What perennial ryegrass should be the backbone of my pasture in the South West?
We recommend Dunstan, a diploid perennial ryegrass that makes a great backbone for a pasture plan. It produces high-quality feed through winter and spring, with strong rust resistance and persistence. It suits areas with 600mm+ rainfall and sandy to heavy soils.
Which perennial grass has the best chance of finishing strong in a variable season?
Dunstan's mid maturity gives it a good chance of finishing strong in a variable season. It is neither the earliest nor the latest to head, so it balances spring production with reliability. It is a persistent diploid perennial with strong rust resistance, suited to 600mm+ rainfall.
What's a good seeding rate for a diploid perennial ryegrass?
For Dunstan we recommend 15 to 25 kg/ha. Use the lower end when sowing with clovers or herbs, and the upper end for a denser grass stand. Sow shallow in autumn into a firm, moist, weed-free seedbed, with fertiliser guided by a soil test.
What perennial grass copes with slightly salty patches in a good paddock?
Dunstan tolerates mild salinity, so it can suit paddocks with slightly salt-affected patches in higher-rainfall areas. For more severe salt scalds, we suggest Puccinellia or Tall Wheat Grass instead. Dunstan suits sandy to heavy soils and 600mm+ rainfall, and gives high-quality winter and spring grazing on the better parts of the paddock.
Is there a ready-made perennial pasture mix for the South West?
Our SouWest Pasture Mix uses Dunstan as its perennial ryegrass and is designed as a base for South West pastures with reliable rainfall. If you'd rather build your own blend around Dunstan, we can put together a Custom Mix to suit your paddock, soil and livestock.
What should I sow with perennial ryegrass for cattle in high-rainfall country?
We suggest pairing Dunstan with a legume such as Haifa White Clover or a later-maturing sub clover like Leura, and adding Tonic Plantain or 6 Point Chicory for summer quality. The legumes supply nitrogen and protein, while Dunstan provides reliable winter and spring feed.
How should I graze a new perennial ryegrass pasture in its first year?
With Dunstan, graze lightly once plants are well anchored and won't pull out, then graze rotationally so plants can recover. Avoid hard grazing through the first summer and autumn, when young perennial plants are most vulnerable. Careful first-year management builds a persistent pasture.
Can perennial ryegrass cause staggers in my livestock?
Perennial ryegrass can cause staggers when it carries certain endophytes, especially when stock graze low into plants over summer and autumn. Check the endophyte status of any perennial ryegrass seed with us, including Dunstan. Where staggers is a concern, our very low endophyte AusVic is designed to prevent it.
Is Dunstan ryegrass any good for hay or silage?
Dunstan is primarily a grazing perennial, valued for high-quality winter and spring feed and persistence. Surplus spring growth can be cut for silage or hay, but avoid cutting too low or too late, as that can hurt persistence. For dedicated fodder, our Silahay Mix or an annual ryegrass is usually a better choice.
Dunstan vs AusVic perennial ryegrass, which suits my farm?
Dunstan is a mid-maturity diploid perennial for 600mm+ rainfall, with strong rust resistance and persistence. AusVic is an early heading, very low endophyte perennial for 550mm+ dryland areas, designed to stop staggers and regenerate from seed. In slightly drier, shorter-season country AusVic often suits better; in reliable higher rainfall, Dunstan.
