TROPICAL
GUIDE
High quality, tropical & subtropical seed
varieties for the grazing animal, hay & silage
2025 - 2026
1800 619 910 | dlfseeds.com.au
Certainty
through science®
CONTENTS
Download the DLF Seeds
Guides App on iOS today!
Introduction
DLF Seeds and where
we came from
Meet the team
Tropical & Subtropical Grasses
Tropical & Subtropical
Pasture Management
12
Legumes
13
Gerry’s guide to pasture grass
seed establishment
18
Mixes & Blends
21
MAXImiser® Range
22
Profit and sustainability in
Northern QLD
23
Seed Treatments & Enhancements
25
Envirogro® seed treatment
& enhancement
26
Superstrike® seed treatment
27
DLF Seeds Tropical Guide 2025
INTRODUCTION
Certainty through science®
For over 85 years, DLF Seeds have been
working to develop and deliver, to Australian
farmers and agronomists, proven seed
varieties designed to generate the best
possible outcomes for their farms and the
wider agricultural community.
We make it our business to understand the local
challenges at every level. We utilise our global
capabilities to solve problems in a practical
and sustainable manner, underpinned by
science, knowledge and local expertise.
At DLF Seeds we stand by our products,
and we stand by our farmers and their
communities, through the twists and turns,
and the ups and downs. We too are driven
by the pursuit of increased performance,
sustainability and the sense of pride,
satisfaction, and success that comes when
it all works.
In an environment that can be full of
uncertainty; having something you can rely
on is worth sticking with. You can be certain
that DLF Seeds will help you solve the
problems of today and overcome the
challenges of tomorrow.
Sow with DLF Seeds today:
Available from your local rural retailer.
SCAN ME
DLF Seeds video "About us"
DLF Seeds Tropical Guide 2025
As the new name behind the names you knew, DLF Seeds provides
the complete range of seed varieties previously available from
PGG Wrightson Seeds, AusWest and Stephen Pasture Seeds.
DLF Seeds through its global and local relationships, works with primary research partners including the
CSIRO, University of Western Australia (UWA) and the University of New England (UNE) in Australia
and AgResearch and Plant and Food Research in New Zealand. These relationships enable us to take
advantage of this research and incorporate it into our products to perform in the Australian environment.
Delivering certainty through science™
What we offer
DLF SEEDS AND WHERE
WE CAME FROM
As the largest proprietary forage seed company
in Australia, DLF Seeds have provided Australian
farmers with high quality, innovative forage seed
varieties backed by science, global knowledge
and local expertise for over 85 years.
• A national network of local Sales Agronomists who
understand the local environment and farm systems
servicing every state and territory.
• Global knowledge and local thinking with a proven track
record of supplying the agricultural community with
locally based service and advice for 85 years.
• Provides seed varieties previously available from
South Edge Seeds, PGG Wrightson Seeds, AusWest
and Stephen Pasture Seeds.
• A leading role in the development of improved pasture
plant genetics in this country, with a focus on grazing,
animal health, farm productivity, sustainability and
profitability, farm system fit and agronomy advice.
• Proprietary varieties that go through vigorous testing
in Australian conditions and the incorporation of animal
grazing trials and the results into plant breeding.
• Quality seed treatments formulated for specific varieties
and environments including Envirogro™ and Superstrike®.
• Comprehensive trial sites across various Australian
climates.
• Leading expertise in endophytes – with over
25 years’ of experience.
SCAN FOR VIDEO
Farmer
experience:
Travis Parry
Agronomist
experience:
Ross Newman
Hear what some local Queenslanders
have to say about DLF Seeds
DLF Seeds Tropical Guide 2025
For all your tropical and subtropical seed needs, reach out to your local DLF Seeds Sales Agronomists
whose details can be found below.
MEET THE TEAM
I’ve been in the seed business for over 20 years and around farming all my
life, growing up on a mixed cropping and beef property in Mareeba, FNQ.
I really enjoy working with farmers, getting out on their farms, checking
paddocks, and giving advice on pasture and grazing management.
The best part of my job is going back to see how things have turned out;
especially when it comes to investigating Mekong paddocks that have
previously had a Giant Rats Tail problem. I see Mekong as a fantastic
weed control option whilst providing a heap of high quality feed
when stock keep on top of it.
