Endo-Graze XL Tetraploid Perennial Ryegrass

Endo-Graze XL is a blend of improved tetraploid perennial ryegrass varieties. Best suited for short rotations of hay or pasture; can also be overseeded into older or thinning stands of alfalfa and other legumes.

CHARACTERISTICS:

Establishment: Fast
Persistence: Medium
Drought Tolerance: Medium
Winter Hardiness: Medium
Palatability: High
Yield Potential: High
Grazing Tolerance: High

SEEDING:

Seeding Rate:
Alone (lbs./acre): 30-40
Mixes (lbs./acre): 6-10
Seeds/lb.: 227,000
Depth (in.): 1/4-1/2

Planting Time:
Feb.-May; Aug.-Sept.
Emergence (days): 14
Life Cycle: Perennial

Adaptation:
These grasses have a wide range of adaptability to soils, but thrive best on fertile soils with a pH between 5.5-6.5. They produce well in regions having mild climates. They do not withstand hot, dry weather or severe winters. They will stand fairly wet soils with reasonably good surface drainage. Perennial ryegrass is distributed throughout the entire United States.

Establishment:
Seed should be planted 1/4-1/2 in. deep in a well prepared seedbed. Spring seedings of ryegrass may occur in Mar.-May. Perennial ryegrass may also be seeded mid-Aug. to early Sept. For forage or pastures, a rate of 30-40 lbs. per acre is used if ryegrass is seeded alone. In mixtures, 6-10 lbs. per acre is recommended, depending upon uses and companion species. In general, the perennial ryegrass component of a mix should be 20% or less since it is very competitive, due to rapid germination and good seedling vigor. Turf seeding rates are 5-7 lbs. per 1000 sq. ft. for new lawns, 3-4 lbs. per 1000 sq. ft. for established lawns and 30-35 lbs./1000 sq. ft. for overseeding.

MANAGEMENT:

Rotational Grazing:
Begin (in.): 8-12
Stop (in.): 2-4
Avg. Days Rest: 15-30

Hay or Haylage Harvest:
Cut boot to mid-bloom

Ryegrass is generally cut for hay when seed heads start to emerge. Pastures should be rotationally grazed when spring growth is 3-6 in. high. Allowing 7-10 in. of regrowth between grazings will benefit yield and persistence. On new seedings, harvest or grazing should be delayed until plants are 10-12 in. tall. Ryegrass responds well to good management, such as intensive rotational grazing and fertilizer applications. When used for turf, mowing height should be 1-2 in. Mow frequently enough so no more than 1/3 of the total leaf area is removed. Perennial ryegrass requires moderate to high watering and moderate to high fertilizer requirements. Disease control measures may be needed depending on conditions during the growing season.