I want a ryegrass that grows like an Italian but lasts like a perennial, what's out there?
We recommend Hypa Hybrid Ryegrass, a tetraploid bred from 25% Italian and 75% perennial ryegrass. It delivers high dry matter yields from late winter to mid spring, with more persistence than other hybrid ryegrasses in drier conditions. It suits sheep, beef and dairy in 650mm+ rainfall areas.
What ryegrass will hang on through a dry spell in high-rainfall country?
Hypa Hybrid Ryegrass has good drought tolerance, and its perennial-heavy breeding makes it more persistent than other hybrid ryegrasses in drier conditions. It's best suited to 650mm+ rainfall and sandy to heavy soils. Rotational grazing and avoiding overgrazing through summer help it persist.
Which ryegrass should go into an irrigated pasture in the South West?
We recommend Hypa Hybrid Ryegrass, which is a component of our Irrigation Mix alongside Amass Tetraploid Italian Ryegrass, Achieve Diploid Italian Ryegrass and Haifa White Clover. Hypa brings high dry matter yields from late winter to mid spring and excellent rust resistance, and suits sheep, beef and dairy. Sow it with a clover such as Haifa for a productive irrigated pasture.
How much hybrid ryegrass seed should I sow per hectare?
For Hypa Hybrid Ryegrass we recommend 15 to 25 kg/ha. Talk to us about where in that range to sit, depending on whether you are sowing it with clovers or as a grass stand. It suits sandy to heavy soils in areas with 650mm+ rainfall. Sow shallow into a firm, moist seedbed in autumn, with fertiliser based on a soil test.
Can I make silage from a longer-lasting ryegrass?
Yes, Hypa Hybrid Ryegrass suits silage and hay as well as grazing. Its mid-late maturity and strong growth from late winter to mid spring give a good bulk for a spring cut. Leave adequate stubble and fertilise after cutting to support regrowth and protect persistence.
Is there a ryegrass that doesn't go rusty in humid spring weather?
Hypa Hybrid Ryegrass displays excellent rust resistance, helping it keep feed quality and palatability through warm, humid spring conditions. It's a tetraploid hybrid with high dry matter yields from late winter to mid spring, suited to 650mm+ rainfall districts and to sheep, beef and dairy.
What animal health issues should I watch for on lush ryegrass pasture?
Hypa Hybrid Ryegrass is suitable for sheep, beef and dairy, and we don't list specific animal health warnings for it. As with any lush pasture, introduce hungry stock gradually and monitor them closely. Hypa's endophyte status isn't listed on our product information, so check with us before sowing if ryegrass staggers is a concern on your farm.
What ryegrass tolerates a bit of salinity on a high-rainfall farm?
Hypa Hybrid Ryegrass tolerates mild salinity, making it suitable for slightly salt-affected parts of otherwise productive paddocks. It won't handle severe salt scald, where our Puccinellia is a better fit. Hypa suits sandy to heavy soils in areas with 650mm+ rainfall, and gives strong late winter to mid spring growth for sheep, beef and dairy.
How many years will a Hypa ryegrass pasture last?
Hypa Hybrid Ryegrass is a hybrid perennial, so it's bred to last longer than annual or Italian ryegrasses, and it is more persistent than other hybrids in drier conditions. Actual pasture life depends on rainfall, grazing management and summer stress. Rotational grazing and avoiding hard summer grazing help extend it.
Hypa vs Dunstan, which ryegrass should I sow?
Hypa Hybrid Ryegrass is a tetraploid hybrid with Italian genetics, giving high dry matter from late winter to mid spring, mid-late maturity and suitability for silage and hay, and it needs 650mm+ rainfall. Dunstan Perennial Ryegrass is a diploid true perennial with mid maturity for 600mm+ rainfall, valued as a persistent grazing backbone.
