As seen in Farm Weekly, 05/02/2026

Consistent producers WA farmers trust – Abundant & Dargo

For 60 years, Irwin Hunter & Co. has been helping Western Australian farmers grow better quality, more productive pastures.

IHSeeds, annual ryegrass variety choice is about reliability across variable WA conditions, total season production and proven performance, backed by independent data.

Two annual ryegrasses that continue to stand out across WA farming systems: Abundant Tetraploid and Dargo Diploid for reliable productivity, year-in, year-out.

These varieties perform consistently over varying soils, seasons and areas throughout the Lower Region of Western Australia.

Both varieties have earned their place through on-farm results and independent trial performance, including strong rankings in the Western Australia Forage Value Index (FVI), developed for the dairy industry by Dairy Australia.

Their continued popularity reflects what matters most to producers — feed when you need it, flexibility in use, and confidence season after season.

Abundant tetraploid annual ryegrass

Extended production when it matters most

Abundant has built its renowned reputation on its ability to adapt to seasonal variability and continue producing high-quality forage right through to mid and late spring when many other varieties have a slow start or suffer from a late start or early cut-off to the season.

Abundant is a tetraploid with distinguished characteristics, its rich dark green glossy foliage, high water content, large seed heads and lower tiller density to diploids, traits that also work particularly well when combined in mixes with clovers, enhancing the overall pasture quality.

IHSeeds' distinct mixes boosted by Abundant include SouWest; Western Annual; Silahay and the new IH Dairy Select.

From rapid early establishment through to late-season growth, Abundant delivers consistent dry matter production across the entire growing season.

Independent WA trial data shows Abundant performs above the benchmark for total seasonal dry matter production, with particularly strong winter growth and reliable spring output.

This extended growing season provides producers with valuable extra grazing or late silage and hay opportunities, often reducing supplementary feed requirements by four to six weeks.

Where moisture and nutrition allow, Abundant converts favourable conditions into additional feed — lowering overall feed costs and increasing whole-farm productivity.

High germination and purity standards ensure strong establishment, maximising the return on seed investment.

Combined with excellent palatability, strong livestock performance and high tolerance to rust, Abundant offers a complete package for producers chasing both yield and quality.

Why choose Abundant from IHSeeds:

  • Strong early winter growth
  • Maintains feed quality into mid–late spring
  • Extends total season dry matter production
  • Highly palatable, supporting intake and weight gain
  • Excellent suitability for grazing, silage and hay
  • Proven performance in WA independent trials
  • High resistance to rust and disease

Abundant — performing every step of the way.

Dargo diploid annual ryegrass

Dependable production across WA environments

Dargo is an early to mid-season Italian-type diploid annual ryegrass known for its robust and persistent performance and proven reliability across Western Australia over many years.

As a diploid, Dargo produces finer leaves and thinner stems than tetraploids, forming denser swards due to higher tiller numbers.

This supports rapid recovery after grazing, along with lower water content and higher dry matter production, allowing it to dry out more quickly, while maintaining similar protein levels to tetraploids.

Its continued adoption reflects consistent, high yields across a wide range of soil types, rainfall zones and farming systems.

Australian bred and suited to WA's shorter growing season Dargo provides excellent winter and autumn production and recovers well from grazing.

Dargo has demonstrated a strong ability to perform in shorter seasons and under drier spring conditions, making it a reliable option where seasonal finishes can be unpredictable.

Its rapid establishment, strong seedling vigour and high tiller density provide early, good quality feed and drive excellent winter and early spring production — when feed demand is often at its highest.

WA Forage Value Index data confirms Dargo's above-benchmark performance for total seasonal dry matter production, reinforcing its reputation as a safe, dependable choice.

Dargo also responds strongly to good fertiliser and nitrogen management, allowing producers to push production when moisture is available.

With high tolerance to leaf rust, strong forage quality and versatility across grazing, silage and hay, Dargo delivers reliability without complexity.

Under sound rotational grazing and fertiliser programs, Dargo has the potential to produce up to 10 tonnes of dry matter per hectare, offering significant returns over traditional pasture options.

Why choose Dargo from IHSeeds:

  • Excellent early establishment vigour
  • Strong winter and spring production
  • High quality forage throughout the season
  • Highly responsive to nitrogen
  • High tolerance to leaf rust
  • Suited to grazing, silage and hay
  • Proven performance across WA rainfall zones

IHSeeds' distinct mixes boosted by Dargo include SouWest; Western Annual; Silahay.

The IHSeeds advantage

Abundant and Dargo remain two of the most widely used annual ryegrasses in Western Australia because they deliver where it counts — on farm and over time.

Backed by independent WA trial data, proven in local conditions and supported by IHSeeds' focus on quality seed, high purity and reliability, these varieties give producers confidence heading into each season.

Whether your system calls for extended production and quality or dependable early growth and seasonal reliability, IHSeeds offers proven annual ryegrass solutions to help maximise feed availability, flexibility and farm profitability.

Choose the ryegrass that fits your system

  • Abundant: chase quality and late-season production 500+mm 25-35 kg/ha
  • Dargo: lock in reliable winter and spring feed 400+mm rate of 15-30 kg/ha

Contact your local farm supplier or Irwin Hunter & Co for more information regarding the extensive range of pasture seed and mixes.