Ruqayyah Snyder
Ryegrass is one of the most prevalent and popular grazing grasses grown in the world, and Australian-grown rye grass has been deemed the best. It is a cool-season grass that is well-suited to the climate in Australia and New Zealand. It is highly palatable to cows, and studies have shown that cows will eat up to 30% more ryegrass than other grass types. It is also highly digestible, allowing cows to extract more nutrients. Perennial ryegrass, in particular, is the most commonly sown ryegrass in Australia, New Zealand, the USA, and South Africa. It is a productive, all-year-round pasture with high yields and nutrients, making it an ideal choice for farmers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lolium perenne |
| Common In | Australia, New Zealand, USA, and South Africa |
| Season | Cool-season grass |
| Fertility | Requires fertile soil to persist |
| Tolerance | Tolerates close, continuous grazing, except if drought-stressed |
| Growth | Rapid regrowth from cutting/grazing |
| Resistance | Glyphosate-resistant |
| Weeds | One of the most serious and costly weeds in southern Australia's winter cropping systems |
| Seed Germination | 80% of seeds germinate at the break-of-season after the first two falls of rain that exceed 20mm |
| Nutritional Value | High protein content |
| Popularity | Most prevalent and popular of all grazing grasses grown in the northern and southern hemispheres |
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What You'll Learn
Perennial rye-grass is the most common variety in Australia
Perennial ryegrass is the most common variety of rye in Australia, New Zealand, the USA, and South Africa. It is a cool-season grass that is well-suited to the Australian climate. It is highly palatable to cows, who will eat up to 30% more of it than other grass types. It has a high protein content, which is important for supporting cow muscle growth and overall health, and is highly digestible, meaning cows can extract more nutrients from it. It is also a popular choice for farmers as it has high yields and is productive all year round. Perennial ryegrass is easily established and highly productive and nutritious under grazing, with moderate winter and summer growth. It has a rapid regrowth rate from cutting or grazing and can regenerate well from self-sown seed if allowed to seed. It requires moderate to high soil fertility and does not withstand heavy grazing pressure through drought. It is susceptible to cockchafer and cricket damage.
Perennial ryegrass is an excellent choice for long-term pastures. It can stay productive for up to four years and lowers production costs. In a dry environment, it grows as soon as there is some soil moisture. During autumn or summer rains, a sward of perennial grass will grow almost immediately. Well-managed perennial ryegrass provides a super high-quality feed of 11 megajoules (MJ) of metabolisable energy (ME) per kilogram (kg) of dry matter (DM) for most of the year. The crude protein (CP) levels rarely drop below 18-20%. Overall, perennial ryegrass has a much better nutritive value than most pasture species.
Perennial ryegrass performs well at low temperatures, but it has a low-temperature ceiling compared to other perennial grasses. Beyond this ceiling, the growth rates reduce significantly, and the plants may become dormant and die out. It cannot always provide a good quantity of quality feed during the dry summer months in southern Australia. Perennial ryegrass cannot be stored as a standing sward, so once the ideal stage for grazing has passed, there is little opportunity to cut high-quality perennial ryegrass. It can withstand short periods of waterlogging, but too much waterlogging will reduce production and cause the plant to die.
About 90% of perennial ryegrass pastures are susceptible to endophyte fungus infections (Neotyphodium lolii). The fungus is not harmful to the grass but can be harmful to cows when eaten in large quantities.
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It is well-suited to the Australian climate
Rye grass is well-suited to the Australian climate, and the 2023 Australian Forage Value Index (FVI) indicates that Australian-grown rye grass is of elite quality. Rye grass is extremely hardy and can withstand a range of weather conditions, which is particularly relevant given the country's variable climate and the ongoing challenges presented by climate change. It is also quick to recover from grazing, making it ideal for grazing and hay production.
Rye grass is highly productive and can yield more forage per hectare than other grass types. This makes it a popular choice for farmers looking to increase milk production or those with limited land available for grazing. Its high palatability and digestibility make it an excellent feed for cows, improving farming outcomes and milk quality.
There are several varieties of rye grass found in Australia, each with unique characteristics and uses. Perennial rye grass, for example, is a persistent and popular choice for grazing and hay production. Italian rye grass and annual rye grass are used as winter forage crops. Hybrid rye grass combines the productivity of Italian rye grass with the persistence of perennial rye grass, making it a highly productive and suitable option for grazing and hay production.
While rye grass is often grown intentionally, it can also be a problematic weed, particularly in southern Australia. Annual rye grass (Lolium rigidum) is a highly competitive weed that can reduce crop yields in winter cropping systems. It can produce up to 45,000 seeds per square metre under ideal conditions and is a host for bacteria that cause annual rye grass toxicity (ARGT). However, with proper management, it can still be an effective forage crop.
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It is popular with dairy farmers
Ryegrass is popular with dairy farmers in Australia for several reasons. Firstly, it is well-suited to the local climate as a cool-season grass. It is also highly palatable to cows, which will likely eat more of it compared to other grass types. Studies have shown that cows will eat up to 30% more ryegrass than other grasses. This is beneficial for dairy farmers as it can lead to increased milk production. Additionally, ryegrass has a high protein content, supporting cow muscle growth and overall health. The high digestibility of ryegrass means cows can extract more nutrients, further contributing to their health and productivity.
