Evaluating perennial ryegrass cultivars: improving testing

The agronomic performance of a range of perennial ryegrass cultivar-endophyte combinations was compared in 16 trials conducted at sites throughout New Zealand. Each trial was run for 3 years according to seed industry evaluation protocols, measuring variables including: dry matter (DM) yield (total annual and seasonal DM yield), ryegrass ground cover at the end of 3 years, susceptibility to plant pulling, and rust incidence. The change in DM yield over the 3-year term of each trial was also analysed. There were significant differences among cultivars in total annual DM yield, and in seasonal DM yield for each of the five periods of the year among which yield was split (winter, early spring, late spring, summer, and autumn). Mean annual yield declined between Year 1 and Year 3 in all regions except Taranaki, by between 0.8 t DM/ha (Canterbury) and 5.3 t DM/ha (Waikato). There were significant region, year, region × year, and cultivar × year interactions in yield change. Significant differences in ground cover score for perennial ryegrass at the end of 3 years were recorded among cultivars. However, these differences did not mirror on-farm observations of ryegrass persistence in the Waikato during the drought of 2007/08, suggesting that the standard trial protocols currently used do not adequately test persistence. It is recommended that industry cultivar testing needs to more accurately assess perennial ryegrass persistence, using new protocols including running trials on commercial farms, for more than 3 years, and using mixed swards. Genetic differences in persistence could be generated more quickly by choosing sites known to challenge perennial ryegrass growth and survival. Keywords: perennial ryegrass, cultivar evaluation, DM yield, persistence testing, plant pulling, rust

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Agronomic performance of ten perennial ryegrass varieties on commercial grassland farms

The Journal of Agricultural Science ◽

10.1017/s0021859621000927 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-11

Author(s):

C. Hearn ◽

M. Egan ◽

D.P. Berry ◽

A. Geoghegan ◽

M. O'Leary ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Perennial Ryegrass ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Current Work ◽

Agronomic Performance ◽

Performance Traits ◽

Evolution Of Technology ◽

Commercial Farms ◽

The Mean ◽

On Farm

Abstract Little information is available on the phenotypic performance of perennial ryegrass varieties when exposed to grazing conditions on commercial grassland farms. Grass varieties are classically evaluated in mechanically defoliated plot systems which, although designed to mimic grazing conditions, do not fully capture the range of stresses or interactions that a sward is subjected to under commercial settings or over any period longer than 4 years. The evolution of technology in the form of PastureBase Ireland has led to agronomic data of individual paddocks being made available for analysis over multiple years. Data used in the current study consisted of dry matter (DM) production and ground score data across a 7-year period from ten perennial ryegrass varieties grown as monocultures in 559 paddocks on 98 commercial farms. The results demonstrated how perennial ryegrass variety is associated with a range of agronomic performance traits on commercial farms; including total and seasonal DM production, grazing DM production and number of grazing events. Varieties with the highest total DM production also had the highest spring and mid-season DM production; autumn DM production was associated with the interaction between variety and year. The highest producing variety in the study, AberGain, produced 1342 kg DM/ha/year more than the mean of all other varieties. Variety differences manifested themselves as swards aged, with some varieties increasing in total DM production while others reduced in total DM production. The current work provides a basis for the consideration of on-farm variety assessment in the composition of future variety evaluation protocols.

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Methane emissions differ between sheep offered a conventional diploid, a high-sugar diploid or a tetraploid perennial ryegrass cultivar at two allowances at three times of the year

Animal Production Science ◽

10.1071/an15597 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 58 (6) ◽

pp. 1043 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

A. Jonker ◽

G. Molano ◽

E. Sandoval ◽

P. S. Taylor ◽

C. Antwi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Perennial Ryegrass ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Early Spring ◽

