than Hatch • Good drought and close grazing tolerance • A hardy and useful grass that will tolerate low fertile soils.

Bluegrass

Floren Bluegrass Dichanthium aristatum

650mm+ 5.5–8.0

Basaltic AgriCOTE Clays or Bare

• Thrives on heavy soils and periodic inundation • Forms large tussocks and will compete with weeds once established • Highly palatable.

Product Handbook

37

TROPICALS Lovegrass

Consol Eragrostis curvula

400mm+ 4.0–6.0

Light Soils

AgriCOTE or Bare

• Highly persistent on light sandy soils • Tolerant of low pH and high exchangeable aluminium • Requires intensive grazing management to maintain feed quality.

Tully Grass

Humidicola Urochloa humidicola

1000mm+ 4.5–7.5

Wide Range Types

• Highly stoloniferous and can tolerate prolonged waterlogging • Vigorous and dense mat forming growth habit • Withstands heavy grazing with minimal weed invasion.

Panic Grass

Bambatsi Panicum coloratum

450mm+ 5.5-8.0

Clay AgriCOTE Loams or Bare

• High yielding and palatable perennial grass • Distinctive bluish leaves with prominent white mid rib • Tolerates saline soils, waterlogging, drought conditions and has some tolerance to frost. Also tolerates heavy black clays and melon hole country.

Panic Grass

Gatton Panicum maximum

500mm+ 5.5-8.0

Fertile AgriCOTE and or Bare Lighter

• Very palatable, shade tolerant grass with broad green leaves • More vigorous and drought tolerant than Green panic • Suited to sub-tropical areas with fertile, well drained soils.

Panic Grass

Green Panicum maximum

500mm+ 5.5-8.0

Fertile AgriCOTE and or Bare Lighter

• One of the most palatable tropical species • Suited to higher rainfall regions and fertile well drained soils • Needs to be managed well, doesn’t handle heavy grazing pressure.

38

TROPICALS Guinea Grass

Mombasa Panicum maximum

1000mm+ 5.5-8.0

Most Soil Types

• Tall, stoloniferous, upright growth habit (tussock) • Leafy grass very suitable for cut-and-carry, rotationally grazing or set stocking • Suitable for all livestock types, including horses Paspalum

Paspalum Dilatatum

800mm+ 4.5–8.0

Wide Range Types

• Palatable, tufted perennial grass • Best suited to high fertility soils, moderate frost tolerance • Good grazing tolerance, with quick return after grazing.

Paspalum

Paspalum Wettsteinii

400mm+ 4.5–8.0

Wide Range Types

• Palatable, productive perennial with a stoloniferous habit • Tolerant of a wide range of soils including poor drainage • Moderate frost tolerance, good flooding and is shade tolerant.

Digit Grass

Premier Digitaria eriantha

400mm+ 5.5-8.0

Light

AgriCOTE or Bare

• H ighly productive, robust tufted perennial that is palatable and persistent • Well adapted to inland regions with lower rainfall and has some frost tolerance • Drought, fire and cold tolerance. Low in oxalate.

Kikuyu

Whittet Kikuyu Pennisetum clandestinum

Loam/ 800mm+ 4.5-7.0 Clay/Red Basalt

• S toloniferous perennial with excellent waterlogging & dry tolerance • Productive under heavy grazing • Responds well to good fertility and management.

Product Handbook

39

TROPICALS Rhodes Grass

Callide Chloris gayana

700mm+ 5.0-8.0

Wide AgriCOTE Range or Bare Types

• H ighly palatable, very late flowering and productive stoloniferous grass • Well suited to companion legumes such as Siratro and Burgundy Bean • Ideal for quality grazing and/or hay making.

Rhodes Grass

Katambora Chloris gayana

500mm+ 5.5-8.0

Wide AgriCOTE Range or Bare Types

• Highly stoloniferous, versatile and earlier flowering than Callide • Greater drought tolerance and ability to grow on lower fertility soils • Withstands soil/moisture variations and periodic waterlogging.

Setaria

Setaria Splenda Setaria sphacelata var. anceps

800mm+ 5.0–7.0

Wide AgriCOTE Range or Bare Types

• H ardy, high yielding and later maturing. Suited to the subtropical regions • Very palatable. May be heavily grazed without risk of plant death • Relatively frost tolerant and withstands waterlogging.

