Finefeed Diploid Annual Ryegrass

We recommend Finefeed, a diploid annual ryegrass with fine, palatable foliage that produces excellent quality feed. It combines fast emergence with high winter and spring dry matter yields and improved rust resistance over older varieties. It's suited to grazing, silage and hay on sandy to heavy soils.

Finefeed is our go-to diploid partner for Amazon T. Its fine leaves and denser growth complement Amazon T's large leaves and high volume, giving a balanced pasture with strong winter and spring production. Add a suitable clover to supply nitrogen and lift protein.

Finefeed tolerates mildly acidic soils and performs best at a pH of 5 or above. It suits sandy to heavy soils in higher-rainfall districts. On strongly acidic ground, lime before sowing, because low pH and aluminium restrict root growth in all ryegrasses.

For Finefeed we generally suggest around 20 to 30 kg/ha when sown alone, with lower rates when mixed with a tetraploid or clovers. Diploids have smaller seed than tetraploids, so they need fewer kilos for the same plant numbers. Sow shallow into a firm, moist seedbed.

Finefeed has shown strong, consistent performance in our Bindoon trials, with high winter and outstanding spring dry matter yields. It's a fine-leafed diploid that is Australian bred, trialled and grown. Its fast emergence helps it establish quickly after the autumn break.

Finefeed is excellent for silage and hay as well as grazing, with outstanding spring dry matter yields and fine, high-quality leaf. Graze it through winter, then lock the paddock up for a spring cut. Fertilise after cutting to replace removed nutrients and support regrowth.

With Finefeed, graze rotationally once plants are well anchored, and let them regrow to about the 2-3 leaf stage before grazing again. Avoid grazing too low, as leaving some leaf speeds recovery. This keeps the fine, palatable foliage in good condition through winter and spring.

Many older varieties are more susceptible, which is one reason we recommend Finefeed, with its improved rust resistance over older types. Rust reduces palatability and yield, especially in warm, humid spring weather. For very humid sites, Amazon T offers exceptional rust resistance, and the two work well sown together.

Finefeed is suited to higher-rainfall districts, generally from about 500mm upward, where its winter and spring yields can be fully realised. It handles sandy to heavy soils and mildly acidic conditions. For lower rainfall or shorter seasons, our Dargo diploid is usually a better fit.

Yes, Finefeed is an annual diploid ryegrass that grows for a single season, so resow it each autumn for reliable production. It's designed for high winter and spring yields rather than persistence. For a longer-lived pasture, talk to us about perennial options such as Dunstan or AusVic.