Species

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Pasture species (and why you should care)

Pasture species are the foundation of your livestock business.

The mix of pasture species on your property affects how much feed is grown, when it’s available, and what stock can be run. As a result, pasture species clearly affects the bottom line.

Unfortunately, pastures can be a bit deceiving. There is almost always something present, filling the space and growing to some degree. Whatever this is, it can have the appearance of a pasture. Without knowing what’s desirable and undesirable, it can be easy to accept the status quo, to blame the weather for poor results and not see very real limitations to performance in the pasture base itself.

Not knowing your pasture species is a risk.

Missed opportunity is one of the bigger risks. Desirable species offer better production, greater resilience, and more reliability across seasons than undesirable species. Undesirable species may also have features that cause specific problems such as product contamination, animal health issues, reduced palatability and feed utilisation, deeper feed gaps and increased erosion risks.

Desirable vs undesirable species

Desirable species like cocksfoot and phalaris are bred to be productive and are particularly useful in dry environments. They’re perennial, can withstand drought, and tolerate insect pest pressures better than many species.

On the other hand, silver grass (Vulpia) is a brutally invasive annual plant that can take space away from other more valuable species like our clovers. It’s undesirable due to its limited grazing value. It’s relatively unproductive, has low feed quality due to a low ratio of leaf to stem, and is less palatable as a result. Very often it’s there because we gave it an opportunity to get established and begin a takeover.

Understanding your species

Knowing your pasture species is an important step in getting the most out of any pasture, in any condition, at any point in time. This knowledge is also particularly useful in understanding how management and environment is affecting your pasture. Pasture species tell us plenty of stories about what’s working and what’s not. If undesirable species are creeping in there is a reason which you can learn to manage.

Understanding what species are present is essential in considering when to re-sow, and when not to. Or in deciding if your pasture can be improved with grazing or nutrient management. It’s a bit of a balancing act.

Some examples of desirable and undesirable pasture species

‘Knowing your species’ doesn’t mean you have to be a botanist. Learning to identify a few important weedy grasses and a few sown grass and clover species is really great start.

Common desirable grass species

Cocksfoot
Phalaris
Tall fescue
Perennial ryegrass

Common desirable sown legumes

Subterranean clover
White clover
Red clover
Lucerne

Undesirable grasses

Silvergrass (Vulpia species)
Soft brome (Bromus hordeaceous)
Barley grass (Hordeum leporinum)
Spear grass (Bromus diandrus)
Browntop or bent grass (Agrostis species)
Sweet vernal (Anthoxanthum oderatum)
Yorkshire fog grass (Holcus lanatus)

A picture in your mind and a few supporting features is all you need to quickly identify these species. This knowledge will allow you to find opportunities for improvement and minimise threats to your pasture.

Useful resources

The glove-box guide to grass and legume identification in Tasmanian pastures