In New Zealand, pasture pests like black beetle, Argentine stem weevil, and Porina can damage pastures, reducing growth and yields.
Northland farmer John Glass has found using diploid perennial ryegrass with endophyte has helped provide a solution.
What is an 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.
The RGT18 difference
Ruawai farmer John Glass worked with Farm Source TSR Bryant Martin to improve the pasture yield on his farm where he milks 345 cows. Bryant suggested using RGT Hustle™ RGT18 perennial ryegrass. Produced by RAGT, RGT Hustle™ RGT18 is purpose bred for regions dealing with Black Beetle challenges affecting pasture persistence.
By planting a mix of RGT Hustle™ RGT18 perennial ryegrass and white clover, John has established high-quality pasture that supports both animal health and farm productivity. RGT Hustle™ RGT18 is proving itself for excellent growth and persistence, even in challenging environments like Upper North Island.
According to RAGT, this particular endophyte plays a crucial role in managing pests, particularly black beetle, which is a major concern in the North Island. It also enhances ryegrass tolerance to pests like Argentine stem weevil and Porina.
Research showed RGT18 had significantly reduced damage from Porina feeding1. Ongoing studies are also confirming its effectiveness against pests like pasture mealybug and root aphid.
Contact your local Farm Source TSR today to learn how RGT18 can benefit your farm.
1 Assessment of Ryegrass endophytes on Wiseana copularis. S. Hana, C Ferguson, S Hardwick, AgResearch May 2024.