After a difficult summer in many parts of south-west Victoria, many farms are heading into autumn with reduced perennial ryegrass content and pastures carrying a higher proportion of annual grasses, summer-active species and weeds.
While the short-term ryegrasses have played an important role in maintaining feed supply through challenging conditions, the focus now shifts back to rebuilding a perennial pasture base capable of delivering consistent production, quality and persistence.
This autumn presents the challenge of returning to a sustainable perennial balance.
The 30/30 program of the mid to late 2000s demonstrated farms able to maintain a 60-65 per cent perennial base consistently achieved more manageable, resilient and profitable pasture systems. However, rebuilding the base cannot happen in a single season.
The delay to first grazing in newly established perennial pastures means most farms simply cannot return large areas back to perennial ryegrass in one year without creating feed shortages.
According to Notman Pasture Seeds agronomist Andrew Allsop, the starting point is a realistic assessment of what remains in the paddock.
“The biggest mistake we see is assuming a pasture will come back with autumn rain. If perennial density isn’t there, it won’t rebuild itself. You need to be honest about what’s left and make a plan from there.”
Pasture density remains the simplest and most reliable assessment tool.
Where plants are spaced too far apart, autumn growth alone will not fill the gaps, allowing low-value species such as summer grasses, prairie grass, brome and flat weeds to take over.
Identifying these paddocks early allows renovation to be prioritised where the greatest production gains can be made.
Weed burden determines the pathway forward. In paddocks where annual grass pressure is moderate, selective control and oversowing may be enough to lift perennial content. However, where aggressive species such as bent grass, couch or kikuyu dominate, a full renovation is often required to reset the pasture.
“You’ve got to match the level of renovation to the problem,” Andrew explains.
“Oversowing into a paddock that’s fundamentally failed just delays the outcome and costs more in the long run.”
Fertility and establishment management are equally critical. Perennial ryegrass requires adequate fertility and careful early grazing to encourage tillering and plant survival. Strong early establishment improves competition against weeds and shortens the time to first grazing.
Andrew also stresses rebuilding perennial pasture should be viewed as a multi-year process rather than a single autumn fix.
“Most farms can’t go back to a full perennial base in one year without creating a feed hole. Annuals and Italians still play an important role while you transition paddocks back into long-term pasture.”
Key agronomic considerations this autumn:
- Assess pasture density and perennial content honestly.
- Identify paddocks where low-quality species dominate.
- Match renovation strategy to weed pressure and pasture condition.
- Address soil fertility before sowing.
- Use early grazing to drive tillering and density.
- Rebuild perennial content progressively across the farm.
Autumn decisions now will shape pasture performance for seasons ahead.
South-west farmers planning renovation or autumn programs should speak with their local agronomist or the team at Notman Pasture Seeds to map a practical pathway back to a strong perennial base suited to local conditions.