Signal Grass

Signal Grass Urochloa decumbens

800mm+ 4.5–7.0

Wide Range Types

• Forms a dense, high yielding sward, tolerates heavy grazing • Has an aggressive stoloniferous root system and long trailing stems • Best suited to humid tropical, high rainfall regions.

Sabi Grass

Urochloa Urochloa mosambicensis

500mm+ 5.0-8.0

Wide AgriCOTE Range or Bare Types

• P alatable, hardy and quick to establish perennial tropical grass • Well suited to the dry tropics • Responds well to rainfall and grows in a range of well drained soil types.

40

TROPICALS Tropical LEGUMES Multi-graze Cowpea 400mm+ 4.0-7.0

Wide Range Types

I

Vigna unguiculata • A n extremely versatile summer forage providing good grazing, hay and silage options • Prostrate growth habit that can withstand harder grazing • Improved root and stem rot resistance • Great source of nitrogen fixation in summer rotation • Ideal for producing high quality summer finishing feed • Nil prussic acid poisoning issues • Suitable as a companion legume with millet and forage sorghum.

Multi-purpose Legume 500mm+ 4.5-8.0

Light to Heavy

CB1717 or AgriCOTE

Macroptilium bracteatum • • • • • • •

Highly palatable, quality/non-bloating summer perennial Suitable for grazing or hay Excellent nitrogen fixation Suits a wide range of soils (sandy loam to heavy clays) Good drought and cold tolerance Strong seeding regeneration under good management Suitable as a ley legume in rotation systems.

High Protein Legume 450mm+ 4.5-8.0

Light

CB82 or AgriCOTE

Stylosanthes scabra • • • •

n erect shrubby perennial that can grow up to two metres tall A Exhibits greater anthracnose tolerance than Seca Widely adapted and can persist under heavy grazing Shows good tolerance to drought and is suited to a wet-dry climate • Produces large quantities of highly nutritious feed for the dry season.

Product Handbook

41

TROPICALS High Protein Legume 400mm+ 5.4-8.0

Light

CB1650 or AgriCOTE

Stylosanthes hamata • • • •

Highly palatable and persistent Verano type stylo Suited to cooler more arid regions of the tropics Easy to establish Produces an abundance of seed.

Tropical Legume

Ubon Stylo Stylosanthes guianensis • • • • •

700mm+ 5.0-8.0

Sands – Light Clays

CB82

High resistance to Anthracnose Highly productive erect to semi-erect short-lived perennial Up to 19% Crude Protein Prefers well-drained soil types Moderately tolerant to high Aluminium, but not high salinity

Tropical Legume

Finestem Stylo Stylosanthes guianensis var. intermedia

• • • • • • •

700mm+ 6.5-8.0

Sands – Light Clays

CB82

Buried crown protects plant from fire, frost and heavy grazing More cold tolerant than most warm season legumes Responds well to heavy grazing pressure Good palatability Largely resistant to anthracnose Efficient in extracting calcium and phosphorus from the soil Naturalises on suitable country.

Tropical Legume

Seca Stylo

Stylosanthes scabra cv. Seca • • • • •

42

350mm+ 4.5-7.0

Widely adapted Very drought tolerant Well suited to soils low in phosphorus Tolerant of heavy grazing Well suited to extensive grazing systems.

Light

CB82 or AgriCOTE

TROPICALS Tropical Legume

Dolichos Lab Lab Lablab purpureus

500mm+ 4.5–7.5

Most Soil Types

J

• R ongai (late-flowering) & Highworth (earlier-flowering) varieties available • Annual vining tropical legume suitable for green manure and grazing • Also suitable for browsing game • Drought tolerant once established Tropical Legume

Tinaroo Glycine Neonotonia wightii

800mm+ 6.0-8.0

Medium M or to Heavy AgriCOTE

• Later flowering variety than Cooper • Performs best on deep, free-draining fertile soils • Productive & persistent under correct management

Tropical Legume

Cooper Glycine Neonotonia wightii

800mm+ 6.0-8.0

Medium M or to Heavy AgriCOTE

• Early flowering variety • Quicker to establish than Tinaroo • More drought tolerant than Tinaroo Tropical Legume

Aztec Macroptilium atropurpureum cv. Aztec

700mm+ 5.0-8.0

Medium M or to Heavy AgriCOTE

• Best suited to grazing permanent pastures • Prefers well drained soils of moderate fertility • Suitable for soil conservation.

