Seed Almanac
Second Edition, February 2013
Contents
Seed Almanac
A Word from the Senior Agronomist
1
1
SheldonAgri
Research and Development
2
Introduction
Ryegrass Overview
Annual
Short, Medium & Long Term
Perennial
Perennial Grasses Overview
Fescue
Cocksfoot
Phalaris
Brome & Other Grasses
Clovers
Overview
Subterranean
Balansa & Arrowleaf
Persian & Berseem
White, Red & Strawberry
Crimson & Purple
Bladder & Gland
Lucerne
Overview
Lucerne Varieties
3
3
4
4
5
5
6
6
7
8
9
9
10
10
11
11
12
12
Australia’s Best Lucernes
Silverado & Silverosa GT
Legumes Overview
Medics
Serradella & Biserrula
Vetch & Field Pea
Sulla
13
14
14
15
15
16
Cereals Overview
Oats
Triticale
Barley
Wheat
Summer Forage Overview
Herbs
Brassica
Turnips
Millet
Forage Sorghum
Grain Sorghum
Maize
Gaucho Insecticidal Seed Treatment
MIXMaster Blends
Overview
Pasture Blend Range
Seedcare GOLDRange
Overview
GOLDRange Varieties
Turf Overview
Turf Ryegrass
Turf Fescue & Fine Fescue
Couch, Bentgrass, Bluegrass & Kikuyu
Lawn Blend Range
17
17
18
18
19
20
21
21
22
22
23
23
24
24
25
25
26
26
27
27
28
28
28
Tillage Terminology
29
Spraytopping What, why, how
30
RLEM Rotten Little Energy Munchers
DISCLAIMER: All information provided is intended as a guide only. Upper Murray Seeds has taken all due care to ensure the included information is accurate and
use of this information is at the user’s sole discretion and risk. Varying environmental conditions may alter the performance of products and plants.
31
INTRODUCTION
www.uppermurrayseeds.com.au
Seed Almanac
Key to Industry Abbreviations
DM: Dry Matter
IPM: Integrated Pest Management
ME: Metabolisable Energy
PBR: Plant Breeders Rights
RLEM: Red Legged Earth Mite
SARDI: South Australian Research
and Development Institute
Symbols for Suggested Usage
Minimum
Rainfall mm
Beef
Dairy
Welcome to our updated Seed Almanac, Upper Murray Seeds’ handbook of
recommended seed varieties and helpful agronomic advice.
The Seed Almanac describes what will work for you, the farmer. While there are many
other good varieties in the marketplace that we haven’t listed, our business is to help
you access high quality seed products, which perform under Australian conditions.
As we are a wholesaler, please contact us for the name of your nearest reseller, but feel
free to seek advice from our experienced and practical agronomists and sales team.
For a more specific description of our proprietary product range, see our Productive
Pasture Guide and visit our website www.uppermurrayseeds.com.au
Plant Breeders Rights
Where a variety is protected by Plant Breeders Rights it means that unauthorised
commercial propagation or any sale, conditioning, export, import or stocking of
propagating material of that variety is an infringement under the Plant Breeder’s
Rights Act 1994.
Sheep
Lamb
Horse
Hay
Silage
Grain
X = not suitable
√ = suitable
√√ = very suitable
A Word from the General Manager
Over recent years, Upper Murray Seeds has showcased a variety of new material at
our annual spring field day. From perennial ryegrass, annual and Italian ryes, through
to cocksfoots and phalaris, it is interesting to watch these new products come
through our screening programs and then progress into the real world, the paddock.
What may not be widely appreciated, is that in all the varieties we produce, the seed
that you purchase in our bags, has been grown and harvested from a paddock that
has been conventionally grazed by livestock throughout the year. These paddocks are
of course locked up in springtime, but prior to that, they have a lot of cattle on them,
just like your place. If we don’t see the persistence and productivity we desire on our
own properties, then these varieties are straight out the door.
At Upper Murray Seeds, our focus is on persistence and productivity to provide
a pasture of superior quality for maximum livestock performance. Our products have
to perform right where they are bred, in Australia. If they don’t work for us, they
don’t make it into the bag.
I’ve watched a lot of new material come onto the market over the years, and then fail
dismally, because it just was not suited to Australian conditions.
At Upper Murray Seeds, we know we have the right varieties, coupled with the
knowledge and expertise, to help livestock producers achieve their aims and goals in
pasture production.
Stewart Sutherland
General Manager
1
SHELDON AGRI
Research & Development
Sheldon Agri is a privately owned research and development company producing
Australian seed suited to Australian conditions. Formed in 2006, Sheldon Agri took
over the work originally started by Upper Murray Seeds.
Sheldon Agri works with breeders, researchers, universities and government bodies
to access the best genetics available from their seed breeding programs.
Seed varieties are then trialled and assessed to evaluate their market suitability and to
ensure they will persist and perform under Australian conditions. It takes many years
to select and bring a new variety to market.
An independent agronomist manages Sheldon Agri, which operates under strict
quality control systems.
Sheldon Agri seed varieties are available commercially and have proven
themselves in the marketplace, with many varieties being sold by seed companies
both in Australia and overseas.
2
RYEGRASS
www.uppermurrayseeds.com.au
Overview
• Excellent nutritional value and highly palatable
• Quick establishment
• Ideal for silage and hay
• Suits medium to high rainfall areas
Ryegrasses are the ideal component for all productive farming systems. Ryegrass
provides highly nutritious dry matter from autumn to early summer, peaking in winter/
spring. Ryegrasses are classified into two groups based on the number of
chromosomes present in the cell makeup. Diploid ryegrasses have two sets of
chromosomes and exhibit characteristics such as fine leaves and dense tillers.
Tetraploid types have four sets of chromosomes and are generally more palatable,
with higher moisture and sugar content, but do require higher fertility.
Annual
Short, Med, Long Term
Perennial
Sowing Rate (kg/ha)
20-25
20-25
20-25
Blend Rate (kg/ha)
5-15
5-15
5-15
Acidity
X
√
√
Waterlogging
X
X
X
Establishment
√√
√√
√
Dry Matter
√√
√√
√
Annual Ryegrass
• Excellent production for one season only
• Ideal for both hay and silage production
• Very high energy and protein levels
Annual ryegrass is the most productive of all grasses but suited to one season only.
It has rapid germination, an aggressive growth habit, and high production levels
during autumn, winter and spring periods. With high feed value in terms of energy and
protein it is ideally suited to intensive grazing, and hay or silage production.