Water Soluble ◽

Soluble Carbohydrate ◽

Ch4 Emissions ◽

High Sugar ◽

Elevated Water ◽

Water Soluble Carbohydrate ◽

Male Sheep

Elevated water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) concentration in the diet may affect rumen fermentation and consequently reduce methane (CH4) emissions. The objective of the present study was to determine CH4 emissions from male sheep (8 per treatment) in respiration chambers for 48 h and fed either a conventional diploid (CRG), a high-sugar diploid (HSG) or a tetraploid (TRG) perennial ryegrass cultivar, each offered at 0.7 or 1.0 kg dry matter (DM)/day during periods in early spring 2013 (P1), early autumn 2014 (P2) and late spring 2014 (P3). There was a significant (P < 0.001) interaction between cultivar and period for CH4 yield (g/kg DM intake). In P1 yield was 9% lower (P = 0.007) for sheep fed HSG than for sheep fed CRG or TRG, in P2 yield was 16% lower (P < 0.001) for sheep fed TRG than that for sheep fed CRG or HSG, and in P3 yield was 15% lower (P < 0.001) for sheep fed TRG than that for sheep fed CRG, with HSG-fed sheep being intermediate and not significantly different from either CRG or TRG. Despite there being a cultivar × period interaction, overall, CH4 yield was lower for sheep fed HSG or TRG than for sheep fed CRG (P < 0.001). There were no cultivar × level of feed offer interactions and, overall, yield of CH4 was 9% higher (P = 0.003) for sheep offered 0.7 than for sheep offered 1.0 kg DM/day. In each period, one or other of the high-WSC diploid (HSG) or tetraploid cultivars (TRG) gave lower CH4 yields than did the control diploid (CRG), suggesting that CH4 yield is reduced by characteristics of these cultivars. However, the effect was not consistently associated with either cultivar and could not be attributed to higher forage water-soluble carbohydrate concentrations.

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Effect of defoliation frequency on an irrigated perennial pasture in northern Victoria. 1. Seasonal production and sward composition

Australian Journal of Agricultural Research ◽

10.1071/a96088 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 48 (6) ◽

pp. 811 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

A. R. Lawson ◽

P. W. G. Sale ◽

K. B. Kelly

Keyword(s):

Growth Rate ◽

Perennial Ryegrass ◽

White Clover ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Early Spring ◽

Defoliation Frequency ◽

Clover Content ◽

Pasture Yield ◽

Clover Pasture ◽

Ryegrass Growth

A field experiment was carried out to investigate whether changes in winter and post-winter defoliation frequency would increase the white clover content of an irrigated perennial ryegrass–white clover pasture in northern Victoria. Pastures defoliated every 4 weeks during winter had higher white clover growing point (stolon apices with at least 2 nodes) density at the end of winter than pastures defoliated every 8 weeks or those receiving a single defoliation after 16 weeks, but these differences did not affect the clover content in the spring. Reasons for this are suggested. Pastures defoliated at 8-week intervals in winter were the most productive over winter{early spring. Less frequent defoliation (4 v. 2 weeks) during the post-winter, September–May period reduced white clover growing point and perennial ryegrass tiller densities. However, the white clover growth rate during this period was increased by less frequent defoliation, whereas the ryegrass growth rate was reduced, resulting in an increase of 10% in the white clover content, and a 1·9 t dry matter (DM)/ha increase in total DM produced. This higher clover content and pasture yield during spring–autumn with less frequent defoliation has important implications for the management of irrigated perennial pastures for the dairy industry in northern Victoria.

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Estimating nutrient content of animal slurries using electrical conductivity

The Journal of Agricultural Science ◽

10.1017/s0021859600084367 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 125 (2) ◽

pp. 233-238 ◽

Cited By ~ 37

Author(s):

R. J. Stevens ◽

C. J. O'bric ◽

O. T. Carton

Keyword(s):

Electrical Conductivity ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Nutrient Content ◽

