Big Boss
Tetraploid Annual Ryegrass
BIG is better!
Big Boss is one of our highest performing and most popular ryegrasses. Farmers and ranchers love its high yields, later maturity, advanced disease resistance, increased cold tolerance, and impressive re-growth.
Find a dealerFeatures
Tetraploid Sweetness
Big Boss is a tetraploid annual ryegrass. This means it has twice the chromosomes as a diploid, higher sugar content, and big juicy leaves perfect for grazing, silage, and hay.
High Yields, Super Re-growth
Big Boss provides high yields all season long. You'll enjoy fast recovery after each grazing or cutting, even late into the season.
Disease/Insect Resistance
Big Boss was bred for improved resistance to leaf spot, rust and insect damage.
Uses
Grazing
Plant it for your cattle, cows, goats, horses, chickens and the like. Big Boss promises to put pounds on anything that eats it. Endophyte-free, the Boss is safe for all livestock including equine.
Hay and Silage
Harvesting it yourself? Bale it, roll it, wrap it, or chop it. Then feed it as needed. Super sweet and will make milk and meat.
Wildlife
Use Big Boss in food plots to draw them in or grow their racks for next season.
Cover Crop
Capture excess nitrogen, bust your soil up with aggressive roots, and add to the carbon bank with lots and lots of biomass. Big Boss is ideal as a single species cover crop or for use in a mixture with legumes, brassicas and other soil-building components.
Disease Resistance
Grazers, silage makers, and hay producers will all appreciate Big Boss' superior disease resistance. Bred out the University of Florida's internationally recognized forage breeding program, Big Boss is packed with the most advanced disease resistance. Disease resistance includes very high resistance to leaf spot, grey leaf spot, rust, and insect damage.
University of Florida
Disease Data
Gainesville, FL
|2004-2005
| Variety | 19-Mar | 1-Apr | 4-Feb | 21-Feb | 24-Mar | 11-Apr | 2-Yr Ave |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Boss | 2.00 | 4.25 | 2.00 | 3.50 | 4.50 | 2.25 | 3.08 |
| Beef Builder III | 2.00 | 3.63 | 1.83 | 3.50 | 4.00 | 5.16 | 3.35 |
| Surrey II | 3.25 | 4.88 | 2.00 | 4.25 | 5.00 | 3.75 | 3.86 |
| Gulf | 2.62 | 5.25 | 2.25 | 4.25 | 5.25 | 3.75 | 3.90 |
| Jackson | 2.50 | 4.50 | 2.50 | 4.75 | 5.00 | 5.50 | 4.13 |
| King | 4.25 | 5.13 | 2.25 | 4.00 | 4.75 | 4.50 | 4.15 |
| Passserel Plus | 3.88 | 5.38 | 2.25 | 4.00 | 6.00 | 5.25 | 4.46 |
| 2-yrs, 6 incidents (the lower score the better) | |||||||
Yield Data
A selection out of our popular Big Daddy and Jumbo, with further crossings with T-3 for more cold tolerance, Big Boss's trial results show it is a BIG forage producer!
Alabama
Auburn University
Dry Matter Yields (Total DM/A)
Clanton, AL
|2023-2024
| Variety | Early Season | Late Season | Season Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 26 & March 13 | April 5, April 29 & May 28 | Five Harvests | ||
| Highest yield* | 3582* | 7659* | 11190* | |
| FrostProof | 2895* | 7659* | 10553* | |
| Baqueano | 2714 | 7447* | 10160* | |
| Big Boss | 2952* | 7202* | 10154* | |
| Mantis | 2884* | 6911* | 9795 | |
| Trinova | 2677 | 6918* | 9595 | |
| Attain | 2478 | 7062* | 9540 | |
| Gulf | 2632 | 6760 | 9393 | |
| Grits | 2584 | 6076 | 8660 | |
| Wax Marshall | 1516 | 6571 | 8087 | |
| LSD | 777 | 890 | 1479 | |
| *Equal to top score based on LSD. | ||||
| Complete results available upon request. | ||||
Yield Data (Total DM/A)
Multiple Locations
|2013-2016 (Three Year Average)
| Variety | Crossville | Headland | Fairhope |
|---|---|---|---|
| Big Boss | 6235 | 6119 | 9240 |
| Marshall | 6153 | 6067 | 9616 |
| Diamond T | 6132 | 6242 | 9219 |
| Gulf (Local) | 6105 | 5727 | 8563 |
| TAMTBO | 5916 | 6169 | 9121 |
| Nelson | 5860 | 5983 | 10079 |
| Fria | 5841 | 5604 | 9661 |
| Flying A | 5754 | 5793 | 9046 |
| Winterhawk | 5618 | 5424 | 9055 |
| Selected data; complete data available upon request. | |||
Florida
Florida Trial Results (Total DM/A)
Marianna, FL
|2016-2018 (Two Year Average)
| Variety | 2017 – 2018 | 2016 – 2017 | 2-Year Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highest Score | 10275 | 7677 | 8976 |
| Big Boss | 9479 | 6938 | 8208 |