3
Variety
Ploidy
Maturity
Fantastic
Diploid
Early
Phantom
Tetraploid
Early
Blast
Tetraploid
Early
R2
Tetraploid
Mid
Drummer
Tetraploid
Mid/Late
Rocket
Tetraploid
Late
Atomic
Tetraploid
Late
Winter Star II
Tetraploid
Late
RYEGRASS
Short, Medium & Long Term Ryegrass
• Ryegrass bred to persist from 2-7 years
• Best suited for medium to high rainfall and irrigation areas
• Suited to intensive dairy and high input finishing systems
Hybrid varieties vary in levels of persistence based on their breeding. True biennial
(Italian) types should last for two years; if sown in springtime they will persist through
the summer in the vegetative stage and resist running to head until the following
spring. Four to seven-year hybrids have more perennial parentage in their breeding
and will last for longer compared to a two to three-year hybrid which has a higher
percentage of Italian parentage.
Variety
Ploidy
Life Span
Maturity
Charger
Diploid
1-2 years
Late
Awesome
Diploid
1-2 years
Very Late
Barberia
Diploid
1-3 years
Late
Crusader
Diploid
1-2 years
Very Late
Denver
Tetraploid
2-3 years
Very Late
Feast II
Tetraploid
2-3 years
Very Late
Banquet II
Tetraploid
4-7 years
Late
Bealey
Tetraploid
4-7 years
Late
Brigalow
Tetraploid
4-7 years
Very Late
Perennial Ryegrass
• Active growth from autumn to late spring
• Frost tolerant and best suited to cooler regions
• Under suitable conditions will persist for 7-10 years
Perennial ryegrasses are commonly classed by their maturity (time of flowering).
Very early flowering varieties are better suited to areas of medium rainfall and shorter
seasons. They produce the bulk of their dry matter during the winter and mature
before the summer. Mid maturing varieties are better suited to high rainfall zones with
a cooler finish and reliable late spring rainfall.
4
Variety
Ploidy
Maturity
Rainfall
Kangaroo Valley Gold
Diploid
Very Early
Medium
Everlast LE
Diploid
Very Early
Medium
Award
Diploid
Early
Medium
Victorian
Diploid
Early
Medium
Jumbuck
Diploid
Mid
High
PERENNIAL GRASSES
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Overview
• Temperate ‘cool season’ grasses
• Remain productive under grazing regimes
• Ideal companion to pasture legumes
Temperate perennial grasses are an integral component of improved pasture
programs throughout southern Australia. These grasses remain productive under
grazing because the growing tip is located at the base of the plant and is protected.
Perennial grasses must not be overgrazed especially during the early establishment
period.
These grasses are an ideal companion species to legumes providing a well balanced
livestock diet. The grasses benefit from the fixed nitrogen supplied by the legumes.
The first year of establishment should focus on maximizing seedling density by
providing a weed-free seed bed and good fertility. Plants need time to develop a
strong root system before first grazing and the drier summer conditions.
Tall Fescue
Cocksfoot
Phalaris
Sowing Rate (kg/ha)
10-20
2-3
4-6
Blend Rate (kg/ha)
4-10
1-3
1-3
Acidic Soils
√
√√
√
Waterlogging
√
X
√√
Establishment
√√
√
√
Fescue
• Nutritious and palatable feed
• Deep rooted and moderate drought tolerance
• Suited to poorly drained soils
There are two main types of fescue with distinctly different seasonal growth patterns;
Summer Active or Temperate varieties, exhibiting high spring/summer activity with
slower winter growth. Best suited to regions with minimum rainfall of 700mm.
Winter Active or Mediterranean types, exhibiting winter activity and varying levels
of summer dormancy. They have excellent tolerance to drought and are adapted to
regions with minimum rainfall of 450mm.
5
Variety
Activity
Maturity
Quantum
Summer
Very Early
Pastoral
Summer
Early
Demeter
Summer
Mid/Late
Boschhoek
Summer
Very Late
Origin
Winter
Mid
Resolute
Winter
Mid/Late
Charlem
Winter
Mid/Late
PERENNIAL GRASSES
Cocksfoot
• Hardy perennial grass
• Best suited to rotational grazing systems
• Ability to thrive in acidic, granite soil conditions
Cocksfoot is an excellent ingredient in long term pasture mixes. It can be slow to
establish but gives good dry matter production under dry conditions with a minimum
rainfall down to 450mm. Cocksfoot is best suited to rotational grazing and performs
well in combination with other deep-rooted perennial grasses such as fescue or
phalaris but is sensitive to waterlogging. Cocksfoot varieties vary in their seasonality
and growth habit.
Variety
Summer Activity
Palatability
Persistence
Growth Habit
Currie
X
√
√√
Prostrate
Porto
√
√√
√
Semi Erect
Drover
√
√√
√√
Semi Erect
Phalaris
• Excellent persistence once established
• Extremely drought tolerant
• Tolerant of waterlogging and saline conditions
Phalaris is a perennial tussocky grass growing actively through autumn, winter and
spring and has proven to be one of the most drought tolerant species available.
Varieties are grouped based on growth habit; prostrate types are more persistent but
tend to be less productive in winter compared to more erect types. Erect varieties do
require more careful grazing management to protect their growing point. Phalaris is
sensitive to acidic soils.
6
Variety
Winter Activity
Persistence
Growth Habit
Australian
√
√√
Prostrate
Grazier
√
√√
Prostrate
Stockman
√√
√√
Semi Erect
Holdfast
√√
√
Semi Erect
Landmaster
√√
√
Semi Erect
Sirosa
√√
√
Semi Erect
PERENNIAL GRASSES
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Brome & Other Grasses
• Grazing Brome
• Tall Wheat Grass
• Love Grass
Grazing Brome is a very deep-rooted and highly productive grass. Its densely tillered
growth habit provides high levels of dry matter, and it has excellent persistence
especially with set-stocking grazing regimes.
Tall Wheat Grass is a summer-growing perennial grass producing good levels of dry
matter and it is tolerant of poorly drained soils and saline conditions.
7
Variety
Type
Sowing Rate
(kg/ha)
Blend Rate
(kg/ha)
Nandu
Brome
25
5-10
Gala
Brome
25
10
Tyrell
Tall Wheat Grass
10-20
3-6
CLOVERS
Overview
• Highly nutritious legumes
• Very productive component in pasture blends
• Annual and perennial cultivars
Within each species of clover, cultivars are divided into early, mid and late season
varieties depending on their flowering times. These maturity classifications are not
comparable between species. Most clovers have the ability to regenerate each
autumn from seed produced the previous spring. The production of hard seed and its
response to temperature changes prevents early germination and a false break
occurring during summer. In autumn, temperature fluctuations cause the seed to
expand and contract, eventually cracking the hard coat to allow water uptake and
germination to coincide with the autumn break.
