NOTE: The information in this Agnote must be read in conjunction with Agnote DPI-263 Introduction to selecting and using pastures in NSW, which covers information on areas of adaptation, sources of variability, species mixtures, and important issues related to animal health and the conservation of native vegetation.
Summer-growing perennial grass for grazing and hay.
Moist subtropics of the North Coast and Manning.
1000 mm
Versatile, from sandy to clay soils. Does best on deep soils with good moisture-holding ability. Although persisting under low soil fertility, setaria requires medium to high fertility for productive growth.
Select varieties on the basis of frost tolerance, and local production and persistence data (where available).
From spring to early autumn. Must suit legume. For Far North Coast, February best month. Surface sow onto prepared seedbed and roll.
In warm hill sites, often sown with twining tropical legumes. If kept short can be grown with white clover.
At lower butt densities and adequate interstitial areas, greater lotus can be grown successfully with setaria. Oversowing greater lotus seed into established setaria pasture is mostly unsuccessful.
N/A
Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulfur.
Army worms and pasture web worms. Buffel grass seed caterpillar damages seed heads from late January.
Pyricularia leaf spot.
Tall, rank setaria pastures without twining tropical legumes are undesirable and usually require slashing. Manage to maintain persistence and productivity of the companion legume. Maintain a short open sward for white clover and greater lotus. Sod-bound swards require renovation to provide space for white clover.
Frequently hyperparathyroidism (‘big head’) in horses, occasionally nephrosis or hypocalcaemia in ruminants, due to oxalates.
Agnote DPI-224 Setaria for coastal pastures
Advice on livestock health disorders was provided by Dr Chris Bourke, Principal Research Scientist, NSW Agriculture, Orange. His contribution is gratefully acknowledged.
Photo: Bede Clarke, NSW Agriculture, Casino