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Module Index
Module 1 - planning
Module 2 - wool
Module 3 - meat
Module 4 - people
Module 5 - NRM
Module 6 - soil
Module 7 - pasture
Module 8 - grazing
Module 9 - genetics
Module 10 - more lambs
Module 11 - sheep health
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MODULE 8: Turn Pasture into Product
Tool 8.2
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This tool allows you to determine your average pasture supply, and likely variability, based on long-term weather records.

The mid-monthly estimates of pasture growth rates (kg DM/ha/day) below are for average seasonal conditions for a range of localities and regions across the high rainfall and wheat–sheep zones of Australia. They are from State PROGRAZE® manuals, available from your State Department of Agriculture/Primary Industries, and based on a combination of research results, growth predictions and practical experience. Although there is a large variation in rainfall pattern and feed supply within any year, when put together these monthly values reflect pasture growth in a ‘typical’ year for the locality or region without reference to growth in the previous month.

These estimates provide a basis to assist with the calculations for short to medium term decision making in the sheep enterprise. They are intended as a guide and will assist with the calculations in feed budgets. It is recommended that the MLA Pasture Ruler or equivalent (see tool 7.6 in Grow More Pasture) is used to generate similar estimates of pasture growth rates for selected paddocks or the whole farm.

Assumptions

The following assumptions are made for the range of pastures/pasture mixes unless otherwise stated in the estimates:

  • Pastures are of moderate to high density
  • Soil has good moisture holding capacity, such as a clay loam
  • Pasture is maintained in an active growth phase at all times during the growing season
  • Pastures are well managed and fertilised to avoid nutrient deficiencies
  • Estimates are for the middle of each month.

The following important variables need to be considered and adjusted against the expected local, district or regional patterns, and practical experience:

  • Climate (rainfall and temperature)
  • Soil type and variability
  • Pasture species
  • Fertiliser (nutrient) requirements
  • Grazing management.

Estimates of pasture growth rate

Unless stated, the estimates are for expected availability of feed of adequate quality and are based on:

  • Pastures or pasture mixes with a good balance of legumes, grown on suitable soils
  • Pastures that are well managed to be maintained in the active growth phase so that quality is at a high level
  • Using some form of rotational grazing to enable pastures to rest and grow between grazing events and
  • The growth rate of the pasture, stocking rate, degree of wastage through trampling and fouling and the previous management of the pasture.

In any period, the pasture type is capable of growing pasture mass of adequate quantity and quality to suit the requirements of seasonal conditions.

Source: Information was originally compiled for MLA’s More Beef from Pastures manual and the PROGRAZE® Manuals, developed cooperatively with State Agriculture/Primary Industries Departments in NSW, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia.

New South Wales – pasture growth rate patterns

Source: NSW PROGRAZE® Notes, Appendix 4

Northern Tablelands

Estimated daily pasture growth rate (mid-month) of specific pasture types (kg DM/ha/day)

Pasture type
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Fescue/white and sub clover
58
57
51
28
12
9
9
11
23
38
51
59
Phalaris white/sub clover
26
30
36
34
13
9
9
11
22
37
49
51
Red grass dominant pasture*
33
33
29
9
2
1
1
1
7
27
33
34
Microlaena white/sub-clover
39
36
29
18
8
3
3
7
19
33
40
44
Perennial rye/white and subclover
20
28
38
34
13
9
9
11
23
43
47
35

*Quality of red grass (with low leaf to stem ratio and rapid maturity) may not be adequate to meet livestock production targets.

The predicted growth rate could vary markedly between good and poor growing seasons.
Good growing season
Poor growing season
Spring
30% above
40% below
Summer
30% above
40% below
Autumn
75%+ above
60%+ below
Winter
30% above
40% below


Central Tablelands

Estimated daily pasture growth rate (mid-month) of specific pasture types (kg DM/ha/day)

Pasture type
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Temperate perennial grass* + sub-clover
15
12
16
20
20
10
6
10
27
61
69
45
Microlaena/Austrodanthonia grass + sub-clover
19
15
19
22
19
7
5
8
18
52
62
51
Microlaena/Austrodanthonia grass
15
14
19
21
15
3
3
3
9
34
51
32
Summer grass# /sub-clover
24
10
15
16
12
7
4
8
28
38
25
23
Summer grass#
24
10
14
14
2
2
2
2
2
4
16
23
Annual grass/sub-clover
0
0
2
6
12
11
9
17
45
74
10
0

*Phalaris, cocksfoot, fescue or perennial ryegrass based with at least 20% clover
# Mainly frost sensitive grasses such as red grass

