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Words and images supplied by PGG Wrightson Seeds.

With spring fast approaching and most winter crops finishing up, now is the time to start making decisions around pastural renewal. If you are looking for a top performing perennial ryegrass that combines high dry matter production with exceptional quality, then look no further than Platform AR37.

Platform AR37 perennial ryegrass* is the newest release late heading diploid ryegrass from PGG Wrightson Seeds. Bred and developed by PGG Wrightson Seeds team of plant breeders across New Zealand, Platform has been selected for increased tiller density, finer leaves and low aftermath seed head.

This combination of traits has led to a substantial improvement in feed quality over other diploid ryegrasses.

Feed quality tests from a trial run on a Waikato dairy farm last season demonstrate the quality advantage that Platform AR37 provided over late heading diploids Governor AR37 and Trojan NEA2.

These results show Platform consistently maintained higher energy (MJME) values than the other diploid ryegrasses throughout the testing period from November to March 2020. With higher energy intake leading to increased milk production, it is clear why farmers are asking for Platform after trying it previously.

In addition to Platform’s dairy fit, its dense fine leaf type and impressive cool season growth make this perennial ryegrass a great option for progressive sheep and beef systems. Platform’s feed profile shows increased late winter/early spring growth meeting the early season feed demand of most sheep and beef farms. In addition to AR37 endophyte, this spring Platform is also available with AR1 endophyte suitable for properties with lower insect pressure.

When choosing a perennial pasture mix to maximise stock performance consider pairing Platform with high performing legumes Legacy and Quartz white clover. Both Legacy and Quartz have been bred and selected within a pasture sward to provide superior production and persistence when mixed and drilled with ryegrass, tall fescue or cocksfoot.

Legacy’s large leaf and upright growth habit enables it to compete with ryegrass making it easy to graze by cattle. In contrast, with a medium leaf size, Quartz white clover provides broad adaptability across more challenging and varied farms including sheep and beef grazing systems. New this season to Ruralco’s range of Pasture Packs is the Dip Pack containing a specialist blend of Platform perennial ryegrass, Legacy white clover and Quartz white clover.

For more information and advice on how Platform perennial ryegrass can benefit your farming system click here to contact our Ruralco Seed Team.

*Platform has been bred, selected and successfully tested as a perennial and will function as a perennial ryegrass. Due to a small number of tip awns, Platform is certified as Lolium boucheanum.