8
Type
Sowing Rate
(kg/ha)
Blend Rate
(kg/ha)
Type
Subterranean
4-10
1-4
Annual
Balansa
1-6
1-3
Annual
Arrowleaf
2-4
0.5-2
Annual
Persian
4-10
2-4
Annual
Berseem
6-8
2-6
Annual
White
3-5
1-2
Perennial
Red
4-6
1-2
Perennial
Strawberry
1-2
0.5-1
Perennial
Crimson
8-10
1-4
Annual
Purple
1-6
0.5-1
Annual
Gland
1-6
0.5-1
Annual
Bladder
4-6
2-4
Annual
CLOVERS
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Subterranean
• Hard seed production enables regeneration
• Excellent component in pasture mix
• Three widely adapted sub-species
Brachycalycinum species are best suited to neutral, cracking, self-mulching or
stony soils. Subterraneum species are adapted to moderately acid, well-drained
soils such as sandy loam or clay loam. Yaninnicum species are better suited to
handling waterlogging and poor drainage. Varieties are combined to spread maturity
and maintain pasture quality.
Variety
Type
Hard Seed Level*
Maturity
Antas
Brach
2
Mid
Dalkeith
Sub
5
Early
Seaton Park
Sub
3
Early/Mid
Coolamon
Sub
4
Mid
Campeda
Sub
6
Mid
Denmark
Sub
1
Mid/Late
Goulburn
Sub
3
Mid/Late
Leura
Sub
1
Late
Trikkala
Yan
1
Early/Mid
Riverina
Yan
3
Mid
Gosse
Yan
3
Mid
*1 = softest, 6 = hardest
Balansa & Arrowleaf
• Self regenerating clovers with high hard seed levels
• High quality fodder conservation
• Excellent dry matter production
Balansa and Arrowleaf clovers produce very large quantities of dry matter. They are
ideally suited to hay and silage pasture blends. Both types are commonly used in
high-density legume mixes for fixing nitrogen back into the soil through rhizobium
activity. Balansa clover grows mainly in spring as temperature increases. Arrowleaf
and Balansa clovers are both aerial seeding.
Balansa
Hard Seed Level*
Maturity
Frontier
5
Early
Paradana
5
Mid
Bolta
5
Late
Arrowleaf
Hard Seed Level*
Maturity
Cefalu
5
Early
Zulu II
5
Mid
ZuluMax
5
Mid
*1 = softest, 6 = hardest
9
CLOVERS
Persian & Berseem
• Highly digestible and palatable clovers
• Winter active with a strong spring flush
• Soft seeded cultivars
Persian and Berseem clovers are most commonly used in annual silage blends.
They both have extremely vigorous seedlings, high protein levels, excellent digestibility,
good winter growth and recover quickly from grazing/cutting. Persian clover suits
irrigation and has excellent tolerance to waterlogging. Berseem clover has very good
tolerance to shading and is virtually non-bloating.
Variety
Type
Hard Seed Level*
Maturity
Nitro Plus
Persian
4
Early/Mid
Shaftal
Persian
0
Late
TurboPlus
Persian
0
Late
Laser
Persian
0
Late
Elite II
Berseem
0
Late
Memphis
Berseem
0
Late
*0 = soft seeded, 6 = hardest seed
White, Red & Strawberry
• Summer active perennial clovers
• Tolerant to acid soils
• Best suited to high rainfall and irrigation
White clovers are grouped by leaf size and stolon density. Large leaf white clover varieties
tend to have higher levels of dry matter production but can be less persistent than smaller
leaf varieties. Stolon density refers to a variety’s ability to spread and survive especially in
new pasture establishment. Red clover species have different oestrogen levels and can
affect the fertility of breeding stock. Strawberry clover is a prostrate stoloniferous
perennial clover with a similar production curve to white clover. Strawberry clover is
commonly used in mixes sown over salinity recharge areas and in renovation blends.
10
Variety
Type
Stolon Density
Leaf Size
Prestige
White
Medium
Small
Demand
White
Medium
Small
Esteem
White
Medium
Medium
Haifa
White
Low
Large
Waverley
White
Low
Large
Variety
Type
Oestrogen Level
Maturity
Astred
Red
Low
Early
Red812
Red
Low
Early
USA Red
Red
Low
Early
Palestine
Strawberry
N/A
Early
CLOVERS
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Crimson & Purple
• Aerial seeding annuals
• Crimson clover is tolerant of low fertility and pH
• Purple clover is a highly productive, deep rooted legume
Crimson clover is an annual, soft seeded cultivar, requiring re-sowing each season
and has an aerial seeding habit. Purple clover will maintain green leaf for up to 6-8
weeks later into the season than other annual legumes. Dry matter production
continues through into summer giving stock a longer grazing season.
Variety
Type
Maturity
Caprera
Crimson
Mid
Blaza
Crimson
Mid
Electra
Purple
Late
Bladder & Gland
• Capable of finishing in tough seasons
• Very high levels of hard seed
• Widely adapted to a variety soil types
• Gland clover has a high level of RLEM tolerance
Bladder is an extremely hard-seeded, aerial seeding clover. A high dry matter
producing species that can be used in a similar way to sub-clover.
Gland clover has a high level of insect tolerance and will persist in low rainfall zones
(minimum 350mm) with excellent false break protection. Germination is improved by
scarification prior to sowing.
11
Variety
Type
Maturity
Prima
Gland
Early
Bartolo
Bladder
Mid
LUCERNE
Overview
• Perennial legume with deep tap-root
• Excellent quality feed
• Suitable for grazing, hay, silage or chaff production
Lucerne is a valuable deep tap-rooted perennial legume that can produce high quality
fodder throughout the year and is a reliable source of protein for finishing livestock.
Traditionally, the main growing season for lucerne has been through spring, summer
and early autumn but many new varieties have been bred with improved winter
activity. Lucerne is able to fix its own nitrogen and is a popular choice for correcting
soil erosion, salinity and rising watertables. Lucerne is an acid sensitive plant. Low
pH (high aluminium) reduces root development, so it is essential to correct soil acidity
levels through lime application prior to investing in lucerne seed.
Lucerne (kg/ha)
Sowing Rate (dryland)
6-15
Sowing Rate (irrigated)
15-25
Blend Rate
1-4
Lucerne Varieties
• Winter dormant varieties (4-5) are ideal for hay production
• Winter active varieties (6-8), are dual purpose graze and hay types
• Highly winter active varieties (9-10) produce more bulk through winter
however generally have less persistence
There are two main types: Winter Dormant varieties having a dormancy period
triggered by shortening day length. They typically have a prostrate growth habit and
a broader, lower, protected crown (growing point). Winter Active varieties do not
go dormant and have upright growth characteristics combined with a narrow crown
which sits above ground level.
