Cultivation, Establishment & Yield of Common Pasture Species

Pasture species are plants that are specifically grown or naturally occurring in pastures to provide forage for grazing animals like cattle, sheep, goats, and horses. Pasture species typically include a combination of grasses, legumes, and sometimes herbs, which together form a sustainable source of feed for livestock.

Pasture species are divided into:

• Grasses: Provide bulk forage and are rich in carbohydrates. Common grasses include species like Napier Grass, Ryegrass, and Bermuda Grass.
• Legumes: Nitrogen-fixing plants that enhance soil fertility and provide protein-rich forage. Examples include Lucerne (Alfalfa), Clover, and Stylosanthes.

Characteristics of Pasture Species:

• Adaptation to local climates and soil conditions.
• Regrowth ability after grazing or cutting, especially in perennial species.
• Nutritional value for livestock, including protein, fiber, and essential nutrients.
• Soil improvement through nitrogen fixation by legumes, contributing to overall pasture species health.

Pasture species are critical for livestock farming as they offer a cost-effective and sustainable feed source.

Here’s an overview of the cultivation, establishment, and yield of common pasture species, both grasses and legumes:

1. Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium perenne)

• Cultivation:
  • Sowing Time: Early spring or autumn.
  • Soil: Prefers well-drained, fertile soils with moderate pH.
  • Sowing Rate: 20-25 kg/ha.
  • Irrigation: Requires adequate moisture for establishment and growth but is not drought-tolerant.
  • Fertilization: Apply nitrogen (50-100 kg/ha) and phosphorus (40-60 kg/ha) for good growth.
• Establishment:
  • Broadcast seeds evenly and cover lightly with soil.
  • Requires good moisture during the first 4-6 weeks.
  • Weed control is critical in the early stages to allow ryegrass to establish properly.
• Yield:
  • Green Fodder Yield: 8-12 tons/ha.
  • Grazing: Ideal for rotational grazing; can support frequent grazing due to rapid regrowth.

2. Cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata)

• Cultivation:
  • Sowing Time: Early spring or autumn.
  • Soil: Grows well in fertile, well-drained soils but can tolerate poorer soils better than ryegrass.
  • Sowing Rate: 12-15 kg/ha.
  • Irrigation: Requires moderate water, though it has good drought tolerance.
  • Fertilization: Apply nitrogen (50-80 kg/ha) and phosphorus (30-40 kg/ha).
• Establishment:
  • Best established in early spring or late summer.
  • It takes 6-8 weeks to establish, and frequent grazing should be avoided during establishment.
• Yield:
  • Green Fodder Yield: 10-15 tons/ha.
  • Grazing: Can handle continuous grazing better than some other species; regrows rapidly after cutting.

3. Tall Fescue (Festuca arundinacea)

• Cultivation:
  • Sowing Time: Spring or early autumn.
  • Soil: Grows well in a variety of soils, including poorly drained soils.
  • Sowing Rate: 12-15 kg/ha.
  • Irrigation: Moderate water requirement; more drought-tolerant than ryegrass.
  • Fertilization: Apply nitrogen (80-100 kg/ha) and phosphorus (40-60 kg/ha).
• Establishment:
  • Seed needs firm seedbed with good soil contact.
  • Slow to establish, taking up to 8-10 weeks; avoid heavy grazing in the first season.
• Yield:
  • Green Fodder Yield: 12-20 tons/ha.
  • Grazing: Suitable for rotational grazing, hay, or silage.

4. Phalaris (Phalaris aquatica)

• Cultivation:
  • Sowing Time: Autumn.
  • Soil: Grows in a wide range of soils, prefers fertile, well-drained soils but tolerates waterlogged and acidic conditions.
  • Sowing Rate: 5-8 kg/ha.
  • Irrigation: Drought-tolerant; requires minimal irrigation after establishment.
  • Fertilization: Apply phosphorus (20-40 kg/ha) at sowing and nitrogen after grazing.
• Establishment:
  • Slow to establish, requiring a firm seedbed and weed control.
  • Can take 6-12 months to fully establish.
• Yield:
  • Green Fodder Yield: 8-10 tons/ha.
  • Grazing: Best used for rotational grazing and avoids overgrazing to prevent thinning of the stand.

