Australia’s red meat and dairy producers are set to benefit from a breakthrough in pasture performance with DLF Seeds launching a variety of new generation ryegrass cultivars designed to adapt, persist, and perform under changing climate conditions.
DLF Seeds technical services manager, Isaac Berry, said each cultivar was developed with one goal: to help farmers fill feed gaps and boost productivity.
“Every new cultivar in this program has been bred to fill a real gap in the paddock, whether that’s providing more early feed, holding quality later into summer or maintaining persistence,” Isaac explained.
Among the program’s top performers is Anvil AR37 tetraploid hybrid ryegrass, an elite ryegrass delivering high total dry matter production, stronger late spring and summer growth, and excellent second year persistence.
Another standout is Align AR37 tetraploid perennial ryegrass, which features an extremely late heading date, improved rust resistance, and higher overall production than existing varieties.
“Excitingly, Align AR37 just came out as number one and at the top of Dairy Australia’s latest Australian Forage Value Index in all 4 states for 2026.”
“This is no surprise as these genetics are about consistency and reliability, which helps producers manage feed supply across the full season in an extremely productive way,” Isaac said.
The Forage Value Index (FVI) rating system helps Australian dairy farmers choose the most profitable perennial ryegrass cultivars by providing an independent measure of economic value across southeast regions. It calculates a score by multiplying a cultivar’s dry matter performance (PV) by its economic value (EV).
Both Anvil AR37 and Align AR37 offer market leading insect protection through AR37 endophyte, supporting strong plant survival and performance under insect pressure.
In addition to AR37 endophytic varieties, DLF Seeds is excited about the new fast starting Revel tetraploid annual ryegrass, and high producing Shift tetraploid Italian ryegrass – both of which will be available in autumn 2026.
“For farmers seeking dependable and highly productive quick winter feed, Revel is a game changer.”
In multi-site, seasonal dry matter production trials (2021-2023), Shift demonstrated explosive speed of establishment, improved winter yield and impressive spring flush.
“Australian-bred, Shift has demonstrated consistent and reliable performance in the field, especially when compared to older cultivars such as Feast II®”.
When discussing the trials, Isaac explained, “In spring alone, Shift delivered 1041kg dm/ha increase over Feast II® tetraploid Italian ryegrass. In dollar terms, that was an extra $365.00 per hectare return on investment”.
During a 2025 demonstration at the DLF Seeds Research Station in Leigh Creek Victoria, farmers, agronomists and rural retailers from southern Australia came together to see the new varieties.
Technical manager, Wayne Nichol presented on the benefits of theses cultivars in the Australian market explaining that the new releases would support both dairy and livestock operations in adapting to variable conditions.
“Our focus is on finding varieties that fit the way Australian farms actually operate,” Wayne said.
“We’re evaluating and adapting genetics to handle the extremes, whether that’s a dry start in South Australia or a cold spring in Tasmania.”
With fifteen trial sites across the country and additional research stations internationally, DLF’s breeding network is driving the future of pasture innovation.
“This year’s releases showcase the strength of Australian based breeding. It’s about finding the right genetics for our systems, and practical solutions that deliver real results for farmers,” Isaac said.
With a full release this autumn, Shift and Revel are currently available from Australian rural retailers.
“New Anvil AR37 and Align AR37 are available too, but as they are ex-harvest, the seed stock is limited,” Isaac concluded.
This article was written by DLF Seeds for Seasons.
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