presented at a Horse SA event by Andy Cole Why not find out more about the work of Horse SA and also check out future events and webinars http://www.horsesa.asn.au/events/event/ This project is jointly funded through Adelaide and Mt Lofty Ranges Natural Resources Management Board levy, HorseSA and the Australian Government’s National Landcare Programme http://www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au/adelaidemtloftyranges/land/landholder-services

1. Renovating Horse Paddocks
What’s involved?

2. Land Management Advisory Service
Andy Cole
Land Management Consultant
(16 Years Consulting for Small Landholders)
Contact: 0437 299 268

3. CONTENT
Steps to re-seeding pasture (renovation)
Soil testing & fertilisers
Weed control
Selecting pasture mixes
Are native pastures appropriate?
Preparing ground for sowing
After sowing
Grazing strategies and ground cover

4. STEPS TO RE-SEEDING
(RENOVATION)

5. ESTABLISHING NEW PASTURES
A two year program
Assess the quality of pasture before deciding.
Year 1
Soil test in Summer / control weeds / lime the following
Autumn if needed.
Control red-legged earthmites.
Year 2
Graze down pasture to 3cms in Autumn.
Spray with glyphosate and re-seed after opening rains.
Shut up paddock and wait for grasses to seed before grazing

6. SOIL TESTING AND
FERTILISERS

7. SOIL SAMPLING
Randomly sample the paddock and collect 400g of
soil for laboratory analysis

8. SOIL TEST - EXAMPLE
Pasture in 750mm rainfall area, average stocking rate 10 DSE/ha, not
used for hay, unknown fertiliser/lime history. Sandy loam soil, no
major constraints to root depth.
Note: Phosphorus buffering index is used to more accurately determine phosphorus
requirements. PBI for this sample is 110 with a critical Colwell P value of 34mg/kg .
Result Interpretation Target level
pastures
Recommendation
pHwater 5.6 Acidic
pHCaCl2 4.7 Acidic 5.2 – 5.5 Apply lime
Ext P 20 mg/kg Low 25 – 45 Apply P
Ext K 150 mg/kg Adequate 120 – 250
Ext S 9 mg/kg Marginal >10 Apply S
Ext Cu 0.4 mg/kg Low 1 – 2 Apply Cu
Ext Zn 1.5 mg/kg Adequate 1.2 – 2
Ext Mn 15 mg/kg adequate 10 - 50

9. FERTILISERS
Nutrient analysis “language”
Percentage of major nutrients: N : P : K : S
eg. DAP 18 : 20 : 0: 1.6
N = Nitrogen
P = Phosphorus
K = Potassium
S = Sulphur

10. TYPES OF FERTILISERS
Conventional - mostly water soluble, readily
available to plants
Base fertilisers N:P:K:S
eg. superphosphate 0:8.8:0:11
triple super 0:20:0:0
DAP 8:20:0:1.6
urea 46:0:0:0
sulphate of ammonia 21:0:0:23
muriate of potash 0:0:50:0

11. TYPES OF FERTILISERS
Organic
Examples:
Blood and bone 5:5:0:0
Fertico organic 3:4:2:3
Neutrog Rapid Raiser 4:3:1.5:2
Manures vary

12. TYPES OF FERTILISERS
N P K S Ca Mg Cu Zn Mn
% % % % % % ppm ppm ppm
SHEEP 1.70 0.80 0.63 0.24 2.74 0.58 25 286 144
COW 2.49 0.47 1.34 0.28 2.99 1.38 18 73 377
PIG 3.50 3.00 1.04 0.28 4.79 0.79 92 72 320
FOWL 6.10 2.24 1.40 0.45 8.30 0.77 42 371 367
Composition of manures (variable)

13. WEED CONTROL

14. BROADLEAF ANNUAL WEEDS
Capeweed Salvation JaneGeranium
If necessary spray with a selective herbicide in late May early June -
e.g. Tigrex or Agtryne MA

15. Capeweed sprayed with Tigrex in early June - clovers not damaged
Capeweed
BROADLEAF ANNUAL WEEDS

16. If recommended spray with a selective herbicide in Late July - August
e.g. Brushoff, Dicamba/MCPA
Catsear (Flatweed) Dock
BROADLEAF PERENNIAL WEEDS

17. ANNUAL GRASS WEEDS
Barley grass Silver Grass
Graze in Spring to avoid seed set. Could ‘Spraytop’ in spring or
‘Winterclean’ in autumn

18. PASTURE PESTS
Lucerne flea Lucerne flea damage
Redlegged earthmite
In severe cases chemical
control may be necessary.
Dimethoate and Le-mat are
options.
Timerite website
(http://www.timerite.com.au).