5. White Clover (Trifolium repens)

• Cultivation:
  • Sowing Time: Spring or autumn.
  • Soil: Prefers well-drained, fertile soils but is adaptable to a range of soil types.
  • Sowing Rate: 4-6 kg/ha (as a companion to grass species).
  • Irrigation: Requires consistent moisture, especially during establishment.
  • Fertilization: Low nitrogen requirement due to nitrogen-fixing ability but requires phosphorus (30-50 kg/ha) and potassium.
• Establishment:
  • Broadcast seeds evenly and cover lightly with soil.
  • Establishes well when mixed with grasses like ryegrass or cocksfoot.
  • Weed control is important early on.
• Yield:
  • Green Fodder Yield: 5-10 tons/ha when mixed with grasses.
  • Grazing: Ideal for rotational grazing with a high protein content.

6. Red Clover (Trifolium pratense)

• Cultivation:
  • Sowing Time: Early spring or late summer.
  • Soil: Grows well in well-drained loamy soils.
  • Sowing Rate: 8-10 kg/ha.
  • Irrigation: Requires moderate irrigation.
  • Fertilization: Low nitrogen requirement, but phosphorus and potassium are essential for good growth.
• Establishment:
  • Sow in a firm seedbed with good soil contact.
  • Avoid grazing or cutting during the establishment phase to allow strong root development.
• Yield:
  • Green Fodder Yield: 10-15 tons/ha.
  • Grazing: Not tolerant of continuous grazing; best for rotational systems or hay production.

7. Lotus (Lotus corniculatus)

• Cultivation:
  • Sowing Time: Spring or early autumn.
  • Soil: Prefers poorly drained or acidic soils.
  • Sowing Rate: 4-6 kg/ha.
  • Irrigation: Drought-tolerant but requires moisture during establishment.
  • Fertilization: Low nitrogen requirement; apply phosphorus and potassium.
• Establishment:
  • Needs weed control and careful management during the first growing season.
  • Can be slow to establish, taking several months.
• Yield:
  • Green Fodder Yield: 8-12 tons/ha.
  • Grazing: Well-suited for grazing or hay production, especially in acidic soils.

8. Low Fertility Grasses (e.g., Weeping Grass – Microlaena stipoides)

• Cultivation:
  • Sowing Time: Spring or autumn.
  • Soil: Grows in low fertility, acidic, or sandy soils.
  • Sowing Rate: 10-12 kg/ha.
  • Irrigation: Low water requirement, ideal for drought-prone areas.
  • Fertilization: Requires minimal fertilization; small amounts of phosphorus can be applied.
• Establishment:
  • Slow-growing species that requires careful weed control.
  • Establishes over 3-6 months.
• Yield:
  • Green Fodder Yield: 6-8 tons/ha.
  • Grazing: Well-suited for light grazing or as a ground cover in mixed pasture species.

General Considerations for Pasture Species:

• Seedbed Preparation: Create a well-prepared seedbed to guarantee good soil-to-seed contact and effective germination.
• Weed control is critical during the establishment phase of most species, particularly legumes and slow-growing grasses.
• Irrigation: While many pasture species are drought-tolerant, proper water supply during establishment is critical.
• Fertilisation: Legumes fix nitrogen, which reduces the demand for nitrogen fertilisers while benefiting from phosphorus and potassium.
• Rotational Grazing: Perennial species must avoid overgrazing in order to persist and recover.

By selecting appropriate pasture species and managing their growth and harvesting cycles effectively, farmers can ensure high-quality, sustainable fodder production.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Related Articles

• Cultivation Practices of Annual and Perennial Fodder Legumes
• Cultivation Practices of Annual and Perennial Fodder Grasses