Tall Fescue Online Monograph

Sowing rates for tall fescue are from 20 to 35 kg/ha in Australia and New Zealand, about twice as much as in the United States, because of the more stressful conditions in Australia and New Zealand. In regions with low rainfall (350-600 mm/yr) that are suited to Mediterranean (partially summer dormant) tall fescues, the lower rates of 7 to 15 kg/ha have been used to reduce establishment costs, and pastures usually meet the expectations of farmers in the long term. In general, other grasses, especially ryegrass, should not be included in new tall fescue sowings (Charlton, 1991) because of excessive competition during the establishment phase. Suggested sowing rates and methods for areas differing in precipitation are shown in Tables 5-4 and 5-5.