Gerry Dogao
Central & Northern QLD
gdogao@dlfseeds.com.au
I’ve been involved in the seed industry for over 40 years. I grew up on
a small, family owned cattle farm south of Toowoomba, and later managed
properties of my own in eastern Downs. I spend a lot of time on farm helping
growers improve productivity. It’s rewarding to see the real world impact
of advice, especially when suggestions take root and deliver results.
Ultimately, it’s the relationships and the time in the paddock that keep
me passionate about what I do.
Some of the summer products that suit my patch include Mekong,
Rhodes, Panics, Bluegrass, Digitaria, Urochloa, Buffel, Kikuyu,
Setaria, Centrosema, Stylos (Caatinga, V8), Desmanthus, Siratro,
Lawrence Peral Millet, Kalahari cowpea and Lab Lab.
Peter Tame
Southern QLD
ptame@dlfseeds.com.au
I have been working in seed industry with DLF Seeds for about 10 years
now. Growing up on a family farm in southwest of WA, I have been involved
in different forms of agriculture my whole life and have spent significant
time working in the NT and the Kimberley region of WA. As such,
my experience is very diverse when it comes to different climates,
ranging from tropical and subtropical markets to temperate zones.
I really enjoy helping farmers to be more productive and
supporting them in adopting new and innovative technology.
Nathan Tognela
WA & Northern Territory
ntognela@dlfseeds.com.au
Matt Jensen
Northern Rivers & Mid North Coast NSW
mjensen@dlfseeds.com.au
Sam Jarrett
Central & South West NSW
sjarrett@dlfseeds.com.au
Paul Sippel
North West Plains & Hunter Valley NSW
psippel@dlfseeds.com.au
Aaron Kemp
North West Slopes & New England NSW
akemp@dlfseeds.com.au
DLF Seeds Sales Agronomists “meet the team” accurate as of June 1, 2025. For current contact details, visit dlfseeds.com.au/contact/contact-us
DLF Seeds Tropical Guide 2025
Featured:
TROPICAL &
SUBTROPICAL
GRASSES
Mekong™ briz antha brachiaria, Humidicola, FineCut, Katambora Rhodes
and Callide rhodes grass, Manzini sabi grass, Gatton Panic, Premier Digit,
Floren bluegrass and Jarra grass.
At DLF Seeds, we have a strong portfolio of forage seeds to help
maximise your operation. For our full range of grasses, speak with your
local Sales Agronomist or visit dlfseeds.com.au/contact/contact-us
1800 619 910 | dlfseeds.com.au
Key: Used for
Dairy
Sheep
Hay
Silage
Beef
DLF Seeds Tropical Guide 2025
Late flowering with outstanding dry
matter production
Mekong™ briz antha brachiaria provides up to 8-9 months
of vegetative growth due to late flowering/only flowering
once a year. It is tolerant of short term flooding and
waterlogging as well as salinity and acidic soils. Featuring
a tall growth habit, Mekong can provide quality hay and
dry matter production. Mekong is highly palatable and
persistent under heavy grazing during the wet season
and can provide good growth through the dry season.
• Adapted to a wide range of soil types
• Aggressive against weeds
• High dry matter production
• Persistent under intensive grazing
• Strong compatibility with tropical grasses and legumes
• Tolerant to periods of waterlogging
Management is important – avoid allowing
Mekong becoming too rank
Sowing rate
8-10kg/ha (sole)
3-5kg/ha (mixed)
Rainfall/Irrigation
Minimum 500mm p.a..
Used for
Mekong
™ briz antha
BRACHIARIA
SCAN ME
Mekong™ briz antha
brachiaria video
One of Mekong’s main benefits was
its ability to suppress weeds and
provide a large amount of ground
cover whilst maintaining a really
good, high quality feed base. It’s a
cow buffet out here, now I just need
to find more cows to put on it.
Travis Parry
Sarina Range, QLD
DLF Seeds Tropical Guide 2025
A high yielding, robust and palatable urochloa
Ideal for tropical and subtropical beef and sheep farmers,
Manzini is a highly palatable urochloa that is tolerant of
heavy grazing, allowing farmers to maximise stock carrying
capacity and feed intake for improved animal performance
and a higher return on investment.
Manzini provides farmers with excellent and consistent
ground cover and growth throughout hot and cool seasons.
This flexibility is due to Manzini’s drought resistance and
ability to withstand high temperatures, establish rapidly
under heat pressure and continuous growth within hot and
cool environments (providing not frost affected). If affected
by frost, Manzini will maintain an upright growth habit and
not lodge or fall over.
For best results and planting window flexibility, sow
Manzini during the hottest time of year (germination will
occur after rainfall).
• Fast to establish and early to first graze
• Palatable for high stock acceptance
• Tolerant of heavy grazing (high carrying capacity)
• Stays upright under frost pressure
• No stock toxicity
• Withstands high temperatures
• Drought resistant and tolerant of varying soil fertility
Sowing rate
4-8kg/ha (sole)
1-2kg/ha (mixed)
Rainfall/Irrigation
Minimum 500mm p.a.
Used for
Manzini
SABI GRASS
Ask us about our treated MAXImiser®
Sub Tropical Marginal Grass mix,
or tweak it for a custom mix that suits
your operation.
Contains: NEW Manzini sabi grass,
Premier digit and Consol Love grass.
* Our goal is to deliver the MAXImiser® range to the recipes
detailed in this guide. However, if we are unable to achieve this
due to stock availability, the unavailable variety will be replaced
with a suitable replacement.
Mix Recommendation*
DLF Seeds Tropical Guide 2025
Sowing rate
6-10kg/ha (sole)
4-6kg/ha (mixed)
Rainfall/
Irrigation
Minimum
1000mm p.a..
Used for
Humidicola
BRACHIARIA
A true tropical pasture grass capable of high
dry matter production in high rainfall areas
Humidicola can tolerate intense
grazing and is adapted to a wide
range of soil types from acidic soils to
heavy, cracking clays. Humidicola will
thrive on soils that are poorly drained
and waterlogged for months on end.
• True tropical grass species
• Best planted in a mix with twining
ground spreading legumes
• Strong performance in
waterlogged soils
• Easy to establish and flood tolerant
• Excellent at suppressing weeds
Finecut
RHODES GRASS
Sowing rate
6-8kg/ha (sole)
2-4kg/ha (mixed)
Rainfall/
Irrigation
Minimum
500mm p.a.
Used for
A quality fine leaf grass, with good palatability
FineCut Rhodes is a stoloniferous
warm season perennial grass that
was originally released as a hay type.
Being a diploid, it has proven itself to
be a quality fine leaf grass that suits
grazing and has good palatability.
Developed as a selection from two
populations of Katambora types,
FineCut adapts to a wide range of
well drained soils, is quick to mature
and flowers twice a year with
an upright growth habit and
will produce up to 20tDM/ha+.
• Early uniform flowering
• Dense upright growth habit
• High dry matter production
• Good palatability for hay
and grazing
• Low oxalate levels
Katambora
RHODES GRASS
Versatile perennial for quality hay and forage
Katambora Rhodes grass is a
versatile subtropical perennial that is
adapted to a wide range of soil types
and can produce high quality forage
and hay (if cut at the right time).
In regions with extremely cold
winters or long dry seasons,
Katambora Rhodes grass can act as
an annual and be used for erosion
control. Due to its growth habit,
Katambora Rhodes can restore
soil structure, improve organic
matter levels and reduce
nematode numbers.
• Produces high quality hay
• Easily established with rapid
growth in mixes
• Some tolerance to saline
conditions
• Superior water use efficiency
Sowing rate
8-12kg/ha (sole)
3-5kg/ha (mixed)
Rainfall/
Irrigation
Minimum
500mm p.a.
Used for
DLF Seeds Tropical Guide 2025
Gatton Panic
PANIC GRASS
The palatable and leafy option for high productivity
Gatton Panic is a vigorous summer
active perennial grass suited to a
wide range of subtropical grazing
operations. It is responsive to rainfall
and tolerant to drought. Highly
palatable and fantastic on its own
or as part of a mix.
Gatton Panic prefers light to medium
soil types and suits subtropical zones
with annual rainfall of 500–1500mm.
If green plant material is frosted
in winter, it can reshoot in spring
when moisture and higher growing
temperatures are present.
• Leafy plant that produces high
quality, palatable forage
• Highly productive on fertile soils
• Compatible with subtropical
legumes
• Moderate drought tolerance
• Very responsive to rainfall
Sowing rate
8-10kg/ha (sole)
2-6kg/ha (mixed)
Rainfall/Irrigation Minimum 500mm p.a.
Used for
Premier Digit
Productive, palatable and persistent
Premier Digit is a persistent, palatable,
warm season, tufted perennial grass
that responds quickly to spring rainfall
providing there is minimal frost
damage present. Best sown in inland
areas with lower rainfall, Premier Digit
has good tolerance to drought and
frost with leaves remaining palatable
when frosted.
