A species of lawn common to the Australian suburbs is literally making the grass greener for Kangaroo Island farmers.

Despite low rainfall, long and hot dry summers, sandy soils and salinity, some Kangaroo Island farmers are discovering that Kikuyu grass is proving to be a hardy pasture species well suited to the island.

EverGraze researcher Lyn Dohle (Rural Solutions SA) said Kangaroo Island farmers have been keen to find a perennial pasture species suited to the island’s unique conditions.

“Last year  local farmers Trevor, Lyn and Colin Bolto set up an EverGraze Trial Site on their property monitoring pasture performance of  a successful mix of  Kikuyu and  Rhodes Grass ” Lyn said.

“Other farmers in the area have given Kikuyu grass a go and found it can survive with limited  summer rainfall and even grow on salt-affected land creating a new source of feed.”

Lyn believes Kikuyu is ideally suited to the island’s farming systems, as it is a tough, hardy perennial that can withstand heavy grazing, provide green feed during the summer and allows sub clovers and annual grasses to come through during winter.

“The grass also provides much needed groundcover during summerand due to its high water usage can reduce salinity impacts,” Lyn said.

Following the interest generated by Kikuyu grass, EverGraze representatives Morgan Souness and Paul Sanford (Department of Agriculture and Food WA) will be visiting the trial sites in March to talk to farmers keen to find out what Kikuyu can offer them.

Based at the EverGraze Trial Site in Albany Western Australia, both Morgan and Paul have been following the progress of Kikuyu-based pastures in the tough environments in the southern areas of the State.

“They have the expertise in Kikuyu-based pasture management in a similar climatic and environmental setting to Kangaroo Island who are willing to share their expertise with us,” Lyn said.

“The weed risk posed by Kikuyu will be a topic up for discussion when Morgan and Paul visit. But from what I have seen of the grasses’ performance, the environmental benefits far outweigh the potential negatives.”

After attending meetings with some mainland south Australian farming groups, such as the Fleurieu Beef Group, Morgan and Paul will go to Kangaroo Island on 19 March and visit three farms trialing Kikuyu-based pastures. Interested farmers are encouraged to join them.  

For more information about EverGraze Kikuyu trial site tour, contact Lyn Dohle on (08) 8553 4949 or email: dohle.lyn@saugov.sa.gov.au

EverGraze – More Livestock from Perennials, is a Future Farm Industries CRC, Australian Wool Innovation and Meat and Livestock Australia research and delivery partnership.

Media contact: Greg Lawrence, mobile: 0429 101 675, email: greg.lawrence@futurefarmcrc.com.au

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