Tall wheatgrass

Tall wheatgrass
(High-resolution
image available)

NOTE: The information in this Agnote must be read in conjunction with Introduction to selecting and using pastures in NSW, which covers information on areas of adaptation, sources of variability, species mixtures, and important issues related to animal health and the conservation of native vegetation.

Pasture type and use	Perennial temperate grass with main growth in spring and autumn. Useful species in saline soils. Useful for making stored fodder in the form of round bales or silage.
Area of adaptation	All tablelands and slopes areas of NSW, Riverina, Central West Plains and irrigated areas.
Min. average annual rainfall	400 mm (southern NSW) to 500 mm (northern NSW).
Advantages	Suited to saline and poorly drained soils.
Disadvantages	Slow to establish. If ungrazed, develops tall rank growth. Not as salt-tolerant as puccinellia.
Soil requirements	Saline and poorly drained soils.
Varieties	Tyrrell Dundas * - selected for increased feed quality. * Denotes that this variety is protected by Plant Breeder’s Rights.
Sowing rates:
- as only species	3–12 kg/ha
- in mixtures	3–5 kg/ha
Sowing time	Dryland: Sow in early autumn for best results. Irrigated or high-rainfall areas: Late winter to early spring.
Companion species	Compatible in mixtures with puccinellia, tall fescue, phalaris, strawberry clover, white clover.
Inoculation	N/A
Main insect pests	No significant problems.
Main diseases	No significant problems.
Management	Do not graze plant until the crown is well developed. Ideally, keep plants short to stop plants developing tall rank growth, which becomes unpalatable to livestock.
Livestock disorders of particular note	No problems reported.
Further information	Dryland Salinity 4. ‘Productive use of salt affected land’, Salt Action Program. Saltland Pastures in Australia - A practical guide, EG Barrett-Lennard & CV Malcolm, WA Department of Agriculture, 1995.

Acknowledgments

The contributions of Andrew Wooldridge, NSW Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources (DIPNR), Cowra, and Alan Nicholson, DIPNR, Wellington, are gratefully acknowledged.

Advice on livestock health disorders was provided by Dr Chris Bourke, Principal Research Scientist, NSW Agriculture, Orange. His contribution is gratefully acknowledged.

Photo: Warren McDonald, Former Technical Specialist (Pastures), NSW Agriculture, Tamworth