A breakthrough in pasture management, ProGibb Smartgrass, originally developed for Australian table grapes, has transformed dairy farming across Australia. The plant growth regulator, produced by Sumitomo Chemical Australia, helps farmers mitigate winter pasture shortages and improve milk production.
Australia’s dairy farmers are leveraging a revolutionary pasture growth solution to combat winter feed shortages. ProGibb Smartgrass (SG), a plant growth regulator originally developed for Australian table grapes, is now a staple in pasture management, ensuring improved feed availability during the colder months.
Sumitomo Chemical Australia, a leading agricultural solutions provider, discovered the pasture-enhancing properties of ProGibb SG about 20 years ago. The product, containing gibberellic acid, stimulates plant growth by boosting natural hormone levels in pasture grasses that diminish during winter.
Phil Glover, a representative from Sumitomo Chemical Australia, explained the importance of ProGibb SG in dairy farming. “Pasture depletion during winter increases farm expenses due to higher reliance on supplementary feeding. ProGibb SG provides an affordable and easy-to-use alternative, reducing these costs while maintaining quality feed for livestock.”
ProGibb SG is widely used across Australia’s temperate pasture zones, particularly in New South Wales and Victoria. The formula stimulates rapid foliage growth in perennial ryegrass, lucerne, cocksfoot, and other winter-dormant grasses. Farmers are advised to apply the product between June and August for optimal results.
“A single application, costing less than a bale of hay, can increase dry matter production by up to 60% within three weeks,” Glover stated. “Farmers have reported success when applying it multiple times throughout the season, depending on temperature conditions.”
The benefits of ProGibb SG extend beyond dairy farms, with applications in sheep lambing and beef fattening paddocks. Additionally, its compatibility with insecticides and herbicides allows farmers to streamline their pasture management processes.
According to Hunter Valley agronomist Kyle Ropa, farmers using ProGibb SG have observed a significant boost in dry matter production, ranging between 20% and 60%. “The ability to shorten grazing rotations from 30 to 18 days is a game-changer for maximising productivity,” he noted.
ProGibb SG’s success in Australia has led to its adoption in New Zealand, England, and parts of Europe. As a proven pasture management tool, it continues to support sustainable and profitable dairy farming worldwide.