Premier Digit is largely found on lighter
well drained soils (sands, sandy loams,
loams and clay loams) but very rarely
on clays.
• Highly palatable
• Tolerant of heavy grazing
• Frost, fire and drought tolerant
• Productive and persistent
• Tolerant of acidic soils
• Tolerant of moderate levels
of exchangeable aluminium
Limited cool season growth
Sowing rate
6-10kg/ha (sole)
3-5kg/ha (mixed)
Rainfall/Irrigation Minimum 600mm p.a.
Used for
Jarra Grass
Highly palatable tropical grass with excellent dry matter production
Jarra grass produces a soft quality
pasture ideal for hay and northern
beef production. An upright, true
tropical perennial that will provide high
quality feed for a 5-6 month period
within a 2 year rotation.
Jarra grass can also be utilised as
a break crop between bananas to
disrupt the life cycle of the burrowing
nematode (Radopholus similis) and
as ground cover for erosion control.
Growth of Jarra grass is restricted
to warmer months of the year with
moderate production either side
of summer.
• True tropical grass species
• Quality hay production and
grazing opportunities
• Grows on most well drained
soil types
• High dry matter production
(15-30tDM/ha/yr)
• Responds quickly after dry periods
• Very palatable to livestock
Jarra grass can be grazed out
if not managed well
Sowing rate
1-10kg/ha
Rainfall/Irrigation Minimum
500mm p.a.
Used for
10
DLF Seeds Tropical Guide 2025
Warm season perennial for heavy grazing
A highly palatable, quality grass that can tolerate heavy
grazing and moderate drought. Most productive from
summer to early winter, Floren Bluegrass tolerates
extreme weather conditions, salinity and is well suited
to heavy red and black clay soils with neutral to alkaline
pH levels.
Floren Bluegrass is a quality, warm season tufted
perennial grass suited to tropical/subtropical regions
including waterways, and in seasonally flooded/
waterlogged soils. Can deliver 9-11tDM/ha providing
soil has adequate nutrition.
• Tufted, vigorous perennial
• Tolerates heavy grazing
• Suited to neutral to alkaline clay soils
• Tolerant to drought, floods and salinity
• Crude protein % of up to 12.5% in young, leafy plants
• Low oxalate levels
Sowing rate
6-10kg/ha (sole)
2-4kg/ha (mixed)
Rainfall/Irrigation Minimum 650mm p.a.
Used for
Floren Bluegrass
Mix note: Our goal is to deliver the MAXImiser®
range to the recipes detailed in this guide.
However, if we are unable to achieve this due to
stock availability, the unavailable variety will be
replaced with a suitable replacement.
Callide Rhodes
RHODES GRASS
Responsive to Nitrogen and highly palatable
Callide Rhodes grass is an easy to establish, tall, leafy,
late maturing quality tetraploid. Callide Rhodes grass
is suited to the subtropics and coastal regions east
of the range. Compared to a diploid Rhodes grass,
Callide has good palatability and broader leaves with
a later flowering date that is influenced by shorter day
lengths (<12hrs) with some plants flowering intermittingly.
Given the chance to recover, Callide Rhodes will handle
a heavy grazing. Callide Rhodes grass is suited to well
structured clay and clay loam soils. It is not suited to heavy
poorly drained clay soils. Highly responsive to P and N,
Callide Rhodes will maintain its leafy quality and strong
production with access to good nutrition.
• Highly palatable to cattle and tolerant of heavy grazing
• Best Rhodes grass to persist with seasonal flooding
and waterlogging
• High nutritive value (hay and grazing)
• Easy to establish
• Tolerance to salinity and drought
• Delayed flowering date
• Low oxalate levels
Sowing rate
5-10kg/ha (sole)
2-4kg/ha (mixed)
Rainfall/Irrigation Minimum 600mm p.a.
Used for
Ask us about our MAXImiser® Tropical Coastal
mix, or tweak it for a custom mix that suits
your operation.
Contains: Callide Rhodes grass, Solander Setaria,
Cardillo centro and Signal grass.
Mix Recommendation*
Ask us about MAXImiser® Subtropical Heavy
Floodplain Soil Grass mix, or tweak it for a custom
mix that suits your operation.
Contains: Floren Bluegrass, Bambatsi Panic and
Katambora rhodes grass.