Product Handbook

43

TROPICALS Tropical Legume

Siratro Macroptilium atropurpureum

700mm+ 5.0-8.0

Wide M or Range AgriCOTE Types

• Best suited to grazing permanent pastures • Prefers well drained soils of moderate fertility • Suitable for soil conservation

Tropical Legume

Wynn Cassia

Chamaecrista rotundifolia

400mm+ 5.0-8.0

Light

M or AgriCOTE

• Non-bloating, free seeding self regenerating annual • Adapted to low fertility and acid soils • Low palatability, particularly young growth

Tropical Legume

Milgarra Butterfly Pea Clitoria ternatea

550mm+ 5.0-8.0

Medium M or to Heavy AgriCOTE

• Suited to heavy clay, and surface crusting-soils • Non-bloating, fast establishing perennial forage legume • Persistence depends on grazing management

44

TROPICALS Tropical Legume

Greenleaf Desmodium Desmodium intortum

800mm+ 5.0-8.0

Light to Medium

• Perennial vining tropical legume • Can be used for dryland & irrigated pastures, cut & carry, green manure or hay & silage • Prefers moderate fertility and can tolerate waterlogging.

Tropical Legume

Cavalcade Centro Centrosema pascuorum

700mm+ 5.0-8.5

Sand to CB1923 or Heavy Clay AgriCOTE

• H igh-quality forage for pastures and ley farming, production of hay and legume cubes • Well adapted to the dry tropics, tolerates seasonal flooding and adapts to a wide range of soil conditions including heavy clays but excluding very acid, low-fertility soils • Self-regenerating annual that grows and spreads rapidly • High yielding • Palatable.

Tropical Legume

Leucaena Cunningham Leucaena leucocephala

650mm+ 5.0-7.0

Deep CB81 or Well AgriCOTE Drained

• Very high nutritive quality for ruminant livestock • Highly productive on suitable soils • Tolerant of prolonged dry periods and retains leaf into dry.

Product Handbook

45

TROPICAL SOWING GUIDE Rainfall

Preferred soil type

Water logging

Frost

Drought

Bambatsi Panic

450

Clay loams

Good

Good

V. Good

Buffel USA, Gayndah Buffel Biloela Creeping Bluegrass Bisset, Hatch Gatton/Green Panic

350

Light to medium Light to heavy

Poor

V. Good

Poor

Poor to Fair Fair

Wide range, tolerates lower fertility Fertile & lighter

Poor

Poor

Fair

Poor

Fair

Fair

Guinea Mombasa Hybrid Brachiaria Cayman Hybrid Brachiaria Mulato II Humidicola* Tully Grass

1000

Wide range

Poor

Good

Good

700

Wide Range

V.Good

Good

Good

700

Wide range

Fair

Good

Good

Poor

Fair

Kikuyu Whittet Premier Digitaria

800

Good

Good

Grass Variety

350 600 500

1000

Varying, V. Good tolerates lower fertility Wide range Good

V.Good

400

Lighter

Poor

Fair

V.Good

Paspalum*

400-800

Wide range

Good

Good

Fair

Rhodes Grass Katambora

500-700

Fair

Fair

Good

Fair

Fair

Fair

Rhodes Grass Callide, Finecut

700

Wide range of light to medium Wide range

Setaria Splenda

800

Varying

V. Good

Good

Fair

Signal Grass*

800

Varying

Fair

Fair

Fair

Urochloa Sabi grass

500

Varying

Poor

Fair

Good

*Available as bare seed only

Legume oversowing Burgundy Bean (B1 Burgundy) Glycine (Tinaroo/Cooper) Green Leaf Desmodium Leucaena Cunningham Cavalcade Centro Milgarra Butterfly Pea Siratro/Aztec Stylo shrubby Stylo Caribbean Stylo Guianensis Fine Stem Stylo Seca Stylo Wynn Cassia

