This nitrogen fertiliser can be applied in two or three applications.
It is well-known that irrigated tall fescue under very high fertility
conditions with regular defoliation can produce in the order of
12 to 13 tonsDM/ha/annum.
This production can decline with infrequent defoliation. Research
has shown that irrigated tall fescue/clover mixtures with frequent
defoliation can produce 11 tons DM/ha/annum. If short grazing dur-
ing thewarmest summermonths isavoided, itwill ensuregoodgraz-
ing for the rest of the year.
Tall fescue is also known to be a very good species for foggage
purposes andwith care, good quality hay can be produced. A very
commonmethod of utilisation is bymaking silage of it, particularly
before the stemhas completelydeveloped.
Management challenges
When using a temperate perennial pasture in a summer rainfall re-
gion, irrigation scheduling isof utmost importance.Grazing thispas-
ture at the correct time to avoid detrimental effects to the viability
andperformanceof thepasturecanbe regardedaschallenging, con-
sidering that the pasture remains green in summer, but growth rate
isminimal. Incorrect grazingmanagement of this pastureoutside its
growthperiod can result in theovergrazingof thepasture.
Soil conservation and health benefits
For the summer rainfall regions thispasture canbeused for thewin-
ter period if supplemental irrigation is available. It has the ability to
utilise themoisture conditionswithin the irrigation system, especial-
ly if grain crops havebeen cultivated there frequently.
With tall fescue actively growing and the subsequent grazing avail-
able throughout autumn, winter and early spring, thebenefits of nu-
trient recycling (dung and urine) and soil disturbance through the
hoof actionof grazing animals are evident.
These factors can help restore the soil’s condition, created through
rainfall and intensive supplemental irrigation over time throughout
thenormal grain cropgrowing season.
Animal production aspects
Considering themaintenanceof goodsoil fertility, it is important that
tall fescue ismanaged for its quality. Tall fescue tends to come into
seed in the late summer, when it is often very unpalatable and not
themost preferable time for grazing; it should by all means not be
grazed if insufficient growth is evident.
Research has shown that with well-managed and regularly defoli-
ated tall fescue, crude protein values of 17,5% - 19,5% , crude fibre
values of 24% - 29% and total digestible nutrients (TDN) of 60% -
64% can be achievedwith the lowest values in autumn and highest
values for latewinter and early spring.
Research on the average grazing capacity of tall fescue has shown
that it is acceptable to expect to carry approximately 3,5 mature
1: Tall fescue.
2: Tall fescue inflorescence.
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ON FARM LEVEL
Conservationagriculture
CONSERVATIONAGRICULTURE
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