Crave Tetraploid Perennial Ryegrass

Medium-Late Maturity

High Yield

Excellent Energy/Feed Quality

Superior Palatability/Digestibility

Wider, more Succulent Leaves than diploid ryegrass

Superior Stand Persistence

Easy Establishment

Good companion to Alfalfa

Excellent for Rotational Grazing

Use for Hay/Silage/Green Chop

Description

CRAVE Tetraploid Perennial Ryegrass is a high yielding, medium-late maturing tetraploid perennial ryegrass with a high sugar content which equates to higher palatability and animal gain. Tetraploids have four sets of chromosomes, which result in larger features such as wider leaves and larger cells. Large tetraploid cells compared to smaller diploid (two sets of chromosomes) cells have a higher ratio of cell contents "the good stuff" versus cell walls "the fiber".

Other Info

CRAVE is less sensitive to drought and heat than diploid ryegrass varieties. Milk yield and animal gains can be very impressive on CRAVE whether machine harvested or grazed.

Applications:
~ Hay and Silage Crop - Can be planted alone or with other grasses and legumes.
~ Grazing - Excellent high quality grass or component of pasture mix.

Seeding Rates:
Tetraploid seed is about twice the size of diploid seed. Seeding rates are higher than diploids.
  Pure seeding: 35-45 lbs/acre as pure stand.
  Mixed with legumes: 35-45 lbs/acre
  New alfalfa seedings (where alfalfa is predominant): 2-3 lbs/acre
  Mixed with other grasses: 10-15 lbs/acre

Renovation/Overseeding existing fields/pastures:
  Pastures: 30-40 lbs./acre
  Alfalfa Hay Field: 5-7 lbs./acre.

Method of Seeding:
Use of a Brillion seeder, a no-till drill or a culti-packer is ideal. Frost seeding and broadcast seeding in early fall timed with moist soil can work well, especially if the animals are allowed to "hoof" it into the existing pasture. Seed to soil contact is vital to having a successful stand. Plant 1/4" deep. CRAVE establishes rapidly, but plants should be firmly rooted prior to first grazing.

Fertility:
CRAVE is a high-energy grass. Protein content is highly influence by nitrogen fertility. When available, legume-derived nitrogen is preferred - i.e. use of kura, white, or red clover. If no legume-derived nitrogen is available, apply commercial fertilizer or manure at a rate of 50# N/a at planting time and approximately every other grazing. If machine harvesting, 50# N/a should be applied at green-up and after each cutting. Finally, follow soil test recommendations.

Grazing and Harvest Tips:
CRAVE is highly palatable; avoid over grazing. Rotational grazing is preferred and will increase yields and animal performance, as well as ensure stand longevity. Graze at approximately 8-10 inches and remove animals when at 3-4 inches. When grazing CRAVE, reduce grain levels and consider adding more fiber to the ration. For high quality hay, harvest at boot stage. All perennial ryegrass varieties should be grazed low (2") entering the winter season.

Technical data herein is solely a compilation of observations from various geographical areas, conditions, and laboratory tests. Growing results, including varietal characteristics and performance, vary depending on region, climate, soil, seed enhancements, environmental conditions, local management practices and other factors. AMPAC Seed DOES NOT GUARANTEE growing success. Any technical advice by AMPAC Seed concerning the use of its seeds is given without charge. Therefore, AMPAC Seed disclaims any warranty and disclaims all liability for such advice.