THE PERFECT BASE
FOR MAXIMUM YIELD
Base
tetraploid perennial ryegrass
- Exceptional yielding tetraploid perennial ryegrass
- AR37 endophyte for strong persistence
- Very high tiller density
- Stunning late spring quality
- Excellent for dairy and intensive sheep/beef systems
- Best suited to rotational grazing
- Superior year-round performance
- Excellent cool season yields
- Rated 5 stars on the Dairy NZ Forage Value Index (FVI)
Base tetraploid perennial ryegrass is available with AR1 and AR37 endophytes and was selected from high yielding, densely tillered plants that survived two years of severe drought and hard sheep grazing. Improved persistence is also offered from AR37 endophyte with protection from five of New Zealand’s major pasture pests. Base tetraploid perennial ryegrass pastures have low aftermath heading, maximising summer quality and animal production.
Sowing & Establishment
Base tetraploid perennial ryegrass seed is heavier than diploid perennial ryegrass seed so ideally should be sown at a 40% higher rate than diploid cultivars. Base tetraploid perennial ryegrass should be sown at a minimum of 22 kg/ha as a pure sward with Superstrike treated clover. Base tetraploid perennial ryegrass performs best on sites with reasonable soil moisture and medium to high fertility.
- Soil Fertility High (Olsen P 18+)
- Pasture Life 5 years+
Grazing Management
Base tetraploid perennial ryegrass will produce and persist better under rotational grazing. Avoid hard set-stocking during periods of stress (e.g. low fertility).
- Grazing Method Rotational Grazed – Long Term
Mix Suitability
Base tetraploid perennial ryegrass combines well with other components of a pasture mix (e.g. tetraploid short rotation ryegrass, tetraploid Italian ryegrass and Grasslands Puna II chicory and clover).
Heading Date
| Early | Mid-Season | Late | Very Late |
| Base: 22 days later than Nui |
8 years old and still going strong! Brian trialled Base before it was commercial and has been impressed with how his paddocks have produced and persisted through challenging years. Brian says "cows lift in milk productions after grazing the Base paddocks. It stands out during the summer and we try to manage the tetraploid well but occasionally we do nail the paddocks when feed is tight - but Base recovers!"
