Autumn establishment may arrive at different times across Australia’s dairy regions, but the opportunity is the same everywhere.
Early weed control, sound soil preparation and planting into the right moisture are what set pastures up for optimal establishment.
Peter Notman of Notman Pasture Seeds said February was the point where paddocks were either properly set up for autumn or carry problems that impact maximising pasture growth later.
“This is the window to finish controlling summer weeds, put winter grass pre-emergent programs in place, capital fertiliser planning, and prepare seedbeds so pastures can be planted into the right moisture when it arrives,” he said.
“Once sowing starts, missed opportunities can quickly show up with delayed feed coming in.”
In the northern dairy regions of NSW, northern Victoria and on irrigated pastures, autumn programs typically begin earlier, followed by Gippsland, south-west Victoria and Tasmania.
For dryland areas, early planning is ultra important to prepare ground to capture the first effective rainfall events.
Key February focus points:
- Tackle weed pressure early to protect autumn establishment
- Understand soil deficiencies to guide pH and nutrient decisions
- Prepare clean seedbeds to capture available moisture
- Plan early so sowing can move quickly when conditions allow
Once paddocks are prepared, variety selection becomes the next major decision.
Peter Notman said interest was strong in dense, persistent perennial rye-grasses, with newer evolutions in grasses offering more to the farmer.
Namely, the highly regarded animal production specialist Elevate CM142 and the ultra-late Vast AR37 which contributes very well late in the season.
Peter Notman said new Kainui soft-leaf cocksfoot and Quantica MaxP fescue are gaining traction where rye-grass persistence has been limited.
“Deeper rooting and stronger stress tolerance mean these grasses are better able to cope with moisture deficits, helping sustain growth and groundcover through summer.”
With these species, paddock preparation becomes even more critical.
They are slower to establish and less forgiving of competition than rye-grass, making early weed control, clean seedbeds important to achieving long-term persistence.
Annual rye-grass continues to play a key role nationally as a flexible winter feed option, particularly where quick establishment and sustained seasonal growth are required.
Peter said newer-generation types with Italian background like a yield leading Rampage were proving their value by combining early growth with strong winter and late season spring performance.
Getting the fundamentals right gives autumn pastures the best opportunity to establish well, no matter where the season begins.
While the break varies by region, preparation in February consistently shapes the outcome.
Peter Notman said working directly with dairy farmers across Australia provided valuable perspective.
“We’re involved across all the main dairy regions, which gives us a clear view of what works, when it works, and how timing shifts as the season moves south.”