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Grass | Perennial Ryegrass
Ultrastrike® film coat seed recommended
15-30kg/ha
USES:
BEEF
DAIRY
SHEEP
HAY
SILAGE
SOWING RATE
650mm p/a
RAINFALL / IRRIGATION
Excess is a mid-season flowering diploid perennial ryegrass (+7 days) which has
excellent summer, autumn and winter production, low aftermath heading and
excellent rust tolerance.
Excess is ideally suited for maximising dairy production with high dry matter during key
times while equally providing a quality option for intensive sheep and beef operations.
Good persistence (AR37)
Excellent dry matter production at key times
Mid-season maturity (+7 days)
Low aftermath heading for improved late season quality
Description
Excess AR37 is a diploid perennial ryegrass with a mid-season flowering date of +7 days (compared with Nui). Excess AR37 has the added
feature of being available with AR37, a novel endophyte which offers excellent insect protection. AR37 allows for increased potential for
the plant to persist over many years and offers increased forage yield at key times of the year (summer, autumn and winter).
Aftermath heading (AMH) is a trait that offers real benefits due to its effect on feed quality late in the season. Plant breeders at
PGG Wrightson Seeds put a lot of focus on low aftermath heading to maintain high quality feed late in the season and after plants have
gone reproductive. Excess AR37 was selected for the trait of low AMH so as to keep the quality of feed high later in the season. Like any
other cultivar, a plant with low aftermath heading will produce seed heads when it goes reproductive. But, it will revert to vegetative
growth quickly (providing moisture is available), thus minimising the period when forage quality is low.
pggwrightsonseeds.com.au
Grass | Perennial Ryegrass
Grazing Management
Excess AR37 perennial ryegrass will produce and persist better under rotational grazing. Avoid hard set-stocking during periods of stress
(e.g. droughts, low fertility and insect attack).
Grazing Excess AR37 for the first time is the same process as with any new pasture. Look to implement the “pull test” before introducing
livestock onto the paddock. This will indicate whether or not the grass is well anchored and able to handle the pressures of grazing for
the first time.
Careful grazing management is required during drier periods as this can affect persistence through the constant use of key energy
reserves of the plant which, if not replenished, will result in lower plant persistence. With the introduction of the North West Spanish
germplasm into the breeding of Excess AR37, it is a key feature that when there is available moisture, the grass will grow and produce
good levels of dry matter, regardless of the time of year. It is important to carefully manage Excess AR37 through the summer –
autumn period in a dryland situation in the event of any “out-of-season” rainfall events. If this situation occurs, be sure not to graze for
extended periods of time or the grass will run out of the energy reserves which allow it to regrow after grazing. If grazing is required, it
is recommended the grazing period is brief and some leaf area is left behind to allow the plant to continue the process of replenishing
energy reserves ready for the next opportunity to grow.
Breeding
Excess AR37 was developed within the PGG Wrightson Seeds internal breeding program utilising elite genetics that have proven
successful in Australian conditions. The selections were made from a combination of elite North West Spanish and New Zealand genetics
with a focus for mid-season maturity. With North West Spanish germplasm as the platform for Excess AR37 (similar germplasm used for
Banquet II and Base AR37), the performance of Excess AR37 really suits Australian conditions and Australian farmers.
In breeding Excess AR37 there was a clear focus to specifically target key traits such as rust resistance, persistence, dry matter production
at key times and low aftermath heading. Persistence is largely gained through the AR37 novel endophyte and the insect protection that
it offers.
Image 1 - Excess on left and Avalon on right
The above photo is of a demonstration paddock near Heywood, Victoria, showing late season quality of Excess AR37 and Avalon SE.
The photo was supplied by Bill Feely, Agronomist with Murray Goulburn Trading, Heywood
Pest and Disease Tolerance
AR37 novel endophyte has been shown to provide superior resistance (over SE or AR1 endophyte) to a wide range of insects that can
cause real damage and yield reductions to ryegrass pastures in Australia. These pests include adult Black Beetle, Argentine Stem Weevil
Larvae, Pasture Mealy Bug and Root Aphid. However, under extreme insect infestations the pasture may require an application of
additional insect control. The protection offered by the AR37 endophyte enables persistence to be a key feature of Excess AR37.