46

Minimum Rainfall 400 750 800 650 700 550 700 350 400 700 700 350 400

Drought

Frost

Good Good Good Good Good Good Good V.Good Good Good V.Good V.Good V.Good

Fair Poor Poor Fair Poor Poor Poor Poor Fair Fair Fair Poor Fair

Sowing rate AgriCOTE ProTech (kg/ha) Comments Marginal Good Irrigated Dryland Dryland 3-5 6-10 10-15 Cool season greenness, tolerates heavy grazing, heavy black soils, periodic waterlogging.

3–6 6-10 10-15 Most widely planted sub-tropical grass, hardy and productive with high fertility.

1-2 1-3 N/A Highly persistent on light sandy soils, acid soils with high levels of exchangeable Al. 4-6 8-10 12 - 15 A hardy grass that will invade spear grass and establish on clays. Good for erosion control.

Performs well on lower fertility soils.

3–6 6-10 10-15 Grows best on high fertility soils. Garron Panic tolerates textured soil types and shade but can be preferentially grazed.

6-8 8 - 10 10 Grows best on high fertility soils. Large tussocks 1.6m – 1.8m.

6-8 8 - 10 10 More water logging tolerant than Mulato II. 6-8

8 - 10

10

3-5

3-5

3-5

1.5 – 3

3-6

6-10

3-6

6-10

10-12

2–5

6-8

8-10

3-6

6-10

10-15

3-6

6-10

10-15

3-6

6-10

10-15

2-4

4-6

6-8

3-6

6-8

8-10

Water Logging Poor Poor Good Poor Good Fair Fair Fair Fair Fair Poor Fair Poor

Better option than Signal with a broader planting window than other Brachiaria species.

Adapted to wetter, low lying areas than Decumbens with a shorter growing season.

Has high fertility requirements and does best in moist and elevated, fertile basaltic tablelands.

Perennial tufted grass suited to acidic, sandy soils of low fertility.

Palatable, tufted, grazing tolerant perennial grass best suited to higher rainfall areas.

Productive, more stoloniferous grass, suited for erosion control. Rhodes grasses are quick to establish and have moderate salt tolerance.

Callide: less stoloniferous, broad leaf suited to intense production coastal region with high rainfall or irrigation.

Hardy and palatable coastal grass well suited to sub-tropical regions.

Valuable grass in the wet tropics, when nitrogen fertilised.

Useful in the tropics. Needs some fertility or companion legume.

Preferred Soil Type Light-Heavy Medium-Heavy Light-Medium Light-Heavy Light-Heavy Medium-Heavy Medium-Heavy Light Light Light-Medium Light-Medium Light Light-Medium

Product Handbook

Sowing Rate (kg/ha) ProTech oversow 3 -4 3–8 1-3 1.5 - 3 2-6 3–8 3–8 1–5 1–5 2 – 4 (Bare) 2–5 1–5 3

Planting Time Spring/Summer Spring/Summer Spring/Summer Spring/Summer Spring/Summer Spring/Summer Spring/Summer Spring/Summer Spring/Summer Spring/Summer Spring/Summer Spring/Summer Spring/Summer

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COMMON varieties common GRASSES Cocksfoot

Currie • • • •

Summer Dormant Most Free Draining

425mm– 4.0-8.0 650mm+

Mediterranean but not completely summer dormant Well adapted to a wide range of soils Not as palatable as Porto Persists better on sandy soils than Porto.

Cocksfoot

Porto

Some Summer Activity Most Free Draining

450mm– 4.0-8.0 700mm+

• Intermediate type, late maturing, perennial grass • Good seedling vigour and early growth • Very productive in the higher rainfall zones (700mm+).

Tall Wheat Grass

Tyrell

Saline Tolerant 350mm+ 4.5-8.5

Most Soil Types

• Perennial for use in saline, wet areas to aid soil conservation • Allow to grow spring and summer, to reduce recharge.

• Graze in autumn, more productive that Puccinellia.

Phalaris

Holdfast • • • •

48

Semi erect to erect winter active variety Good seedling vigour Bred by the CSIRO breeding program Good tolerance to acid soils.

