Have you considered a Programmed Approach to pasture renewal?

PGG Wrightson Seeds is encouraging producers to take up a Programmed Approach to pasture renewal.

The business has created an easy-to-follow, step-by-step process to improve the supply and quality of your homegrown feed all year round, while optimising your ability to establish a high performing perennial pasture.Taking a Programmed Approach to pasture renewal will maximise the chances of turning a poor performing paddock into a high performing one by addressing drainage and fertility issues, and creating a foundation for improving the result from direct drilling.

These items — along with the use of brassica, winter active rye-grass and chicory — are critical components in this process and will help break the perennial weed and wild endophyte cycle.

These factors combined will give your renewed paddock the best opportunity to cover feed shortages and provide long-term feed options.

What is the PGG Wrightson Seeds Programmed Approach?Your first step is to identify a poor performing paddock with low pasture density and weeds.

Conduct a soil test and apply capital fertiliser and lime if needed.

To clean the paddock of all pasture species and remove perennial weeds, spray out existing pasture with glyphosate and Dicamba (first of two autumn glyphosate applications).Direct drill a winter active rye-grass such as Ascend or Astro — this will provide you with a winter feed supply and potential high-quality silage cuts in spring.

After the spring harvest, spray out the annual rye-grass with glyphosate and insecticide.Before moisture levels decline, sow a summer crop of brassica such as Titan rape, Pasja II forage brassica, Goliath rape or Pallaton Raphno.

Apply nitrogen regularly if conditions allow and use appropriate herbicides and insecticides about four to six weeks after sowing.

It’s important to remember that for high brassica yields, management and monitoring of your summer crop is essential.

After you’ve finished grazing your summer crop and had sufficient rainfall, monitor your paddock for weed germination and apply the second autumn application of glyphosate.

This second application of glyphosate is the most crucial step in the Programmed Approach as it helps break the perennial weed cycle before sowing a long-term pasture.After breaking the perennial weed cycle, your paddock is ready to establish a successful perennial pasture.

Cultivate to form a fine but firm seedbed or direct drill an elite perennial pasture such as Ultrastrike-treated Base AR37 Reward Endo5, Platform AR37, Confederate or Quantum II MaxP (mix with proprietary clovers).

Once your perennial pasture is dense, well-tillered and has survived a summer, you have completed the Programmed Approach to pasture renewal and established a successful long-term perennial pasture.

To view a full copy of the PGG Wrightson Seeds Programmed Approach, visit: www.pggwrightsonseeds.com.au.