Happy Days – White-Top is Seeding (Again)

October 2021

White-Top or wallaby grass (Austradanthonia caespitosa) a valuable, key species, perennial grass of the western clay soils is currently seeding backing up the seeding event that also took place last year.

This grass often occurs over extensive areas in association with windmill grass (Chloris truncata) and variable spear grass (Stipa variabilis). It grows in late winter to early summer following winter rainfall events and produces large quantities of seed.

It is palatable and a relatively useful stock feed with crude protein levels up 6.2%, digestibility around 48% and a metabolizable energy up to 7 Mj/kg DM.

Reducing or eliminating stock now will allow the plant to develop the seed and disperse it in preparation for the next suitable rain event. It is worth noting that western perennial grasses have a good chance of surviving if grazing does not remove more than 70% of the plant. This allows the root system to develop which allows the grass to build up sufficient reserves to survive the next dry period.

Seeding native perennial grass White-Top in a western black box community. Landholders are advised to reduce stocking rates to allow this seeding event to take place.

Photo by Sally Ware