Speargrass hay has opportunity drought feeding role

摘要

ASPEARGRASS fodder conservation trial in Western Australia's labor plains pastoral area has produced some encouraging results for sheep and cattle management. Funded by the Natural Heritage Trust and undertaken by the Nullarbor-Eyre Highway Land Conservation District Committee (NEHLCDC) the trial has implications for drought management and maintenance of viable livestock businesses in a low-rainfall environment. Speargrass (Austrostipa spp.) grows on roughly 30% of pastoral land in the region, and ina year of above-average winter and overall rainfall (200 millimetres is the average) the germination and growth is so prolific that much of it becomes rank and inedible. As well, once the sharp seed heads mature they become a problem for sheep, penetrating the wool and sometimes the skin, leading to infection.