BARNABY grass was somewhat named after the current minister for agriculture, Barnaby Joyce, as “it’s persistent and was bred in the New England”.
Yesterday, at the Department of Primary Industry’s (DPI) Best Beef Field Day in Glen Innes, DPI research scientist, Carol Harris introduced the tall fescue grass, Barnaby, she and her team had been developing since 2002 to over 100 guests.
The breeding program for the grass was done in collaboration with the DPI and Heritage Seeds and Ms Harris said it was a good example of private and public research working effectively together.
Heritage Seeds regional agronomist, Tony Stewart, Quirindi, said Barnaby is able to hold its quality and structure better in tough summers.
The grass also has an improved seedling vigour and counter growth compared to other fesue grasses.
“Because it’s later flowering, it has good autumn growth, good winter growth and maintains good quality all through spring,” Mr Stewart said.
With the right conditions, Barnaby can yield exceptionally well and Mr Stewart said it’s had great stock acceptance.
The grass has been developing more top end dry matter than other fescues available, allowing farmers to feed their stock better and capitalise on the current booming cattle market.
Ms Harris said the grass is most suitable for clients like the New England, which don’t often see temperatures above 30 degrees.
Like other fescues, Ms Harris said growers still had to ensure the plant was well established, taking weed control, soil moisture, disease and insect pressure into consideration.
The major plus of the plant according to Ms Harris was it was more tolerable and persistent in dryer summers, but was still able to respond quickly to rain when farmers got it.
Heritage Seeds will have Barnaby seed available for sale in the new year.
