Profile

AstonCrusader is DSV’s first own bred hybrid ryegrass. It is a tetraploid variety which is officially recommended in England and Wales as well as in Germany. The recommendation in England and Wales directly shows that AstonCrusader produces very high total annual yields with an extraordinary early spring growth (rel. 106). Combined with excellent disease resistance, AstonCrusader is an absolutely top variety in this segment.

The official German BSA marks confirm the strong yield potential of this variety. AstonCrusader achieves strong and stable dry matter yields in the first and subsequent cuts. These characteristics are combined with good persistence, sward density and rust resistance. All in all, these were the most important characteristics that led directly to the variety being recommended in the low mountain region in Germany. AstonCrusader is yet another strong variety in the DSV portfolio suitable for broad use on the international markets. AstonCrusader is also an interesting variety for our farmers in grass seed multiplication.

National listing/Official recommendation:
BE, CL, CO, DE, DK, LU, RU, UK

  • very high yield potential
  • excellent early spring growth
  • intermediate type (Lm/Lp)
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General

Ploidy tetraploid
Heading date 19/05
Recommended List status G - General use
Year First Listed 2014
Ploidy tetraploid
Heading date 19/05
Recommended List status G - General use
Year First Listed 2014

Total annual yields

1st harvest year (% of 16.91 t/ha) 102
2nd harvest year (% of 12.62 t/ha) 101
3rd harvest year (% of 11.49 t/ha) 101
Total yield: Mean (% of 13.79 t/ha) 101
1st and 2nd cut ME yield, first harvest year (% of 111 000 MJ/ha) 102
1st harvest year (% of 16.91 t/ha) 102
2nd harvest year (% of 12.62 t/ha) 101
3rd harvest year (% of 11.49 t/ha) 101
Total yield: Mean (% of 13.79 t/ha) 101
1st and 2nd cut ME yield, first harvest year (% of 111 000 MJ/ha) 102

Conservation seasonal growth - year 1

Early spring growth (% of 1.62 t/ha) 110
1st conservation cut (% of 6.02 t/ha) 103
1st conservation cut D-Value 71.7
2nd conservation cut (% of 3.77 t/ha) 101
2nd conservation cut D-Value 68.8
Monthly cuts ( % of 5.52 t/ha) 99
Early spring growth (% of 1.62 t/ha) 110
1st conservation cut (% of 6.02 t/ha) 103
1st conservation cut D-Value 71.7
2nd conservation cut (% of 3.77 t/ha) 101
2nd conservation cut D-Value 68.8
Monthly cuts ( % of 5.52 t/ha) 99

Agronomic characters

Ground Cover% (2nd harvest year) 61
Ground Cover% (3rd harvest year) 56
Year of Sowing (% of 1.45 t/ha) 101
Winter Hardiness (1-9, 1=poor 9=good) 7.5
Ground Cover% (2nd harvest year) 61
Ground Cover% (3rd harvest year) 56
Year of Sowing (% of 1.45 t/ha) 101
Winter Hardiness (1-9, 1=poor 9=good) 7.5

Disease resistance

Ryegrass mosaic virus (1-9, 1=poor 9=good) 6.8
Mildew (1-9, 1=poor 9=good) 7.3
Brown Rust (1-9, 1=poor 9=good) 7.3
Crown Rust (1-9, 1=poor 9=good) 7.3

Source: Recommended grass and clover lists for England and Wales 2025 / 2026

Ryegrass mosaic virus (1-9, 1=poor 9=good) 6.8
Mildew (1-9, 1=poor 9=good) 7.3
Brown Rust (1-9, 1=poor 9=good) 7.3
Crown Rust (1-9, 1=poor 9=good) 7.3

Source: Recommended grass and clover lists for England and Wales 2025 / 2026

All specified information is given to the best of our knowledge and belief, but without guarantee on completeness and correctness. Despite care we cannot guarantee that the described characteristics are repeatable / comprehensive in agricultural practice in each case. DSV United Kingdom Ltd. excludes adhesion for damage or claims for damages, resulting of the use for the variety specified in this description. Mixture compositions may change if individual varieties are not available. As of 11/2025. Subject to change without notice.