Short-term ryegrass

Name: Short-term Ryegrass
Description: This large group of ryegrasses range from those suited for use as annual forage crops to varieties with a high content of perennial component which are capable of producing good yields of good quality forage under good management and growing conditions for up to 3 years. They require high fertility soil and good moisture for best results. Minimum average rainfall, 750 mm in Southern NSW, 800 mm in Northern NSW. Sowing rate: 8–25 kg/ha. 2 kg/ha useful in mixtures with short- term legumes.
Select varieties on the basis of:

Length of production period needed: (1–3 years).

Maturity: Earlier flowering varieties tend to be suited to the drier areas of the perennial ryegrass zone. These varieties produce feed earlier in the winter, and less later in the spring. Later maturity enables later feed production where moisture (e.g. irrigation) and temperature permit.

Plant type: Tetraploid types have double the number of chromosomes that diploid types have. This characteristic means that plant cells are larger, and as a consequence, plant parts tend to be larger (e.g. larger leaves). There is some evidence that they are more palatable than diploid types. They produce well under high input systems of management.

Rust resistance: On the coast and in humid growing areas, resistance to rust can be very important. Check with your seed source as to latest rust resistance information for your area.

Persistence and seasonal production: refer to local trial results (if available).

Endophyte: Endophyte is a fungus living within perennial ryegrass and capable of producing toxins. The type of endophyte present can affect production and /or persistence. High endophyte ryegrass has been associated with better establishment and persistence, although detrimental affects including ryegrass staggers and other production losses have been attributed to the presence of specific endophytes. The effects in NSW have yet to be clarified although positive effects on establishment and persistence are apparent on the South Coast where black beetle is a problem.

Varieties are now available that contain novel endophyte (i.e. AR1). They are Grasslands Supreme PlusAR1, Impact Plus AR1 and Galaxy AR1. This endophyte (AR1) relies on peramine to deter insects and produces no ergovaline (potential cause of a number of livestock health disorders) and no lolitrem B (cause of ryegrass staggers). Other varieties listed may or may not contain endophyte.

 

Perennial type hybrids

These hybrids have more perennial component than Italian rye in their breeding. They are generally capable of 2–3 years production with potential for extended life under good management and seasonal conditions.

Matrix is a perennial ryegrass hybrid with Festuca pratensis ( meadow fescue). It has similar characteristics and management requirements to perennial ryegrass hybrids with other Lolium spp and is included in this category for these reasons.

Seed available: Note: 'P' denotes that this variety is protected by Plant Breeder's Rights.
Varieties/brand Main Seed Source
Mid season flowering diploid
Grasslands Supreme Plus PGG
Revolution Cropmark P
Grasslands PGG
Supreme Plus AR1
Mid season flowering tetraploid
Horizon PGG Seeds
Mid – late season flowering tetraploid
Banquet Wrightson Seeds P
Barberia Heritage P
Late season flowering diploid
Impact Plus Heritage Seeds P
AR1
Matrix Cropmark P

Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum)

These varieties are capable of producing for 1–2 years under suitable growing conditions and management.
Seed available:
Varieties/brand Main Seed Source
Early season flowering diploid
Dargo Vicseeds P
Mid season flowering diploid
Caversham Wrightson Seeds
Eclipse Valley Seeds P
Late season flowering diploid
Concord Wrightson Seeds
Conquest Wrightson Seeds
Crusader PGG Seeds P
Hulk Heritage Seeds P
Grasslands Status Plus PGG P
Grasslands Warrior PGG P
Mariner Heritage Seeds P
Marbella Sud PGG
Tabu Heritage Seeds P
Diplex Seed Distributors
Sonik Cropmark P
Late season flowering tetraploid
Feast II Wrightson Seeds
Denver Michel Belair P

Italian type hybrids

These varieties have less perennial component than Italian ryegrass, and are capable of contributing worthwhile production for 1–2 years.
Seed available:
Varieties/brand Main Seed Source
Mid season flowering tetraploid
Galaxy PGG Seeds
Galaxy AR1 PGG Seeds
Cross fire Seed distributors
Magnum Seed distributors
Late season flowering diploid
Maverick Gold Wrightson Seeds P

Annual Italian ryegrasses (Lolium multiflorum)

These varieties/brands are limited to one years’ production only – grown as a forage crop. This group is also referred to as the Westerwolths (or Westerwolds) ryegrasses.

Seed available:
Varieties/brand Main Seed Source
Early flowering diploids
Aristocrat Public
Noble Valley Seeds P
Early flowering tetraploids
Betta Tetila Parkseeds
Drummer Seedmark/PlantTech
Growmore Plus Seedmark/PlantTech
New Tetila Vicseeds
Tetila (USA) Public variety
Tetila Gold Seedmark/PlantTech
Mid season flowering diploids
Ceres Missile PGG Seeds
Progrow Valley Seeds P
Surrey Heritage Seeds
Ceres Pronto PGG
Mid season flowering tetraploids
Andy Cropmark
Grasslands Tama Public variety
Robust Seedmark/PlantTech P
T Rex Heritage Seeds
Winter Star Wrightson Seeds
Winter star 11 Wrightson seeds
Tetrone Seed Distributors
Rocket Seed Distributors
Short-term ryegrass