Pasture Management Considerations for Autumn 2016
Fertiliser & Soil Mgt
- Phosphorus
- Potassium
- Sulphur
- Soil Test Results
- Plant Testing
- Trace Elements
- Soil pH
N management
- Rate
- Source
- Timing
- Response
- Do I need N?
Seed set vs new seed
- Viability
- Density
- Dip vs Tet
- Establishment
- Paddock Preparation
Early feed bulk
- Oats
- Regrowth potential
- Sowing Rate
- Brassica’s
- Fertiliser strategy
- Stage of grazing
Pest management
- Threshold
- Conditions
- Soil Type
- History
- Bare Earth Control
- Knockdowns
- Earth mites
- Cutworm
- Black Beetle
- Lucerne Flea
Weed management
- BLW or Grass weed
- Density
- Size vs Age
- Annual vs Perennial
- Grazing strategy
- Delayed sowing
- Knockdown Herbicide
- Cultivation
Rotation Strategies
- Leaf Stage
- Grazing Intensity
- Stock Class
- Deferred grazing
- Residuals
- Know your FOO
Tips for successful pasture establishment
- Prepare paddocks well: Control weeds, remove trash, provide a good seed bed
- Address nutrient limitations and soil constraints.
- Fertiliser drilled in furrow is more efficient that topdressed fertiliser
- When sowing seed, ensure good seed to soil contact, drill seed where possible
- Consider bare earth insecticides such as bifenthrin
- Monitor, monitor, monitor…Pests at and soon after sowing, weeds from 2-3 weeks after sowing
- Don’t graze too soon
- Prevention is better than cure!!