Diamond T
Cost effective option for quick winter feed
- Fast to establish
- Excellent vigour to produce high yields
- Easily established by oversowing
- Ideal ryegrass for quick winter feed
Diamond T was first trialled in 2009 and each year has consistently been one of the fastest establishing varieties. In our trials it has produced the most dry matter of any other annual or Italian ryegrass at the first 2-4 harvests.
Seedling vigour is excellent and being a tetraploid means it's fast establishing, but Diamond T has shown that it is able to produce large amounts of quality forage when feed is most important.
Benefits of Diamond T
As a replacement for PGG Wrightson Seeds Sungrazer T annual ryegrass, not only is Diamond T faster establishing and more productive – it also has the capacity to retain quality when most other early annual ryegrasses have matured later in the season. For producers wishing to extend their growth and retain high quality feed into the summer, it is recommended to sow a later tetraploid annual cultivar which can provide late season vegetative growth - such as Winter Star® II.
Sow at 25-30% higher sowing rates than diploid annuals. Consider sowing with a mix of Persian or Balansa clovers to improve late season quality for grazing, or for hay
or silage options. A light first grazing, as soon as the plants can withstand pulling from the ground, will avoid the grass out competing clover and help promote tillering.
Is It Right For You?
Diamond T would suit producers who require a cost effective option for high quality, quick winter feed, early silage and hay; or want to prepare their paddock for a summer crop. It is also very valuable for over-sowing dormant or deteriorating winter pastures to boost and maximise feed availability.
Management Tips
- Sowing rate from 15 - 50 kg/ha should be adjusted to suit sowing method direct drill/broadcast over sowing and combination as a mixed pasture
- Sow as early as possible in autumn to maximise winter production when there is adequate moisture. PGG Wrightson Seeds “Time and rate of sowing” trials have shown that the longer you delay sowing, it can cost in loss of dry matter by the end of the growing season
- Sow at 25-30% higher sowing rates than diploid annuals
- Consider sowing with a mix of Persian or Balansa clovers to improve late season quality for grazing, or for hay or silage options
- A light first grazing, as soon as the plants can withstand pulling from the ground, will avoid the grass out-competing clover and help promote tillering
Rainfall
Minimum 450mm rainfall per annum unless irrigated