19. In severe cases chemical
control may be necessary.
Fastac duo is one option.
May - June best time to use.
Pasture cockchafer Pasture cockchafer damage
Pasture cockchafer tunnel
PASTURE PESTS

20. SELECTING
PASTURE MIXES

21. Annual Brome
(March)
Phalaris - perennial
(March)
ANNUALS AND PERENNIALS

22. Cocksfoot Perennial ryegrass
PERENNIAL PASTURE PLANTS

23. Phalaris
PERENNIAL PASTURE PLANTS

24. Veldt Grass – Kangarilla
PERENNIAL PASTURE PLANTS

25. White clover
PERENNIAL PASTURE PLANTS

26. Subterranean Clover
ANNUAL PASTURE PLANTS

27. Subterranean clover burrs and seeds
ANNUAL PASTURE PLANTS

28. Short term Italian Ryegrasses are commonly sown with a
medic in low rainfall area < 450mm p.a.
ANNUAL PASTURE PLANTS
Tetrone Italian Ryegrass
Barrel Medic

29. Example: Non Irrigated Perennial Pasture (650+mm p.a.)
On heavier soils such as loams or clay loams, a mixture of
perennial ryegrass, cocksfoot and subterranean clover is
traditionally used.
The following pasture is suitable for high rainfall areas of the Mt
Lofty Ranges:
- Perennial ryegrass @ 15kg/ha (Ausvic, Bronsyn AR1,
Avalon AR1),
- Cocksfoot @ 5kg/ha (Porto)
- Subterranean clover @ 5kg/ha
(Goulburn, Trikkala, Denmark, and Seaton Park).
PERENNIAL PASTURE - HIGH RAINFALL

30. There are a range of different mixes. The following are
examples to sow.
Example 1
Oats – Wallaroo 40kg/ha
Tetrone ryegrass – 17kg/ha
Medics (Parabinga, Parragio and Caliph) – 5kg/ha
Example 2
Oats – Wallaroo 40kg/ha
Tetrone ryegrass – 17kg/ha
Clover –Balansa – 3kg/ha
ANNUAL PASTURES
(LOW RAINFALL 350 - 450MM)

31. Example 3
Annual ryegrass (e.g. Tetrone or New Tetila) – 20kg/ha
Clover – Balansa – 5kg/ha
Example 4 (self regenerating ryegrass)
Annual ryegrass 10 to 15kg/ha (Safeguard)
Medics 5kg/ha
Lucerne 2kg/ha
ANNUAL PASTURES
(LOW RAINFALL 350 - 450MM)

32. ‘Safeguard’ annual ryegrass is recommended as a self
regenerating vigorous variety which is resistant to annual
ryegrass toxicity (ARGT).
Safeguard ryegrass will crossbreed with the local ryegrass
species such as Wimmera, to produce ARGT resistant seeds
which germinate the following year.
This has been developed for the drier regions of South Australia
and has excellent winter pasture production and is resistant to
the root disease Take-all.
SAFEGUARD ANNUAL RYEGRASS
(LOW RAINFALL 350 - 450MM)

33. On small horse properties kikuyu is a suitable pasture provided
it is managed well. Some irrigation over Summer is beneficial.
Late Spring, Summer and early Autumn are the main growing
season. It will tolerate a range of soil types (both alkaline and
acid), and can be established by runners. Best established by
seed sown in Spring. A suitable sowing rate is 2kg/ha. If a
legume is required use Balansa clover or Strawberry clover.
KIKUYU FOR SMALL PROPERTIES

34. Weeping Grass (Microlaena stipoides)
Is a highly-competitive C3 species (winter
active) that responds well to increased
fertility and moderate-to-heavy grazing.
Production: 1.7 to 7.4 t/ha.
Crude protein 10 to 27%.
Wallaby Grass (Rytidosperma spp.
- previously Austrodanthonia spp.).
Wallaby grasses are amongst the most
valuable C3 grasses due to its persistence
and productivity. Production: 1.8 to 7.8
t/ha. Crude protein 10 to 25%. Digestibility 45 to 82%.
COMMON NATIVE GRASS SPECIES