The predicted growth rate could vary markedly between good and poor growing seasons.
Good growing season
Poor growing season
Spring
50% above
40% below
Summer
100%+above
70% below
Autumn
65%above
60%+ below
Winter
40% above
60%+ below


Southern Tablelands and Monaro

Estimated daily pasture growth rate (mid-month) of specific pasture types (kg DM/ha/day)

Pasture type
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Perennial and annual grass* and clover + fertiliser 1-in-2 or 3 years
7
5
7
15
13
8
7
12
32
45
20
10
Microlaena, Austrodanthonia# clover + fertiliser 1-in-2 or 3 years
16
14
10
8
7
5
5
6
15
30
24
18
Red grass, kangaroo grass, no fertiliser applied
10
6
3
3
2
1
1
1
7
15
21
13
Introduced perennial grass and clover + annual fertiliser
10
18
20
26
20
12
10
15
45
75
55
20

*Established perennial pasture (30% introduced grass, ie, phalaris; 20% native perennial grass; 20% annual clover; and 20% annual grass).
# Microlaena and Austrodanthonia grass 50-60% pasture, 25-30% clover and 10-20% annual grass.

The predicted growth rate could vary markedly between good and poor growing seasons.
Good growing season
Poor growing season
Spring
50% above
40% below
Summer
50% above
40% below
Autumn
50% above
30% below
Winter
80% above
60% below


North West Slopes and Upper Hunter

Estimated daily pasture growth rate (mid-month) of specific pasture types (kg DM/ha/day)

Pasture type
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Phalaris/sub-clover
8
12
16
17
14
13
14
20
34
43
32
10
Summer grass dominant*
35
29
17
6
2
2
2
2
3
8
17
27
Austrodanthonia/sub-clover
19
16
11
7
5
5
7
12
24
28
22
18
Lucerne
30
29
26
21
15
10
10
14
25
40
34
31
Sub-clover dominant
0
1
1
3
4
5
6
11
28
38
28
3
Medic dominant
0
2
2
3
5
4
4
7
27
38
15
0
Tropical grass only#
48
43
32
17
3
2
2
3
4
18
34
48

*Mainly frost sensitive grasses such as red grass.
#Mix of bambatsi panic and purple pigeon grass with less than 5% sub-clover or medic.

The predicted growth rate could vary markedly between good and poor growing seasons.
Good growing season
Poor growing season
Spring
50% above
50% below
Summer
100% above
50% below
Autumn
100% above
60% below
Winter
30% above
50% below


Central West Slopes

Estimated daily pasture growth rate (mid-month) of specific pasture types (kg DM/ha/day)

Pasture type
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Temperate perennial grass* + sub-clover
3
2
1
7
14
16
10
11
18
41
41
17
Sub-clover
0
0
0
2
7
4
8
8
15
27
10
0
Summer grass
20
24
9
2
2
2
2
2
2
3
11
25
Lucerne/sub-clover
25
25
28
31
26
17
10
10
22
45
43
26
Lucerne
25
25
28
31
24
13
9
9
18
45
43
26
Annual grass/sub-clover
5
3
1
6
16
18
12
12
23
42
10
5
Tropical grass only#
35
34
24
8
3
2
2
2
2
8
24
35

*Phalaris, cocksfoot, fescue or perennial ryegrass based with at least 20% clover
#Mix of bambatsi panic and purple pigeon grass with less than 5% sub clover or medic

The predicted growth rate could vary markedly between good and poor growing seasons.
Good growing season
Poor growing season
Spring
70% above
80% below
Summer
100%+ above
80% below
Autumn
100%+ above
60%+ below
Winter
70% above
60% below


South West Slopes

Estimated daily pasture growth rate (mid-month) of specific pasture types (kg DM/ha/day)

Pasture type
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Phalaris/sub-clover
5
7
16
25
24
17
16
26
47
64
43
12
Cocksfoot/sub-clover
9
8
16
25
24
17
16
26
47
64
43
15
Lucerne/sub-clover
12
10
17
28
26
14
11
25
49
69
54
21
Annual grass/sub-clover
3
4
10
23
24
14
10
25
45
64
35
7
Native grass*, no fertiliser
8
6
5
11
10
4
3
3
7
15
23
13
Native grass + fertiliser
11
9
11
15
14
6
5
7
17
35
26
14

*Quality of red grass (with low leaf to stem ratio and rapid maturity) may not be adequate to meet livestock production targets.

