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PASTURE AND SOILS
PHALARIS SNAPSHOT
FREECALL 1800 677 761
Phalaris — persistent
performance outweighs risks
Phalaris — Phalaris aquatica
(Phalaris tuberosa )
Minimum average annual rainfall
400mm (South Australia )
400–450m m (Victoria )
500–550m m (souther n NSW)
650mm (North West Slopes of NSW)
Optimal temperature
15–25ºC (frost tolerant)
Preferred soils
Deep, fertile, heavier- textured soils
with a pH above 4.5 (CaCl )
2
Bene fits
• Excellent drought survival ability.
• Bountifu l producti on of high-qua lity
feed.
• Respons ive to increase d soil fertility.
• Grazing tolerant.
• Grows well on a wide range of soil
types.
• Tolerates waterlog ging and
moderat e salinity.
• Few pests and diseases .
• Deep root system helps dry soil
profile and reduces rate of soil
acidification.
Challe nges
• Relative ly slow to establish , similar
to cocksfoo t and tall fescue.
• Low producti on in the establish ment
year.
• Seedling s are sensitive to
competit ion from annual grasses.
• Sensitive to soil acidity.
• Unsuitab le for low-ferti lity soils.
• Potentia l to cause phalaris
poisonin g.
• Requires sound managem ent to
enhance survival in margina l areas.
Top performer: Amid debate over its toxicity
risk, phalaris quietly outperforms many of its
contemporaries, proving a profitable inclusion
in many a pasture mix.
Catriona
Nicholls
Richard
Culvenor
KONDININ GROUP
CSIRO
Producers looking for a productive perennial pasture often overlook phalaris.
But as Farming Ahead discovered, the benefits of this persistent performer
far outweigh the risks and a multitude of available varieties means there is
an option for most situations.
As far as temperate perennial grasses
go, phalaris is one of the most robust,
deep-rooted and persistent options on the
market.
Growing up to two metres tall at maturity
(if left ungrazed) it spreads quickly by short
underground stems (rhizomes). The main
growth period for phalaris is during autumnwinter-spring, although in cooler regions it
can respond vigorously to summer rainfall.
Semi-winter dormant cultivars are slower
growing during winter and less erect than
winter-active cultivars.
Growing conditions
Phalaris is used widely in the inland highrainfall zone and adjacent higher-rainfall
cropping areas of southern Australia for
mainly sheep for and beef cattle. It is suitable
also for hay and silage.
Minimum average annual rainfall for
optimal establishment and growth varies
from 400 millimetres in South Australia,
400–450mm in Victoria, 500–550mm in
southern New South Wales and 650mm on
the North West Slopes of NSW.
It grows best on deep, fertile, heaviertextured soils, but is adapted to a wide range
of soil types from moderately shallow,
sedimentary-derived soils to deep clay soils.
Phalaris generally survives well if there is
clay subsoil and adequate fertility. While it is
moderately sensitive to acid soils below pH
4.5 (CaCl2) many productive phalaris stands
grow on soils with surface pH below 4.5.
During the past few years new cultivars
have been bred for improved acid tolerance
however, lime application improves
establishment on strongly acid soils.
Phalaris tolerates high levels of manganese,
waterlogging and moderate salinity.
Phalaris will best perform in the
temperature range 15–25 degrees Celsius,
but survives severe frosts. It is well adapted
to Tablelands and upper Slopes in NSW and
similar temperature zones in other States.
While phalaris can survive high summer
temperatures when dormant it struggles to
grow actively in summer-rainfall areas
where average daily maximum temperatures
exceed 30ºC.
It is susceptible to damage from summer
grazing in hotter areas.
Establishment
As a companion species phalaris can be
combined with other slow-establishing
grasses such as cocksfoot and tall fescue.
But sowing with perennial ryegrass is not
recommended.
Pasture legumes, such as clover
(subterranean, white), greater lotus and
lucerne provide a productive mix in
appropriate regions.
Sowing rates
Single species — 2–4 kilograms per
hectare (normally 3kg/ha).
