Feast II Short Rotation Ryegrass

Feast2-logo-final-230px.jpg


PDF Button

Profuse tillering

Excellent palatability

High energy/feed quality

Vigorous growth/re-growth

Very high sugar content

Good Rust Resistance

LAH™ Variety (Low Aftermath Heading)

Description

Feast II tetraploid ryegrass was bred primarily for grazing. It is short-lived, but extremely productive. It is a profuse tillering, quick-growing variety with practically no re-heading. After the seed head is removed, it immediately resumes vegetative growth, providing higher quality throughout the summer. Annual Forage Quality Data

Feast II is less sensitive to drought and heat than many diploid ryegrass varieties. In addition, tetraploids, like Feast II, have four sets of chromosomes, resulting in wider leaves and larger cells. These large tetraploid cells compared to smaller diploid (two sets of chromosomes) cells have a higher ratio of cell contents versus cell walls. This means very impressive milk and meat gains!

Other Info

feast175px.jpg

Applications:
Ryegrass, especially a tetraploid ryegrass, can be a very valuable tool. It can be easily utilized by beef, dairy, and other livestock forages as pasture, set stocking, intensive grazing, green chop, haylege, or dry hay. Because ryegrasses establish easily, they are also well suited for pasture renovation and minor field repairs. Easily adaptable to broadcast plantings, farmers can sow ryegrass most anytime of the year. Annual ryegrass is also beneficial for use with alfalfa as an establishment crop as well as a final year transition crop.
Spring Crop: (for Northern farmers) Feast II typically does not produce stems until over-wintered.
Double Crop: Plant after summer annual to get excellent fall and spring growth.
Break Crop: Can be used as a break crop to convert older pastures to different species and newer varieties. An annual crop gives a bigger window to eliminate old undesirable forage through the use of herbicides, tillage and competition.
Aging Alfalfa Stand: Plant Feast II to extend stand's longevity.
As a companion for alfalfa seeding.

Seeding Rates:
New fields/pasture: 30-45 lbs/acre (tetraploid seed is about twice the size of diploid seed, thus requiring higher seeding rates).
Renovation/overseeding existing fields/pastures: 20-30 lbs/acre pastures; 3-5 lbs/acre alfalfa hay field
Use with Legumes: Legumes, such as clover, can be added at 1-2 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. Take caution to not plant the seed more than 1/4" deep. Feast II establishes rapidly, but plants should be firmly rooted prior to first grazing.

Fertility:
Feast II is a high-energy grass. Protein content is highly influenced by nitrogen fertility. In addition to following soil test recommendations, 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.

Grazing and Harvest Tips:
Feast II is highly palatable; avoid over grazing. Graze at approximately 6-8 inches and remove animals when at 2-3 inches. When grazing, reduce grain levels and consider adding more fiber to the ration. If machine harvesting, note that cutting ryegrasses with a cycle bar can be difficult. Disc mowers and drum mowers are highly preferred. For high hay quality, cut first cut at boot stage.