Perennial Ryegrass
Permanent pasture isn't just about how much grass you grow. It's what your stock can get out of it.
Most ryegrass pages quote you a catalogue spec. Ours quotes you from Lab testing and real farmer results,
High-digestibility perennial ryegrass genetics selected for intake, utilisation, persistence and animal performance.
See Our Ryegrass Test Results Below
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 Perennial Ryegrass
The most dry matter of the three ryegrasses on test — while carrying the highest average digestibility of the group. More grass, and better grass,
Average DOMD of 79.58% and ME of 12.73 MJ/kg DM
Average crude protein of 25.77%
Suitable for Sheep, Beef, Dairy, Deer
Maturing Date: Late
High Digestibility of Cell Wall
Healthy and Persistent high rust resistances
Very Palatable
High Sugar Content
Optimum 5+ year production
Great to Mix with Supremacy and Aspire Clover
Can be custom mixed to your specifications and variety’s
Seed Treating option available
Suggested Sowing rate 30kgs/ha alone or 20kg with 7-10kg of Supremacy Diploid
Balanced 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* Tetraploid Perennial RyegrassPPerennial Ryegrass Tetraploid Perennial Ryegrass
Algira's average soluble sugar content ran at 14.95% across four tests to July — the highest of the three ryegrasses measured — alongside the lowest fibre (ADF, NDF) of the group
Average ADF of 17.93% and NDF of 35.35%, both the lowest of the three varieties — more of the plant available to the animal per kilogram consumed
Average soluble sugars of 14.95%
Lower fibre and higher sugars mean more of what's grown converts to energy per mouthful — the number to watch where feed quality, not quantity, is the limiting factor.
Suitable for Sheep, Beef, Dairy, Deer
Maturing Date: Very Early
High Digestibility of Cell Wall
Healthy and Persistent high rust resistances
Great to Mix with Supremacy 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
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 Perennial Ryegrass
79.9% digestibility recorded in our own in-house testing, up from 63.3% at establishment
12.8 MJ ME/kg DM by peak season, more energy for milk and meat production
Suitable for Sheep, Beef, Dairy, Deer
Maturing Date: Mid-Late
A proven allrounder across NZ conditions with good rust resistance
Sown alone or in a mix, goes well with Stride and Algira Tetraploids
Looking for another perennial ryegrass variety?
We can also source and supply a range of proprietary perennial ryegrasses from other breeders, subject to availability. If you already have a preferred variety, ask us — or we can compare the options for your farm.
- Hustle RGT18, AR1 perennial diploid ryegrass
- Nui diploid perennial 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.
