Executive Summary
What the report is about
This report is about understanding the requirements to establish and manage introduced perennial pastures, and to increase the perennial grass component of native pastures, in dryland organic farming systems. This report is important because experienced organic producers and new entrants to organic production need to know the best methods to establish and manage a perennial system for both productivity and long term persistence.

Who is the report targeted at?
The report is targeted at organic primary producers, those producers contemplating conversion to organic systems and organic certification agencies.

Background
Dryland farming systems require perennial species in order to be environmentally and economically sustainable. Perennial pasture species have the potential to address the water imbalance in current agricultural systems, reduce nitrate leaching that contributes to soil acidification and, once established, are competitive and can reduce annual weed species invasion thereby assisting in chemical-free weed management.

Aims/objectives
The objective of the research was to determine sustainable methods of establishing introduced perennial pastures for organic and in-conversion farming systems. The principal beneficiaries of the research are primary producers.

Methods used
The aims and objectives were achieved through four strategies:

1. Conduct a biophysical and sociological survey of organic producers to assess the status of perennial pastures (native and/or exotic) on farm and to understand the barriers to perennial pasture establishment and/or improvement
2. In partnership with producer groups, determine the most appropriate perennial pasture establishment strategies
3. Highlight and communicate successful perennial pasture systems to producers through an organised study tour
4. Investigate late-germinating weed species and their effects on perennial pasture establishment (PhD study).

Results/key findings
The survey showed that the major barriers to perennial pasture establishment in organic systems were available moisture at the right time, management of weeds and cost. The availability of moisture and the management of weeds are related in that successful establishment will depend on the management of competition. Experimental results were affected by low rainfall at critical times, especially at Yarrawonga. Where direct drilling was used and competition from weeds was not managed (Yarrawonga), perennial species failed to establish but at Rutherglen, a cultivated seedbed resulted in successful establishment. Strategic grazing management of the native species, red grass (Bothriochloa macra), that included a low stocking rate (5 DSE/ha) with livestock exclusion in late summer and autumn, resulted in better productivity and persistence.

Implications for stakeholders
Perennial establishment will remain low until weeds can be effectively managed. For successful establishment, a prepared seedbed is required so there is a trade off between the short term costs of soil structure damage because of cultivation and the longer term benefits of improved soil management under a perennial system. Enhancing pastures through the encouragement of existing native perennial species offers significant potential and ought to be investigated more thoroughly.

Recommendations
Competition must be managed for successful establishment so a prepared seedbed is required. If organic producers want to direct drill, then lucerne is the best species to use, preferably at higher sowing rates with targeted fertiliser application. Under-sowing should be avoided as the cereal crop competes with the pasture species for moisture, fertility and light. Standard sowing rates for pastures are recommended as higher rates don’t result in increased density after establishment. Management of pastures to encourage existing native species is encouraged but it is recognised that this is a long term option. Organic producers, and those considering conversion, need to take further advantage of the existing extension material and training packages in the learning process. Future work should include pasture evaluation under organic conditions and the collation and interpretation of existing pasture data for the ‘Organic Knowledge Hub’.

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