Mixed species — 1–3 kg/ha
Phalaris can be sown during autumn (all
areas) or late winter and early spring
(Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania,
Tablelands of NSW).
If soil is low in phosphorus, apply
appropriate fertiliser at sowing and maintain
regular applications in later years. Use
molybdenum for clover component where
recommended. Apply sulphur in deficient
soils. Starter-type fertiliser can be used
where nitrogen levels are low.
Ongoing management
A productive pasture requires sufficient
phosphorus, nitrogen, sulphur and
potassium levels. Increase soil phosphorus
to maintain a vigorous clover component,
since pasture and livestock productivity will
decline if clover disappears.
Maintain sulphur and potassium in
deficient soils. Nitrogen fertiliser can be
effective in the absence of a companion
legume or to boost seasonal production.
Phalaris is sensitive to grazing or cutting
in the year of establishment. Autumn-sown
stands can often be grazed briefly during
spring in higher-rainfall areas, otherwise do
not graze until after seed set.
Rotational grazing is recommended for
production and persistence, particularly for
winter-active cultivars.
Semi-winter-dormant cultivars are highly
grazing tolerant and withstand long periods
Farming Ahead November 2010 No. 226 www.farmingahead.com.au
57
PASTURE AND SOILS
PHALARIS SNAPSHOT
of set stocking. However a spell during
autumn–winter can strengthen stands.
Graze heavily enough during spring to
maintain nutritive quality and avoid rank
growth.
Spell during late spring–early summer to
allow reproductive growth, if stands become
sparse. A prolific producer, phalaris can
produce up to several hundred kilograms of
seed per hectare if locked up during spring,
although seedling recruitment is often low.
Revegetation is more successful through
vegetative reproduction below-ground.
In higher-rainfall areas, maintain pastures
in range 1500–3000kg dry matter per
hectare. In drier districts, adjust grazing to
allow at least some seed set for persistence.
Reducing stocking rate or destocking for
4–6 weeks during early stem elongation and
after autumn break promotes persistence
on North West Slopes of NSW.
Apply moderate grazing pressure during
summer to remove dry residues by the end
of March to promote clover regrowth.
In warmer summer-rainfall areas, delay
removal of stem residues until late summer
to inhibit summer growth, protect any new
growth that does occur and reduce soil
erosion around crowns.
drainage lines and grazing is
infrequent or absent.
Weed risk potential derives
mainly from the tall growth that
smothers other plants. Weed
threat is unlikely in poor soils.
Major pests
Mature stands are generally
unaffected by pests. Seedlings
are susceptible to damage from
red-legged earth mite (RLEM),
blue oat mite (BOM), aphids,
field crickets, white curl grubs
(scarab grubs), slugs and
snails.
Seed-harvesting ants can be
a problem in removing surfacesown seed.
Major diseases
There are no diseases of
major importance to phalaris
production in Australia. Stem
rust is reasonably common in
wet, mild seasons but the
plants generally grow out of
the infection with no longterm
consequences
for
survival.
Grazing will remove the
infected leaves and encourage
Potential weed risk
There
is 5some
SEE3
0 0 8weed
. p drisk
f potential
P a g e with
1 1 new
4 / growth.
1 0 / 1 0 ,
1 2 : 3 5
phalaris, principally along roadsides and in
Toxicity risk — keeping it in perspect
ive
Phalaris is
often touted as too risky and man
y
producers shy away from this
highly-productive pasture
unecessarily.
It is the case that phalaris can
cause toxicity in sheep
and sometimes cattle due to
the presence of alkaloids —
although problems are rare
.
There are two main conditio
ns:
• Phalaris ‘staggers’ can occu
r any time when green
phalaris is predominant in
the diet — classically a
few weeks after the break
of season. Stock that show
staggers symptoms usually
recover when removed
from the pasture but may not
recover where exposure
is prolonged. The risk is high
est in cobalt-deficient
soils or where conditions lead
to low cobalt availability
and is preventable with cob
alt supplementation.
Availability of a legume com
ponent in the feed reduces
susceptibility.
