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Managing Moist Fescue tussock (Festuca novae-zealandiae) communities within a pastoral system
| Moisture status of site: | Moist (more than 700mm annual rainfall) |
NOTE:
Fescue tussocks are valued as part of a semi-developed or developed pastoral system, by providing a microclimate suited to the desired palatable plant species, such as clover and improved grasses, and shelter for stock. Tussocks also break the snow cover in winter, which is beneficial to stock.
GUIDELINE:
- Grazing. Stock type and stocking rate will depend on the farming system. Graze at a rate that maintains a good tussock cover, so that the rate of invasion by Hieracium is slowed.
In the early stages of Hieracium invasion, light grazing in Spring/Summer of Hieracium lepidulum, H. caespitosum, or H. praealtum may help to prevent their further spread as stock eat the flower heads thereby preventing seed production.
- Regular inputs of fertiliser should be maintained to replace the nutrients removed by stock and rabbit grazing.
- Subdivision of paddocks can ease management, but some farmers prefer to maintain the landscape values associated with larger blocks.
- Weed control
 for more information on weed control.
- Pest control
Rabbits are the main pest
- 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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Management options