Words & images supplied by Barenbrug Agriseeds.
The latest perennial ryegrass from one of the country’s best-known pasture companies sets a new benchmark for dependable all-round performance.
Governor is available for sowing this spring and follows 20 years’ development by plant breeders and agronomists at Barenbrug Agriseeds.
“If you liked Alto, Governor will be an even better fit for your system,” explains local agronomist Kris Bailey.
Governor combines genetics from two of the company’s most iconic cultivars, Bronsyn, and the highly palatable Tolosa.
Kris, who works in the Barenbrug Agriseeds pasture systems team, says the result of this mix is a robust, dense pasture that grows well when farmers need it most, during early spring and autumn.
“Governor is ideal for ideal for both dairy and red meat farmers who are looking for a reliable all-round pasture.”
“On commercial farms, it has shown outstanding survival in the face of both drought and insect pest pressure.”
“It combines this with excellent DM yield at those critical times of the year when high quality leafy green pasture is very valuable.”
Like Alto before it, it is a diploid perennial ryegrass, with fine, dense tillers which create a thick sward that can withstand the pressures of modern farming systems.
This is particularly important for heavier soils, which are usually more prone to treading damage by cattle in wet conditions. Governor is a denser, finer ryegrass, which helps protect the soil, and at the same time its physical characteristics make it harder wearing.
When it comes to persistence, the number of ryegrass tillers in a pasture can make a big difference, Kris says.
“The more tillers your ryegrass produces per square meter, the more soil coverage you have, and more plants are present in the paddock to cope with the challenges of insect pests, drought, wet weather, weeds and/or overgrazing.”
“That’s why dense diploid perennial ryegrasses are often recommended for parts of the farm where conditions are a bit harder.”
Governor comes with AR1 endophyte which provides excellent animal health and performance and very good control of Argentine stem weevil and pasture mealy bug for South Island regions.
It is also available with AR37, to help in areas with significant porina issues.
For more information on Governor talk to your local Ruralco representative.
Photo: Local agronomist Kris Bailey