Mix Recommendation*
* Our goal is to deliver the MAXImiser® range to the recipes detailed in this guide. However, if we are unable to achieve this due to stock availability,
the unavailable variety will be replaced with a suitable replacement.
11
DLF Seeds Tropical Guide 2025
Species Selection:
Select varieties for their suitability to the environment,
soil condition, farm type, climatic zone and end use.
Matching the variety selection with these key components
will assist the plant in producing to its full potential and
aid in persistence.
Soil testing:
Understanding any nutritional limitations of tropical/
subtropical pasture is essential and so soil testing should
be completed at least 12 months in advance to allow
enough time for deficiencies to be identified and fixed.
To maximise forage production, apply annual applications
of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Sulphur to maintain soil
profile nutrition, maximise forage production and
produce large amounts of quality feed.
Sowing conditions:
Sow seeds in shallow (10-20mm), firm soil with a drill
that can provide good seed soil contact. Although sowing
conditions vary by species, tropical/subtropical seed
may be sown when day temperatures remain above
20°C consistently and night temperatures above 10°C for
7-10 days. Good subsoil moisture is essential as tropical
species are sown when evaporation rates are high.
Effective weed control:
Weed competition is a significant cause of
underperforming pastures/pasture failure and can
be prevented with weed control (prior to sowing).
This becomes even more crucial in summer,
as weeds compete for stored soil moisture.
TROPICAL &
SUBTROPICAL
PASTURE
MANAGEMENT
The key to successful, long term pastures
is planning! Aim for 1-3 years of preparation
before sowing.
Note: Very few herbicide options are available to control summer weeds.
Keep tropical/subtropical grasses short and leafy and rotationally graze for best results. Unless bulking/topping
up the pasture, ensure young plants are well anchored before their first graze. When the plants are well anchored,
a light graze may help improve the pasture by encouraging more leaves/tillers to develop and aid in weed
suppression, due to increased pasture density.
Grazing management
Maintain growth levels and productivity of pasture
using rotational grazing and avoid overgrazing.
Overgrazing may dramatically slow down the plant’s
recovery. In mixed pastures of grasses and legumes,
maintain a plant residue post grazing of 150–200mm
(as legumes are more palatable than grasses).
Grasses are at their best quality while leafy (before stem
elongation), which is when it’s most palatable and easiest
to digest. As growth rates of C4 grasses respond quickly
to heat units and moisture, occasional slashing or crash
grazing is required if the pasture grows too tall or becomes
rank. Alternatively, this can be managed by cutting hay to
conserve surplus quality feed.
Note: When there is little or no legume
content in the pasture, Nitrogen is vital
to maintain production.
12
DLF Seeds Tropical Guide 2025
Featured:
LEGUMES
Cardillo centro, Caatinga, V8™ stylo and Kalahari cow pea
1800 619 910 | dlfseeds.com.au
Key: Used for
Sheep
Hay
Silage
Beef
At DLF Seeds, we have a strong portfolio of forage seeds to
help maximise your operation. For our full range of legumes
and cow peas, speak with your local Sales Agronomist or visit
dlfseeds.com.au/contact/contacts-us
13
DLF Seeds Tropical Guide 2025
Extremely drought tolerant grazing legume
Caatinga is a perennial legume mix of Unica and Primar
stylos. Extremely drought tolerant, originating from an
environment that experiences a long dry season and
irregular rainfall. Caatinga has shown persistence across
a wide range of soil types over the past 20 years and
is an effective weed suppressant on lighter soil types.
Caatinga is suited to heavy grazing situations and set
stocking after establishment.
• Long term perennial legume
• Early flowering and prolific seeding
• Excellent drought tolerance
• High quality grazing attributes
• Tolerates moderate frosts
• Persists in a wide range of soil types
Sowing rate
4-6kg/ha (sole)
2-5kg/ha (mixed)
Rainfall/Irrigation
Minimum 500mm p.a..
Used for
Caatinga
STYLO
Several years ago I saw some results
from the Queensland Department
of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF),
which showed that even in traditional
Seca country, Caatinga stylo
produced more kilograms of dry
matter than the bigger older brother.
Ross Newman
Consultant
14
DLF Seeds Tropical Guide 2025
Highly palatable grazing legume with high protein
V8® stylo is a tropical pasture legume suited to
environments where the average annual temperature
ranges between 23-27°C. Hot and humid conditions
accelerate plant growth. It provides a palatable legume
pasture suited to both grazing and hay production.
