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Two experiments were conducted at Hamilton, Victoria, Australia to test the hypothesis that sowing pastures with lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) or chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) increases dry matter (DM) production and nutritive characteristics during summer and autumn, relative to equivalent mixes with subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.). Both experiments were randomised complete block designs with four replications. Rainfall over January–March 2011 was 339 mm, which is more than three times the long-term average (LTA) of 102 mm for this period. In Exp. 1, tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.)/subterranean clover had higher (P 0.05). Tall fescue/lucerne and cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.)/lucerne did not differ (P > 0.05) from lucerne sown alone or from tall fescue or cocksfoot with subterra...

Tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum syn. Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) is rarely used in the south west Victoria region of Australia, and little information is available on its suitability and management in this environment. Summer-active varieties of tall fescue could potentially benefit livestock production in south west Victoria by improving summer feed availability. A survey was conducted to collect information on summer-active tall fescue use and management in south west Victoria. The survey identified several issues that restrict the use of summer-active tall fescue in the study area, most notably uncertainty about spring nutritive value, lack of information about new cultivars and slow establishment. Following the survey, a field experiment was conducted to study the establishment of summer-active tall fescue in south west Victoria under different levels of sowing rate and sowing depth. Seedling densities higher than 250 seedlings/m2 were achieved, with sowing depths of 10–20 mm being optimal.