Perennial grass and herb options to extend summer–autumn forage in a drought-prone temperate environment

Abstract

Background

The ability to finish livestock on pasture over the summer–autumn period could improve the profitability of red meat enterprises in drought-prone temperate regions. In south-eastern Australia, traditional perennial options are limited by poor warm-season performance (phalaris, Phalaris aquatica L.) and widespread environmental constraints (lucerne, Medicago sativa L.). We aimed to identify perennial species suitable for summer–autumn finishing.

Methods

We tested pure swards of summer-active perennial grasses and herbs (20 cultivars across 14 species) in replicated small-plot experiments at two sites on the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales, Australia. We assessed early persistence, productivity and warm-season nutritive characteristics over 2–3 years.

Results

Lucerne and chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) persisted well through drought and produced herbage of high quantity and quality through summer–autumn. Digit grass (Digitaria eriantha Steud.) was highly persistent and productive but nutritive values were generally poor. Cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.), tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), prairie grass (Bromus willdenowii Kunth.) and plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.) were productive but less persistent through drought, while nutritive values were sometimes inadequate.

Conclusions

Chicory is a good alternative to lucerne, given its excellent summer–autumn performance, ability to survive droughts and superior acid soil tolerance. If appropriate management resolves issues with persistence and nutritive value, several of the other species could also be used to close the warm-season feed gap in drought-prone temperate environments.