Tall fescue establishment should occur when the soil temperature is at least 12° - 15°C at 10cm depth, provided there is adequate moisture and paddocks are trafficable. Research has shown that choice of autumn or spring sowing depends on location, soil type and season.
In dryland dairying, autumn sowing is preferable as soil moisture and temperature conditions are generally favourable. Autumn sowing allows the maximum time available for establishment before the onset of hot, dry summer weather.
This is particularly important for the Mediterranean cultivars that are summer dormant. In some areas autumn sowing of tall fescue can be problematic because of low soil temperatures and moisture variability but these conditions may not be present in all years.
Where these conditions occur, the advantages of a spring sowing of the Continental cultivars (summer active) of tall fescue include better weed management, full profile of soil moisture and rising temperatures.
The disadvantages of a spring sowing may include paddock trafficability, especially in cultivated seedbeds, late germinating weed species and a drying soil profile.
Seedbed preparation and sowing:
The seedbed must be fine and contain clods no larger than 2cm in diameter. The soil should be moist, level and firm. Soil is “firm” when all of your weight is placed on one heel and the impression left in the soil is less than 25mm. Tall fescue establishment is best achieved when the seed is sown into the soil, no deeper than 10mm. This is best achieved using tyned seeders, however broadcasting is an option.
Sowing machinery:
The best placement of the seed in cultivated seedbeds can be achieved with tyned seeders that have accurate depth control. In direct drilled seedbeds, machinery such as a Duncan Multiseeder® triple disc drill or inverted T drill can be used.
Alternatively, seed can be broadcast on to the soil surface, using a conventional seeder to meter out the seed evenly across the paddock. To achieve a better distribution of seed, seed quantity can be split and two passes of the paddock made.
Broadcast seed then needs to be rolled to ensure seed/soil contact. Broadcasting seed from a fertiliser spreader, without attention to depth, covering or firming is not recommended and will result in poor seedling emergence.
Sowing depth:
Tall fescue seed should be sown at a depth of 10 mm into a firm, moist seedbed. The seed needs to be covered with a layer of moist soil and firmed using a roller to achieve optimum seed-soil contact.
Sowing seed too deeply can result in poor emergence, and a longer time period for emergence, which provides opportunities for weeds to establish. Conversely, sowing seed too close to the surface can result in poor seed-soil contact and seed desiccation.
Fertilisers at sowing:
Soil fertility tests should take account of available phosphorus (P), potassium (K), sulphur (S) and N as elements most important for successful establishment. Target fertility levels for P, K and S are listed in Table 1.
In cultivated seedbeds, fertiliser can be applied and worked in immediately before sowing. If direct drilling, fertiliser can be applied to the surface prior to sowing.
Delays between applying fertiliser and sowing may result in nutrients being locked up in the soil profile. Some fertiliser should also be banded with the seed in the sowing operation to ensure the best possible start for the germinating seedlings.
N fertiliser should be applied to promote tillering and root growth. The amount of N fertiliser used at sowing will depend on the previous history and clover content of the paddock but should not exceed 20 kg N/ha if in contact with the seed. A complete fertiliser with both N and P and other nutrients, if required, is recommended.
Sowing rates:
Tall fescue has a larger seed in comparison to other pasture grasses such as phalaris, ryegrass or cocksfoot (Figure 1). It therefore needs to be sown at higher rates to achieve similar pasture densities.
If tall fescue is being sown without any companion species, sowing rates should be at least 20 kg/ha (range 20-30 kg/ha). In lower rainfall areas where Mediterranean cultivars might be chosen, sowing rates of between 10-20 kg/ha can be used.
Information Sourced From;