• ‘Sudden death’ can result
in losses within two days of
introducing stock to a phalaris
pasture. Losses typically
have occurred on new shoots
of phalaris after moderate
rains in an otherwise dry peri
od. The new growth is
moisture-stressed and may
be frost-affected. Most at
risk are hungry stock that are
unaccustomed to green
phalaris and have been dep
rived of feed because of
transport or shearing. This
problem is more prevalent
in rotational grazing systems
. Susceptibility of stock
usually disappears after abo
ut two days on pasture.
PM
The complete Phalaris range
Something for all situations
HOLDFAST GT
All the varieties in the Seedmark Phalaris range have
been bred by the CSIRO and offer unique traits that
extend their adaption and drive on farm production.
ADVANCED AT
• New variety adapted to acid soil to 3.8pH (CaCl2)
• Can also be sown in soils with 20-50% exchangeable Al
• Produces more dry matter than Holdfast from the 2nd year onwards
• Winter active variety suited to approx. 475mm+ annual rainfall
ATLAS PG
•
•
•
•
Winter active variety suited to approx. 375mm+ annual rainfall
Allows Phalaris to be utilised in lower rainfall situations
Suited to low/medium rainfall crop rotations
Excellent summer dormancy for improved persistence
AUSTRALIAN II
• Newly released variety selected for significant increase in
grazing tolerance
• Vastly improved seedling vigour and dry matter production
• First winter active variety suitable for set stocking
• Winter active cultivar suited to approx. 475mm+ annual rainfall
• Adapted to a greater range of soil types than Holdfast
HOLDFAST
• Winter active variety suited to approx. 475mm+ annual rainfall
• Good all round variety, with good seedling vigour and production
• Now outclassed by Holdfast GT on production and grazing
tolerance
LANDMASTER
• Winter active variety suited to approx. 475mm+ annual rainfall
• Adapted to lighter, shallow or shale acid (>4.2 CaCl2) soils
• Good seedling vigour and total production
RGM/SEE35008
• Summer active variety suited to approx. 525mm+ annual rainfall
• True to type certified Australian type which can withstand set stocking
• Persistent variety that can withstand waterlogging and mild salinity
58 Farming Ahead November 2010 No. 226 www.farmingahead.com.au
Ph: 1800 112 400
www.seedmark.com.au
PASTURE AND SOILS
PHALARIS SNAPSHOT
Animal production
Phalaris is a high-quality grass often
considered intermediate between ryegrass
and tall fescue.
During vegetative growth, digestibility is
typically in the range of 75–80 per cent and
metabolisable energy (ME) around 11–12
megajoules per kilogram of DM. Nutritive
value declines as the flowering stems
develop and mature.
mixed pastures based on phalaris can carry
an average of 1–2.5 steers/ha (300 kg
liveweight or 10–15 dry sheep equivalent
(DSE)/ha) during April–November and
produce gains of 0.9–1.2 kg/head/day.
Vegetative growth is highly palatable but
palatability declines as flowering stems
mature and dry off during summer.
Production potential is high provided soil
fertility is adequate. Peak spring growth
rates are typically 50–80kg/ha/day DM.
Winter growth rates are typically 10kg/
ha/day in cooler areas, varying from 5–20kg/
ha/day depending on locality and cultivar.
Phalaris–clover pastures provide fast
liveweight gain and fattening. Dryland
FURTHER INFORMATION
www.pasturepicker.com.au
www.evergraze.com.au
CONTACT Richard Culvenor,
CSIRO Plant Industry
(02) 6246 5092
[email protected]
Phalaris — unbeatable for year-round performance
Farmer
Charles de Fegely
Location
Ararat, Victoria
Property size
1100 hectares
Annual rainfall
575mm
Soil types
Basalt soils
Enterpris es
Dual-pur pose Merinos with some
winter cropping
Phalaris is the powerhouse behind his sheep
enterprise according to Charlie de Fegely,
Ararat, Victoria.
In Charlie’s eyes, in a combination with
sub-clover, phalaris is unbeatable given its
qualities of persistence, year-round production
and robustness.
“My father planted Australian phalaris back
in the 1950s and we still have some of those
original pastures,” Charlie said.
