Endophyte Options
Choosing the best endophyte for the conditions is critical, as the right choice will improve your pastures as well as stock health and performance.
View the information below to compare the different endophytes available. Endophyte choice should be specified when ordering seed.
Agriseeds endophyte options:
| Variety | Option | Insect Resistance | Comment |
   |
 |
Argentine stem weevil Pasture mealy bug |
Improves animal health and performance over Standard endophyte. Recommended for all areas. But in situations subject to severe black beetle pressure Plus NEA2 may be a better option. Plus AR1 produces the insecticide paramine. |
 |
 |
Argentine stem weevil Pasture mealy bug Black beetle |
Improves animal health and performance over Standard endophyte. Recommended for all areas. Plus NEA2 produces the insecticide paramine and low levels of ergovaline. |
Other endophyte options - AR37, STANDARD & AR6/ENDO5 :
| AR37 |
AR37 doesn't produce the chemicals other endophytes do, but different chemicals called janthitrems. AR37 give s insect resistance to Argentine stem weevil, pasture mealy bug, black beetle and root aphid, and trials show some level of resistance to porina. AR37 can cause ryegrass staggers. Trials have shown that on average the frequency, duration and severity of ryegrass staggers is less than for Standard endophyte. To date no ryegrass staggers have been reported on dairy cows grazing AR37 ryegrass. There was a trend for AR37 to produce slightly less milksolids than AR1 endophyte in recent DairyNZ trials. The AR1 advantage showed in the summer period when it produced more MS per cow than AR37 by an average of 11% (range 5-15% over three trial periods). |
| Standard |
Sometimes called 'high endophyte' is still available in some older varieties. It is not recommended because it causes ryegrass staggers, depresses liveweight gain in lambs and reduces milk production in dairy cows. |
| AR6/Endo5 |
Produce the chemicals peramine and low levels of ergovaline, so are similar in function to Plus NEA2. The peramine gives Argentine stem weevil resistance, ergovaline gives black beetle resistance and as they produce no lolitrem B, they do not cause ryegrass staggers. |
Contact Agriseeds to find out the best endophyte option for your pastures.