The tetraploid nature of Feast II Italian ryegrass can lead to improved animal intake through enhanced palatability. Feast II Italian ryegrass can be used as a specialist crop for livestock or silage production, while many farmers undersow it annually into existing pasture to provide extra winter growth of high quality forage. Feast II tetraploid Italian ryegrass can persist for 2-3 years in summer moist environments, with low insect pressure.
Sow at a minimum of 22 kg/ha as pure sward, or a minimum of 14 kg/ha using Superstrike treated seed, in an undersowing situation.
Feast II tetraploid Italian ryegrass is best suited to rotational grazing. For best persistence avoid hard grazing over summer. Feast II tetraploid Italian ryegrass is primarily used to significantly increase the winter and spring production of a pasture. For spring conservation, back fence during winter break feeding.
Feast has provided excellent winter growth where the lambs can gain approximately 300 grams a day on average. We find the performance impressive and are amazed at how well it “bounces” back from grazing. Hamish says “he will sow 40ha of their 190ha property a year in the feast mix in a 4 year rotation”.