V8 can be used for silage and hay because of its high
protein value, fine stem and its suitability to high fertility
soils in waterlogging situations. V8® stylo is a tropical
alternative to lucerne with 2, 4-D tolerance.
• Suited to sandy to light clay soils
• Adapted to acid infertile soils (low P demand)
• Performs well on its own or as part of a mix
• Highly palatable
• Excellent in a tropical crop rotation
• Anthracnose tolerance
• 2,4-D tolerant (6 weeks onwards)
• Cut and carry hay/silage option
Sowing rate
4-6kg/ha (sole)
2-4kg/ha (mixed)
Rainfall/Irrigation
Minimum 700mm p.a..
Used for
V8®
STYLO
SCAN ME
Mix video: V8® stylo, Mekong™ briz antha,
Cardillo centro with Travis Parry (Farmer)
Ask us about our MAXImiser® Tropical
Prime Coastal mix, or tweak it for a
custom mix that suits your operation.
Contains: V8® stylo, Mekong™ briz
antha, Callide rhodes, Solander
Setaria and Cardillo centro.
Mix Recommendation*
* Our goal is to deliver the MAXImiser® range to the recipes
detailed in this guide. However, if we are unable to achieve this
due to stock availability, the unavailable variety will be replaced
with a suitable replacement.
15
DLF Seeds Tropical Guide 2025
A shade tolerant grazing legume with high palatability
Cardillo centro is a tropical perennial legume, with
trailing, climbing, twining characteristics with a strong
taproot system. Cardillo can be used in a grazing system
or as a standalone sward for a legume protein bank.
Rotationally graze for high quality, palatable feed that
responds well to fertiliser. As Cardillo centro roots at
the nodes it will provide strong ground cover under
appropriate soil moisture conditions.
Cardillo centro completes most if its growth during the
warm season. This adaptable plant will grow in coastal
tropical regions and cooler elevated Tableland conditions
(growth from sea level to 1600m).
• High quality feed (crude protein levels 17-26%)
• High palatability
• Taprooted legume
• Persistance in pasture mixes due to strong rooting
potential at the nodes
Sowing rate
4-6kg/ha (sole)
1-4kg/ha (mixed)
Rainfall/Irrigation
Minimum 800mm p.a.
Used for
Cardillo
CENTRO
Ask us about our MAXImiser® Tropical Coastal
mix, or tweak it for a custom mix that suits
your operation.
Contains: Cardillo centro, Callide Rhodes grass,
Solander Setaria, V8® stylo and Signal grass.
Mix Recommendation*
* Our goal is to deliver the MAXImiser® range to the recipes detailed in this
guide. However, if we are unable to achieve this due to stock availability,
the unavailable variety will be replaced with a suitable replacement.
16
DLF Seeds Tropical Guide 2025
I’d recommend Kalahari cow pea as it’s a great
summer feed option that handles the heat and
humidity of coastal regions well. It’s also a great
twining legume that produces quality hay and
opportunities for grazing cattle.
Peter Tame
DLF Seeds Sales Agronomist
Australian bred, new generation, multi purpose
cowpea that adapts to a wide range of soil types
Kalahari is an Australian bred and developed multi purpose
cowpea. Featuring a very strong spreading growth habit,
Kalahari was selected for its high vegetative dry matter/
forage production and high seed yields. It is an easy to
establish crop with high seedling vigour, wide adaption to
soil types and drought tolerance. Kalahari has shown to
be very palatable with a large leaf area and attractive dark
green foliage.
• High quality summer finishing feed
• Good drought and heat stress tolerance
• Adapted to a wide ranges of soil types
• Strong forage type with good regrowth potential
• Suitable for intercrop (maize, sorghum and millets)
• High levels of Nitrogen fixation
Sowing rate
10-30kg/ha (sole)
Rainfall/Irrigation
Minimum 500mm p.a.
Used for
Kalahari
COW PEA
Peter Tame, DLF Seeds Sales Agronomist in a tropical grass pasture.
17
DLF Seeds Tropical Guide 2025
When it comes to establishing the right pasture for
tropical and subtropical climates, Gerry recommends
the following steps:
• Prepare the seed beds properly by clearing the area
of weeds and debris.
• Seek out advice from experts including your local
DLF Seeds Sales Agronomist, rural retailer, local
Agronomist or Ag contractor.
• Conduct a soil test to understand the soil nutrition.
