OVERSOWN TUSSOCK COUNTRY LESSONS FROM 30 YEARS OF IMPROVEMENT AND MANAGEMENT ON TARA HILLS

Abstract

The traditional mix of white, red and alsike clovers with cocksfoot, ryegrass and timothy was used to improve approximately 2000 ha on Tara Hills High Country Research Station during the 1950s and 1960s. The present frequency of these species, as well as the adventives sweet vernal and browntop, were recorded over contrasting altitude (low, 500-750 m vs high, 750-1000 m), aspect (sunny verses shady) and grazing management (controlled versus uncontrolled utilisation). White clover was the most successful of the oversown clovers, and was most abundant on the moist shady faces. Red clover did not persist on landscapes where utilisation was controlled. Alsike displayed similar landscape and management preferences to red clover. There is a need for a legume that will persist under well utilised low, sunny landscapes. Cocksfoot dominated landscapes where utilisation was uncontrolled, except for high shady faces where browntop was dominant. With controlled utilisation, the frequency of cocksfoot was reduced considerably. Ryegrass was the only introduced grass to show greater frequency under controlled utilisation. The presence of timothy was insignificant on all landscapes. Sweet vernal displayed similar tolerances of environment and management to cocksfoot. Keywords: pasture species, landscapes, aspect, altitude, pasture utilisation.