Dairy farmers in Australia have a variety of ryegrass options to choose from, including annual, perennial, and Italian ryegrass. To aid in their decision-making, Dairy Australia has developed the Forage Value Index (FVI) tables, which provide independent assessments of the economic value and performance of different ryegrass cultivars. The FVI takes into account factors such as dry matter performance and milk productivity. This tool helps farmers make informed choices about which ryegrass to plant, maximising their profitability.
The FVI includes data from key dairy regions in southeast Australia, such as Gippsland, southwest Victoria, northern Victoria, and Tasmania. By using the FVI, farmers can select the most profitable cultivars for their specific regions, with a potential difference in net profit of over $250 per hectare per year between the highest and lowest yielding cultivars. This information helps farmers make the best use of their resources and plan their pasture sowing accordingly.
In addition to the traditional ryegrass options, some dairy farmers in Australia have shown interest in genetically modified (GM) ryegrass. They believe that GM ryegrass could further boost milk production and provide economic benefits. However, the adoption of GM ryegrass also faces challenges, such as consumer acceptance of milk and meat produced from GM feeds, as well as concerns about cross-contamination raised by organic farmers. As a result, GM ryegrass research projects are awaiting commercial backing and broader community acceptance before they can move forward.
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It is highly palatable to cows
Ryegrass is a high-quality, palatable forage grass. All ruminants, including cows, sheep, and goats, enjoy grazing on it. It is especially good when eaten fresh by animals, but it is also good as hay or silage. Ryegrass is also one of the few forage grasses that can provide animals with 18 to 20% crude protein per kg of DM. It is also highly nutritious, with at least 11 megajoules of ME per kg of DM throughout the year. Perennial ryegrass is a popular choice for dairy cows in Australia, where it is the most commonly used feed for them. It is also an excellent choice for pasturing cattle and sheep cows due to its nutritional value, adaptability to temperate climates, and ability to recover quickly after grazing or physical damage.
Ryegrass is a cool-season grass species that is widely used for forage and pasture. It is known for its fast germination, high productivity, and good nutritional value. It is also a good choice for farmers as it responds well to fertilisers and irrigation. Small amounts of nitrogen and periodic irrigation can help create highly productive pastures suitable for intensive grazing.
However, there are some challenges associated with using ryegrass for cattle grazing. In some cases, cows may initially experience digestive issues when transitioning to a diet of ryegrass, a phenomenon known as the "thin dirties." Additionally, in a limited grazing routine where cows are moved between grass and hay, they may struggle to adjust to the changing diet, especially with frequent wet and dry periods during the winter.
Ryegrass is also susceptible to pests and diseases, such as crown rust and lucerne flea attacks. It is important to manage ryegrass pastures carefully to prevent the spread of these issues. Additionally, annual ryegrass is considered a weed in southern Australia's winter cropping systems, competing with crops and producing a high number of seeds per plant.
Despite these challenges, ryegrass remains a popular choice for cattle grazing due to its high palatability, nutritional value, and adaptability to different conditions. With proper management, it can be a productive and cost-effective solution for farmers in Australia and other temperate regions.
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It is one of the most serious and costly weeds in southern Australia's cropping systems
Annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) is a serious and costly weed in southern Australia's cropping systems. It is a highly competitive weed that can quickly outcompete crops and reduce yields. The weed is native to the Mediterranean regions of southern Europe, the Indian subcontinent, northern Africa, and western Asia. It was introduced to Australia and widely cultivated in pastures. However, with the shift to continuous grain production, annual ryegrass has become an unwanted plant, infesting large areas of the cropping region.
Annual ryegrass is a winter-spring growing weed that emerges from late autumn to early spring. It produces a very high number of seeds per plant, with dense stands capable of producing up to 45,000 seeds per square meter. The germination of seeds is triggered by rainfall, with peak germination occurring after the first two rains that exceed 20mm. This rapid seed production and dispersal contribute to the weed's ability to spread quickly and infest crops.
The competitiveness of annual ryegrass is evident as it can start competing with crops as early as the two-leaf crop stage. It has also developed resistance to selective and non-selective herbicides, making it challenging to control. There are now over 23 confirmed cases of glyphosate-resistant ryegrass populations in Australia, mainly found in cropping paddocks. This herbicide resistance has threatened the viability of cropping in some areas and has increased the cost of weed management.
The economic impact of annual ryegrass is significant. It is responsible for substantial yield and revenue losses in the cropping region each year. A survey found that about 76% of growers listed annual ryegrass as the most difficult and expensive weed to control in their cropping systems. The high economic impact and the challenges associated with its control make annual ryegrass one of the most serious and costly weeds in southern Australia's cropping systems.
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Frequently asked questions
Ryegrass is the most popular grass for grazing cows in Australia. It is highly palatable, and studies have shown that cows will eat up to 30% more ryegrass than other grass types. It is also highly nutritious, with a high protein content, and is easily digestible.
Perennial ryegrass is the most commonly sown ryegrass in Australia. It is highly productive and nutritious, with moderate winter and summer growth, and rapid regrowth from cutting or grazing. It is also more forgiving of temporary changes in grazing processes than other perennial grasses.
Perennial ryegrass has a low-temperature ceiling compared to other perennial grasses, which can cause the plants to become dormant and die out. It also does not grow well during the dry summer months in southern Australia and cannot be stored as a standing sward.
The FVI (Forage Value Index) is a tool created by Dairy Australia in 2017 to help farmers rank different varieties of ryegrass based on their economic value.