Winter Active 500mm– Most Soil 4.5-8.5 700mm+ Types

COMMON varieties Phalaris

Sirosa

Winter Active 500mm– Most Soil 5.5-8.5 700mm+ Types

• Semi-erect winter active variety • Variable growth habit – more erect than Australian • Outclassed by the more persistent Holdfast.

Phalaris

Australian

Semi-Winter Dormant 425mm+ 5.0-8.5

Most Soil Types

• P oor seedling vigour, low crowned prostrate cultivar that grows in autumn and spring and fairly well in winter • Persists well, particularly under set stocking • Outclassed by Australian II.

Product Handbook

49

COMMON varieties common CLOVERS White Clover

Haifa

Large Leaved 700mm4.7-7.0 850mm+

Most B or Heavy AgriCOTE

• Large-leaved, upright variety • Performs well in warm temperate and sub-tropical areas • Good heat tolerance and seed setting ability.

Strawberry Clover

Palestine

Hard Seeded 500mm– Most Soil B or 6.0-8.5 700mm+ Types AgriCOTE

• P rostrate growing perennial clover with vigorous spring/ summer growth • More productive than O’Connors in winter and early spring • Withstands waterlogging and saline conditions.

50

COMMON varieties Strawberry Clover

O’Connors

Hard Seeded 500mm– Medium B or 6.0-8.5 700mm+ to Heavy AgriCOTE

• Finer stems, leaves and smaller seed than Palestine • Generally a more prostrate variety, widely used in lawns • Can withstand heavy grazing and cutting.

Subterraneum Clover

Dalkeith • • • •

Black Seeded 350mm– Medium C or 4.5–7.0 650mm+ to Light AgriCOTE

Early season maturity – 97 days to flowering (Perth) Good early root growth and establishment Susceptible to Clover Scorch Our improved alternative is Losa.

Product Handbook

51

COMMON varieties Subterraneum Clover

Seaton Park

Black Seeded 475mm– Medium C or 4.5-8.0 700mm+ to Light AgriCOTE

• Early season maturity – 112 days to flowering (Perth) • Good resistance to Phytophthora Root Rot • Our improved alternative is Campeda.

Yanninicum Clover

Trikkala

White Seeded 500mm– Medium C or 5.0-8.0 750mm+ to Heavy AgriCOTE

• Early season maturity – 112 days to flowering (Perth) • Moderately resistant to Clover Scorch • Our improved alternative is Gosse.

Subterraneum Clover

Woogenellup

Black Seeded 525mm– Most Soil C or 4.5–7.0 700mm+ Types AgriCOTE

• Mid season maturity – 130 days to flowering (Perth) • Susceptible to Clover Scorch and Root Rots • Our improved alternative is Campeda.

Brachycalycinum Clover

Clare

Black Seeded 600mm– Medium C or 6.0-8.0 675mm+ to Heavy AgriCOTE

• Late mid season maturity – 136 days to flowering (Perth) • Susceptible to Clover Scorch and Phytophthora Root Rot • Our more productive alternative is Antas.

Balansa Clover

Paradana • • • •

52

Mid Maturing 450mm– Most Soil C or 4.6–7.8 550mm+ Types AgriCOTE

Annual regenerating clover Mid season maturity – approximately 120 days to flowering Tolerates waterlogging and mild soil salinity Our improved alternative for higher rainfall areas is Bolta.

COMMON varieties Persian Clover

Shaftal • • • •

Soft Seeded 600mm– Most Soil C or 6.0–8.5 800mm+ Types AgriCOTE

Late season maturity – about 160 days to flowering Historically known as Shaftal Clover Vigorous erect growth but susceptible to Rust Our improved alternatives are Laser and Lightning.

Rose Clover

Hykon

Hard Seeded 350mm– Most Soil C or 5.0–7.0 550mm+ Types AgriCOTE

• Early season clover – approximately 100 days to flowering • Very hard seeded, vigorous spring growth • Adapted to low fertility soils, frost tolerant.

