Tall Fescue Online Monograph

Continental tall fescue cultivars with soft leaves and late maturity (Advance) perform very well in flood irrigated areas in Northern Victoria (Fig. 7-7) and Maffra (Milne, 2000b). Advance has produced more milk (Milne, 2001a), summer and annual herbage, and is more persistent (up to 9 yr to date) than perennial ryegrass, which typically lasts for only 2 to 3 yr before being overrun by subtropical grasses like paspalum and couchgrass. Tall fescue is less affected adversely by infrequent watering than is perennial ryegrass (Dellow et al., 2003). Advance also is suited to nonirrigated dairy farms in Victoria (Western Victoria, Gippsland, and northeastern valleys), with advantages in summer growth and production in dry seasons (Nie et al., 2000; Tharmaraj and Lane, 2003). It has exhibited tolerance to waterlogging and flooding in low-lying areas of southwest Victoria and Gipplsland, but it can be difficult to establish from autumn planting due to severe weed invasion by winter grass (Poa annua L.) and toad rush (Juncus bufonius L.) in the first winter. Mediterranean tall fescues are suited to dryland districts (northern and northeastern Victoria, east Gippsland, the western districts, and the central high country) with winter-dominant rainfall greater than 400 mm/yr.