Molar Basis ◽

Linear Relationships ◽

P Content ◽

Commercial Farms ◽

On Farm ◽

Dominant Cation ◽

Total Concentrations

SUMMARYElectrical conductivity was evaluated for estimating the nutrient content of cattle and pig slurries. Slurry samples were collected in 1991 from the storage tanks of 48 cattle and 10 pig units on commercial farms in Ireland. Samples were analysed for NH4+ and total concentrations of Na, K, Ca, Mg and P. Electrical conductivity (EC) was measured on raw slurries (ECraw) and on slurries diluted by 10 with water (ECdilute). Relationships between EC and nutrient content were examined by correlation and linear regression analyses.In both slurry types, NH4+ was the dominant cation with K+ second in importance on a molar basis. Within each slurry type, the concentration of each of these cations was significantly correlated with EC. Using ECdilute gave more accurate predictions of concentrations than ECraw, but even ECraw was a better predictor than dry matter (DM) content. The linear relationships between NH4+ or K+ and ECdilute explained > 82% of the variance within each slurry type. The P content in slurries was related better to DM than to EC. Since EC measurement could be by cheap, robust meters, its potential for on-farm use deserves further investigation.

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Can Local Farms Survive Globalization?

Agricultural and Resource Economics Review ◽

10.1017/s1068280500004299 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 43 (2) ◽

pp. 227-248 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Shawn Arita ◽

Dilini Hemanchandra ◽

PingSun Leung

Keyword(s):

Local Food ◽

Import Competition ◽

Foreign Competition ◽

Fruit And Vegetable ◽

Growth And Survival ◽

The Past ◽

Commercial Farms ◽

On Farm

Due to expanding trade and increasing concentration of production during the past few decades, small local farms have faced ever-growing competitive pressures. We investigate the impacts of this globalization on production of local food by examining Hawai‘i's open island economy and econometrically evaluating impacts of import competition on the growth and survival of individual fruit and vegetable farms. We find evidence that rising levels of imports significantly hinder farm growth in Hawai'i and have a smaller impact on farm survival. Increased foreign competition increases the likelihood of exit for commercial farms but has little effect on small noncommercial farms.

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Assessment and selection of initial material for breeding perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.)

The Journal of Agricultural Science ◽

10.1017/s0021859600017512 ◽

1970 ◽

Vol 74 (3) ◽

pp. 433-444 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Manuel A. M. Do Valle Ribeiro

Keyword(s):

Lolium Perenne ◽

Perennial Ryegrass ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Ground Cover ◽

Breeding Programme ◽

Initial Material ◽

Lolium Perenne L ◽

Growing Seasons ◽

Oak Park ◽

Selection Of

SUMMARYA breeding programme initiated at Oak Park, Carlow, in September 1965, in which perennial ryegrass plants, instead of being widely spaced as traditionally used in grassbreeding, were planted 9 x 9 in apart, is described. At this density, plants were individually distinguishable throughout three growing seasons yet gave a complete ground cover of herbage on which was imposed two contrasting systems of defoliation. Data on ear emergence, dry-matter yields, persistence and some quality components agreed with data obtained from swards by other workers.

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Establishing phenotypic performance of grass varieties on Irish grassland farms

The Journal of Agricultural Science ◽

10.1017/s0021859617000740 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 155 (10) ◽

pp. 1633-1645 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

N. BYRNE ◽

T. J. GILLILAND ◽

N. McHUGH ◽

L. DELABY ◽

A. GEOGHEGAN ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Perennial Ryegrass ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Mixed Model ◽