Gland Clover

Prima

White Seeded 350mm+ Most Soil C or Sth 550mm+ 5.0-8.0 Types AgriCOTE Nth

• Early maturing – about 100 days to flowering (Perth) • Excellent regeneration • Red Legged Earth Mite and Blue Green Aphid Tolerant.

Product Handbook

53

COMMON varieties OTHER common Pasture Legumes French Serradella

Cadiz

Soft Seeded 350mm– 4.0–7.0 450mm+

Lighter G or Acid AgriCOTE

• Early to mid maturity – 105 days to flowering (Perth) • Soft seeded for easy establishment • Suitable for both hay and grazing.

Bisurella

Mauro* • • • • •

Mid Maturing 450mm+ 5.5-8.0

Clay Loam & Heavy Black

Mid maturing -116 days to flowering (Perth) Softer seeded than Casbah Higher regeneration in the 2nd year than Casbah Deep rooted plant with low bloat risk Resistant to Red Legged Earth Mite at adult stage.

*PBR protected - WA Agriculture Burr Medic

Santiago • • • •

Early-Mid Maturing Sandy AM or 350mm+ 5.3–8.5 Loams to AgriCOTE Clay

Early to mid season – later than Serena and Circle Valley Adaptable variety which grows on wide range of soils Very hard seeded (91%) Outclassed by Scimitar.

Barrel Medic

Parabinga

Early Maturing 250mm– 5.7–8.5 350mm+

• Early maturing – 88 days to flowering (Perth) • Very high levels of hard seed • Possible replacement – Toreador.

54

Wide AM or Range AgriCOTE Types

COMMON varieties Barrel Medic

Paraggio

Mid Maturing 350mm– 450mm+

>5.7

Heavier AM or Textured AgriCOTE

• Mid maturing – 98 days to flowering (Perth) • Adaptable variety with good early vigour • Our improved alternative is Jester.

Snail Medic

Kelson

Early-Mid Maturing 400mm+ 5.7–8.5

Most Soil AM or Types AgriCOTE

• Early to mid season maturity • Suited to hay production • Can be grown in mediterranean or sub-tropical climates.

Purple Vetch

Barloo

Soft Seeded 300mm– Most Soil E or 5.0-8.0 450mm+ Types AgriCOTE

• Early maturing popany type • Soft seeded • Suitable for grazing, hay or green manure.

Purple Vetch

Popany

Soft Seeded 450mm– Most Soil 5.0–8.0 600mm+ Types

E

• Late maturing variety • Suitable for grazing, hay or green manure • Mostly grown as a mixture with cereals.

Common Vetch

Languedoc

Soft Seeded Most Soil 300mm– 5.0–8.0 Types 450mm+

E

• Purple flower type • 7 - 10 days earlier maturing than Blanchefleur • Suited to lower rainfall regions.

Product Handbook

55

COMMON varieties common FORAGE HERBS & BRASSICAS Forage Rape

Rangi

450mm+ 5.5-8.0

Most Soil Types

• Remains adequate for some low-intensity applications • Suits tough conditions • Susceptible to mildew and generally outclassed by improved cultivars.

Forage Turnip

Mammoth Purple Top (MPT)

550mm+ 5.5-8.0

Most Soil Types

• ‘Keeper’ type with reliable performance, suits all stock classes • 14-16 week maturity • Good for summer planting, late autumn grazing.

56

COMMON varieties common ALFALFA Alfalfa

Hunter River

Dormancy 5

Semi Winter Active

325mm– 5.5-8.0 400mm+

Deep AL or Well AgriCOTE Drained

• Dormancy rating of 5 • Susceptible to Phytophthora Root Rot and Anthracnose • Our improved alternatives are Venus and Sardi 5.

Alfalfa

Aurora • • • •

Dormancy 6

Semi Winter Active

350mm+ 5.5-8.0

Deep AL or Well AgriCOTE Drained

Semi winter active with a dormancy rating of 6 General purpose cultivar suited to dryland and irrigation Alternative to Hunterfield and Trifecta Outclassed by Genesis and Sardi-Grazer.

Alfalfa

Siriver

Dormancy 9

Highly Winter Active

350mm+ 5.5-8.0

Deep AL or Well AgriCOTE Drained

• Highly winter active with a dormancy rating of 9 • Suitable for hay production under irrigation and rotational grazing • Derived from Hunter River and CUF101 • Outclassed by Alfamaster 9TM, Pegasis and Sardi 10.