Variety
Winter Activity
Phytophthora Root Rot
Anthracnose
Growth Habit
L56
5
HR
HR
Prostrate
Sardi 5
5
HR
HR
Prostrate
Aurora
6
MR
R
Semi Erect
Genesis
6
R
MR
Semi Erect
Silverosa GT
7
HR
HR
Erect
L90
9
HR
HR
Erect
Silverado
9
HR
HR
Erect
HR=Highly Resistant MR=Moderately Resistant R=Resistant
12
LUCERNE
www.uppermurrayseeds.com.au
Australia’s best lucernes: Silverado & Silverosa GT
Australian lucerne growers have struck gold with the ‘Silver’ lines of lucerne,
bred specifically by Dr Ian Kaehne to suit the demands of the Australian climate
and management practices. As a former principal research scientist at the South
Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) Dr Kaehne is often referred
to as ‘Mr Lucerne’, due to his prodigious knowledge of the species.
Dr Kaehne’s career at SARDI spanned nearly 25 years and he loved every minute of
it. He says the quest for improving plant genetics has proved endlessly fascinating
to him since studying plant breeding and being randomly allocated to instigate the
lucerne breeding team on his first day at work. This research focused primarily on
grazing-resistant lucerne.
To move ahead in his academic career, Dr Kaehne studied waterlogging tolerance in
lucerne. During his time at SARDI he also completed his PhD.
Dr Kaehne explains the highs and lows of scientific research: “I bred lucerne which
could be grazed continuously, based on wild lucerne found in the Middle East.
However, the day we were to announce our grazing-resistant lucerne to the world
was the same day spotted alfalfa-aphid (which of course attacks lucerne) was found
in Australia...”
To date Silverado has been his ‘piece de resistance’. According to Dr Kaehne:
“Everybody who uses it comes back for more and I’ve never had a bad comment.
The biggest issue has been the disbelief at the phenomenal results. I now think of
Tamworth as ‘Silverado Valley’”. Upper Murray Seeds recommends Silverado because of its premium quality and
inbuilt, broad-spectrum disease and pest resistance coupled with very high winter
activity, rapid regrowth and superior heat and cold tolerance. We also promote the
fact that it is truly multi-purpose and can be used for both hay and grazing.
However, the 2012 release of Dr Kaehne’s patented Silverosa GT has set a new
standard in multi-purpose lucerne as this extremely persistent and disease-resistant,
winter-active variety is not only very grazing tolerant but also very salt tolerant.
Which is quite impressive considering Silverosa GT provides such high quality feed
with good levels of crude protein and ME. Dr Kaehne explains: “I started breeding
Silverosa GT in 2000 by combining salt tolerance, grazing tolerance, disease
resistance, pest resistance and selecting under extremely saline field and glasshouse
conditions. Silverosa GT will be a benchmark lucerne like Silverado.”
Dr Kaehne recently complimented our work, saying: “Upper Murray Seeds is a
genuine Australian company providing the best of genetics. It’s a delight to work with
a company that has the same philosophy of excellence as I do”.
Australian bred for Australian conditions!
Silverosa is protected by patent.
13
LEGUMES
www.uppermurrayseeds.com.au
Overview
• Highly palatable and nutritious with high ME
• Have nitrogen fixing bacteria on roots
• High protein levels for livestock
Pasture legumes are generally sown in combination with other pasture species such
as temperate grasses. This adds diversity and quality to the mix either as a perennial
pasture or for hay and silage. Legumes (including clovers and lucerne) are very
complementary to grasses and cereals due to their ability to fix nitrogen in the soil
profile and provide extra fertility. They have a unique relationship with soil bacteria
called rhizobia. Rhizobia inside the roots convert nitrogen from the air into nitrogen
nodules that can be utilised by the plant.
Type
Sowing Rate
(kg-ha)
Blend Rate
(kg/ha)
Annual or
Perennial
Acidic Soils
Medic
4-8
5
A
√
Serradella
2-4
0.5-3
A
√√
Biserrula
2-5
0.5-3
A
√
Vetch
30-40
15-30
A
√
Field Pea
80-100
40-60
A
X
Sulla
3-10
Sow alone
P
X
Medics
• Self regenerating annual
• Very high hard seed levels
• Suit neutral to alkaline soils
Medics grow actively through autumn, winter and spring as well as providing high
protein dry feed during summer. Medics suit long term pastures as well as cropping
rotations and are sensitive to residual herbicide such as sulfonylurea (except Angel).
Best sown in mid-April to late May, will survive in rainfall zones down to 275mm per
year (variety dependent).
14
Variety
Type
Maturity
Angel
Strand
Early
Toreador
Disc x Strand
Early
Scimitar
Burr
Early/Mid
Jester
Barrel
Mid
Tornata
Disc
Mid
Silver
Snail
Mid
Orion
Sphere
Late
Zodiac
Murex
Late
LEGUMES
Serradella & Biserrula
• Deep rooted, self regenerating species
• Good insect tolerance once established
• Tolerates acid soils
• Very high levels of hard seed
Serradella and Biserrula provide high quality forage in terms of digestibility,
metabolisable energy (ME) and crude protein. Serradellas are non-bloating and
contain condensed tannins, which protect protein in the rumen, therefore increasing
protein absorption and digestive efficiency.
Serradella
Type
Maturity
Yelbini
Yellow
Early
Charano
Yellow
Early/Mid
Santorini
Yellow
Mid
Cadiz (soft seeded)
Pink
Early/Mid
Erica
Pink
Mid
Margurita
Pink
Mid
Biserrula
Min Rainfall
(mm)
Maturity
Casbah
300
Early/Mid
Mauro
400
Mid
Vetch & Field Pea
• High dry matter production
• Very efficient nitrogen fixation
• Specialised silage mixes and green manuring
Vetch and field peas have very rapid early growth and high dry matter production.
They are ideal for good quality hay and silage production with a high palatability and
ME. Soil fertility and structure can be significantly improved by ploughing in crops
as green manure. While this is the least profitable option, it provides significant yield
benefits to the following cereal crop.
15
Vetch
Type
Maturity
Popany
Purple
Late
Blanch Fleur
Common
Mid
Capello
Woolly Pod
Mid
Field Pea
Type
Maturity
Parafield (tall)
Dun
Mid/Late
Morgan (tall)
Dun
Late
LEGUMES
www.uppermurrayseeds.com.au
Sulla
• Short term cool season perennial
• Suits neutral to alkaline soil types
• Non bloating and very palatable
Sulla is a deep rooted legume introduced from the temperate Mediterranean and
commonly used in New Zealand. Sulla grows actively from spring through to early
summer, and then from autumn through to early winter. It is highly tolerant to aphids
and moderately tolerant to RLEM and Lucerne Flea and is best sown alone as a pure
stand.