This will aid us in knowing the best seed mix for your
pastures and identify any nutrition deficiencies.
• Source high quality seeds for planting and plant with the
best equipment at your disposal, preferably a seeder.
• Use a pre fertiliser to provide nutrients to pastures.
• Don’t graze the pasture too early, once you can’t pull
plants out of the ground by hand, it is ready for a light
graze. This encourages quick regeneration and tillering.
• If you can’t pull it out, you can do a crash graze to bring
the pasture down to about 200mm (this encourages
quick regeneration and tillering).
Once tropical and subtropical pastures are properly
established, they usually last multiple years. To get
the most out of a pasture, keeping good management
practices such as staying on top of grazing to avoid
pastures becoming rank, will ensure your weed burden
in minimised and that your stock feed, yield, feed nutrition
content, and profit is maximised.
Choosing the right seed varieties that complement your
environment and stock finishing goals, also play a huge
part in the success of your pasture.
GERRY’S GUIDE
TO PASTURE GRASS
SEED ESTABLISHMENT
Growing up on a farm in Mareeba coupled with 20 years’
experience as an Agronomist, Gerry Dogao has a unique
perspective on agricultural and seeding practices in far
north Queensland when it comes to pasture seed selection,
sowing and establishment.
18
DLF Seeds Tropical Guide 2025
Gerry works with graziers, farmers and rural retailers
across Queensland to create and provide the ideal mix
of cultivars that suits their needs.
“I enjoy walking through their farm to understand their
goals and system. This helps to determine the steps
and preparation needed, to provide them with the best
possible product that complements their soil type,
environment and their farm goals,” Gerry explains.
“I’ll ask what soil type their farm is, which helps me
choose the species of grass or legumes. I’ll also ask
what’s going to be grazing there – whether it’s weaners,
steers or breeders, because they all have different
nutritional requirements from a cow feed perspective.
With weaners and steers, you want to put weight
on them quite quickly and get them ready for sale,
while for breeders it’s about keeping them healthy
for breeding.”
Getting the right seed mix
In tropical and subtropical climates like North and Central
Queensland, Gerry says the right seeds can persist
through extreme weather conditions, including flooding.
“The main grasses I would recommend for a tropical
region is Callide Rhodes, Gatton Panic, Katambora
Rhodes, Jarra grass and Mekong™ briz antha
brachiaria. For legumes, V8® stylo, Burgundy
Bean and Cardillo centro,” he says.
Gerry also underlines the importance of sourcing
high quality seeds that are fit for the farm’s soil type,
emphasising the importance of clearing the area of
weeds and debris to create the best environment for
seed growth and prevent pests.
Mekong and Humidicola outcompete weeds like Giant Rats
Tail grass due to their vigorous and high competition growth.
“Weed grasses like Giant Rats Tail can be prolific
in these climates, but the right grass choice can
reduce its effects. Mekong and Humidicola are
the best grasses to help control Giant Rats Tail,
they’re quick growers and can out compete it for
sunlight, improving overall pasture quality.”
Best pasture seed for tropical
and subtropical climates
Pasture of Mekong™ briz antha, V8® stylo
& Cardillo centro, Mackay, QLD
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DLF Seeds Tropical Guide 2025
Looking ahead to spring sowings for tropical and
coastal climates Gerry recommends a balanced mix
of pasture grass and legume seed species to ensure
robust pasture growth.
“If you are looking for high yields, and have 500mm
or more annual rainfall, three to four kilograms per
hectare of Mekong and two to three kilograms per
hectare of Callide Rhodes, is worth considering,”
he says.
“To add a nutritional and Nitrogen fixing legume
component to this mix, consider adding two kilograms
per hectare of legumes such as V8® stylo and one
kilogram per hectare of Burgundy Bean.”
The benefit of custom pasture seed mixes is that it
can be tailored to an environment and farm goals.
“As with all custom mixes, this grass and legume mix
would need to be adjusted slightly to meet the needs
of each farm and the environmental conditions”
“Once this custom pasture seed mix of grass seed and
legume seed has been tweaked to suit your operation,
graziers may benefit from 10 or so kilos per hectare of
a nutritious pasture, that is suitable for various grazing
needs and environmental conditions.” Gerry concludes.
Ultimately, a tropical pasture mix of grasses and legumes
is a great seed mix option for cattle feed, cattle grazing,
hay and silage.
Gerry’s recommendations
for spring
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DLF Seeds Tropical Guide 2025