Alfalfa

Sequel

Dormancy 9

Highly Winter Active

375mm– 5.5-8.0 480mm+

Deep AL or Well AgriCOTE Drained

• Susceptible to Stem Nematode and Bacterial Wilt • Shows high susceptibility to winter leaf diseases • Our improved alternatives are Pegasis and Sardi 10.

Product Handbook

57

COMMON varieties

common FORAGES Forage Oat

Saia Avena sativa

350mm+ 5.0-8.0

Most Soil Types

• Early sown forage/hay option • Fine stemmed tall variety • Grows in wide range of soil types.

Forage Oat

Swan Avena sativa

Soft Seeded 350mm+ 5.0-8.0

Most Soil Types

500mm+ 5.0-8.0

Sandy - Clay Loams

• Dual purpose oat • Good grain quality • Can be grazed if season allows.

Forage Millet

Japanese & Shirohie Millet Echinochloa utilis

• Fast-growing, short-term summer crops • Can be used as a catch crop between seasons • A valuable grazing and hay crop.

Forage Millet

Siberian Millet

Echinochloa frumentaceae

500mm– 5.5-8.0 700mm+

Sandy - Clay Loams

• S ummer forage crop, suitable as an alternative to forage sorghum • A valuable crop for grazing, silage & hay making • Later maturing than Japanese & Shirohie Millet varieties.

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PRO-TECH SEED COATING

Tailored seed enhancement Pro-Tech conveniently combines all the AgriCOTE technologies into the one high performing seed enhancement. It’s designed to enhance seedling establishment by delivering improved early seedling vigour and root development through the inclusion of growth promotants and dormancy breaking technologies.

Including nutrients designed to be immediately available to the seedling. Protection against fungal diseases through a fungicide treatment with added deterrents to reduce ant theft. Insecticidal treatments provide protection from biting and sucking insects. In addition to all of these stateof-the-art elements, Pro-Tech also features encapsulated Rhizobia which prolongs shelf life of treated legumes and helps to ensure good legume nodulation in the paddock and maximising your investment.

Potential benefits include: • Dormancy breaking technology which is not available in any other seed coat • Improved plant establishment • Improved early root growth and development • NPK nutrients and trace elements that are immediately available to the seedling • A more robust seedling for slow establishing grasses • Encapsulated Rhizobia for longer shelf life • Protection against biting and sucking insects • Protection against fungal diseases • Better ballistic properties for flying onto hill country.

Pro-Tech® Seed

Bonding Polymer

Lime Coating

NPKS and T.E. Nutrients

Fungicide Protection

Growth Promotant

Protective Polymer

Biological Inoculant

typical coating make-up

creates a favourable germination environment

option of pythium and phytopthera protection

protects and isolates bacteria

Product Handbook

bonding Pro-Tech seed capsule

immediate rhizobia and seedling nutrition

promotes establishment and seed vigor

promotes establishment and seed vigor

59

HERITAGE SEEDS OFFICES

Darwin

NORTH TERRIT Tropic of Capricorn

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

S AU

31st Parallel Perth

Heritage Seeds offices

60

HERITAGE SEEDS OFFICES

Cairns

HERN TORY QUEENSLAND

SOUTH USTRALIA NEW SOUTH WALES Sydney

Adelaide

VICTORIA

TASMANIA Hobart

Product Handbook

65

CONTACTS Robert Hedge International Sales & Marketing Manager rhedge@heritageseeds.com.au Roger Dennis International Sales & Marketing rdennis@heritageseeds.com.au Craig Myall International Business Manager cmyall@heritageseeds.com.au Melissa Parish International Operations Manager mparish@heritageseeds.com.au Sandy Makins International Operations Officer smakins@heritageseeds.com.au Richard Hennig International Supply Chain Coordinator rhennig@heritageseeds.com.au Ph: +61 7 3137 5355 Fax: +61 7 3217 0002

Heritage Seeds Pty Ltd, a member of the

BTB/HS023

www.heritageseeds.com.au