Perennial Ryegrass
Perennial ryegrass is the backbone of New Zealand pasture systems, offering long-term persistence, strong productivity, and consistent feed quality. It is ideal for farmers seeking a reliable pasture base that supports livestock performance year after year.
Vernado perennial ryegrass is selected for on-farm performance, focusing on persistence, palatability, and seasonal growth balance. Unlike generic pasture seed, it is positioned to support consistent livestock intake and long-term pasture productivity in New Zealand farming systems.
What is Perennial Ryegrass ?
A long-term pasture grass known for its adaptability, persistence, and ability to perform across a range of grazing systems usually for 5+ years.
Best use for Perennial Ryegrass
Suitable for dairy, beef, and sheep systems that require durable pasture capable of handling repeated grazing.
Why does Perennial Ryegrass matters
High digestibility and feed quality translate directly into improved livestock performance and better utilisation of pasture grown.
What should Perennial Ryegrass deliver on-farm performance wise?
Vernado varieties focus on both persistence and feed quality, ensuring more of what grows is converted into production and best return on investment for NZ farmers.
What are the key benefits of Perennial Ryegrass?
Consistent pasture production
Long-term persistence (multi-year)
High digestibility
Strong grazing tolerance
Stride*
Tetraploid
Medium to High DM
Maturing Date: Late
High Digestibility of Cell Wall
Top Yielding
Healthy and Persistent high rust resistances
Very Palatable
High Sugar Content
Optimum 8-9 year production
Zero Endophytes
Excellent rust resistant
Great to Mix with Algira and Aspire Clover
Can be custom mixed to your specifications
Seed Treating option available
Suggested Sowing rate 30kgs/ha alone or 20kg with 7-10kg of Diploid
Can supply and mix any variety to your requirements please enquire
‘Excellent sugar to protein ratio making it a great option for milk and meat production’
Forage quality is more than sugar only, Stride has a High digestibility increasing the potential DM intake and energy density, a higher milk/meat yield could be expected
Algira*
High Sugar Content
Zero Endophytes
Excellent rust resistant
Great to Mix with Stride and Aspire Clover
Can be custom mixed to your specifications
Seed Treating option available
Suggested Sowing rate 30kgs/ha alone or 20kg with 7-10kg of Diploid
Can supply and mix any variety to your requirements please enquire
Tetraploid
Medium to High DM
Maturing Date: Very Early
High Winter Hardiness
High Digestibility of Cell Wall
Top Yielding
Healthy and Persistent high rust resistances
Very Palatable
Stride and Algira are both high sugar and metabolizableEnergy(ME) variety’s with exceptional forage quality giving great returns in both milk and meat production.
Stride and Algira also go well in mixes with a Diploid Rye, Clovers. Plantain, Chicory, Cocksfoot etc.
Supremacy
Diploid
Good DM
A good allrounder throughout NZ
Good rust resistant
Sown alone or in a mix, goes well with Stride and Algira Tetraploids
Nui*
Nui is an older diploid perennial ryegrass still used today.
It has a medium leaf size and tiller density.
Still a good solid persistent performer under a wide range of climatic and soil conditions.
Other proprietary varieties available:
- Hustle RGT18, AR1 perennial diploid ryegrass
- Moxie AR1, diploid perennial ryegrass
- Legion AR37, AR1, LE perennial diploid ryegrass
- Align AR37, AR1 perennial tetraploid ryegrass
- Governor AR37, AR1, LE perennial diploid ryegrass
- Platform AR37, AR1 perennial diploid ryegrass
- Maxsyn NEA12, NEA4, LE perennial diploid ryegrass
- 4 Front NEA2, LE perennial tetraploid ryegrass
- Ultra AR1, LE perennial diploid ryegrass
- Avatar CM142, NEA, LE perennial tetraploid ryegrass
- Nouga, tall fescue
- Greenly II, cocksfoot
- And more please enquire.
Perennial Ryegrass is one of the most popular choices in New Zealand for permanent pastures, It's quick establishing, yields well, and can tolerate various management practices, Mix a perennial ryegrass with white clover for a superb all-round pasture.Frequently Asked Questions
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Typically 5+ years (we have some clients still in production at 12 years) depending on moisture, nutrients, management and environmental conditions.
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Around 25–35 kg/ha depending on variety, farm type and conditions.
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Yes, it is widely used in dairy systems.
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Farmers undersowing or drilling into existing pasture will tend to treat depending on history of previous insect pressure, if sowing after cultavion treated seed may not be required.
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We recommend at a minimum adding white clover, then you can keep building it from there.