The predicted growth rate could vary markedly between good and poor growing seasons.
Good growing season
Poor growing season
Spring
30% above
60% below
Summer
200% above
70% below
Autumn
30% above
60% below
Winter
80% above
20% below


North Coast

Estimated daily pasture growth rate (mid-month) of specific pasture types (kg DM/ha/day)

Pasture type
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Naturalised pasture*
25
30
25
10
3
0
0
0
3
5
9
15
Naturalised/clover + fertiliser
30
35
30
15
8
6
5
6
10
15
20
25
Kikuyu dominant
34
54
50
30
16
10
3
2
8
18
25
30
Kikuyu + nitrogen
80
128
146
100
45
15
3
4
14
30
40
60
Setaria/rhodes grass + clover
30
55
45
25
6
2
2
4
8
20
28
30
Forage ryegrass + nitrogen
0
0
0
30
40
30
30
30
28
10
8
5

* Dominated by carpet grass and with no introduced legumes.

The predicted growth rate could vary markedly between good and poor growing seasons.
Good growing season
Poor growing season
Spring
70% above
60% below
Summer
60% above
60% below
Autumn
120% above
90% below
Winter
150% above
70% below


Mid North Coast and Lower Hunter

Estimated daily pasture growth rate (mid-month) of specific pasture types (kg DM/ha/day)

Pasture type
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Naturalised pasture*
17
25
23
9
2
0
0
0
2
4
8
9
Naturalised/clover + fertiliser
20
29
27
12
4
2.5
2.5
2.5
6
9.5
12
12
Kikuyu dominant
27
45
50
33
16
6
2
3
11
10
10
12
Paspalum
23
33
32
16
5
5
5
5
10
15
15
15
Setaria
29
38
44
23
8
5
5
5
10
11
11
13
Forage ryegrass + nitrogen
0
0
0
5
20
36
35
40
40
25
0
0

* Dominated by carpet grass and with no introduced legumes.

The predicted growth rate could vary markedly between good and poor growing seasons.
Good growing season
Poor growing season
Spring
145% above
73% below
Summer
114% above
46% below
Autumn
70% above
80% below
Winter
89% above
67% below


Victoria – Pasture growth rate patterns

Source: Victoria PROGRAZE® Notes, adapted from Figure 8. ‘Pasture growth rates in kg DM/ha/day for different areas of Victoria’, pp 20–22.

Western Victoria – Hamilton

Estimated daily pasture growth rate (mid-month) of specific pasture types (kg DM/ha/day)

Pasture type
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Good pasture
0
0
20
30
30
35
35
50
90
130
100
100
Poor pasture
0
0
0
5
10
15
15
20
40
70
30
0

Good pasture = dense, introduced grass/sub-clover based pasture.
Poor pasture = less dense, annual grass/sub-clover/annual weed based pasture.


Western Victoria – Balmoral

Estimated daily pasture growth rate (mid-month) of specific pasture types (kg DM/ha/day)

Pasture type
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Good pasture
0
0
0
20
30
30
30
30
65
120
60
40
Poor pasture
0
0
0
0
10
5
15
15
30
40
30
0


Central West Victoria – Ballarat

Estimated daily pasture growth rate (mid-month) of specific pasture types (kg DM/ha/day)

Pasture type
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Good pasture
0
0
15
20
30
20
20
35
50
90
100
90
Poor pasture (Bent grass based)
30
0
0
5
10
5
5
20
40
60
70
60

North East Victoria – Rutherglen

Estimated daily pasture growth rate (mid-month) of specific pasture types (kg DM/ha/day)

Pasture type
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Average pasture
0
0
0
0
30
20
20
35
70
80
20
0

Average pasture = moderately dense annual grass/sub-clover/annual weed based pasture.


Gippsland Victoria – Ellinbank

Estimated daily pasture growth rate (mid-month) of specific pasture types (kg DM/ha/day)

Pasture type
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Average pasture
18
10
19
20
18
16
10
20
55
80
70
59

Average pasture = moderately dense pasture.


Gippsland Victoria – Maffra

Estimated daily pasture growth rate (mid-month) of specific pasture types (kg DM/ha/day)

Pasture type
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Average dryland pasture
5
5
0
20
17
10
2
15
30
38
30
2

Average pasture = moderately dense pasture.


Tasmania – Pasture growth rate patterns

Source: Department of Primary Industries and Water, Tasmania

Pasture composition

These growth rates are for a typical pasture mix of perennial ryegrass and cocksfoot with white and red clover in the high rainfall areas, grading to sub clover in the lower rainfall areas. The measurements were taken over 4 years (1992–1995) at trial sites.