16
Variety
Best Fit
Growth Habit
Moombi
Grazing
Semi-erect
Wilpena
Grazing/Fodder
Erect
Flamenco
Grazing/Fodder
Erect
CEREALS
Overview
• Valuable annual crop
• Dual purpose varieties offer grazing during winter
• Vigorous seedling gives very early grazing in cereals
Cereals stay in a vegetative state until they experience a period of cold weather
with low temperatures. Once vernalisation occurs they start to mature and the head
elongates and it moves into a reproductive stage. This allows the crop to be sown
very early in the season and because the growing point stays below ground level it
is protected from tiller loss during grazing. Grazing varieties can be stocked during
autumn and winter.
Oats
Triticale
Barley
Wheat
Canola
Sowing Rate
(Grain Only)
60-80
60-100
60-80
60-100
2-3
Sowing Rate
(Grazing/Grain)
60-100
100-120
70-100
80-120
N/A
Sowing Rate
(Grazing/Hay)
100-120
100-120
80-100
80-120
N/A
Acidic Soils
√
√√
X
√
√
Oats
• Very competitive crop
• Quick to first grazing
• Tolerant to take all, root rot and crown rot
Oats are a widely adaptable and reliable cereal which are easy to establish and
relatively cheap to grow. Most varieties are suited to grain production, grazing, hay
and silage conservation, and pasture renovation (over sowing). Oats are quick to
germinate providing good early feed, and will survive during tough conditions as
demonstrated in recent seasons with delayed autumn breaks.
Variety
17
Use
Height
Lignin
Maturity
Mitika
Grain
Semi-dwarf
Low
Early/Mid
Coolabah
Graze/Grain
Medium
High
Early
Bimbil
Graze/Grain
Medium
Low
Early/Mid
Saia
Graze/Hay
Tall
-
Early/Mid
Eurabbie
Graze/Grain
Semi-dwarf
Low
Mid
Swan
Graze/Hay
Medium
Low
Mid
Wintaroo
Graze/Hay
Tall
Low
Mid
Graza 50
Graze/Hay
Medium
High
Late
Outback
Graze/Hay
Medium
High
Late
Quamby
Graze/Hay
Tall
-
Late
Victory
Graze/Hay
Tall
-
Very Late
CEREALS
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Triticale
• Excellent fodder option
• Will tolerate low pH and acid soil
• Withstands waterlogging
Triticale is a versatile, robust species widely adapted to various soil and seasonal
conditions. It is a popular choice as a cover crop and more tolerant of waterlogging
than wheat. Triticale is more tolerant of acid soil and high aluminium levels than wheat
or barley and offers a wider range of chemical weed control options than oats.
Variety
Use
Winter Habit
Straw Strength
Maturity
Speedee
Grain
X
Medium
Early
Jaywick
Grain
X
Good
Early/Mid
Hawkeye
Grain
X
Good
Mid
Tobruk
Graze/Grain
√
Very Good
Early
Jackie
Graze/Grain
√
Very Good
Mid
Endeavour
Graze/Grain
√
Very Good
Late
Barley
• Excellent forage quality
• Popular source of dry matter
• Improved acid soil tolerant varieties in Yambla and Tulla
Breeding of dual purpose barley varieties is focused on selecting those with improved
palatability (softer leaves) and longer growing period (later flowering). Conventional
feed varieties can still be utilised for feed in dry seasons or if frost effected. There is
minimal difference in feed quality and yield between them. Barley is suited to dry areas
because it is very early to first grazing and has high winter production.
18
Variety
Activity
Winter Habit
Maturity
Acid Tolerance
Urambie
Graze/Grain
√
Early
X
Yambla
Graze/Grain
√
Early
√
Dictator
Forage
X
Early
X
Moby
Forage
X
Early
X
Tulla
Grain
X
Mid
√
Westminster
Grain
X
Mid
X
CEREALS
Wheat
• High income opportunities
• Strong seedling vigour
• Widely adapted to various soil types and rainfall zones
Wheat is the most widely grown of all cereal crops. With premiums paid on top of
feed value for high protein levels, it is a popular economic choice. Winter wheat
varieties with winter growth habit can be sown as early as March/April and remain in
the vegetative stage until vernalisation occurs. In comparison, spring wheats do not
require the same cold period but develop in response to increasing temperature and
day length and should be sown in May/June.
Variety
Use
Grain Type*
Winter Habit
Revenue**
Graze/Grain
Feed
Yes
Whistler
Graze/Grain
Feed
Yes
EGA Wedgetail
Graze/Grain
AH
Yes
Naparoo
Graze/Grain
Feed
Yes
Sentinel 3R
Grain
ASW
No
*ASW = Australian Standard White, AH = Australian Hard
** Red Wheat
19
SUMMER FORAGE
www.uppermurrayseeds.com.au
Overview
• Fill seasonal feed gap with high quality forage
• Ideal for paddock renovation
• Excellent water-use efficiency
Summer forage crops provide high quality, high volume fodder allowing paddock
carrying capacity to be increased. Summer crops fit well into a rotation with the
opportunity to break disease cycles, clean up dirty paddocks, and utilise summer soil
moisture. The combination of good agronomy and appropriate forage variety choice
assists in achieving excellent financial seasonal returns. Choosing the correct species
will depend on the type of livestock being fed, when the feed is required and whether
forage conservation is desired.
Sowing Rate
(dry kg/ha)
Sowing Rate
(Irrig kg/ha)
Sowing
Time/Temp
Chicory
2-5
-
Autumn-Spring
Plantain
4-8
-
Autumn-Spring
Brassica
3-5
-
May-Nov
Turnips
1-2
-
Nov
Millet
8-10
15-20
>12-14 C*
Pearl Millet
6-8
15-20
>18 C*
Forage Sorghum
5-15
15-25
>16 C*
Grain Sorghum
3-5
6-10
>16 C*
Maize
45-55,000
plants/ha
65-75,000
plants/ha
>12 C*
* Soil temperature
20
SUMMER FORAGE
Herbs
• Mineral rich and highly palatable perennial herbs
• Spring and summer growth
• Complements forage brassicas and lucerne
Chicory and plantain are excellent choices for finishing fat lambs. They have
well-balanced levels of crude protein, energy and minerals. Chicory is a popular
companion species to lucerne due to its anti-bloating qualities. Chicory and plantain
are both highly palatable and require rotational grazing and careful management to
avoid damage through preferential grazing by livestock.
Variety
Type
Growth Habit
Choice
Chicory
Erect
Puna
Chicory
Semi-erect
Kiwi
Chicory
Semi-erect
Tonic
Plantain
Erect
Hercules
Plantain
Erect
Brassica
• Provides highly nutritious, bulky feed over summer
• Excellent stem:leaf ratio
• Multiple grazing
The forage brassica family is a select group of fodder species including radish,
turnips, canola, cabbage and cauliflower. They provide quick and abundant feed with
high digestibility, energy and protein in a period where perennial pasture quality is
often low. Some varieties can reach maturity in 10 to 12 weeks and may be identified
by purpling of the leaf margins.
