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Italian
Ryegrass blend (Barmultra &
Bartissimo) The
Difference The traditional annual ryegrass growing areas of the U.S.
are the Southeast and the Pacific Northwest. Southeast farmers have largely
used annual ryegrass as a winter annual forage for over-wintering livestock
on pasture. But more and more farmers are interested in short rotation grass
production with annual ryegrass. Also pasture renovations with annual has
become popular. It is therefore important to know that there are two types of
annual ryegrass, Italian and Westerwold. Traditionally the Westerwold types are being sold as the
majority due to high seed yields (low seed cost). Although the two types are
closely related there are a few important differences. The traditional annual
(Westerwolds) will establish very fast and will produce a high yielding first
cut. But after this the plant wants to reproduce and therefore wants to go to
seed very determent for the rest of the year and will die afterwards. This
will decrease both palatability and digestibility, which, of course, affects
animal performance. The
Italian ryegrass however will not tend to head out if seeded in the spring
after frost ends. This offers an advantage when top feed quality is required.
The Italian ryegrasses may also overwinter and produce good early season
production even in cold, northern areas. Italian types will actually express
biennial behavior if weather allows them to survive from one year to the
next. The
Varieties Green Spirit is a blend of two true Italian ryegrasses, a
diploid named Bartissimo and a tetraploid named Barmultra. The ratio is 60
percent Barmultra and 40 percent Bartissimo. The combination of those two
performs beautifully; the tetraploid making it fast to establish and the
diploid adds persistence to the stand. Both varieties are ‘modern forages’ and bred in Holland
(Europe). They are listed on all the important recommended lists in Europe.
Their excellent forage production and persistence makes them very popular
with farmers. The experiences in the US are very exiting and Green Spirit has
already made a lot of fans.
Planting and Management In certain areas planting in the spring will make Green
Spirit express as a biennial. Therefore this is the recommended time for
seeding. If Italian ryegrass is planted in the fall further south where it
won’t get vernalised it will also not go to seed and stay vegetative during
the fall, winter and spring. Seeding rate on Green Spirit is 35 to 40 lbs. per
acre. An annual N-application of approx. 300 units per acre is
accurate. But Italian ryegrasses can utilize up to 500 units of
Nitrogen per acre if applied in small dosages per time. Click
on the “Buy It” symbol:
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