35. Wheat grass (Elymus scaber)
This is a tussocky cool-season C3
perennial grass which grows early
in spring and is generally a minor
component of most pastures.
Kangaroo Grass (Themeda triandra)
This grass is one of Australia’s most
widespread C4 species (summer active).
A drought-resistant, deep-rooted,
warm-season perennial grass. Production:
1.6 to 8.3 t/ha. Crude protein 5% (winter)
to 17% (summer). Digestibility 45 to 75%.
COMMON NATIVE GRASS SPECIES

36. Red Grass (Bothriochloa macra)
Red grass is a warm-season C4 perennial
grass that forms a prostrate tuft of basal
leaves with numerous wiry stems. Leaves
are usually reddish or purplish in colour.
Highly nutritious leaves are readily eaten
when green.
Windmill grass (Chloris truncata)
Windmill grass is a short lived (2 to 3 years)
C4 perennial grass which makes good
growth in spring and responds well to
improved soil fertility and grazing.
COMMON NATIVE GRASS SPECIES

37. Wallaby grass and Windmill grass pasture.
December 2015 Pt Augusta
COMMON NATIVE GRASS SPECIES

38. Most native grasses will respond to fertiliser applications.
Do not over fertilise.
Often, application rates can be half the rate recommended for
introduced pastures.
Soil test to determine actual requirements.
Most of the evidence to date suggests that liming is NOT cost
beneficial .
NATIVE GRASS FERTILISER REQUIREMENTS

39. PREPARING
GROUND FOR
SOWING

40. Use a non selective herbicide after the opening rains in autumn to
kill the old pasture. For example glyphosate.
ESTABLISHING NEW PASTURES

41. Prepare a clean seed bed before sowing a new pasture
ESTABLISHING NEW PASTURES

42. DIRECT SEED NEW PASTURES
Minimum disturbance

43. DIRECT SEED NEW PASTURES
Minimum disturbance

44. NEW PASTURES CAN BE HAND SEEDED
With small paddocks it is possible to hand seed.
Clean paddock of high grass and thatch.
Spray out weeds in autumn.
Lightly harrow to disturb surface few mm of soil. Use a chain
or old gate etc.
Hand spread seed and fertiliser.
Drag chain or weldmesh sheet behind a four wheel drive.

45. AFTER SOWING

46. AFTER SOWING
Shut the paddock up and do not graze horses.
A light mow at strategic times will help to thicken
pasture.
Alternatively graze sheep for a short time.
Allow perennial grasses to flower and set seed before
grazing (or slashing).
Do not cut hay from a first year pasture.

47. Cocksfoot – January after sowing
ALLOW PERENNIAL GRASSES TO SEED

48. INTEGRATED CONTROL OF WEEDS
Use a number of management techniques and don’t just rely on
chemicals:
- soil test & add fertilizer and lime acid soils
- rotationally graze (12cms to 5cms)
- do not overgraze (avoid bare patches)
- oversow with pasture grasses & legumes
- rotate hay paddocks to avoid a build up of annual grasses
- use low toxicity herbicides if necessary

49. GRAZING
STRATEGIES AND
GROUND COVER

50. AT ALL TIMES TRY TO KEEP 100%
GROUND COVER OF AT LEAST 4 to 5 CMS
HEIGHT.
COVER SHOULD NOT FALL BELOW 70%
& 4 to 5 CMS IN HEIGHT AT ANY TIME.
GROUND COVER

51. 70% cover will minimise the risk of erosion and soil loss.
GROUND COVER

52. ROTATIONAL GRAZING MEANS PADDOCKS
ARE RESTED
Overgrazed plants take longer to recover and do not maximise production
At 12cms
GRAZE
At 4 to 5 cms
REST
12cms

53. STRIP GRAZING
Strip grazing is ideal using electric tape

54. CUTTING HAY

55. CUTTING HAY
Soil test in summer.
Control annual weeds in autumn.
Remove horses in late August.
Apply nitrogen and potassium fertiliser as required
(refer to soil test). Usually 20kg/ha of nitrogen is
beneficial.
Cut and bale in late October early November
depending on the season.

56. Andy Cole - Consultant
Land Management Advisory Service
M: 0437 299 268