Perennial Ryegrass has been one of the main grass components in sheep/beef and dairy systems throughout the southern agricultural region. Due to the fact the vast majority of Perennial Ryegrass Germplasm comes from European and New Zealand varieties we have struggled to get long term persistence from perennial ryegrass in our climate, unless irrigation is available. The major breakthroughs with Perennial Ryegrass have come with a commitment from proprietary companies sourcing Germplasm from more arid regions, (ie North Africa, Spain, Morocco) which may have a better fit with our cold wet winters and long dry summers. The heat tolerance and persistence capabilities of these new varieties have made a ryegrass dryland pasture in the southern region a real and viable proposition. There are also a few Australian Breeding houses who have continued to produce quality Australian ryegrass cultivars which handle our summer conditions. Naracoorte Seeds is committed to using varieties best suited to our region.
EARLY |
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| Variety | Endophyte Status | Heading Dates | Attributes |
Barberia |
Nil | -21 | Fast establishing, grows like an annual and persists like a perennial. Excellent heat tolerance, warm season germplasm. |
Kidman |
AR1 (Staggers Free) | -9 | Strong autumn/winter and early spring production, very good plant pulling resistance. |
Victorian |
Standard (Graze Carefully) | -9 | Proven performer, reliable production, value for money. |
Camel |
Nil | -8 | Very tough variety, step up from Vic without the staggers issues. |
Roper |
Nil |
-8 |
Up to 130% more root development than other varieties in the first 65 days. Good option in tough marginal areas on the fringe of Ryegrass production. |
Bolton |
Nil | -3 | Vic Rye selection, excellent persistence in marginal areas, good all round production. |
MID |
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Nui |
Standard (Graze Carefully) | 0 | Older variety, offers value for money but has been outclassed. |
Extreme |
AR1 (Staggers Free) | 0 | Winter/spring producer, holds quality later into season. |
Avalon |
AR1 (Staggers Free) | +3 | Strong winter production, persistent, dense growth habit. |
Arrow |
AR1 (Staggers Free) | +7 | Very high total yield, outstanding late winter/early spring and summer growth, good clover compatibility. |
LATE |
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Impact 2 |
NEA2 (Staggers Free) | +18 | Improvement on original Impact, still a favourite among dairy circles, reliable producer, high tiller density. |
Platinum |
Low | +21 | High quality option for late country or where irrigation is available, densely tillered and capable of continuous grazing. |
Base |
AR37 | +22 | Unsurpassed for dry matter yield, responds well to summer rain, high tiller density. |
Matrix |
Low | +23 | Bred from perennial ryegrass and meadow fescue. High leaf rust resistance, low aftermath heading. Superior late winter/early spring growth rates. |
Bealey |
NEA2 (Staggers Free) | +25 | Lush, dark green colour, excellent all-round production, will respond to summer rain. |
Shogun |
NEA2 (Staggers Free) | +26 | Very strong establishment vigour, combines high winter growth and good summer production with quality. |
Digby |
Low | +32 | NZ bred, very vigorous variety, suited to high rainfall areas or irrigation only. |
