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Goal: Increase the pastoral value of mixed short/tall tussock grasslands

This goal will result in a grassland which may appear from a distance to be dominated by tussocks. However, the intertussock spaces will tend to be dominated by competitive exotic herbs and grasses, with few other native species present.

These highly modified grasslands are not a priority for nature conservation, in terms of vegetation composition and condition. However, they may have landscape values, and values as habitat for a range of native fauna e.g. insects.

Mixed short/tall tussock grasslands are valued as part of a semi-developed or developed pastoral system, in that the tussocks provide a microclimate suited to the desired palatable plant species, such as clover and grasses, and shelter for stock. Tussocks will 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 initial invasion by Hieracium is slowed.

    In the early stages of invasion, light grazing in Spring/Summer of Hieracium pilosella, H. lepidulum, H. caespitosum, or H. praealtum may help to prevent its further spread as stock eat the flower heads thereby preventing seed production. However, under high fertility stoloniferous species (H. pilosella) may spread vegetatively.

  • Aerial oversowing and top dressing (OSTD); maintain inputs (if inputs aren't maintained improved pastures change to low producing grasses and Hieracium, especially where stocking rates are sustained at moderate to high levels)
    - Apply fertiliser and trace elements depending on soil test results. A typical rate may be 200kg/ha sulpur super every 2-3 years.
    - Apply seed eg. ryegrass, cocksfoot and clover as required to improve feed quality and ground cover.

  • Subdivision of paddocks can ease management, but some farmers prefer not to as they want to maintain the landscape values associated with larger blocks.

  • No burning in drier areas. Tussock density, and hence stock access, can be controlled by grazing.
    Periodic burning (i.e. every 15-20yrs) may be required in wetter districts where woody scrub swamps out grassland.

  • 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.


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