Short-term ryegrass

NOTE: The information in this Agnote must be read in conjunction with Introduction to selecting and using pastures in NSW, which covers information on areas of adaptation, sources of variability, species mixtures, and important issues related to animal health and the conservation of native vegetation.

Pasture type and use	Includes annual Westerwold, Italian and hybrid short-rotation ryegrass. Used as high quality crop for winter and spring grazing and/or silage/hay.
Pasture type and use	Persists largely for 1 year, but some (‘biennials’) may persist for 2–3 years under favourable conditions.
Area of adaptation	Coast, tablelands, South West Slopes and irrigated areas.
Min. average annual rainfall	Areas with rainfall 650 mm or above.
Advantages	Contributes to feed supply in autumn, winter and spring, and into summer with late-maturing varieties and soil moisture. High production potential. Is 2–3 weeks quicker to first grazing from sowing than is perennial ryegrass. High quality grazing/fodder. Deeper rooted than perennial ryegrasses. Suited to mulch planting into kikuyu and paspalum pastures. Used as a cleaning crop to reduce weed infestations. Combines well with short-term legumes such as red clover, sub clover and balansa clover. Lasts 2–3 months longer than oats.
Disadvantages	Requires resowing. Needs high fertility or nitrogen topdressing for high yields (30–50 kg N/ha/grazing). Is 2 weeks slower to first grazing from sowing than is oats.
Soil requirements	Most productive on high-fertility soils. Tolerant of acid soils with aluminium.
Varieties	Select varieties on the basis of the life span needed, maturity, plant type, rust resistance, endophyte level, and local production and persistence data (where available). Perennial-type hybrids These hybrids have more perennial component than Italian rye in their breeding. They are capable of 2–3 years’ production, given good management and growing conditions. * Denotes that this variety is protected by Plant Breeder’s Rights. Mid-season-flowering diploid: Grasslands Supreme Plus Grasslands Supreme Plus AR1 Mid-season-flowering tetraploid: Grasslands Greenstone * Horizon Mid–late-season-flowering tetraploid: Banquet * Boxmore Late-season-flowering diploid: Impact * Impact Plus AR1 * Matrix* * Hybrid with Festuca pratensis* Italian-type hybrids These varieties have less perennial component than Italian ryegrasses, and are capable of contributing worthwhile production for 1–2 years. Mid-season-flowering diploid: Geyser Mid-season-flowering tetraploid: Galaxy Galaxy AR1 Late-season-flowering diploid: Maverick Gold * Italian ryegrasses (Lolium multiflorum) These varieties are capable of producing for 1–2 years under suitable growing conditions and management. Early-season-flowering diploid: Dargo * Mid-season-flowering diploid: Caversham Eclipse * Late-season-flowering diploid: Concord Conquest Crusader * Dargle * Flanker * Grasslands Status Plus * Grasslands Warrior * Mariner * Marbella Sud Tabu * Late-season-flowering tetraploid Feast II Annual Italian ryegrasses (Lolium multiflorum) These varieties are limited to 1 year’s production only; grown as a forage crop. Early-season-flowering diploids: Aristocrat Noble * Early-season-flowering tetraploids: Betta Tetila Drummer Growmore Plus New Tetila Tetila (USA) Tetila (Gold) Mid-season-flowering diploids: Ceres Missile Progrow * Surrey Mid-season-flowering tetraploids: Andy Grasslands Tama Robust * T Rex Winter Star * Denotes that this variety is protected by Plant Breeder’s Rights.
Sowing rates:
- as only species	Dairy: 20–25 kg/ha Beef and sheep on tablelands: 10–15 kg/ha
- in mixtures	Dairy: 5–7 kg/ha Beef and sheep on tablelands: 2–8 kg/ha
Sowing time	Autumn
Companion species	Compatible with many species: legumes include red clover, balansa clover and Persian clover; perennial ryegrasses, provided rate does not exceed 20% of mixture.
Inoculation	N/A
Major nutrient deficiencies	Nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, and possibly potassium and minor nutrients as required.
Main insect pests	Army worm and cluster caterpillars.
Main diseases	Rust
Management	Graze when forage reaches the 3-leaf stage; graze to 5 cm high, then rest. Cut at early-head stage for silage or hay.
Livestock disorders of particular note	Annual ryegrass toxicity in some states; ergot of rye poisoning.
Additional tips	When sown with legumes, early grazing is essential to prevent ryegrasses smothering legume seedlings. There is a larger range of varieties than those given above - details can be found in the Agnote below.
Further information	Agnote DPI-234 New pasture grass and legume varieties.

Acknowledgment

Advice on livestock health disorders was provided by Dr Chris Bourke, Principal Research Scientist, NSW Agriculture, Orange. His contribution is gratefully acknowledged.