What ryegrass holds up in a short season with a dry finish in the Northern Agricultural Region?
We recommend Dargo Diploid Italian Ryegrass, which has a proven ability to perform in shorter growing seasons and dry spring conditions. It's well adapted and grown from Esperance to Geraldton, with high winter and early spring yields. It establishes vigorously in autumn and early winter and suits a wide range of soils.
Our seeder tends to put seed in pretty deep, is that a problem for ryegrass?
It can be. For Dargo Diploid Italian Ryegrass, sow no deeper than 2cm. Sow at 15-30 kg/ha with clovers, correct any soil pH issue before sowing, and apply adequate fertiliser at sowing or after establishment to support winter production. Sown correctly, Dargo has excellent early establishment vigour in autumn and early winter.
When is ryegrass ready to graze and how low should I take it?
With Dargo Diploid Italian Ryegrass, we recommend starting rotational grazing from the 3-leaf stage, when plants are about 10-15cm, and leaving around 4cm of residue. That keeps enough leaf for rapid regrowth. If the paddock is wet, use lighter stock to avoid pugging and pulling plants out.
What soil pH does an annual ryegrass pasture need?
We recommend a soil pH of 5 or above (CaCl2) for Dargo Diploid Italian Ryegrass. Soil test and correct pH with lime before sowing, and sow no deeper than 2cm with adequate fertiliser. Dargo also tolerates mild salinity and suits sandy through to heavy soils, giving high winter and early spring yields.
Which ryegrass has good rust tolerance for South West conditions?
Dargo Diploid Italian Ryegrass has good rust tolerance, which helps keep feed quality up through the season. It is a well proven variety across a wide range of WA soils, producing high-quality forage for grazing, silage and hay. For humid, high-rainfall sites, our Amazon T Tetraploid Annual Ryegrass is another option with exceptional rust resistance.
What should I do with fertiliser after cutting ryegrass for silage or hay?
When you shut up Dargo Diploid Italian Ryegrass for silage, haylage or hay, apply the fertiliser required to balance the nutrients removed in the fodder; a soil test helps you get the amounts right. This keeps regrowth strong for later grazing and protects paddock fertility. Dargo's early heading means cutting usually comes earlier than for later-maturing varieties.
What should I sow with a diploid ryegrass for a sheep pasture?
We recommend sowing Dargo Diploid Italian Ryegrass with clovers suited to your rainfall and soil, such as Dalkeith Subterranean Clover in shorter seasons or Seaton Park Subterranean Clover in medium rainfall. Both clovers are very persistent under heavy grazing, which suits sheep, and they add nitrogen. Dargo is sown at 15 to 30 kg/ha; talk to us about the right rate for your mix.
Which ryegrass will grow on the slightly salty ground around the edge of a scald?
Dargo Diploid Italian Ryegrass tolerates mild salinity, so it can suit the better ground around the edge of a salt-affected area. It won't grow on bare scald, where we suggest Puccinellia instead. On mildly saline sandy to heavy soils, Dargo provides reliable winter and early spring feed for grazing.
What rainfall does Dargo ryegrass need?
Dargo Diploid Italian Ryegrass suits areas with 400mm+ rainfall and is proven in shorter growing seasons from Esperance to Geraldton. It establishes vigorously and produces well where spring dries off early. As an annual it grows for one season, so resow each autumn. In ARGT-prone wheatbelt paddocks, talk to us about Safeguard Diploid Annual Ryegrass.
Dargo vs Finefeed, which diploid ryegrass should I use?
Both are diploid annual ryegrasses with good rust tolerance. Dargo Diploid Italian Ryegrass is early heading and proven in shorter seasons and dry springs from Esperance to Geraldton. Finefeed Diploid Annual Ryegrass is fine-leafed, with high winter and spring yields, and suits higher-rainfall districts. Choose Dargo where the season is shorter and Finefeed where it runs longer.
