Viscount is a standout tetraploid perennial ryegrass from Barenbrug New Zealand’s plant breeding programme, with more early spring growth and better total yield than Bealey. Added to this is an improved rust resistance and better summer feed quality too. The biggest gain with Viscount is in its early spring growth, during calving or lambing when feed is most valuable. For dairy farmers extra grass at this time of year has been of great value too.
Three reasons to sow Viscount perennial ryegrass:
1.More feed when you need it.
Viscount has a flowering date of +19 days (6 days earlier than Bealey). It has a very good total DM yield but importantly has improved early spring growth – a time when feed is of the highest value in pastoral systems.
2. Animals love it.
Viscount has all the features animals love in a pasture;
• the excellent palatability of a tetraploid
• upright growth for ease of harvest
• high quality with reduced aftermath heading and improved rust tolerance
• clover friendly
3. Excellent companion variety.
Viscount performs extremely well in mixtures with red and white clover, as well as with diploid perennial ryegrasses like Governor and Tyson.