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

Variety	Maturity (May 21)
Dexter	45.0
Koga	46.8
Feast II	49.9
Marshall	53.5
Gulf	56.0
LSD	3.2

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
Koga	3*
Marshall	4*
Dexter	6*
Nelson	43
Feast II	59
Gulf	70
LSD P=.05	18

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

Alabama

Auburn University

Dry Matter Yields (Total DM/A)

Marion Junction, AL

2023-2024

Variety	Early Season Harvest	Late Season Harvests	Season Total
	March 14	April 8, May 1 and May 24	Four Harvests
Highest yield*	1681*	5664*	7033*
Mantis	1681*	5265*	6945*
Dexter	1267	5664*	6931*
FrostProof	1532*	5168	6700*
Wax Marshall	1029	5630*	6659*
Baqueano	1251	5355*	6606*
Big Boss	1379	5209	6588*
Credence	1226	5111	6337
Grits	1055	4999	6054
Gulf	1039	4588	5628
lsd	777	890	1479

Kentucky

University of Kentucky

Forage Yield (Tons DM/A)

Lexington, KY

2021-2022

Variety	December 3	April 30	May 9	June 6	Total
Marshall	0.91	1.84	1.01	1.00	4.75*
Winterhawk	0.87	1.78	1.06	0.96	4.67*
Grazekeeper	0.74	1.66	1.10	1.13	4.63*
Meroa	0.81	1.71	1.08	0.98	4.58*
Koga	0.81	1.66	1.03	1.02	4.52*
Dexter	0.65	1.46	1.06	1.06	4.24*
FrostProof	0.80	1.32	0.89	0.80	3.80
Feast II	0.62	0.71	0.98	0.87	3.17
Gulf	0.80	0.63	0.91	0.79	3.13
LSD	0.21	0.33	0.16	0.23	0.70

University of Kentucky

Forage Yield (Tons DM/A)

Lexington, KY

2019-2020

Variety	November 6	April 1	April 28	May 21	June 8	June 25	Total
Meroa	1.16	0.64	1.04	0.84	0.62	0.27	4.56*
Dexter	0.93	0.69	0.98	0.83	0.58	0.33	4.33*
Koga	1.15	0.64	0.99	0.40	0.54	0.23	4.25*
Marshall	1.07	0.72	0.92	0.76	0.45	0.30	4.22*
FrostProof	0.98	0.70	0.81	0.77	0.38	0.29	3.93*
Grazekeeper	0.61	0.73	0.84	0.80	0.53	0.25	3.76
Feast II	0.90	0.36	0.83	0.82	0.45	0.29	3.64
Gulf	1.09	0.27	0.77	0.63	0.39	0.21	3.36
LSD	0.37	0.14	0.24	0.18	0.15	0.11	0.57

University of Kentucky

Forage Yield (Tons DM/A)

Lexington, KY

2019-2020

Variety	Yield Total (5 Cuttings)
Dexter	4.33*
Koga	4.25*
Marshall	4.22*
Winterhawk	3.84
Feast II	3.64
Gulf	3.36
LSD	0.57

Dexter's Forage Quality Data

University of Tennessee

Forage Quality

Greeneville, TN

2018-2019

April 22	CP	ADF	NDF	TDN
Koga	18.02	33.24	59.37	63.79
Dexter	14.32	33.21	53.94	63.82
Marshall	12.22	29.23	50.01	67.99
Average*	14.32	31.35	52.33	65.77
May 29	CP	ADF	NDF	TDN
Dexter	10.46	44.87	67.69	51.60
Koga	10.20	44.90	67.59	51.57
Marshall	9.47	38.80	60.63	57.96
Average*	8.98	42.05	66.01	54.55

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.