Pastures

Pastures play a major role in agricultural enterprises and contribute over $3 billion annually in Western Australia through animal production, improvements to crop rotations and conserved fodder. In a typical year pastures occupy up to half the land in low to medium rainfall areas and over two thirds of the land in high rainfall areas. Improved pastures are increasingly being used to play a more comprehensive role in farming systems to address emerging challenges for environment protection and food production.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development is a world leader in pasture breeding and selection, grazing systems design and agronomic management of pastures. The department provides information, tools and resources to support the success of the agriculture sector in improving the productivity and profitability of pasture systems under both dryland and irrigated conditions. 

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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.

  • A subclover and barleygrass pasture that has been spray-topped on the right hand side

    Effect of spray-topping on pasture legumes

    28 July 2014

    Spray-topping is a very effective method for managing annual grass seed set in pastures.

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    Bacterial wilt of lucerne: declared pest

    22 January 2021

    Bacterial wilt of lucerne (Clavibacter insidiosus) is a disease that reduces the lifespan and productivity of lucerne stands. It also makes lucerne crops hard to establish.

  • Yellow-winged locusts

    29 March 2018

    Yellow-winged locusts (Gastrimargus musicus) are native insects, distinguished by bright yellow wings, they are 35-50mm in length when mature and make a distinctive clicking noise when fly

  • Capeweed flower head

    Capeweed reduces crop yield

    4 February 2011

    In Western Australia, competition from 7-90 capeweed plants per square metre in a wheat crop can reduce crop yield by 28-44% and net return by 25-76%.

  • 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.

  • Barley grass heads

    Barley grass

    3 February 2011

    Barley grass is a common name for Hordeum glaucum and H. leporinum.

  • Martin Harries kneeling in a wheat crop

    Focus paddocks 2014 trial report

    18 September 2014

    Management of weeds, disease and nitrogen nutrition are ongoing challenges that limit yield potential.

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