When is ryegrass seed viable?

[Wigeon]

Ignorant question from an arable farmer who now finds himself with some organic grazing leys...

As per the title, generally how long from emergence have I got until I need to get the topper out?

We keep piling sheep on it, but the grass seems to be winning. Got 23 ewes to the ha, plus lambs at the moment. Zero seed return is obviously the aim.

Thanks

 

[solo]

There will be a difference between varieties on heading dates. Italian ryegrass would be earlier to mature compared with a late tetraploid perennial ryegrass for example. Maybe heading dates would be available on breeder websites. An intermediate perennial ryegrass would produce a crop of viable seed for harvest by early august, but if grazed late this could be extended.

 

[robs1]

Yesterday

 

[yellow belly]

Once the seed is fertilised it then needs to fill the seed

so look for anthers to see if the seed could be fertilised

then take a seed off the plant and squeeze it with a thumb nail if it feels full and squeezes out the starch then it will be on the way to maturity

we do this with black grass to check possible viability

 

[Wigeon]

Many thanks- heads just emerging now. Will keep checking, but i will probably end up playing it safe and topping within the fortnight. It does frighten me a bit. We havent had a ley here since our dairy went nearly thirty years ago, and I've got one field of wheat thats full of the stuff, as a result of cocking this decision up!