Vortex

Vortex is a mid to mid-late flowering tetraploid annual ryegrass. It has high autumn/ winter and early spring dry matter production. It has extremely good seedling vigour. It is a true Westerwolds type. Leaves are broad and deep green in colour.

Key Features

• Mid-late tetraploid annual Westerwold ryegrass
• Excellent establishment vigour
• Leading autumn and early spring yield
• Performs well in hot environments due to Australian selection pressures
• Adaptable & reliable performance across a wide range of environments

Benefits of sowing Vortex

• Maximises production in dryland environments where rainfall is autumn, winter and spring dominant with main growth occurring from  Mar to Nov
• Winter and early spring yield benefits reduce supplementary feed requirements and provides additional forage at a critical time in most farming systems
• Establishment speed assists in time to first grazing
• An excellent variety for producing silage and build up fodder reserves
• Ideal for dual cropping situations where summer crops will be sown following silage

Application

Vortex has been tested by Barenbrug since 2009 and has demonstrated, over numerous years, excellent performance,  reliability and adaptability across temperate and sub-tropical zones where annual ryegrass is applicable. 

It is particularly suited to  500mm–650mm/yr. rainfall environments that experience rainfall in autumn, winter and spring, matching the main growth curve of the variety. 

Vortex superior winter and early spring growth make it ideal for farmers trying to fill feed gaps in the cool season in beef/lamb and dairy operations, both in respect to spring and autumn lambing/calving. 

Due to the strong spring growth Vortex will provide great opportunities to make silage and conserve feed.

Agronomy and Management

• Graze when seedlings resist pulling, tearing the leaves instead; typically 5–8 weeks after sowing. • Excellent option for over-sowing run-out pasture to give a further year of performance. Over-sow at 15–20kg/ha for  most applications.
• Useful to consider sowing with annual clovers such as Vista Balansa or Laser Persian.
• Mix with forage cereals in a 3:1 ratio (e.g. 60 kg/ha Express oats: 20kg Vortex) for early feed option with fodder conservation.
• Sow from February - June, when moisture is available.  750mm+ / irrigation: 25–35kg/ha  750–600mm: 20–25kg/ha  <600mm: 15–20kg/ha  Higher sowing rates (up to 35 kg/ha) will increase establishment yield and provide an improved 'fast feed option'.