• Subscribe
  • Contact
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  • Home
  • Contact
  • Enterprise
    • Sheep
    • Beef Cattle
    • Dairy Cattle
    • Horse
    • Hay & Silage
    • Viti & Horti
  • Seeds
    • Lucerne
    • Clover
    • Medic
    • Ryegrass
    • Grasses
    • Sub Tropical Grasses
    • Forage Cereals
    • Brassica & Herbs
    • Vetch
    • Spring Options
    • Cropping
    • Turf
  • SOWsmart® Blends
    • SOWsmart® Autumn
    • SOWsmart® Spring
    • SOWsmart® Viti / Horti
    • SOWsmart® Sub Tropical Blends
    • SOWsmart® Equine Blends
  • R&D
  • About
    • Blog
    • Establishment Guarantee
    • Goldstrike Seed Treatment
    • Farmer Feedback
    • Publications
    • Pasture Info
    • Distribution
    • Production
  • International
  • Sell Your Seed
  • Seed Sowing Chart
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Linkedin

Pasture Genetics

Pastures for the Australian Farmer TM

  • Enterprise
    • Sheep
    • Beef Cattle
    • Dairy Cattle
    • Horse
    • Hay & Silage
    • Viti & Horti
  • Seeds
    • Lucerne
    • Clover
    • Medic
    • Ryegrass
    • Grasses
    • Sub Tropical Grasses
    • Forage Cereals
    • Brassica & Herbs
    • Vetch
    • Spring Options
    • Cropping
    • Turf
  • SOWsmart® Blends
    • SOWsmart® Autumn
    • SOWsmart® Spring
    • SOWsmart® Viti / Horti
    • SOWsmart® Sub Tropical Blends
    • SOWsmart® Equine Blends
  • International
  • R&D
  • About
    • Blog
    • Establishment Guarantee
    • Goldstrike Seed Treatment
    • Farmer Feedback
    • Publications
    • Pasture Info
    • Sell Your Seed

Paraggio Barrel Medic

Download PDF

Paraggio Barrel Medic is a larger seeded Barrel Medic type which provides good seedling establishment and a semi erect growth habit. This makes Paraggio a good forage producer in areas receiving more than 375mm per annum. Paraggio has lower levels of hard seed than other barrel medics which assists in regeneration in following years.

  • Ph 7.0 – 8.5
  • Very high leaf to stem ratio means Paraggio is a high herbage producer
  • Prostrate in early growth, with prolific branching
  • Resistant to blue green aphid
  • Very leafy cultivar with excellent herbage and feed / hay quality characteristics

Seed agronomy table

Flowering 98 Days
Min Rainfall (mm) 375
Seeding Rate Kg/Ha
Dryland 10-15
High Rainfall / Irrigation 15-20

Enterprises for this Seed

Sheep
Beef Cattle
Horse
Hay & Silage

Strengths

  • Palatable at all growth stages, including dead leaves and stems, and seedpods over summer.
  • High nutritive value with high protein content.
  • Fixes atmospheric nitrogen, benefiting cereal crops grown in rotation.
  • As a grass-free pasture in rotation with cereals it is a disease break for various cereal pathogens including cereal cyst nematode, root lesion nematode, take-all and crown rot.
  • Provides non-selective weed control options for reducing risk of herbicide resistant weeds in cropping phases (eg grazing, green manuring, hay production, spray-topping).
  • Hardseeded and once established will maintain a soil bank of seed reserves and will self-regenerate from that seed bank.
  • More productive and persistent in low rainfall areas than sub clover.
  • Outstanding complementary legume component for summer growing grass pastures in the subtropics.

Limitations

  • Must not be sown too deeply.
  • Winter production can be slow if autumn rains are late.
  • Not well adapted to soils with pH(water) < 6.5, deep sands, waterlogged or moderately saline areas.
  • Herbicide options for broadleaf weed control are limited.
  • Seed harvest requires specialist vacuum harvesting machinery.
  • Lush and/or pure stands can cause animal health problems.

