Perennial Temperate Grasses

Temperate (cool season, C3) perennial grasses have been evaluated and grown in South Africa for quite some time now. Perennial ryegrass, tall fescue and cocksfoot are the major pasture grasses used in temperate regions of the world. In South Africa their use has unfortunately been limited by unsuitable soils, dry summers and incorrect grazing practices. Temperate grasses have demonstrated high winter and spring growth rates in South Africa and have high nutritive value if managed correctly. Summer-active temperate grasses can provide out-of-season green feed. These grasses are mostly suited to permanent pasture/irrigation systems in medium to high rainfall zones and are best grown on relatively fertile soils that have moisture at depth in summer. Most species require some form of rotational grazing to persist.