Rust resistance for Excess AR37 is very strong and one of the selection traits that was used to identify it as a potential variety.
Management will assist in preventing rust, so fertility and general health need to be monitored and supported to ensure the onset
of rust is delayed and/or prevented. Conditions that are conducive to rust are those in key coastal areas of NSW and where irrigation
is utilised.
Grass | Perennial Ryegrass
Trial Results
Total Annual Yield
20,000
CV = 6% LSD5 = 1,691kg
Total annual yield - kgDM/Ha
18,000
16,000
14,000
12,000
10,000
8000
Autumn
6000
Summer
4000
Late Spring
2000
Early Spring
Winter
Victorian SE
Avalon AR1
Barberia
Joule AR1
Avalon SE
Extreme AR37
Revolution AR1
Impact AR1
Arrow AR1
Ultra AR1
Impact II
Excess AR37
0
The table above shows the average total dry matter production segregated by the seasons to highlight how each variety performs.
The data has been generated from trials at Ballarat sown in autumn 2008 and 2012.
Note: This is only comparing Excess AR37 to other diploid perennial ryegrass commercially available on the market.
Sowing and Establishment
Excess AR37 diploid perennial ryegrass seed is smaller than tetraploid seed, so sowing rates should be between 15-30kg/ha.
Excess AR37 is an ideal companion grass in a pasture mix that may include a tetraploid perennial ryegrass, clovers and chicory. This will
ensure a balanced pasture diet that offers high quality feed for as long as the seasonal conditions allow.
It is important to note with any small seed that good seed to soil contact is required to enable even germination, quick vigour and
therefore ease of management in the year of establishment. If this is not achieved, then processes such as weed control and first grazing
can be severely affected.
To ensure the success of establishing a new pasture and the introduction of a novel endophyte is achieved, it is recommended that a full
renovation program is implemented prior to sowing the new pasture. This will give time and opportunity to get weeds to a manageable
level as well as eliminate any ryegrass plants that contain standard endophyte so as to enhance animal productivity.
“Each time the cows entered
the paddock they ran to
the freshly allocated
Excess AR37 and the recovery
from grazing was excellent.”
I and J Round
Welshpool, Victoria – Dairy operation
Grass | Perennial Ryegrass
Learning - Excess AR37
For more information on how Excess AR37 can help work for you and your land
you can access the following extra information from the Excess AR37 page at
pggwrightsonseeds.com.au
Video
Guide
More Information
Forage Focus
Difference between a
diploid and tetraploid
ryegrass
Information on all AR37
products available
For more information on
the AR37 endophyte visit
ar37.com.au
Understanding
endophytes in a dairy
system.
Excess AR37 - Fast Facts
Class of Stock
Dairy, Beef, Sheep
Treatment recommended
Ultrastrike®
Sowing Rates
15-30kg/ha
Flower Heading Dates
+7 days compared to Nui
When will feed be available
Autumn, winter, spring and
through summer based on
irrigation and/or summer rainfall.
Ploidy
Diploid
How can it be used
Grazing, Silage and Hay
Endophyte
AR37
Rainfall guide
Minimum 650mm rainfall per annum unless irrigated
LET’S GROW TOGETHER
Planning your forage and seed requirements in advance can make a big difference to your productivity.
For over 75 years PGG Wrightson Seeds have been working with farmers to get the balance right.
To discuss your growth plans call your Sales Agronomist now.
Results will vary depending on all circumstances. PGG Wrightson Seeds (Australia) Pty Ltd and its officers, employees, contractors, agents, advisers and
licensors of intellectual property (PGG Wrightson Seeds (Australia) Pty Ltd) provide no assurances, guarantees or warranties in relation to any advice,
information, cultivar or product, other than those that must be provided by law. To the extent permitted by law PGG Wrightson Seeds (Australia) Pty
Ltd excludes all liability, and has no liability to anyone, however arising, from or in relation any advice, information, cultivar or product. iWRI3701.
PGG Wrightson Seeds (Australia) Pty Ltd ABN 83 004 227 927
pggwrightsonseeds.com.au