AusVic Perennial Ryegrass

We recommend AusVic perennial ryegrass, a very low endophyte variety designed to stop staggers in sheep, cattle and other grazing animals. It is Australian bred for improved persistence and gives excellent winter feed. It suits dryland paddocks with 550mm+ rainfall and sandy to heavy soils.

AusVic suits dryland farms with 550mm+ rainfall and was bred from very old pastures in drier parts of NSW and Western Victoria, so it's built to persist. In the 550-700mm zone, sow it at 12-15 kg/ha. It tolerates mildly acidic soils and waterlogging.

For AusVic in 700-850mm rainfall, we recommend 15-20 kg/ha, while 12-15 kg/ha is enough in the 550-700mm zone. Sow shallow into a firm, moist seedbed in autumn, and include subterranean clover and chicory for a productive, balanced pasture. Control weeds and redlegged earth mite before sowing to protect the young seedlings.

Yes, AusVic is a prolific seeder, so you can let it set seed to thicken the pasture naturally, and it regenerates well the following season. Ease grazing pressure in late spring to allow seed set, then use the dry feed over summer. This helps fill gaps and extend pasture life.

We recommend sowing AusVic with subterranean clover and our 6 Point Chicory. The sub clover fixes nitrogen and adds winter and spring protein, while chicory contributes deep-rooted, high-quality summer feed. Choose a sub clover variety suited to your rainfall, such as Seaton Park or Leura.

AusVic is a very low endophyte perennial ryegrass designed to stop staggers in sheep, cattle and other grazing animals, which makes it a sensible choice for horse paddocks. Low endophyte does mean less protection against some insect pests, so monitor seedlings closely. Our Equi1st Pasture Mix is another option for horse owners.

Endophytes are fungi living inside ryegrass that can deter some insects but also produce alkaloids that cause ryegrass staggers in livestock. Our AusVic is a very low endophyte variety bred to prevent staggers. The trade-off is less built-in insect protection, so good pest monitoring at establishment matters.

With AusVic, start with good paddock preparation, graze rotationally so plants can recover, and avoid overgrazing over summer and autumn when plants are stressed. Letting it set seed occasionally helps thicken the stand. AusVic was bred from old naturalised pastures for improved persistence.

AusVic is an early heading perennial ryegrass, with a flowering date between the KV and Victorian types it was developed from. Early heading suits drier dryland areas where the season finishes sooner. It produces excellent winter feed and regenerates well if left to go to seed.

Both are perennials suited to dryland conditions, and AusVic was developed partly from Victorian-type ryegrass. The key difference is that AusVic is a PBR-registered, very low endophyte variety bred to prevent staggers, with improved persistence. Victorian is a traditional, older perennial type. Where stock safety matters, we generally recommend AusVic.