2022 ASHEEP Pasture Variety Trials Results
A Meat & Livestock Australia Producer Demonstration Site Report Author: Chad Hall & Rachel Minett, South Coastal Agencies Download the...
Updated 24/02/22
2021 brought the second year of the ASHEEP & BEEF Pasture Variety Trials, as part of the Meat & Livestock Australia Producer Demonstration Site Program. The Year 2 trial sites were managed by South East Agronomy Services who have been working with ASHEEP & BEEF to deliver the project.
The trial sites in 2021 were moved to new locations (within similar rainfall zones) and the varieties in the trial were changed up, with some carried over from Year 1 plus new additions. We also included a range of pasture mixes and some of the new varieties that have been developed through the Dryland Pasture Legume Systems project. Pasture cuts for biomass were taken at 10 and 16 weeks, 60cm soil testing conducted, and nutritive analysis on better performing varieties.
Host: David Vandenberghe
Soil pH (CaCl):
7.4 (0-10cm) to 8.7 (30-40cm)
​
Sowing Details:
20th May
Cereals: 60L Flexi-N + 80kg Agstar
Legumes: 50kg Big Phos + 10kg required Alosca
​
Varieties: 15 with 4 replicates
Sulla @ 5kg
Trigonella @ 8kg
Express Grazing Oats @ 70kg
Express Grazing Oats @ 50kg + RM4 Vetch @ 20kg
Tillage Radish @ 6kg
Snail Medic @ 12kg
Leafmore Grazing Brassica @ 5kg
Casbah Biserulla @ 6kg
RM4 Vetch @ 25kg
Mawson Subclover @ 6kg
Cobra Subclover @6kg
SARDI Grazing Lucerne @ 6kg
Tetila Ryegrass @ 15kg
BALL ThumpA Ballard Mix @ 20kg
BALL SalinA Ballard Mix @ 20kg
Host: Simeon Roberts
​
Soil pH (CaCl):
5.8 (0-10cm) to 6.5 (50-60cm)
​
Sowing Details:
19th May
Cereals: 50L Flexi-N + 80kg Agstar
Legumes: 50kg Big Phos + 10kg required Alosca
Sparticus Barley treated with 1.5L/t Systiva
​
Varieties: 15 with 4 replicates
Sparticus Barley @ 80kg
RM4 Vetch @ 25kg
Capello Vetch @ 25kg
Express Grazing Oats @ 70kg
RM4 Vetch @ 20kg + Express Grazing Oats @ 50kg
Trigonella @ 8kg
Tetila Ryegrass @ 15kg
Cavalier Medic @ 12kg
Snail Medic @ 12kg
SU Tolerant Sultan Medic @ 6kg
Casbah Biserulla @ 6kg
SARDI Grazing Lucerne @ 6kg
Cobra Clover @ 6kg
Ball ThumpA Ballard Mix @ 20kg
BALL SalinA Ballard Mix @ 20kg
Host: John Wallace
​
Soil pH (CaCl):
6.8 (0-10cm) to 7.7 (50-60cm)
​
Sowing Details:
13th May
Cereals: 60L Flexi-N + 80kg Agstar
Legumes: 50kg Big Phos + 10kg required Alosca
​
Varieties: 15 with 4 replicates
Illabo Wheat @ 100kg
Planet Barley @ 80kg
Capello Vetch @ 25kg
RM4 Vetch @ 25kg
Tetila Ryegrass @ 15kg
Express Grazing Oats @ 80kg
Express Grazing Oats @ 60kg + Tetila Ryegrass @ 15kg
SARDI Grazing Lucerne @ 6kg
SARDI Series 7 Lucerne @ 6kg
SARDI Series 10 Lucerne @ 6kg
Casbah Biserulla @ 6kg
Dalkeith Subclover @ 6kg
Leafmore Grazing Brassica @ 5kg
Franno Serradella @ 8kg
BALL TearA Ballard Mix @ 20kg
Management of Year 1 Trial Sites
​
Originally in Year 2 all trials that were sown in Year 1 were to be half cropped to a cereal and half left bare, to monitor regeneration. This plan has been adjusted and the whole Grass Patch site from 2020 was cropped due to limited seed set. This decision was also a preventative measure against high weed burden and management issues for the grower in the future. The site will be monitored to see what regenerates in year 3. The Neridup site will also follow this plan. Any further monitoring of the Salmon Gums 2020 site will not occur as no regeneration is expected due to drought conditions.
Images: 2021 trial sites fresh sown - left Cascade and right Neridup Sandplain.
Contact ASHEEP & BEEF if you would like more information on this project. ASHEEP & BEEF members will be provided with regular updates, visit our membership page if you would like to consider joining. The sites will also be showcased at field days.
SOUTH EAST AGRONOMY RESEARCH