Somerset
diploid perennial ryegrass
- Mid-heading (+3)
- High rust tolerance
- Medium tiller density
- High insect tolerance
Somerset (SE) mid-heading diploid perennial ryegrass
Somerset (Standard Endophyte) is a mid-heading (+3 days), diploid perennial ryegrass suited to beef, sheep and dairy grazing systems.
With impressive seedling vigour to provide rapid establishment, combined with good autumn, winter and spring yields, Somerset is a reliable dry matter producer. Somerset is also well suited to high quality silage and hay production.
With medium tiller density and tolerance to a wide range of insect pests, Somerset displays very good pasture persistence. Due to Somerset containing Standard Endophyte it does require careful grazing management, particularly during drier times of the year when the possibility of ryegrass staggers is increased.
Breeding
Somerset was bred from plants selected from a wide range of environments. Somerset has good rust tolerance and reduced stem production in spring. Somerset has been very successfully used on dairy, sheep and beef farms where farmers want strong and reliable pasture production.
Sowing and establishment
Somerset perennial ryegrass can be sown at 15-25 kg/ha with Superstrike® treated clover. Sowing depth is important as is the seed to soil contact, given that Platform AR37 is a small seed. Ensure that the depth of sowing is between 5 and 15mm for optimum establishment rate and early vigour. If the seed is sown too deep, then the seed will be delayed in its establishment which then has an impact on other important management decisions such as weed control and timing, insect pest management and grazing timing.
Grazing management
Somerset perennial ryegrass will produce better under rotational grazing. Avoid hard set stocking during periods of stress (eg. droughts, low fertility and insect attack).
The first grazing should be a light grazing to encourage tiller development and secondary root growth. This shouldn’t take place until the plants can withstand the “pull test” which is a simple and fast way to identify if the plants have established well enough to handle grazing by an animal. The first grazing should be done with sheep or a light class of cattle and ensure that the ground is relatively firm, to minimise any potential damage that could be caused by the animals moving across the new pasture. The first grazing is also a very important aspect of managing a newly sown pasture, especially if the pasture includes other species such as clover as it allows for light to be able to get down to the newly emerging clover plants for them to continue to grow and develop and be an integral part of the overall pasture for years to come.
Rainfall
Minimum 500mm rainfall per annum unless irrigated