Dexter Tetraploid Annual Ryegrass

Dexter stays vegetative longer! This leafy, late-maturing, high-quality tetraploid annual ryegrass is ideal for demanding livestock. Dexter may be safely grazed by all livestock, as well as harvested for stored feed. It can also be used as a cover crop.

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Variety Summary

Dexter stays vegetative longer! This leafy, late-maturing tetraploid annual ryegrass is ideal for demanding livestock, such as dairy and beef cattle. Producers desiring high-quality forage late in the spring season will find Dexter an ideal choice. Dexter may be safely grazed by all livestock, as well as harvested for stored feed. It can also be used as a cover crop.

Dexter production field in Oregon | May 2022

Late Season Growth/Minimal Stemminess

Dexter’s growth curve is notably later than many annual ryegrasses. This means Dexter remains vegetative, tender and lush longer.

University of Kentucky

Maturity

Lexington, KY

|

2019-2020

VarietyMaturity (May 21)
Dexter45.0
Koga46.8
Feast II49.9
Marshall53.5
Gulf56.0
LSD3.2

Maturity scale: 37= flag leaf emergence, 45=boot swollen, 50= beginning of inflorescence emergence, 58= complete emergence of inflorescence

Dexter production field in Oregon | May 2022

Dexter for the North

Dexter has shown excellent cold tolerance, allowing Northern producers to plant it in either fall or spring. Fall plantings will provide minimal growth prior to winter and then become very productive in spring, remaining vegetative longer than many traditional annual ryegrass. With good regrowth, Dexter may be grazed or harvested multiple times late into the season.

For regions with limited growing seasons, Dexter may be planted in the spring and should remain vegetative for longer than many other annual ryegrasses.

University of Kentucky

Cold Tolerance (Injury Due to Cold)

Lexington, KY

|

December 2019

Variety% Injury
Koga3*
Marshall4*
Dexter6*
Nelson43
Feast II59
Gulf70
LSD P=.0518

Rating taken after significant early cold spell.

*Statistically equal to top score.

Dexter for the South

Southern producers transitioning to other summer annual crops needing late spring grazing or stored feed should find Dexter very useful. Producers overseeding permanent warm-season pastures should be aware that Dexter’s late growth may hinder or damage re-emergence of warm season species. We offer a number of other varieties, such as Rapido, better suited for early harvest.

Yield Data

Kentucky

University of Kentucky

Forage Yield (Tons DM/A)

Lexington, KY

|

2021-2022

VarietyDecember 3April 30May 9June 6Total
Marshall0.911.841.011.004.75*
Winterhawk0.871.781.060.964.67*
Grazekeeper0.741.661.101.134.63*
Meroa0.811.711.080.984.58*
Koga0.811.661.031.024.52*
Dexter0.651.461.061.064.24*
FrostProof0.801.320.890.803.80
Feast II0.620.710.980.873.17
Gulf0.800.630.910.793.13
LSD0.210.330.160.230.70

Sown Aug 30, 2019.

*Statistically equal to top score.

University of Kentucky

Forage Yield (Tons DM/A)

Lexington, KY

|

2019-2020

VarietyNovember 6April 1April 28May 21June 8June 25Total
Meroa1.160.641.040.840.620.274.56*
Dexter0.930.690.980.830.580.334.33*
Koga1.150.640.990.400.540.234.25*
Marshall1.070.720.920.760.450.304.22*
FrostProof0.980.700.810.770.380.293.93*
Grazekeeper0.610.730.840.800.530.253.76
Feast II0.900.360.830.820.450.293.64
Gulf1.090.270.770.630.390.213.36
LSD0.370.140.240.180.150.110.57

Sown Sept 10, 2021.

*Statistically equal to top score.

University of Kentucky

Forage Yield (Tons DM/A)

Lexington, KY

|

2019-2020

VarietyYield Total (5 Cuttings)
Dexter4.33*
Koga4.25*
Marshall4.22*
Winterhawk3.84
Feast II3.64
Gulf3.36
LSD0.57

*Statistically equal to top score.

Dexter's Forage Quality Data

University of Tennessee

Forage Quality

Greeneville, TN

|

2018-2019

April 22CPADFNDFTDN
Koga18.0233.2459.3763.79
Dexter14.3233.2153.9463.82
Marshall12.2229.2350.0167.99
Average*14.3231.3552.3365.77
May 29CPADFNDFTDN
Dexter10.4644.8767.6951.60
Koga10.2044.9067.5951.57
Marshall9.4738.8060.6357.96
Average*8.9842.0566.0154.55

*Average included 28 entries.

Dexter in Multiple Locations

Planting Instructions

Prior to Planting

For optimal performance, prior to planting, obtain a soil test. Amend soil according to recommendations and fertilize after planting according to recommendations and use.

How to Plant

Dexter can be drilled or broadcast into either a prepared seedbed or an existing sod bed. For prepared seedbed, lightly disc and pack well. For existing sod bed, reduce existing sod height as much as possible.

Fertilization

Application of fertilizer (following soil test recommendations) throughout the growing season and/or use of legumes will provide maximum forage tonnage and root growth.

Seeding Rate

New Pastures
25-35 lbs/ac
Overseeding
10-15 lbs/ac

Planting Dates

Dexter can be planted throughout the year. However, maximum utilization will be obtained by planting in the fall as soon as adequate moisture is available. If planted at other times of the year, performance will be limited.

Planting Map

Planting Depth

1/8"-1/2"

Optimal pH

6.0-7.0

Germination

5-10 days

Fertilizer

Application of fertilizer (per soil test results) throughout the growing season and/or use of legumes will provide maximum forage tonnage and root growth.