The RGT18 endophyte is here.
Think back to 2006. Justin Timberlake was bringing sexy back. Facebook was just becoming a thing. The world said "farewell cobber" to the crocodile hunter. And the RAGT novel endophyte journey was just getting started. Today it's finally commercially available to farmers with RGT18 novel endophyte combined with Hustle perennial ryegrass.
As part of NZPBRA (New Zealand Plant Breeding and Research Association) RGT18 went through a range of protocols for testing; a multiyear process that included agronomic, insect, and animal safety trials. It's an essential process in order for a new endophyte to be recognised by the industry. In the most recent NFVT (National Forage Variety Trials) tables, Hustle RGT18 came in as a top tier player, reinforcing the significant investment in not only novel endophyte but in the genetic development that RAGT has made.
Why is choosing a good endophyte important? It's all about a ryegrass plant's ability to persist and grow in the face of pressures such as insect attack.
Take perennial ryegrass for instance. It's the main pasture species used in New Zealand, but increasingly it's challenged by black beetles, and Argentine stem weevil. That's why perennial ryegrasses should be combined with novel endophyte. Endophyte is a type of fungus that lives naturally in the plant (found in the seed, and base of the plant as it germinates and grows) and produces chemicals (alkaloids) that can ward off insects. Some alkaloids the endophyte produces can be bad for animal performance though, which is why seed companies develop 'novel endophytes' - selecting strains of the known chemical compounds with the aim being a higher proportion of the good ones that protect against pests and help improve persistence, and no or limited amounts of the bad ones that impact animals. Farmers and reps should select the endophyte they need based on what pest profile they have on-farm.
Hustle has already proven itself as one of New Zealand's top performing perennial ryegrasses. Now with RGT18 endophyte, it's got even better pest protection and the ability to be utilised in more environments. RGT18's stronger pest protection improves productivity and persistence.
RAGT New Zealand's Commercial Manager James White says, "our novel endophyte programme has been a significant investment by RAGT - which has taken close to the duration that we have operated in New Zealand - but it's a crucially important technology for us and we are very pleased to commercially release RGT18. This technology will be equally important for farmers, who are facing ever- increasing pressures economically, environmentally and socially. At RAGT New Zealand, it's our mission to be the partner of the agricultural world to create innovative solutions for the challenges of today and tomorrow. Being part of one of the world's leading seed groups, we're able to offer farmers comprehensive seed technology advancements that are the result of world-leading R&D and extensive local trials and testing. The RGT18 endophyte is proof of this."
To find out more about what endophyte is right for your farm, reach out to your local Farm Source TSR.