Plant Description

Plant: semi-prostrate annual legume, 15 - 30 cm high, with metre side branches from near the base. Stems: prostrate to ascending, green and hairy. Leaves: made up of three wedge-shaped leaflets, matt green, hairy on both sides and toothed on the end margin. The central leaflet stalk is longer than the other two, while in most clovers (Trifolium spp.) they are all of similar length. Leaflet markings: may vary from none, to slight purple flecking, pale green "watermarks" edged in brown or large dark blotches. Flowers: yellow, pea-like and in small clusters of 2 - 4. Pods: barrel shaped, 6 - 12mm long, hardening when ripe, 3-8 coils, spines of variable length and 6-12 seeds per pod. Seeds: pale yellow to light brown, kidney shaped, 200,000-320,000/kg.

Pasture type and use

Used as a self-regenerating autumn to spring growing annual legume in dryland cereal/livestock zones in southern Australia, in rotation with winter cereals, grain legumes and canola, and in association with grass in permanent pastures in the subtropical grain and pastoral zone. Once established its hard seededness allows it to regenerate from a seed bank after short cropping phases of typically 1 - 3 years.

Where it grows

Rainfall: Barrel medic requires an annual rainfall of 250 - 700 mm. A growing season rainfall of 150-300mm. Early flowering varieties are suited to lower rainfall zones.Soils: Barrel medic is adapted to a wide range of at least moderately fertile soils, from sandy loams to clays. It prefers neutral to alkaline soils (pH water) > 6.5), not prone to waterlogging or salinity.Temperature: It is an autumn-to-spring growing annual, best-suited to areas with mild growing seasons (15 - 25oC.)However, it will tolerate higher and lower temperatures.

Establishment

Companion species: Grasses: annual ryegrass, volunteer cereals or sown cereals for grass/legume hay production, and with a range of summer growing grasses in the Subtropics. Legumes: other annual medics (Medicago spp.), sub clover, lucerne. Sowing/planting rates as single species: 10-15 kg/ha in southern Australia, 4-6 kg/ha in the subtropics. *ensure seed is Goldstrike treated. Sowing/planting rates in mixtures: 3-5 kg/ha in southern Australia, 2-3 kg/ha in the subtropics (3-4 kg/ha if undersown with crops). Undersowing with cereal grain or forage crops is an excellent management option for establishing barrel medic. Low sowing rates of the cereal grain crop (e.g. 15 kg/ha) are essential for success with undersowing. *ensure seed is Goldstrike treated. Sowing time: Sown April-June. Typically dry sown into the previous year's cereal stubble before the opening rains or into a moist, weed-free seedbed soon after the break. Shallow sowing (1-2 cm) is essential with press wheels, harrows or prickle chains to improve soil-seed contact and establishment. Inoculation: Goldstrike Treated. The use of Goldstrike XLR8 seed treatment is recommended to reduce damage from insects at seedling stages. Fertiliser: Phosphorous is generally the single most limiting macronutrient for barrel medics; sulphur may be required on some soils in the subtropics. Some soils, particularly infertile sands, may also be deficient in important trace elements (eg Cu, Zn, Mo and Co), some of which are directly involved in nitrogen fixation.

