It is suited to higher fertility clay and clay-loam soils in the coastal part of the region. Finecut and Topcut are cultivars bred for hay production. Finecut was derived from Katambora and Topcut from Pioneer. They are higher yielding than their parents with finer leaves and stems. Topcut is more erect but less fine than Finecut.
Establishment Rhodes grass establishes very quickly.
It is best sown in January-February into a fallowed seedbed free of weeds. Avoid sowing in peak weed germinating periods such as spring. Poorer strikes are likely when seeding into rough seedbeds. Rhodes grass has a fluffy seed which can cause bridging problems at sowing. This is best overcome by sowing through a roller drum, grass airseeder, modified fertiliser spreader or modified combine.