UMS

Torpedo

Torpedo

Annual Ryegrass

Torpedo is the most recent tetraploid annual ryegrass to be released from the UMS’s Plant Breeding program. Torpedo is a very late maturing variety that sets a new standard in overall pasture production for annual ryegrasses. As with other UMS bred varieties, care was taken to ensure exceptional seedling vigour and rapid establishment enabling a reduced time to first grazing. Impressive winter production combined with the benefits of a very late maturity makes Torpedo the ultimate choice for a season long high performance pasture.

No.1 Ranked Annual Ryegrass in FVI 2025

Scientific Name

Lolium multiflorum

Ploidy

Tetraploid

Sowing Rate

25 – 30 kg/ha

Blend Rate

5 – 15 kg/ha

Seed Size

200,000-300,000 seeds per kg

Source: Pasture varieties used in NSW 2006-2007, Bev Zurbo, 2006

Maturity

Very Late

Days to flowering relative to Tetila types (0) = +25

Torpedo is a very late-maturing variety bred to produce high levels of DM late into the season.

Key Features

  • Very fast to establish with excellent winter growth

  • Suitable for both grazing and hay and silage production

  • Exceptional dry matter production

  • Maintains quality and performs well into the season

Plant Characteristics

  • Broadleaf tetraploid

  • Very vigorous seedling

Where can I grow it?

  • Medium to high rainfall zones

  • Suitable for irrigation

Download Tech Sheet

Frequently Asked Questions

Soil Type

Torpedo is well adapted to a wide range of fertility levels and soil profiles, but performs best in a well-drained loam. Tetraploid annuals will cope with short-term water-logging provided the growing tip is above water. To maximise stand productivity, soil testing is advisable. Analyse soil and neutralise deficiencies with fertiliser and/or lime.

Good base rates of phosphorus are necessary for maximum DM production especially during establishment phase. DM production is directly related to nitrogen availability. Consult your UMS agronomist or fertiliser advisor for nitrogen application rates.

Sow at 25-30kg/ha alone or 5-15kg/ha when a component of a pasture blend. Sow seed no deeper than 1cm in a fine but firm seed bed. Sow into bared ground if direct drilling. Lightly harrow and roll to improve germination. Suitable for oversowing into an established stand. Pasture productivity is directly related to successful plant establishment.

During emergence it is essential to monitor regularly for damage from insects such as RLEM and lucerne flea, and spray as required. Inspect during early stand life for populations of black-headed cockchafer and slugs. Contact your UMS agronomist for spray application rates.

Torpedo seedlings germinate quickly and are very competitive once established. Always use a knockdown herbicide to ensure you are sowing into a clean seedbed. Monitor for post-emergent weeds and spray as required. Use options such as spray-grazing for broadleaf weeds.

Do not graze Torpedo until the plant is well anchored and root depth is established. Carry out a quick in-paddock ‘grab test’ by hand to ensure stock cannot pull plants out of the ground. Torpedo should be rotationally grazed to maintain 2-3 leaves per tiller. If the stand is allowed to grow beyond the three-leaf stage, it may run to head earlier and there will be a proportional reduction in quality and productivity.

Annual tetraploids, such as Torpedo, have 4 sets of chromosomes per cell resulting in bigger, darker leaves. This increased cell size has higher sugar and moisture content which is more palatable and digestible than diploid varieties.

To optimise livestock weight gain and health, ensure livestock are vaccinated and drenched. To prevent nutritional problems, make gradual diet changes when introducing hungry stock to lush pastures. Contact an UMS agronomist for more information.

Annual Ryegrass, Replicated Dry Matter Trial

Cressy Research Station, TAS, 2020

Sowing date: May 2020