Table 5-7. Suggested timing of actions when establishing tall fescue on dairy farms in Australia and New Zealand.

Action

Timing

When cultivating or cropping:

  

Take soil test.

Before sowing crop.

Spray out old pasture with recommended rate of glyphosate.

In mid spring before any grasses or weeds have set seed (Oct.).

Apply and incorporate lime or gypsum if needed.

Before final cultivation of crop.

Cultivate and sow summer crop.

Oct.- Dec.

Control weeds in crop.

Oct.- Jan.

Finish grazing/harvesting of crop.

By end of Feb.

Wait for weed/crop regrowth after last grazing and spray with glyphosate.

Feb.- March.

Cultivate a fine, firm, and level seedbed and sow seed, or direct-drill, when there is adequate soil moisture.

5 d after spraying, Feb. (Canterbury), March-early Apr. (North Island, Vic/Tas/SA), March-end Apr. (NSW, QLD).

Monitor pest and weed numbers every 2 d.

Between 1 and 90 d after sowing.

Identify weeds and apply clover safe herbicide.

4-8 wk after sowing.

When direct-drilling without irrigation:

  

Spray out old pasture with appropriate rate of glyphosate.

Following an autumn break and regeneration of weeds/grasses.

Drill Italian (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) or hybrid ryegrass.

5 d after spraying.

Prevent any seeding of ryegrass and weeds by grazing and/or mowing.

Spring and summer.

Spray out ryegrass and weeds with glyphosate.

Following an autumn break and regeneration of weeds/grasses.
Wait for a further strike of weeds; then spray again.

2-4 wk after first spray.
Drill tall fescue/clover seed with accurate drill, cover seed, and roll.

5 d after final spraying.
Apply fertilizer at a rate of 40 kg N/ha.

At sowing, but not in direct contact with seed.
Monitor pest and weed numbers every 2 d.

Between 1 and 90 d after sowing.
Identify weeds and apply clover safe herbicide.

4-8 wk after sowing.

When direct-drilling with summer irrigation (for continental tall fescues only).

  
Prevent seeding from summer grasses.

Summer before spring sowing.

Spray old pasture with appropriate rate of glyphosate (up to 9 L/ha for summer couch).

While summer grasses are actively growing (e.g. Feb.).

Direct-drill annual ryegrass.

5 d or more after spraying, not before mid-March in hot regions.

Do final grazing or cut for silage.

Early Sept.

Spray regrowth ryegrass/weeds.

When actively growing (6-10 cm), mid to late Sept.

Drill tall fescue/clover pasture with accurate drill.

5 d after spraying.

Irrigate.

If needed to get emergence, then as required post-emergence.

Apply N at 25 to 40 kg/ha.

2-6 wk after sowing, then after each grazing in winter and spring of first year.

<--Possible Action Plans

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Tall Fescue Monograph