Festulolium (Hybrid) Grass (Festulolium) — The Resilient High-Yielding Cross Between Ryegrass & Fescue - The Puzzle Seed Company

Festulolium (Hybrid) Grass (Festulolium) — The Resilient High-Yielding Cross Between Ryegrass & Fescue

Festulolium is a natural hybrid of ryegrass and fescue species, combining the stress-resistant genetics of fescue with the bulk yield and palatability of ryegrass. The result is a versatile, high-performing forage grass that can handle more variable growing conditions than a pure ryegrass — making it an increasingly popular choice for farmers dealing with drought pressure, waterlogged soils, or unpredictable seasons.

What It’s Used For

Generally an upright, leafy grass best suited to cutting systems. It performs well in silage leys and can also be used in mixed swards where drought resilience or tolerance of wetter soils is a priority.

How Long Will It Last?

Persistence depends on the parent species used in the breeding process. Where Italian ryegrass genetics are involved, expect a 2–3 year ley. Ongoing breeding work is producing longer-term varieties, and future options will extend the range of persistence available.

Key Strengths

  • Combines fescue stress tolerance with ryegrass yield — a genuinely versatile species
  • Deeper root structure than pure ryegrass — better drought tolerance and improved performance on occasionally waterlogged ground
  • High yield: 14–18 t DM/ha — comparable to Italian or hybrid ryegrass
  • Very palatable forage
  • Good frost tolerance
  • Quick to establish — can be sown March to September

Yield

14–18 tonnes of dry matter per hectare — similar to Italian or hybrid ryegrass.

Sowing Rate

  • 14 kg/acre (35 kg/ha)

When to Sow

March to September. Quick to establish once soil temperatures are adequate and moisture is available.

Identifying the Crop

Seed: Narrow, thin oblong shape. Beige to light brown in colour with a smooth, papery texture. One of the larger grass seeds at 6–7 mm in length. Approximately 344,000 seeds per kg.

Mature plant: As a cross between ryegrass and fescue (either tall fescue or meadow fescue), plant morphology can vary — it is not always possible to determine which parent’s characteristics will dominate in any given plant. Generally upright and leafy.

Works Well With

Mixed with Italian ryegrass, Festulolium produces a high-yielding, drought-resistant silage ley lasting around 2 years. It can also be combined with red clover to boost crude protein levels in the silage — a useful option for organic or low-input systems looking to reduce bought-in protein.

Varieties

Currently two commercially available varieties: AberNiche and Lofa. AberNiche is the first Festulolium to be placed on the UK Recommended List. Ongoing breeding work will expand varietal choice and persistence options in the coming years.

Find Festulolium in Our Mixtures

Germinal:

Climate Smart Clean:

Climate Smart Thrive:

Climate Smart Adapt:

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