Fescue tussock (Festuca novae-zealandiae)

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Fesue Tussock

Management options

Conservation
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Habitat

Other spp. present

Vegetation history

Background management information

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Goal: Maintain a Fescue Tussock Grassland

Moisture status of site:	Moist (more than 500mm annual rainfall)
Species composition of inter-tussock zone:	Dominated by exotic plants e.g. clovers, brown top, cocksfoot

Grassland with these characteristics are NOT recommended for this purpose (low native plant values; high active management costs likely). However, the following are suggested guidelines for small areas where active management is feasible:

MANAGEMENT GUIDELINE:

Plan A:

Reduced to nil grazing
No fertiliser.
Animal pest control Rabbits are likely to be the biggest problem.
Weed control Woody weeds may require spraying or chopping out, rather than burning them (Gorse and Spanish heath thrive after burning)
Hand weed Hieracium. for more information on weed control.
Monitor vegetation condition to determine success of the management option, and status of weed and animal pest populations. If exotic plants start to swamp out the natives occupying the intertussock spaces, try Plan B.

Plan B:

Light sheep grazing (no cattle). The area may have to be fenced if the adjoining land is managed primarily for conservation purposes and is vulnerable to grazing impacts.
No fertiliser (this will encourage the growth of competitive exotic grasses)
No burning, unless necessary for scrub control
Weed control Grazing should keep the palatable exotic grasses and herbs down. Other control methods may have to be used to control unpalatable or vigorous weeds e.g. woody plants, where present.
for more information on weed control.
Animal pest control i.e. rabbit control
Monitor vegetation condition to determine success of the management option, and status of weed and animal pest populations.

MANAGEMENT GUIDELINE:

Light grazing. Timing and type of grazing depends on farming system. Reduce stocking rates in dry years. Graze at a rate that maintains a good tussock cover, so that the rate of initial invasion by Hieracium is slowed.
In the early stages of invasion, light grazing in Spring/Summer of Hieracium lepidulum, H. caespitosum, or H. praealtum may help to prevent its further spread as stock eat the flower heads, thereby preventing seed production. However there is little evidence to suggest that this approach is effective in controlling mouse-eared hawkweed (H. pilosella) which switches to vegetative spread.
No burning (unless for woody weed control)
AOSTD. Fertiliser application important - to replace nutrients removed by stock and rabbits.
Weed control
for more information on weed control.
Rabbit control
Monitor to determine success of the management option, and status of weed and animal pest populations. for more information on monitoring in tussock grasslands.

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