Management

Maintenance fertiliser: Generally barrel medics are grown in fairly close rotation with other crops which, if adequately fertilised, provide enough residual nutrients to maintain general soil fertility and medic growth. However, when sown in extended pasture phases on infertile soils in both southern Australia and the subtropics are likely to require topdressing with superphosphate at least. Soil testing is required to determine the need, timing and appropriate application rates. The trend towards high analysis fertilisers (eg DAP, MAP) in broadacre farming has also resulted in zinc deficiencies becoming more common on some soil types. Plant tissue testing is a more sensitive test for micronutrient deficiencies, some of which can be addressed in the short term with foliar sprays.Grazing/cutting: Establishment: defer grazing in the first year until plants are well established and then only graze lightly until flowering. Remove stock until medic has finished flowering and producing pods, to maximise seed-set for subsequent regeneration. Paddocks should not be "crash" grazed or cut for hay in the first year if the stand is expected to regenerate. Regeneration: in crop/medic rotation systems, it is best to defer grazing at the break of the season until the ground is covered and/or medics are well established (approx. 6 leaves, 2-3cm height, >1000 kg/ha dry matter). Set stock to control upright grasses, weeds and to encourage prostrate growth, increasing grazing pressure as necessary to prevent overly 'bulky' pastures in early spring. Reduce grazing pressure if possible whilst medic are flowering to maximise pod and seed-set. In grass/medic pastures in the subtropics, moderate to heavy grazing in the late summer is needed to utilise the grass and minimise the competition for light by the establishing medic. This grazing management should be applied sequentially year by year as it will not be possible or desirable to graze all paddocks in this way each year. Summer grazing (southern Australia) carefully monitor grazing of dried residues over summer, as over grazing of pods, especially in the first year and on hard setting soils, will reduce future pasture regeneration.Weed potential: Low environmental weed potential due to its preference for moderately fertile soils, and because of its specific rhizobial requirements, high palatability and readily grazing preference. As a self-regenerating plant it can be a weed of crops in crop/pasture rotations but easily controlled in cereals with a range of inexpensive broadleaf weed herbicides. Fewer options in grain legumes crops.Major pests: Red legged earth mite, lucerne flea, blue green aphid, spotted alfalfa aphid, cowpea aphid, sitona weevil.Major diseases: Phoma black-stem, rhizoctonia bare-patch, root lesion nematode and powdery mildew.Herbicide susceptibility: Tolerant of grass-selective herbicides. Some herbicides available for selective control of certain broadleaf weeds. Spray-grazing and spray-topping techniques using less selective herbicides also available. Intolerant of some herbicide residues from cropping phase, particularly sulfonylurea herbicide residues in low rainfall areas with alkaline soils.

Animal production

Feeding Value: Has high levels of crude protein and digestibility. Digestibility ranges from 55-75% DMD, (equates to ME energy of 8-10 MJ/kg DM) and crude protein from 17-23% depending on growth stage.Palatability: Readily consumed by livestock, either as green or dry feed, including mature seed pods. Excellent green feed for growing and finishing livestock, Dry residues and seed pods provide useful adjunct for maintenance of sheep grazing crop stubbles.

International Contact

For international enquiries please contact
Sean Coffey
International Business Manager
+61 4 2865 2226
sean.coffey@pasturegenetics.com

Publications

Pasture Genetics produce many specific publications to help advise farmers on new products and certain applications for our products.
Learn More

