Quartet Perennial Ryegrass

Late maturity

Excellent palatability

Wide, succulent leaves

Vigorous growth/re-growth

High energy/feed quality

Very high suger content

Endophyte-free

LAH™ Variety (Low Aftermath Heading)

Description

Quartet tetraploid perennial ryegrass is a late maturing ryegrass bred for grazing. Trials show Quartet to be preferential over diploids under grazing pressure, providing increased intake and animal performance. In addition to being highly digestible, it is a profuse tillering, quick-growing variety. After the seed head is removed, Quartet resumes vegetative growth, providing high quality forage throughout the summer.

Quartet is less sensitive to drought and heat than many ryegrass varieties. In addition, tetraploids like Quartet, 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.

Quartet milk yields and animal gains can be very impressive, whether grazed or machine harvested. Quartet was bred in New Zealand and is a product of Wrightson Seed Ltd.

Other Info

Applications:
Tetraploid perennial ryegrass is best recognized for being the preferred ryegrass for rotational grazing, providing large volumes of easily digestible feed to production animals, such as beef, dairy, sheep and other meat-producing livestock. Quartet can also be used in a maintenance diet for horse and other non-production livestock. It is an ideal component in mixtures with other ryegrasses or highly palatable grasses and legumes. Use Quartet as pasture, intensive grazing, green chop, haylege, or dry hay. Easily adaptable to broadcast plantings, farmers can sow ryegrass most anytime of the year. Quartet is also beneficial for use with alfalfa as an establishment crop as well as a final 1-3 year support crop.

Seeding Rates:
New fields/pasture: 35-45 lbs/acre as pure stand;
10-15 lbs/acre with other grasses; 35-45 lbs/acre with legumes.
Renovation/overseeding existing fields/pastures: 30-40 lbs/acre pastures;
5-7 lbs/acre alfalfa hay field

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 Ľ" deep. Quartet establishes rapidly, but plants should be firmly rooted prior to first grazing.

Fertility:
Quartet is a high-energy grass. Protein content is highly influenced 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:
Quartet is highly palatable - avoid over grazing. Rotational grazing is preferred and will increase yields and animal performance, as well as ensuring stand longevity. Graze at approximately 8-10 inches and remove animals when at 3-4 inches. When grazing Quartet, reduce grain levels and consider adding more fiber to the ration. For high hay quality, cut first cut at boot stage. All perennial ryegrass varieties should be grazed low (to 1-2") entering the winter season.