Linear Mixed Model ◽

Phenotypic Variance ◽

Total Production ◽

Dry Matter Digestibility ◽

Herbage Yield ◽

Significant Performance ◽

Commercial Farms

SUMMARYConventionally perennial ryegrass evaluations are conducted under simulated grazing studies to identify varieties with the best phenotypic performance. However, cut-plot environments differ greatly to those experienced on commercial farms as varieties are not exposed to the same stress levels in test environments. It could be argued that plot-based testing regimes provide little direction to plant breeders in the development of advanced varieties. Varietal phenotypic performance needs to be quantified in ‘commercial’ situations. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the phenotypic performance of a range of perennial ryegrass varieties under commercial farm conditions. Monocultures of 11 Irish Recommended List perennial ryegrass varieties were sown on 66 commercial farms throughout Ireland where performance was evaluated over a 3-year period from 2013 to 2015, inclusive. A linear mixed model was used to quantify variety effects on grassland phenotypic performance characteristics. No significant variety effect was estimated for total, seasonal or silage herbage production. Despite the lack of variety effects, pairwise comparisons found significant performance differences between individual varieties. Grazed herbage yield is of primary importance and was shown to be correlated strongly with total production (0.71); Grazed herbage yield differed significantly by variety, with a range of 1927 kg dry matter (DM)/ha between the highest and lowest performing varieties. Sward quality (dry matter digestibility [DMD]) and density were influenced by variety with a range of 44 g/kg DM for DMD and 0.7 ground score units between the highest and lowest performing varieties. Results of the current study show that on-farm evaluation is effective in identifying the most suitable varieties for intensive grazing regimes, and the phenotypic variance identified among varieties performance for many traits should allow for improved genetic gain in areas such as DM production, persistence and grazing efficiency.

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Nutritive value and production of yellow bristle grass (Setaria pumila) in Waikato dairy pastures validating Farmax model assumptions

New Zealand Plant Protection ◽

10.30843/nzpp.2015.68.5876 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 68 ◽

pp. 98-104

Author(s):

K.N. Tozer ◽

C.A. Cameron ◽

R.M. Greenfield ◽

C.B. Glassey

Keyword(s):

Perennial Ryegrass ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Nutritive Value ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Ground Cover ◽

Matter Content ◽

Dry Matter Content ◽

Growing Seasons ◽

Vigorous Growth ◽

The Impact

Yellow bristle grass is a C4 summeractive annual weed prevalent in the upper North Island Its production and nutritive value was assessed onfarm to validate the assumptions used in a published Farmax model on the impact of yellow bristle grass The percentage ground cover of yellow bristle grass averaged 9 in a survey of 39 central Waikato dairy pastures assessed each February over 8 years Yellow bristle grass dry matter content peaked in February Herbage production of patches of yellow bristle grass was greater than patches of perennial ryegrass when assessed over one yellow bristle grass growing season Nutritive value was lower for yellow bristle grass than perennial ryegrass over two consecutive growing seasons Given the prevalence of yellow bristle grass in Waikato dairy pastures its lower nutritive value and more vigorous growth than perennial ryegrass it is likely to have a negative impact on the performance of sown pasture species Findings support the assumptions used in the Farmax model

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Performance of tall fescue, cocksfoot and phalaris based pastures compared with perennial ryegrass, in on-farm trials

Proceedings of the New Zealand Grassland Association ◽

10.33584/jnzg.1991.53.2002 ◽

1991 ◽

pp. 41-46 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

S.C. Moloney

Keyword(s):

Perennial Ryegrass ◽

Tall Fescue ◽

Carrying Capacity ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Animal Feed ◽

Grass Species ◽

Farm Income ◽

Dry Matter Yield ◽

Animal Performance ◽

On Farm

Ryegrass monocultures and mixtures containing at least one or two other grass species were compared on three sites over 3-6 years. At Atiamuri, under intensive dairying, a tall fescue-cocksfoot pasture yielded 3.7 t/ha/yr, and 14 kg/ha/day in spring and 17 kg in summer, more than the mdnocuiture. Under dairying at Opiki, a phalaris-ryegrass mixture yielded 1.8 t/ha/yr, and 5 kg/ha/day in winter and 7 kg in autumn, more than the monoculture. At Castlepoint Station, a cocksfoot-tall fescue pasture yielded 1.4 t/ha/yr, and 11 kg/ha/day in summer, more than the monoculture. These pastures would more closely meet (or exceed) animal feed demands, so increasing gross farm income through increased animal performance and carrying capacity. Keywords Grasslands Kara cocksfoot, Grasslands Maru phalaris, Grasslands Puna chicory, Grasslands Roa tall fescue, ryegrass monoculture, dry matter yield, animal demand

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