21
Variety
Growth Habit
Best Fit
Maturity
Stego
Semi-erect
Sheep-Cattle
10-12 weeks
Leafmore
Semi-erect
Sheep-Cattle
10-12 weeks
Winfred
Semi-erect
Sheep-Cattle
10-12 weeks
Rangi
Semi-erect
Sheep-Cattle
14-16 weeks
SUMMER FORAGE
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Turnips
• Widely used as a short season summer forage
• Both the leaf and bulb are utilised
• Lighter sowing rates result in larger healthier bulbs
Turnip leaves are very nutritious and palatable. Turnip bulbs can be either globe or
tankard-shaped. Tankard bulbs have the advantage of sitting approximately
two-thirds above ground level enabling easier access by livestock. It is recommended
that globe-shaped bulbs be lightly scarified after maturity to bring them to the surface
and reduce frost damage.
Variety
Type
Maturity
Mammoth Purple Top
Globe
14 weeks
Barkant
Tankard
12 weeks
Pasja (hybrid)
Leafy Hybrid
6-8 weeks
Hunter (hybrid)
Leafy Hybrid
6-8 weeks
Millet
• Fast growing and high yielding
• Free of prussic acid
• Excellent summer dry matter production
Millet should be grazed from knee to ankle-height. Frequent grazing will prevent the
millet from running up to head early and losing feed value and palatability. Millet has
poor drought tolerance and is suited to irrigation and summer rainfall regions.
22
Variety
Type
Maturity
Shirohie
Millet
6-8 Weeks
SUMMER FORAGE
Forage Sorghum
• Excellent vigour and recovery from grazing or cutting
• Excellent drought tolerance once established
• Suited to a wide range of soil types
Forage sorghum is a high-energy, high-protein feed source ideal for use in the dairy,
beef and sheep industries. Forage sorghum should be grazed from hip to
ankle-height to maintain optimum grazing and to avoid prussic acid toxicity.
Avoid grazing stressed crops, using high levels of nitrogen and introducing to over
hungry stock.
Variety
Type
Best Fit
Maturity
BMR Revolution
BMR Sorghum
x Sudan Grass
Cattle, hay, silage,
green chop
Early
Black & White
Sudan grass
x Sudan grass
Sheep, cattle, hay
Late
Betta Graze
Sorghum
x Sudan Grass
Cattle, sheep,
hay, silage
Early
Cow Pow
Sorghum
x Sudan Grass
Cattle, hay, silage
Late
Grain Sorghum
• Stockfeed grain or chopped silage
• Earlier maturing than maize
• Requires good sub soil moisture or irrigation
Grain sorghum can be managed to produce stockfeed grain or chopped silage.
The increased grain content results in better quality silage with higher feed value than
forage sorghum, but does not produce as much bulk. Current breeding focuses on
reducing the height of the plant, increasing tillering and improving the stem strength to
reduce the risk of the crop lodging.
23
Variety
Grain Colour
Midge Rating
Maturity
85G08
Red
4
Medium-Quick
86G87
Red-Bronze
4
Medium
Dominator
Red
5
Medium
Enforcer
Bronze
6
Medium-Slow
Bonus MR
Red
3
Medium-Slow
SUMMER FORAGE
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Maize
• Very cost effective, high yielding, high energy crop
• Suitable for grain or whole crop silage production
• Best sown with a precision planter
Maize seed is quite large and contains high-energy reserves allowing it to be planted
deeper in the soil than other summer crops. This improved soil moisture ensures
excellent seedling germination and vigorous growth. Prior to sowing, check the
germination percentage and the seeds per kg, to determine the sowing rate.
Variety
Best Fit
Maturity CRM*
38F70
Quick Silage
95 days
Maximus
Silage
102 days
34N43
Feed Grain
110 days
Olympiad
Feed Grain
112 days
31G66
Silage
118 days
* CRM = Comparative Relative Maturity
Gaucho Insecticidal Seed Treatment
Gaucho is more than just a seed treatment. It has been shown that Gaucho can
improve pasture grass establishment and production through assisting stress
management in plants.
• Biotic stress – caused by living organisms, eg pests, diseases and weeds, and
• Abiotic stress – caused by non-living factors, ie excess or deficit in the physical or
chemical environment, such as heat, light, oxygen or moisture.
Biotic stress: Gaucho is active on a wide range of sucking and biting pests and is
registered for the control of RLEM and blue oat-mite, both of which can be a major
problem in grass and broadleaf pastures across Australia. As Gaucho is applied as a
seed treatment, it is an ideal component of any IPM strategy.
Gaucho’s active ingredient is absorbed and translocated through the seedling. This
allows beneficial species to attack pests with no to minimal effect from the insecticide.
Current foliar insecticide options negatively impact both the beneficial species present
and the pest populations you want to reduce.
Fescue plants treated with Gaucho show better
plant establishment and more advanced growth
under cold and extended dry periods, and in the
absence of obvious pest pressure (Cobden 2007).
24
Abiotic stress: In environmental stress situations, such as extended dry periods,
Gaucho also provides Stress Shield effects. It has been found that members of the
chloronicotinyl (CNI) chemical group can produce positive growth responses in the
absence of obvious pest pressure. Responses to treatment include an increase in the
green colour of the plants or an increase in the growth rate, compared to untreated
plants. From a visual point of view these are positive effects. Research found that
imidacloprid (eg Gaucho) was the only member of the CNI chemical group to
positively influence abiotic plant stresses.
MIXMASTER
www.uppermurrayseeds.com.au
Overview
• Ready-to-sow blends
• Annual or perennial pastures
• Beef, sheep, dairy, horses and fodder conservation
Upper Murray Seeds specialises in custom designed pastures for dairy, beef and
sheep enterprises, as well as high quality fodder conservation. Our MIXMaster pasture
range includes annual blends suitable for hay and silage production, through to
perennial pasture blends utilising species such as phalaris, winter-active fescue or
ryegrass.
There is a blend to suit all price brackets and production systems. Our blend range
is constantly being reviewed to ensure we are providing the latest and highest quality
products, increasing pasture production and farm profitability.
Due to popular demand, Upper Murray Seeds has also added a MIXMaster pasture
blend for horses, which is designed to persist under tough selective grazing habits.
This persistence is combined with high palatability and minimises ‘over heating’ from
too much energy and protein.
Upper Murray Seeds can also mix specific pasture blends tailored to your unique
requirements. Please feel free to contact one of our agronomists to discuss your
needs.
