Shade tolerant pasture species grown under eucalypt plantations have the potential to provide a number of benefits. These include:

• Control of soil erosion on bare disturbed ground associated with plantation establishment.

• Weed control with savings in annual weed eradication programs.

• Improved plantation access for management operations including thinning and pruning.

• Reduced fire hazard through provision of green grazed pasture and a reduction in the presence (by competition) of combustible species like Blady Grass Imperata cylindrica.

• Livestock grazing with improved pasture providing higher carrying capacities and some annual cash flow.

Share tolerant pasture species selection will be influenced by soils, moisture, aspect, terrain, temperature and frosting. Research and demonstration work co-ordinated by the Department of Land and Water Conservation has given an indication of the most suitable species: