EarlyBoss Tetraploid Annual Ryegrass
Bred to produce high-quality forage beginning earlier in the growing season, EarlyBoss provides exceptional value to producers in regions with mild winters and short growing seasons, where early forage availability and high nutritional quality are essential for livestock performance and operational efficiency. EarlyBoss is adapted for use across all regions that rely on cool-season ryegrasses.
More Valuable Forage in the First Cut
By including EarlyBoss in your forage program, you can increase your opportunity to harvest more premium quality forage earlier. Preliminary data from Auburn University’s extensive annual ryegrass forage variety database indicates that EarlyBoss has the potential to deliver 9-19% more Relative Forage Value (RFV) in the first hay cut or grazing event. In comparison, mid-late maturing varieties, such as Big Boss and Attain will typically deliver higher RFV through the second half of the growing season. RFV combines TDN, CP and yield to determine relative forage value of each harvest when comparing multiple varieties.
Auburn University
Relative Forage Value in Dollars (RFV)
Marion Junction, AL
|2024
| Mar 14 | Apr 8 | May 1 | May 24 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | 1st Cut | 2nd Cut | 3rd Cut | 4th Cut | Season Total |
| EarlyBoss | $304 | $319 | $307 | $107 | $1,036 |
| Mantis | 302 | 390 | 354 | 141 | 1,187 |
| FrostProof | 285 | 427 | 328 | 92 | 1,132 |
| Trinova | 257 | 411 | 333 | 103 | 1,104 |
| Rapido | 255 | 368 | 299 | 63 | 985 |
| Big Boss | 250 | 376 | 341 | 124 | 1,109 |
| Attain | 241 | 390 | 384 | 157 | 1,172 |
| Baqueano | 232 | 416 | 304 | 132 | 1,084 |
When Beginning and Finishing Early Matters
EarlyBoss initiates and concludes vegetative growth earlier, offering similar high-quality forage on a slightly advanced timeline. This is especially valuable when transitioning to warm-season pastures or needing good termination in preparation for spring plantings. Depending on location and planting date, EarlyBoss matures 4-12 days before medium-late maturing varieties such as Big Boss and Attain.
University of Florida
Maturity
Gainesville, FL
|2019-2020
| Entry | Maturity |
|---|---|
| Rapido | March 7 |
| FrostProof | March 22 |
| EarlyBoss | March 26 |
| Attain | April 7 |
| Big Boss | April 7 |
| Trinova | April 8 |
| Baqueano | April 9 |
| Marshall | April 9 |
| Nelson | April 9 |
| Jumbo | April 9 |
Auburn University
Maturity Evaluation
Belle Mina, AL
|2023-2024
| Entry | Days to Head |
|---|---|
| Rapido | 160 |
| FrostProof | 166 |
| EarlyBoss | 166 |
| Nelson | 168 |
| Trinova | 168 |
| Baqueano | 169 |
| Mantis | 170 |
| Big Boss | 170 |
| Jumbo | 171 |
| Attain | 173 |
| Wax Marshall | 173 |
| Dexter | 181 |
Fight The Blast
EarlyBoss comes ready to combat the known disease pressure of the Deep South. Using extensive cycling and parentages, EarlyBoss was bred for improved resistance against Pyricularia oryzae, commonly called blast or gray leaf spot, as well as resistance to Puccinia coronata, or crown rust.
University of Florida
Gray Leaf Spot Resistance
Gainesville, FL
|2019-2020
| Entry | March 30 | April 13 |
|---|---|---|
| EarlyBoss | 1.7* | 3.3* |
| Frostproof | 2.0* | 4.0* |
| Attain | 4.0 | 6.7 |
| Marshall | 4.0 | 6.0 |
| BigBoss | 4.7 | 8.0 |
| Nelson | 4.7 | 6.3 |
| Tetrastar | 4.7 | 8.3 |
| Jumbo | 5.0 | 7.3 |
| Gulf | 7.7 | 9.7 |
| LSD (p<0.05) | 1.7 | 1.6 |
Forage Yields
EarlyBoss trials throughout the country provide comparative data to help producers decide if it is best for their application and region.
Florida
University of Florida
Forage Yields
Marianna, FL
|2017-2018
| Entry | Total Yield* |
|---|---|
| EarlyBoss | 9,758* |
| Attain | 9,635* |
| Big Boss | 9,479* |
| Nelson | 9,005 |
| Wax Marshall | 8,885 |
| FrostProof | 8,727 |
| Credence | 8,490 |
| Lsd | 925 |
University of Florida
Forage Yields
Gainesville, FL
|2017-2018
| Entry | Total Yield* |
|---|---|
| Highest Yield | 15,585* |
| EarlyBoss | 14,824* |
| Attain | 14,720* |
| Marshall | 13,801* |
| FrostProof | 13,544* |
| Nelson | 13,215* |
| Jumbo | 12,455 |
| Ribeye | 10,067 |
| Lsd | 3,036 |
Georgia
University of Georgia
Forage Yields
Tifton, GA
|2017-2018
| Entry | First Cut 2/20 | Total Yield |
|---|---|---|
| EarlyBoss | 3,492 | 10,755 |
| Big Boss | 2,462 | 10,001 |
| Attain | 2,652 | 9,871 |
| FrostProof | 2,264 | 9,289 |
| Earlyploid | 2,507 | 8,818 |
| lsd | 718 | 877 |
Texas
Texas A&M
Forage Yields
Overton, TX
|2023-2024
| Entry | Total Yield* |
|---|---|
| Highest Yield | 6,439* |
| EarlyBoss | 6,299* |
| Jumbo | 5,957* |
| FrostProof | 5,972* |
| Trinova | 5,903* |
| Nelson | 5,801* |
| Wax Marshall | 5,355 |
| Gulf | 4,464 |
| Lsd | 988 |
Mississippi
Mississippi State
Forage Yield
Three Locations
|2023-2024
| Entry | Ave 1st cut | Ave 2nd cut | Ave all cuts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highest Yield | 4633 | 4903 | 8664 |
| EarlyBoss | 4396 | 4395 | 8331 |
| Mantis | 4128 | 4534 | 8226 |
| FrostProof | 4241 | 4306 | 8100 |
| Big Boss | 3988 | 4146 | 7703 |
| Nelson | 3534 | 4492 | 7623 |
| Marshall | 3768 | 4151 | 7558 |
| Prine | 3224 | 4358 | 7315 |
| TAMTBO | 3523 | 4216 | 7272 |
Alabama
Auburn University
Relative Forage Value in Dollars (RFV)
Fairhope, AL
|2024
| Jan 22 | Feb 14 | Mar 12 | Apr 16 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | 1st Cut | 2nd Cut | 3rd Cut | 4th Cut | Season Total |
| EarlyBoss | $329 | $483 | $514 | $788 | $2,305 |
| Trinova | 254 | 514 | 429 | 862 | 2,227 |
| Baqueano | 250 | 437 | 466 | 946 | 2,321 |
| FrostProof | 248 | 503 | 502 | 1,049 | 2,399 |
| Attain | 241 | 540 | 567 | 789 | 2,314 |
| Mantis | 240 | 528 | 507 | 926 | 2,311 |
| Rapido | 185 | 531 | 608 | 985 | 2,612 |
| Big Boss | 155 | 485 | 522 | 825 | 2,211 |
Plant It Straight Or Mix It Up
EarlyBoss is safe for all livestock and can be planted straight or with other grasses and legumes for grazing, hay and silage, and wildlife. Plant EarlyBoss with other earlier crops to focus on early season production or mixed it with later maturing varieties to provide season-long quality forage.
EarlyBoss Photos
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.
When to Plant
Plant in the fall as adequate moisture is available to obtain maximum forage yields. If planted at other times of the year, performance will be limited.
How to Plant
Mantis 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
Apply per soil test recommendations at time of planting and after each cutting. Use of legumes can reduce applications of commercial nitrogen.
Seeding Rate
Planting Dates
Plant in the fall as adequate moisture is available to obtain maximum forage yields. 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
Apply per soil test recommendations at time of planting and after each cutting. Use of legumes can reduce applications of commercial nitrogen.