Tonga Perennial Ryegrass

High yield

Winter hardy

High sugar content

Excellent maturity

Excellent grazing

Description

Tonga has a relative feed value that exceeds many other popular forage grasses. A number of dairy farmers have reported yields of up to 7 lbs/cow/day milk production after switching to Tonga pastures or Tonga silage. Tonga is a great choice for forage blends and for overseeding pastures/alfalfa stands.

Tonga has demonstrated a very high rate of survivability, indicating it can withstand lack of adequate winter snow cover, summer drought, and excessive heat better than many grasses. Shown to have an alfalfa-equivalent maturity date, Tonga lends itself to excellent spring growth and high forage yields for multiple years. Tonga can be planted with alfalfa, clover, and other forage grasses to achieve an excellent grazing pasture, hay, silage, and green chop.

Other Info

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Click here for Tonga Performance Data.

Seeding Rates:
Tetraploid seed is about twice the size of diploid seed. Seeding rates are higher than diploids.
  Pure seeding: 35-45 lbs/acre
  Mixed with legumes: 25 lbs/acre
  New alfalfa seedings (where alfalfa is predominant): 2-3 lbs/acre
  Mixed with other grasses: 10 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. Do not plant the seed more than 1/4" deep. Tonga establishes rapidly, but plants should be firmly rooted prior to first grazing.

Fertility:
Follow soil test recommendations. Tonga is a high-energy grass. Protein content is highly influenced by nitrogen fertility. When available and applicable, consider obtaining some or all of nitrogen needs through a legume such as white clover, kura clover, red clovers, or birdsfoot trefoil. Otherwise, apply manure or commercial fertilizer at the following rates:
Machine Harvest: 50 lb/A nitrogen should be applied at green up and after each cutting
Grazing: 50 lb/A at the following times- after spring flush, late summer, and late fall

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