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Best Grass for Turf Runway

Old 15th Nov 2019, 00:27
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Best Grass for Turf Runway

Picked up recently 100 acres of farmland that's quite flat in regional Victoria and want to put my C182 on it.

So what's the best grass to plant, given that it gets hot here in summer with only sporadic rain.

Some websites say Kikuyu or Sir Walter Buffalo.

It would not be subject to heavy use, maybe 2 flights per week.

Thoughts anyone

Last edited by Guptar; 15th Nov 2019 at 02:04. Reason: Spelling and gramar
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Old 15th Nov 2019, 01:46
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Might I suggest you talk to your local councils parks n gardens wallahs. I would imagine that the local football ground would get a bigger flogging than your strip could ever.

( No charge for the consultation ! )

Emeritus.
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Old 15th Nov 2019, 02:10
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I would talk to the local farmers in the area, or the local ELDERS farm supply or the like. They would know what's best for their area. You'd get tea and scones (with cream and jam) at the farmer's place too probably.
I would also not mention airport/airstrip/airfield or the like to a council either. Just don't.
Private airstrips on private farmland require no planning approval in Victoria. Refer to UPSON V CORANGAMITE VCAT 2267 3 NOV 2005 clause 17 as an example.
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Old 15th Nov 2019, 04:54
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Originally Posted by thunderbird five
You'd get tea and scones (with cream and jam) at the farmer's place too probably.
And also get to meet the farmer's daughter. Handy if ya have a flat battery and need ya prop swingin'.
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Old 15th Nov 2019, 08:04
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Guptar,

You might wanna consider Endophyte Enhanced Grass. All the grass areas on my homeplate, including the small grass strip for the piston trainers have been changed to EEG within the last 3 years. The same goes for some of my countries largest civilian airports. The benefits of EEG is as follows:
  • Reduces the amount of birds on the airfield. The EEG is not bug and mice friendly, so the birds go somewhere else.
  • Migratory birds do their pitstops somewhere else as the EEG grass is very "stiff" and uncomfortable for the birds to rest in.
  • EEG grass is extremely resilient to long periods without rain and it does not need fertilization. Furthermore it tends to remain green in colour during long hot and dry periods (it looks alive even though it has gone into hybernation).
  • Due to the above, EEG grows very slowly and therefore you don't need to mow it all the time.
  • EEG is extremely though and you won't experience issues with worn grass in the touchdown zone or in other areas with heavy movement.
The downsides are that its a bit more expensive, and you can not keep livestock on it as they will get sick if they eat the grass.

Check it out, its the Flight Safety Officers preferred choice as it just makes life easier for everyone on the field (except the wildlife).

https://ag.umass.edu/turf/fact-sheet...hanced-grasses
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Old 15th Nov 2019, 10:31
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Can you get EEG in Australia?
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Old 15th Nov 2019, 14:04
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Originally Posted by Traffic_Is_Er_Was
Can you get EEG in Australia?
Even importing the seed may breach some Bio-Security clause(s).
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Old 15th Nov 2019, 15:29
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Originally Posted by Traffic_Is_Er_Was
Can you get EEG in Australia?
Don't know, but ask around your local airport. They might have heard of it. I know Australia is strict with regards to new species, but as far as I know EEG is designed so it won't be invasive and spread to other areas where it is not needed/wanted.

Also be aware that EEG is a generic term. EEG can be mixed with lots of other grass types to give a specific result. I am not exactly sure what mix we have got but it is designed specifically to meet airfield demands with regards to wildlife prevention.

https://avanexgrass.com
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Old 15th Nov 2019, 22:06
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EED grass is potentially a dangerous invasive weed that will destroy native wildlife if it spreads - our roos will have nothing to eat.

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Old 16th Nov 2019, 06:59
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Originally Posted by Sunfish
EED grass is potentially a dangerous invasive weed that will destroy native wildlife if it spreads - our roos will have nothing to eat.

Is that a bad thing? Saves us having to shoot them.
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Old 16th Nov 2019, 09:34
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Cows and sheep can’t eat it either.
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Old 16th Nov 2019, 10:19
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Maybe the greenies can eat it. Cut out the middleman/livestock !!
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Old 16th Nov 2019, 10:22
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Gupta....Be interested to hear what you settle on.

Emeritus
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Old 17th Nov 2019, 09:00
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Devil

Maybe the greenies can eat it. Cut out the middleman/livestock !!
Dunno about that emeritus; It would have to be certified non GM, totally organic, vegan, pesticide free grass.
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Old 17th Nov 2019, 09:34
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Originally Posted by Pinky the pilot
It would have to be certified non GM, totally organic, vegan, pesticide free grass.
What, something like... hemp?
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