EVEN more perennial ryegrass is expected to be planted across northern Victoria in the coming months.
This comes as farmers gain confidence in new varieties and strive to make the most of water allocations.
While extra pasture was planted last year, confidence in new varieties such as one50 banquet 2 and halo and their ability to withstand higher temperatures - as well as certainty in irrigation entitlements - reignited interest in perennial ryegrasses from farmers who had not sown them for up to eight years, Stephen Pasture Seeds sales agronomist Rob Ryan said.
Stephen Pasture Seeds had recorded a rise of about 200 per cent in sales of perennials last year compared with 2010.
While there will never be a return to 100 per cent perennials, Mr Ryan said sowing perennial pastures might seem expensive to begin with, but it made economic sense in the long-run.
"You might spend an extra $200 a hectare with perennial pastures but the extra four grazings a year have really paid for it," he said.
The northern Victorian/Riverina-based agronomist also expects to see more soil testing this autumn after some farmers had problems with yellow and sick pastures last winter.
This was a result of the wet summer and heavy rain leeching nitrogen and sulphur from the soil profile after, in some cases, years of lack of investment in fertiliser as a result of the drought.
"A soil test is a very cheap investment, you could spend $150 on a soil test and it could save you thousands in lost production through winter," he said.
Smyth Seeds' John Smyth of Benalla said it was too early to predict demand for autumn ryegrass at the moment.
While planting does not normally start until late February or until after the autumn break for the dry-land farmers, he suspects this might be moved forward slightly this season.
"I have noticed this year, it has been suggested that people are going to go a little bit earlier with their planting," he said.
"There is an air of confidence in sowing out there ... water is a huge factor (in the confidence) and there appears to be a bit of satisfaction or confidence in the price of milk."
Department of Primary Industries dairy extension officer Tom Farran said farmers should take into account their annual water use limit when considering their autumn sowing options because some dairy farmers have come close to it this season.
The DPI will hold free seminars with a focus on sowing perennial ryegrass next week - Monday from 11am at the Cohuna Bowls Club, Tuesday at Kyabram Club and Wednesday at Katunga Recreation Reserve.
For more details, phone Tom Farran, (03) 5833 5297.