“Since then we have incorporated some
of the newer, more winter-active varieties
such as Holdfast and Holdfast GT, but all in
all phalaris is an unbeatable perennial grass
option for our heavy clay loam soils and
temperate climate.”
Prime production opportunity
The de Fegely family runs a dual-purpose
Merino enterprise that relies on permanent
phalaris/sub-clover pastures for lambing and
a combination of lucerne, fodder crops and
feedlotting (depending on the season and
grain prices) for finishing.
“We have a split joining system that
delivers the first batch of lambs during late
July (prime lambs) and replacement Merino
lambs during September,” Charlie explained.
“Our ewes lamb down on the phalarisbased pastures and we aim to wean lambs
at 100 days with liveweights of 35–40
kilograms.”
component of the pasture that drives the animal
performance,” Charlie said.
“If you graze too heavily you eventually
lose the phalaris, but if you undergraze then it
crowds out the clover component — it’s a finely
tuned balance.”
“Phalaris provides groundcover and dry
matter and is the engine room for carrying
sheep year-round providing breeding ewes
maintenance feed until the sub-clover gets
underway.”
On-farm evidence
Charlie has carried out on-farm trials to
assess his perennial grass options, comparing
phalaris with tall fescue and perennial
ryegrass. The results suggest that phalaris is
the best fit for his environment.
“Ryegrass and fescue simply don’t persist in
our system, phalaris allows us to carry our stock
on 12-month basis,” Charlie said.
“Not only is phalaris more persistent than
fescue, it also doesn’t go into complete
dormancy during summer.”
Photo: Chris Warrick
Farm inform ation
Case study
“I’ve grown up with phalaris pastures and
we’ve had the odd problem, but you learn
how to manage it.”
“We don’t ever put sheep on straight
phalaris during autumn and we make sure
they have a mixed diet.”
In fact according to Charlie the phalaris
options just keep getting better.
This valuable characteristic means Charlie’s
phalaris-based pastures can respond to late
summer and autumn rainfall.
Old varieties such as Australian did have
their limitations, particularly during winter,”
Charlie said.
“We’ve actually been able to increase ewe
conception rates grazing phalaris after summer
rains,” he said.
“But the newer varieties are more winteractive and if you get a late break you’ve got a
good chance of getting more feed.”
Charlie has also found that fescue doesn’t
compete with phalaris in terms of early winter
production.
“I don’t think fescue produces the feed
during winter and requires more sunlight than
phalaris,” he said.
And while Charlie is adamant that sound
rotational grazing is the key to success with
phalaris, he finds it more forgiving than
perennial ryegrass.
“To get the most out of perennial ryegrass
you need to be right on your meddle,” Charlie
said.
“And while you can undergraze and overgraze
phalaris, you can get away with being a bit
more relaxed.”
Risk management
Sub-clover drives the animal production
power in the system, but phalaris
complements the winter-active legume with a
year-round source of feed according to Charlie.
Charlie is well aware that many livestock
producers avoid phalaris due to the potential
risk of phalaris staggers and sudden death. But
he says the benefits well outweigh the risks.
“We have a rotational grazing routine that
maintains 30–40% sub-clover as it is this
“As far as I’m concerned for us, it’s a no
brainer,” Charlie said.
New pastures are established after
a cropping phase and benefit from the
additional lime, gypsum and increased
organic matter following the crops.
And long-term establishment costs also see
phalaris coming up trumps says Charlie.
“It’s true that phalaris is expensive to
establish if you look at it on face value,
but you only have to sow three kilograms
per hectare compared with 12–15kg/ha of
ryegrass — and it is a much more robust
species at our property.”
“All you’ve got to do is get no rain from
October right through to May or June and
most of your ryegrass will be dead and you
need to resow again.”
“With increased seasonal variability a
pasture species that can handle a long dry
spell is far more valuable than one you have
to start and resow again — and that’s what
we have in phalaris.”
CONTACT Charles de Fegely
(03) 5352 3534
[email protected]
Farming Ahead November 2010 No. 226 www.farmingahead.com.au
59