Pasture Blend Range
25
Blend Name
Persistence
Sowing Rate
(kg/ha)
Tractor Stopper
1 Year
15-25
Annual Renovation
1 Year
20
An inexpensive annual mix of ryegrass and clovers which will establish quickly and produce a
large bulk of feed through winter and spring.
Hay and Silage
1 Year
25
A premium mix using high quality diploid and tetraploid ryegrasses combined with balansa
and arrowleaf clovers for maximum dry matter production.
High Density Legume
1 Year
10-20
A specific annual clover blend designed as a break crop, allowing grass weed control,
organic matter build-up, nitrogen fixation and high quality fodder conservation opportunities.
Dairy Premium
4-5 Years
25
A premium quality mix for for high production farming which is exceptionally well-priced. This
ryegrass and clover blend will optimise production in dairy, beef and pastoral operations.
Excellent oversowing option.
Fat Lamb Factory
3-4 Years
25
A high end custom mix designed for high rainfall or irrigation situations, where the main
concern will be finding enough livestock to keep on top of this pasture.
This blend of ryegrasses and white clover will produce throughout the year.
Meat and Milk
4-8 Years
20
A hardy, high yielding perennial ryegrass and clover blend specially designed for
pastoral enterprises which will provide highly nutritious feed throughout the season.
Hill Country
7-10 Years
17
Designed for both conventional and aerial seeding, this blend contains a high level of deep
rooted, highly persistent species such as phalaris and cocksfoot with adaptability to a wide
range of soil types.
Hardy Horse
4-6 Years
25
Designed specially for horse owners who need a pasture blend that will keep weight on
without ‘over heating’ from too much energy or protein, while withstanding the hard hooves
and grazing habits of horses.
Use
A grass-only blend of annual and short-term ryegrasses specially designed to
establish quickly and is ideal for oversowing, grazing and silage. Produces a huge bulk of
premium quality feed through winter and spring. Suits most soil types.
GOLDRANGE
Overview
• Seedcare Quality Assurance Scheme
• Australian grown
• Common varieties selected for improved quality
Upper Murray Seeds is a 100% Australian-owned and operated company. The new
GOLDRange highlights our focus on supplying varieties that are commonly grown in
Australia and capable of performing and persisting under the harshest conditions. In
today’s marketplace, producers can be misled as to the origin of the seed that they
are purchasing, so when buying a GOLDRange product you can be confident that the
product in the bag is true to type, Australian grown and of premium quality in purity
and germination.
Upper Murray Seeds uses tried and tested varieties selected for improvement to dry
matter production and persistence. The GOLDRange is grown under strict QA
guidelines as well as the Seedcare Quality Assurance scheme.
Seedcare GOLDRange Varieties
Variety
Type
Phantom
Annual Ryegrass
Kangaroo Valley Gold
Australian Gold
26
Use
Selected for
Sowing Rate
(kg/ha)
Blend Rate
(kg/ha)
A low cost annual for quick
grazing and fodder
conservation.
Improved DM production
20-25
5-15
Perennial Ryegrass
A most persistent, perennial
ryegrass with good dry
matter production.
Improved persistence
15-25
5-10
Phalaris
A true Australian classic.
The first to ‘green-up’ after
the break.
Improved persistence
4-6
1-3
TURF
www.uppermurrayseeds.com.au
Overview
• Cool and warm season grasses
• Focus on drought tolerance and minimal browning out
• Tough wearing and vigorous seedlings
Turf grasses can be broadly separated into two categories, cool season temperate
grasses (ie fescue and ryegrass), and warm season tropical grasses (ie couch and
kikuyu). Temperate, cooler season types tend to display deeper green colours and
are aesthetically pleasing, but can lack the drought tolerance and toughness of the
tropical grasses. Tropical grasses tend to be harder wearing although can turn brown
through the colder months in more temperate climates (ie southern Australia). Tropical
grasses use less water, a feature which has tended to promote these varieties more in
recent times.
Variety
Sowing Rate
kg/100m2
Mowing
Height (mm)
Season
Drought
Tolerance
Heat
Tolerance
Turf Ryegrass
5
15-50
Cool
√
X
Tall Fescue
5
40-70
Cool
√√
√√
Fine Fescue
2-4
25-40
Cool
√√
√
Couch
0.5
10-20
Warm
√√
√√
Bent
0.5
5-10
Cool
√
√
Bluegrass
2
20-40
Cool
√
√
Kikuyu
0.5
15-30
Warm
√√
√√
Turf Ryegrass
• Quick germination and establishment
• Attractive rich green colour medium texture
• Winter active, frost tolerant
Ryegrass is one the most widely used turf grasses due to its very fast establishment
and vigorous growth habit. It has medium texture with glossy, emerald green leaves,
which will retain colour when frosted. Ryegrass is commonly used for over sowing
and can be established throughout the season. Ryegrass varieties can be endophyte
enhanced which improves their insect pest tolerance.
27
TURF
Turf Fescue & Fine Fescue
• Excellent heat, frost and drought tolerance
• Deep green colour with medium to deep texture
• Vigorous root system improves perenniality
Recent breeding improvements have seen a move away from the traditional clumpy
fescue types to more medium to fine density cultivars with a dark green colour.
Tall fescue is commonly used for sport fields, racecourses, golf courses and lawns.
The fine fescues are higher density with a finer leaf and are most commonly used for
golf tees and bowling greens due to their tolerance of close mowing.
Couch, Bentgrass, Bluegrass & Kikuyu
• Bluegrass - ideal companion grass
• Bentgrass - fine, low lawns
• Couch and Kikuyu - water saving hardy lawns and sport fields
Bluegrass is a very attractive, upright growing, cool season turf grass with good
vigour and deep green colour. It is most commonly used in blends for home lawns,
racetracks and golf tees.
Couch grass is a rhizobous warm season grass which is hardy, an aggressive grower,
self repairing and fine in texture. It suits sporting fields, recreational areas, lawns and
golf tees. Couch will tolerate hard wear and low mowing but can be slow to establish.
Bentgrass is a cool season grass used mainly for golf greens due to the smooth
surface that it produces. It tolerates heavy traffic but has poor drought tolerance.
Kikuyu is a self-sufficient, low maintenance, warm season grass most commonly used
across lawns and ovals. It is easy to establish with excellent drought and heat
tolerance but is sensitive to frost and cold weather.
Lawn Blend Range
• Home lawn blends
• Sports ovals
• General recreation and amenity areas
Upper Murray Seeds has designed a range of blends to cater for a variety of situations
using proven combinations of different turf grass species. Location, temperature, water
availability, end use and soil type need to be considered. The blend range provides high
quality lawns, sports ovals, amenity and general recreation areas.
