Characteristics of Ryegrass Species

[Grassman]

Westerwold
A one year grass that responds extrememly well to N
Extremely good for the production of emergency forage in a catch crop situation.
Must be defoliated before heading to prevent the onset of maturity and the subsequent loss in regrowth and digestibility.
The latest varieties are more winter hardy and do very well from a late autumn sowing.

Italian
Italian ryegrasses are biennial, completeing their lifecycle in two years.
They are most productive in the first FULL HARVEST YEAR after sowing.
All varieties are extremely rapid to establish in the year of sowing.
The best early spring production comes from a late summer or autumn sowing rather than the previous spring.
Digestibility is high and the ley should be cut or grazed reasonably short before the onset of winter to prevent winter kill.

Perennial
The most persistance ryegrass
Intermediate and late heading varieties give even better persistance than the early sorts.
High frequency of defoliation encourage plant tillering and regrowth making perennials highly tolerant of intensive grazing and cutting.

Hybrid
There are two types being Italian or Perennial derived and taking the strongest characteristics from one or the other
Hybrids are known for their rapid establisment, good tillering and reasonible persistance
They have high tolerance to regular defoliation and therefore are ideally suited to cutting and grazing leys.
Most hybrids are the high sugar tetraploid type.