Perennial ryegrass - saint or sinner in temperate dairy systems

Abstract

Perennial ryegrass is the most important plant for pastoral agriculture in temperate pasture grazing systems. It provides flexibility in grazing management and, in its vegetative state, is a high quality feed for animal production. The ability to maintain high ryegrass yields depends on the provision of an optimized biophysical and nutrient environment. Historically, a complementary association with clover has provided some of the grassed nitrogen requirement and improved overall pasture quality. Clover content of 50+% has consistently been shown to maximize animal intake and production. However, current establishment, agronomic, plant breeding and grazing practices restrict clover production and persistence. Clover maintenance within a pasture requires an understanding of its growth requirements and adoption of appropriate grazing management strategies. The ongoing battle between ryegrass and clovers may be moved in favour of the legume through reduced ryegrass sowing rates, temporal and spatial separation of species at establishment, and grazing strategies aimed at maximizing legume rather than grass production.