North West – 900mm rainfall (Elliot Research Station)

Estimated daily pasture growth rate (mid-month) of specific pasture types (kg DM/ha/day)

Pasture type
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Trial site measurements
25
9
5
14
9
8
8
7
19
54
51
35

North Central – 700mm rainfall (Cressy Research Station)

Estimated daily pasture growth rate (mid-month) of specific pasture types (kg DM/ha/day)

Pasture type
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Trial site measurements
14
5
2
8
6
7
6
6
31
65
46
22

Southern Midlands – 500 mm rainfall (Jericho)

Estimated daily pasture growth rate (mid-month) of specific pasture types (kg DM/ha/day)

Pasture type
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Trial site measurements
0
0
0
3
3
3
3
5
15
45
35
15

South Australia – Pasture growth rate patterns

Source: South Australia PROGRAZE® Notes, Appendix D

Mount Gambier

Estimated daily pasture growth rate (mid-month) of specific pasture types (kg DM/ha/day)

Pasture type
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Phalaris, annual grass, subclover – high fertility
3
3
8
17
28
27
32
59
106
108
69
17
Phalaris, annual grass, subclover – low fertility
2
2
6
11
18
17
18
37
76
79
48
13

Lucindale

Estimated daily pasture growth rate (mid-month) of specific pasture types (kg DM/ha/day)

Pasture type
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Phalaris, annual grass, capeweed, sub-clover
1
3
3
11
25
25
26
42
82
69
32
6

Keith

Estimated daily pasture growth rate (mid-month) of specific pasture types (kg DM/ha/day)

Pasture type
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Phalaris, annual grass, capeweed, sub-clover – high fertility
0
0
0
10
15
20
18
28
67
64
39
0
Phalaris, annual grass, capeweed, sub-clover – low fertility
0
0
0
3
8
9
8
12
34
46
33
0

Adelaide Hills (dryland)

Estimated daily pasture growth rate (mid-month) of specific pasture types (kg DM/ha/day)

Pasture type
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Perennial grass, sub-clover
0
0
0
10
30
15
15
30
60
65
20
10

Fleurieu Peninsula

Estimated daily pasture growth rate (mid-month) of specific pasture types (kg DM/ha/day)

Pasture type
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Perennial grass, sub-clover – good
0
0
0
30
25
25
25
35
55
60
35
10
Perennial grass, sub-clover – average
0
0
0
10
20
20
20
30
45
50
30
5
Perennial grass, sub-clover – poor
0
0
0
0
15
15
15
25
35
40
25
0

Kangaroo Island (Parndana)

Estimated daily pasture growth rate (mid-month) of specific pasture types (kg DM/ha/day)

Pasture type
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Annual grass, sub-clover – high fertility
0
0
0
3
9
21
26
35
50
91
44
0
Annual grass, sub-clover – low fertility
0
0
0
1
4
11
14
19
31
63
35
0

Western Australia – Pasture growth rate patterns


Source: Western Australia PROGRAZE® Notes, Appendix E.

West Midlands

Estimated daily pasture growth rate (mid-month) in kg DM/ha/day

Pasture type – annual grass, sub-clover and annual weeds
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Dandaragan
0
0
0
2
15
26
28
36
57
51
10
0
Gingin
0
0
0
3
19
28
29
36
55
51
11
0
Irwin
0
0
0
1
16
25
28
39
44
37
8
0
Moora
0
0
0
1
7
13
17
28
44
32
7
0
Three Springs
0
0
0
1
6
12
17
29
36
17
8
0

Central

Estimated daily pasture growth rate (mid-month) in kg DM/ha/day

Pasture type – annual grass, sub-clover and annual weeds
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Northam
0
0
0
2
8
13
15
29
48
24
9
0

Southern

Estimated daily pasture growth rate (mid-month) in kg DM/ha/day

Pasture type – annual grass, sub-clover and annual weeds
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Busselton
0
0
0
6
23
26
28
37
53
58
42
0
Boyup Brook
0
0
0
4
13
17
20
31
37
34
26
0
Katanning
0
0
0
1
11
15
16
28
51
45
15
0
Lake Grace
0
0
0
2
6
11
13
26
45
34
11
0
Narrogin
0
0
0
1
7
12
14
26
50
36
12
0
Plantagenet
0
0
0
8
21
23
20
25
45
58
42
0

South East

Estimated daily pasture growth rate (mid-month) in kg DM/ha/day

Pasture type – annual grass, sub-clover and annual weeds
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Ravensthorpe
0
0
0
5
10
13
17
29
52
40
23
0
Esperance
0
0
0
7
12
16
18
29
47
35
23
0
 
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