The past summer and autumn put ryegrass persistence to the test across southern Victoria. Heat, dry spells and pressure from insect pests meant many pastures thinned out and struggled to bounce back. Yet one variety stood out.
Elevate CM142 tetraploid perennial ryegrass has shown real staying power, outperforming many other varieties in difficult conditions.
Peter Notman, who visited dairy paddocks right through this period, said he was struck by how Elevate held on.
“It’s been a tough season, but Elevate has hung in there. When other paddocks were opening up or losing density, Elevate still had strong ground cover and healthy plants. That’s exactly what farmers need – ryegrass that can ride out a hot summer and keep going into autumn,” Peter said.
The persistency of Elevate comes back to two things: its strong plant genetics and the protection offered by the CM142 endophyte. CM142 provides pest resistance without the risk of staggers, helping plants last longer while keeping cows safe.
Peter noted that farmers looking to secure long-term pasture productivity should pay close attention to persistence as a trait.
“Yield is always important, but persistence is what keeps that feed coming year after year. Elevate gives you both – it grows plenty of grass and it keeps hanging in there when conditions get tough,” he said.
For dairy farmers across Gippsland and south-west Victoria, persistence means fewer re-sowings, more consistent pasture cover, and ultimately lower cost of production.
As Peter summed it up:
“Elevate has proven itself this year. It’s a tetraploid with the backing of the CM142 endophyte, and it’s giving farmers a real advantage when it comes to pasture longevity.”
More on Elevate CM142 perennial ryegrass here: https://notmanpasture.com.au/shop/pasture-grasses/perennial-ryegrass/elevate/