Related Feedbacks

  • Outback oats success at Denman
  • Travis Muster – Pasture Blend a great option in variable paddock
  • Bouncer helps fill summer feed gap on dairy
  • Medic blend the ideal option for cropping rotation
  • Peter Wood
  • David Woolford
  • Outback oats yields well in Shell Harbour trial
  • Moby forage barley shows potential on Tasmanian property
  • Jeff Roads
  • Mick Bladwell
  • Forage barley a key to dairy feed at Nobby
  • Russell Jenner 
  • Excellent weight gains with Subzero Forage Brassica
  • Andrew Thompson 
  • Early feed and weight gains on Subzero
  • Jock Wallace
  • Palatability of Outback oats demonstrated in Nobby trial
  • Trent Adams
  • Moby Barley impresses on northern Victoria dairy farm
  • Adele Kiernan 
  • Frank Tobin
  • Angelo and Dean Lombardozzi 
  • Brad Davey – Excellent feed from Medic Blend at Port Neill
  • Jordan Zerk
  • Neville Kernich
  • Legume blend an excellent rotational tool of Eyre Peninsula
  • Moby barley a great partner to oats on Darling Downs property
  • John Martin
  • Boonara performance horses utiliting forage cereals
  • Forage barley proved an excellent option on Greendale farm
  • Cereal options impress at Lyndoch
  • Species blend a key for herd health
  • Cavalier medic used for feed value at nitrogen fixation
  • Rod Harris
  • Dean Thomas
  • 400 Lambs successfully grazed Subzero
  • Outback Oats perform in varied seasons at Gunnedah
  • Cavalier medic forming the basis of excellent pasture
  • Moby Barley filling early feed gap
  • Ian McDouall
  • Bouncer a great option for high protein and extended season
  • Robert Casey
  • Hybrid brassicas the perfect feed at Narrandera
  • Outback oats fills feed gap on Berry property
  • Raising the bar with barley
  • Tim Westblade
  • Forage Brassica very impressive at Ballan
  • Moby Barley an impressive feed option
  • Moby barley proving an excellent hay option at Wellington
  • Oaten-based blend producing high quality hay
  • Cavalier Medic used to bulk up lucerne stand
  • Lambs putting on weight with Subzero forage brassica
  • Multiple options with Balance chicory
  • Toad and Greg Heffernan
  • David Pitt
  • Outback Oats ideal for early grazing at Chatswood House.
  • Subzero forage brassica performs on Yorke Peninsula
  • Excellent performances of Sub Tropical Pastures
  • Moby barley filling feed gap on Wimmera property
  • Darryl Smith
  • Johnny Turnbull
  • Jason Black
  • Pasture trial demonstrated benefits of Moby Barley
  • Medic used to increase quality on Colac dairy farm
  • Tyson Mickam
  • Brenton Wood
  • Paul McCulloch
  • Brenton Tink
  • Bill Gread
  • Ranger plantain the ideal feed base at Candelo
  • Quicker feed from Bouncer 
  • Tom Woods
  • Henry Taylor
  • Mick and Cameron Lyon 
  • David Barker 
  • Outback Oats ideal for chaff market at Biloela
  • Chris Collins
  • Ed Calvert
  • Lambs perform well on Medic based pasture
  • Moby and Subzero excellent planting partners
  • Link Davies
  • Wayne Cunningham 
  • Outback Oats success in drier season
  • Luke and Brett Graham
  • Bouncer producing excellent grazing options at sheep dairy
  • Excellent winter feed from specialist blend at Camperdown
  • Dorper lambs thrive on Bouncer over summer
  • Peter Coy – Lucerne & Chicory Blend helping with red gut
  • Medic mix an excellent rotation option
  • Cavalier Medic produces nitrogen and weed control in Marnoo
  • Q75 working well in legume blend
  • Sam Burril
  • Forage brassicas an excellent option at Clifton
  • Forage barley providing excellent winter feed option at Dookie
  • Hilton Reynolds
  • Medic helping improve pasture at Grafton
  • New pastures show promise at Lake Bonney – Pasture Mix
  • Conochie family
  • Tim Barry
  • New hay option excels on Oakey property
  • First tilt at lucerne goes well for Berry dairy farm
  • Years of high quality production from Persistor blend
  • Forage cereals producing well at Byee
  • SOWSmart Winter Express Blend for intensive paddock usage
  • Steve and Harry Reichel 
  • Moby barley an excellent horse feed option
  • Dormant varieties working well on Victor Harbour property
  • Subzero hybrid forage brassica producing feed across summer
  • Phil Ronalds 
  • Ryan Jeffree
  • Dianne and Bill Morrall
  • Michael Lyons
  • Change of forage variety reaps dividends for Gympie grower
  • Feed gaps filled with Subzero at Gulgong
  • Brad Claughton
  • Outback impresses for hay at Tatura
  • Moby barley providing yield and quality on dairy enterprise
  • Gary Kadwell
  • Jeff Foran
  • Scott Moore
  • Lucerne / Medic Mix under sown to Oats
  • Craig Bittner
  • Evan Hayes
  • Moby forage barley suiting marginal country north of Adelaide
  • Moby barley an excellent hay option at Felton
  • Bulk high quality silage produced from blend
  • Sowsmart HDL blend a versatile option on Wimmera property
  • Ron Hann 

Subscribe for updates

Get our latest news to your inbox.

Subscribe

Pasture Genetics Blog

On our radar right now: New products, trial results, industry updates, event information and best practice advice – all right here.
View all blog posts

Blog Categories

  • International Business
  • Local Focus
  • Media
  • News
  • Research and Development
  • Rob Says
  • Video
  • ALL BLOG POSTS
Contact Subscribe
logo
  • Enterprise
  • Seeds
  • SOWsmart® Blends
  • International
  • R&D
  • About

14-16 Hakkinen Road
Wingfield SA 5013

T: +61 8 8445 1111
F: +61 8 8445 7777

seed@pasturegenetics.com

Copyright © 2021 · Pasture Genetics Privacy Policy

Website grown by FULLER

SIGN UP FOR UPDATES

Fill your details below to receive our news and promotions

  • Enter your full postal address to receive printed versions of our promotional material in the mail!


Trade enquiry? CLICK HERE for contact details