- Fast growing tetraploid annual ryegrass
reselection of Winter Star
- Fast establishment seedling vigour
- Better winter production
- Improved late season production
WINTER STAR II was bred by subjecting Winter Star to 2 selection
cycles to improve seedling vigour, and disease resistance.
In the second selection cycle, 25 half sib families were formed
and these were tested at Ballarat and Gundagai for forage yield,
and in New Zealand for seed production.
Based on the data from the trials, remaining seed of 19 of the
25 families was blended to form WINTER STAR II.
What the producers say...
Ron Shephard, prime lamb and beef producer, Big Springs NSW
In July last year, Ron direct drilled Winter Star II at 14kg/ha for a quality
hay crop for his prime lambs and beef enterprise. “Winter Star was a fantastic yielder, producing green feed to the end of
November and a 4.2T/ha hay cut. I’ve been quite impressed with Winter
Star II and I'll be sowing it again.”
Stuart Davidson, dairy producer, Ladysmith NSW
“Winter Star II is very impressive with rapid establishment, good winter
feed and definitely hangs on longer. Winter Star II kicked straight after the
January rains and I believe it will hang on into the following season”
Barry Bruce, prime lamb producer, Camperdown VIC
“Winter Star II held on longer compared to Prolong particularly when it
got dry, and there was an extra three weeks of feed. It had wider blades
and produced a lot more bulk. We grazed all our hoggets through the
winter and then shut it up for hay. Winter Star II is great stuff.”
MANAGEMENT TIPS
- Winter Star II should be sown alone at 20-35kg/ha, using higher
rates for more winter feed.
- For high quality fodder, it can be sown at 15-20kg/ha mixed with
persian clover at 5-7kg/ha.
- Graze as soon as plants will withstand pulling and keep the sward
open with grazing until lock-up to ensure that clover is not
swamped for sunlight.
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