Pasture Improvement by Introducing Temperate Grasses into Native Grassland under the Sub-Tropical Low Rainfall Climatic Conditions of North-Western New South Wales

Abstract

On the inland slopes of NSW, Australia, native grass dominant pasture has been the main feed source for sheep and cattle, mainly due to the dry climatic conditions. An attempt was made to introduce temperate improved pasture species, and to lift the low production level of a commercial scale farm, "St. Helena" using L. perenne, T. repens, T. subterranium, and D. glomerata as the main species. A flexible rotational grazing system was introduced in order to maximise utilisation of the improved pasture. The results indicated a three-fold increase in pasture productivity, and that stock performance twice as high as the average farm production level is potentially achievable in the region. They also indicated that the balance of native grasses, improved pasture species and legumes should be at an approximately equal ratio of 30% each to achieve such a goal.