28
Blend
Components
Aesthetic
Quality
Hardiness
Sowing Rate
kg/100m2
Hardy
Turf Fescue, Fine Fescue, Ryegrass,
Bluegrass, Bentgrass
√
√√
4-5
Sunny
Turf Fescue, Ryegrass, Bluegrass
√√
√
3-5
Fescue Fantastic
Turf Fescue, Fine Fescue
√√
√
3-5
Backyard
Ryegrass, Fine Fescue, Bluegrass
√
√
4-6
Sports Ground
Ryegrass, Fine Fescue, Couch
√√
√
4-6
TILLAGE
Tillage Terminology
Over recent years there have been vast changes in how any new pasture or crop
is sown. The traditional method of full fallow (or conventional tillage) was once
commonly used for weed and disease control, but is becoming a thing of the past
with advances in machinery, stubble management, herbicides and seed dressings.
Tillage refers to the disturbance of the topsoil structure. ‘Cut-out’ is when a sowing
point moves through the topsoil ‘busting’ the surface, causing topsoil to flow over
into the inter-row. The level of cut-out will vary based on the width of the wings on the
sowing point (ie traditional wider points will have a fuller cut-out than a narrower knife
point.)
By minimising tillage you allow the physical and biological components of the soil to
improve, such as soil organic carbon and aggregate size, as well as improving
moisture conservation.
Disadvantages of tillage include erosion, structural deterioration, delayed sowing (due
to lack of moisture) and burial of favourable seeds such as clovers.
The main tillage terms you’ll come across, arranged in order of most to least invasive
form of cultivation are:
• Conventional/multiple tillage which is multiple passes with full disturbance or cut-out
• Reduced tillage which is one pass prior to the seeding pass, with full cut-out
• Direct drilling which is one-pass seeding with a full-cut
• No-till which is narrow/knife point seeding with less than full cut-out
• Zero-till which is disc seeding without any cut-out.
The term minimum tillage is confusing as it can mean all of these things except
conventional/multiple tillage.
Tynes are a cheap and easy option for no-till beginners and traditional combines can
be converted by changing tyne style and layout. Tyne ‘break-out’ needs to be at least
90-150kg/tyne and you can fit any of several knife or inverted T-points.
Consider using wider row spacings to reduce residue handling problems, wear and
tear, horsepower and fuel use.
Another option for no-till is disc seeders. In this way you can sow through a large
amount of residue (with some hair-pinning) and disturb very little soil (reducing weed
emergence and conserving moisture). Disc seeders require less tractor horsepower
and will not rip rocks up. Be careful when using disc seeders to avoid smearing in wet
clay soils.
Feel free to speak our agronomists for more information about your tillage options.
29
SPRAYTOPPING
Spraytopping: What, Why, How?
Why?
Spraytopping is used to improve pasture digestibility and to maximise protein levels in
the plant. The feed value of annual pasture species quickly declines in late springtime
when they mature, because the carbohydrates and proteins move into the seed head.
Spraytopping halts this process, maintaining the feed value in the sward and making
the seed heads sterile. Spraytopping can also be used as an alternative to expensive,
selective chemical control.
What?
Spraytopping means applying sub-lethal rates of a non-selective herbicide, which
targets the reproductive phase of the weed species, sterilising the seed, but not killing
the grass. Spraytopping reduces the number of viable seeds and its effectiveness
varies between species.
Ryegrass and brome grass are the easiest to control (95%), followed by silvergrass
(90%) as these varieties have narrower flowering windows. Barley grass is the most
difficult to control due to its staggered head emergence, with control ranging between
60–85%.
What with?
There are two non-selective herbicide options for spray topping: Gramoxone (Paraquat) or Glyphosate, both of which may adversely affect legume seed set.
Glyphosate
• A translocation herbicide that moves through the plant to the site of action
and takes time to control all tillers.
• Apply early for best result (and it may control heads still within the sheath).
• Apply at 360ml/ha (based on 450g/L formulation) plus 0.2% BS1000 wetter.
Gramoxone
• A contact herbicide, more appropriate if the target species is past flowering.
• Ineffective on seed heads still within the sheath.
• Apply at 400ml/ha.
How to do it
For best results, graze the paddock heavily through spring, to just before heading,
allowing the grasses to come to head evenly.
Aim to spray when most seed heads have emerged and are still green (from flowering
through to milky dough stage). The flowers are normally visible on brome, barley and
ryegrass. Silvergrass has a much smaller seed head making it hard to identify
flowering. For best results with silvergrass, estimate the extent of ‘peeping’ ie when
the seed head is visible through the flag leaf. Spray with Glyphosate at 70-80%
peeping or Gramoxone at 80-90% peeping.
Do not spray once seed heads have dried off, it’s too late. At this stage, the protein
has already moved into the seed head and the seed is more likely to be viable.
Use a minimum of 50L/ha of water (100L/ha optimum) and raise the boom height to
give total coverage at the top of exposed seed heads.
Any questions?
Call Upper Murray Seeds for free agronomic advice about spraytopping
your pastures.
30
RLEM
www.uppermurrayseeds.com.au
RLEM: Rotten Little Energy Munchers
Of course we’re talking about Red Legged Earth Mite (RLEM) that major pest of
broadleaf crops such as sub clover and brassicas, accidentally introduced to Australia in
1917. If left unchecked, RLEM (scientifically known as Halotydeus destructor) can also
cause significant damage to grasses and cereals.
RLEM can be identified by their characteristic black body and eight red legs. Mature
adults are about the size of a pinhead and tend to feed in large groups. Each female can
produce up to 100 winter eggs, hatching after 8-10 days.
By the time you see the effect of RLEM on pastures, the population is up to 12,000
mites/m2, which equates to 1 DSE/ha. (1) .
RLEM normally live on the ground but move up to feed on the plant thus creating a
silvery/whitish look. This results in reduced photosynthesis and hence reduced plant
productivity, palatability and digestibility.
RLEM can also destroy seedlings before they even emerge.
RLEM are most active from May to October. Towards the end of spring, with changes in
temperature and daylight hours, RLEM begin to produce stress resistant eggs that are
impervious to heat. They do not hatch until the next autumn when temperatures cool
and moisture increases.
Mites are best detected early in the morning and on overcast days.
As the temperatures increase the mites tend to gather at the base of plants sheltering in
leaf sheaths or in cracks in the ground.
There are several options for early control including:
• Seed dressings
• Residual insecticides
• Foliage sprays
In an effort to reduce future RLEM populations a timed spring insecticide spray can have
enormous benefits.
The optimum date can be predicted using the TIMERITE model, which was developed
through extensive research by the CSIRO.
Our agronomists are happy to discuss the latest university research and proven RLEM
control methods with you.
References: (1) Ridsdill-Smith et al, CSIRO, Timeliness is critical for mite control. Farming Ahead, August 1999.
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