Tall fescue can be sown in mixtures with other pasture species. Clovers, including white, subterranean, red, and strawberry are all suitable companion legume species to tall fescue. All suggestions are for bare seed and legume rates should be increased to take account of inoculation and lime coating.
Suggestions for mixtures with either Continental or Mediterranean tall fescue.
- Tall fescue sown at 20-30 kg/ha with either red clover at 3-5 kg/ha, white clover at 3-4 kg/ha, or strawberry clover at 1-2 kg/ha;
- Tall fescue sown at 20-30 kg/ha with either chicory at 1 kg/ha or plantain at 1 kg/ha.
Suggestions for mixtures with Continental type tall fescue only.
- Tall fescue sown at 20-30 kg/ha with subterranean clover at 2-4 kg/ha;
Suggestions for mixtures with Mediterranean type tall fescue only.
- Tall fescue sown at 12-20 kg/ha with subterranean clover at 6-8 kg/ha.
Lucerne can be sown with Continental tall fescue in areas where there is good summer rainfall and a low chance of moisture stress. In drier areas, lucerne can compete effectively against tall fescue for available moisture.
Using other pasture grasses in mixes with tall fescue needs to be done with caution as most other grass species have the potential to dominate tall fescue by establishing more vigorously and/or by being less palatable once the fescue is established. Suitable grass species for companion planting with tall fescue include cocksfoot (0.5 kg/ha) and phalaris (1 kg/ha).
Ryegrass will compete vigorously with tall fescue if sown together and effective grazing management for both species is difficult to achieve, particularly in spring.
Pests:
Pest precautions recommended for grass establishment in specific districts should be followed as a first step. Tall fescue is susceptible to damage from red-legged earthmite and pasture cockchafers in the establishment phase.
Controlling earthmites just prior to sowing and close monitoring for damage of the establishing pasture is also advised. Slugs may be a problem in protected drill rows such as the slots from direct drilling.
Grazing during establishment:
It takes at least 1-2 years for tall fescue to establish properly and grazing management within this period is critical. Plants should be allowed to reach at least 10 cm in height and be firmly rooted before any grazing occurs. If the plant can be pulled out of the ground, grazing should be delayed.
On dairy farms, high stocking rates of heifer calves (50 +/ha) when the soil surface is firm, is recommended for short periods (1-2 days) for the first grazing. The tall fescue should have a residual height of 5 cm after grazing, and then be left to re-grow to 10-12 cm.
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