Pasture management

The long term productivity and quality of pastures relies on good management skills. A well managed enterprise will maximise the economic viability of grazing systems through increased production of livestock. In cropping systems, shifting pastures towards legume dominance is also important. To successfully grow annual and perennial pastures, it is important to consider the influence of factors such as soil, climate, pests and grazing on each particular species.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development provides information and advice to assist farmers to make appropriate decisions about weed management, fertiliser application, grazing systems, pest and disease management, seed production and seed harvesting. Meeting each species’ requirements is essential in order to realise the potential benefits from improved pastures.

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Articles

  • A convoy of utes driving down a gravel road, with pasture on both sides.

    Climate Resilience

    23 December 2021

    Climate change is a pressing global issue that creates both challenges and opportunities for Western Australia.

  • Trail feeding of ewes in late summer on dry pasture.

    Grazing stubbles and dry pasture

    18 November 2013

    Dry pastures in Western Australia provide good early feed after senescence but rapidly become unable to maintain stock.

  • Lamboo Station, Aerial 4 - cattle moving

    Northern Beef Development

    20 August 2014

    The Northern Beef Development program aims to support the Western Australian northern beef industry to become more profitable, resilient, and sustainable.

  • Cattle grazing Rhodes grass with irrigation centre pivot in background

    Mosaic agriculture in northern WA

    19 December 2019

    Traditionally, agriculture in the Western Australian rangelands has predominantly relied on grazing stock on native vegetation, with some irrigation precincts around Carnarvon and on the Ord River

  • The application of nitrogen can stimulate high growth in grassy pastures in winter.

    Boosting winter pasture growth with nitrogen fertiliser – Western Australia

    26 November 2013

    Applying nitrogen fertiliser to pasture in winter can increase dry matter production of grasses and broadleaf weeds and help reduce feed shortages in winter.

  • FOO too low and patchy for safe grazing

    Deferred grazing and sheep at the break of season in South West Western Australia

    26 November 2013

    Grazing annual pastures in the first 12 days after germination can lower the productivity of pastures during winter by removing poorly rooted plants, and by reducing plant leaf area to sub-optimal

  • Early vegetative pastures show branching and thickening and are of very high quality and digestibility

    Grazing annual pastures – using feed on offer (FOO) as a guide

    22 November 2013

    Grazing management in winter and spring in South West Western Australia (SW WA) can manipulate the quality, quantity and composition of pasture.

  • Sheep standing in the middle of a paddock.

    Pasture manipulation - for grass control

    30 April 2015

    Pasture manipulation is the application of herbicides for grass control early in the growing season (autumn or early winter).

    It is often the preferred option for grass control.

  • Establishment: plant cotyledons are still present.

    Deferred grazing calculator

    7 April 2015

    Deferred grazing is a tactic where stock are excluded from pasture areas to maximise germination and establishment of annual pasture seedlings.

  • Barley grass seed heads are tall and upright making them more prone to lodging in wool and sheep’s eyes as they graze.

    Managing grass seeds in sheep

    25 November 2013

    Grass seeds may cause a number of serious production and health problems in sheep, including eye damage. Wool affected by grass seed has reduced demand value.

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