Recommended species are shown in Table 1. Pastures Well-planned and managed pasture systems in valleys and flats are very productive. Pasture renovation in these areas can include the introduction of long season annuals or perennial grasses with the appropriate companion legume. Perennial pastures can be productive by using water below the rooting zone of annuals and growing for longer periods, thus providing out of season feed. By doing so they offer part of the solution to salinity and waterlogging.
Weed control is an essential part of establishing a perennial pasture system.
As a minimum requirement, control seed set by spray-topping in the year before establishment and ensure knockdown of autumn germination in the year of establishment. In an alley farming arrangement, where fast growing trees are used, trees and pasture can be established together and grazed within one or two years. Where slow growing or palatable trees are used, the inter-row areas may be cropped or cut for hay until the trees are high enough to prevent damage by grazing. This can be an excellent method of reducing weed burdens before establishing perennial pastures. Alternatively, the area could be established with perennials and 'locked up' for a number of years until grazing is possible.