Use Tyson to start spring with a punch

Barenbrug’ latest diploid perennial ryegrass promises a big improvement in early spring productivity. Tyson has excellent total DM yield and with a -7 day heading date (the earliest heading perennial ryegrass on the market) it really shines in early spring with 18% more yield than other leading perennial ryegrasses during this period.

 

This early spring growth makes Tyson a terrific fit for sheep and beef farmers wanting to finish more lambs off mum. This has always been a key goal for sheep and beef farmers, for several reasons. Early lamb drafts usually fetch better prices, the weaning check is avoided (and with it up to two weeks’ lost lamb LWG) and extra feed can be freed up for other stock. 

 

While Tyson has exceptional early spring growth, two other things are necessary to get the best out of it: the right farm system and the correct management. Some key tips to achieve this are:

  • Identify and achieve pasture cover targets for key times of the year. For lambing in early spring target minimum cover for set stocked ewes is 1500 kg DM/ha and around 1700-1800 kg DM/ha for twin bearing ewes. If covers are low, i.e. around 800 kg DM/ha, this will mean your animals are only growing at less than 60% of their potential.
  • Autumn sets up spring. Decisions on feeding and selling in autumn set up spring. Remember applying N fertiliser can be a great ‘circuit-breaker’ to grow farm cover if you need it.
  • To maximise pasture growth and quality keep covers at the optimum length. It’s important to ensure pastures don’t get too short to limit growth (< 1300 kg DM/ha for sheep and beef) or too long to reduce feed quality (> 3000 kg DM/ha).

Tyson will be available in limited supply this spring with AR1 endophyte. It is recommended to be sown at 20 kg/ha, mixed with a small leaved white clover (Apex) at 2 kg/ha and medium leaved white clover (Weka) at 2 kg/ha. 

 

Download a Tyson leaflet here.