Adapting the feedbase and alternative forage options in a variable climate Joe Jacobs Insert Picture Growth patterns under warmer and drier climates Higher winter productionContracted Spring Historical climate +1C, -10% rain +2C, -20% rain +3C, -30% rain PRG growth rate and animal requirements Ryegrass SWOT Analysis Weaknesses Shallow roots Low temperature ceiling Poor summer growth Limited winter growth Strengths Perennial (low cost) Ease of establishment Grows for most of the year High ME & CP Minimal Disease Threat Minimal Pest Threat Ideal for grazing Minimal animal health issues Body of knowledge Opportunities Use of Best Management Practice Grow More Waste Less Maintain Persistence Summarized in the performance of the RMax Farmlet in 3030 Threats Pasture Pests eg Cockchafers Grass Weeds eg Barley Grass Persistence in dry conditions Complementary Forages Complement the current feedbase Increase DM production and consumption per ha More even feed distribution Fill feed gaps Greater adaptation to changing environment Better nutritional balance Provision of key nutrients or secondary metabolites Improved N and water efficiency Greater management complexity Increase in risk management Options to complement the current feedbase Perennial ryegrass based systems Chicory Annual ryegrass Cereals (autumn sown) Brassica (autumn sown) Tall Fescue Prairie Grass Brassica (spring sown) Annual clovers Lucerne Phalaris C4 species Maize silage Purchased Supplements Plantain Other legumes Tall Fescue Higher temperature ceiling than ryegrass Greater and deeper root mass than ryegrass More compatible with white clover than ryegrass More tolerant to low pH, waterlogging and salinity compared to ryegrass Better summer growth & persistency when compared to ryegrass However; Less forgiving than ryegrass when mismanaged Spring management needs to timely Slow to establish Not as responsive to nitrogen Greater risk of nitrate toxicity Prairie Grass Perennial prolific self seeder High quality Highly autumn and winter active Deep rooted Ideally suited for dry/sandy paddocks where ryegrass wont persist over summer Chicory accumulation rates (kg DM/d) Plantain accumulation rates (kg DM/d) Other industries - Evergraze Profit, productivity and improved environmental outcomes Perennial pastures to increase production and environmental outcomes in high rainfall areas Best perennial species in the right place within the landscape Integrate summer active perennials into the farm system Right plant, right place, right purpose, right animal EverGraze Different forage options Valley floor Slopes Crests PRG system Novel pasture system Triple Pasture system BanquetAvalonFitzroy Tall FescuePRGLucerne KikuyuItalian ryegrass Chicory Crests DM production Valley DM production Conclusion Growth pattern and total DM production from PRG will change There are perennial and annual forage options Need to complement what we already have Other livestock industries are facing the same challenges