| TAMTBO | 9580 | 6688 | 8134 |
| TetraStar | 9422 | 6786 | 8104 |
| Prine | 9352 | 6796 | 8074 |
| Credence | 8490 | 7024 | 7757 |
| Earlyploid | 7711 | 7474 | 7592 |
| Fria | 8859 | 6298 | 7578 |
| Diamond T | 8859 | 6195 | 7527 |
| Grazer | 9228 | 5751 | 7490 |
| Lonestar | 8552 | 6156 | 7354 |
| Passerel Plus | 9130 | 5395 | 7263 |
| Winterhawk | 7947 | 6026 | 6987 |
| Flying A | 8224 | 5671 | 6947 |
| Lowest Score | 6263 | 5170 | 5717 |
| LSD | 925 | 826 |
Georgia
Georgia Trial Results (Total DM/A)
Athens, GA
|2016-2018 (Two Year Average)
| Variety | 2017 – 2018 | 2016 – 2017 | 2–year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highest entry | 9202 | 14959 | 12081 |
| Big Boss | 8499 | 14495 | 11497 |
| Passerel Plus | 8143 | 14461 | 11302 |
| TetraStar | 8511 | 13942 | 11227 |
| Andes | 7943 | 14335 | 11139 |
| TAMTBO | 7777 | 14293 | 11035 |
| Wax Marshall | 7980 | 13967 | 10973 |
| Diamond T | 7808 | 14080 | 10944 |
| Nelson | 7918 | 13940 | 10929 |
| Flying A | 8240 | 13565 | 10903 |
| Lonestar | 8064 | 13369 | 10717 |
| Earlyploid | 7960 | 13194 | 10577 |
| Prine | 7577 | 13562 | 10569 |
| Credence | 7420 | 13704 | 10562 |
| Grazer | 7965 | 12678 | 10321 |
| Jackson | 7437 | 12706 | 10071 |
| Fria | 7067 | 13011 | 10039 |
| Winterhawk | 7170 | 12425 | 9798 |
| lowest entry | 6133 | 12215 | 9174 |
| LSD | 1040 | 11986 | 6513 |
University of Georgia
Trial Results (Total DM/A)
Four Locations
|2011
| Brand-Variety | Tifton | Plains | Griffin | Calhoun | Statewide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Boss | 10,052* | 8,516* | 15,860* | 12,758* | 11,796* |
| Lonestar | 9,572 | 8,320 | 16,313* | 12,193* | 11,599* |
| Early Ploid | 10,324* | 8,788* | 15,334 | 11,852* | 11,574* |
| TAMTBO | 9,388 | 8,015 | 16,467 | 12,322* | 11,548* |
| ME94 | 8,876 | 8,403* | 17,161* | 11,552* | 11,498* |
| Attain | 9,964* | 8,320 | 15,771* | 11,824* | 11,470* |
| Nelson | 10,683* | 8,081 | 14,299 | 12,475* | 11,384* |
| ME4 | 9,660 | 8,385* | 15,424 | 11,140 | 11,152* |
| Diamond T | 9,126 | 8,211 | 14,869 | 12,399* | 11,151* |
| TetraStar | 10,226* | 8,505* | 14,172 | 11,636* | 11,135* |
| Passerel Plus | 9,735 | 8,113 | 14,674 | 11,331* | 10,963 |
| Marshall | 9,311 | 8,451* | 14,605 | 11,392* | 10,940 |
| Prine | 9,736 | 8,124 | 14,384 | 11,474* | 10,929 |
| Maximus | 8,955 | 8,974* | 13,526 | 11,644* | 10,775 |
| GO-ENH | 8,385 | 7,296 | 15,576 | 11,254 | 10,628 |
| Verdure | 9,888* | 8,767* | 12,543 | 11,000 | 10,550 |
| Grits | 9,464 | 7,231 | 14,778 | 10,664 | 10,534 |
| Fria | 9,518 | 7,177 | 13,883 | 11,430* | 10,502 |
| Winterhawk | 8,309 | 7,666 | 14,657 | 10,598 | 10,307 |
| Oregro DH-3 | 9,202 | 7,743 | 13,374 | 10,275 | 10,148 |
| Flying A | 8,604 | 7,427 | 14,004 | 10,257 | 10,073 |
| Jackson | 9,311 | 7,340 | 13,143 | 10,456 | 10,062 |
| LSD at 10% Level | 840 | 601 | 1,495 | 1,439 | 783 |
| *Equal to top score based on LSD. | |||||
| Complete trial results available upon request. | |||||
Louisiana
Louisiana State University
Annual Ryegrass Trials (Mean DM/A)
Three Locations
|2006-2009
| Variety | Franklinton | Jeanerette | Winnsboro | 3-yr Mean |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Boss | 13,331 | 11,551 | 7,646 | 10,914 |
| TAMTBO | 12,584 | 11,770 | 7,778 | 10,817 |
| Prine | 12,459 | 11,813 | 7,724 | 10,780 |
| Marshall | 12,938 | 11,184 | 8,042 | 10,768 |
| Maximus | 12,390 | 11,408 | 7,883 | 10,645 |
| Attain | 12,681 | 11,397 | 7,580 | 10,637 |
| ME4 | 12,592 | 11,144 | 7,899 | 10,605 |
| Jumbo | 11,944 | 11,652 | 7,678 | 10,547 |
| Gainer | 12,368 | 11,198 | 7,844 | 10,543 |
| Diamond T | 12,544 | 11,125 | 7,638 | 10,505 |
| Jackson | 12,208 | 11,247 | 7,787 | 10,497 |
| Flying A | 11,801 | 11,381 | 7,835 | 10,443 |
| 4X | 12,078 | 11,067 | 7,950 | 10,435 |
| Verdure | 11,780 | 11,499 | 7,639 | 10,425 |
| Rio | 12,487 | 10,894 | 7,676 | 10,406 |
| Passerel Plus | 12,037 | 11,138 | 7,573 | 10,338 |
| Gulf | 11,903 | 11,308 | 7,415 | 10,319 |
| Ed | 11,745 | 11,357 | 7,507 | 10,318 |
| ME 94 | 12,254 | 11,018 | 7,383 | 10,298 |
| Dyna Gain | 11,651 | 11,208 | 7,632 | 10,268 |
| TAM 90 | 11,981 | 10,816 | 7,547 | 10,185 |
| Mean | 12295 | 11,293 | 7,694 | 10,514 |
| LSD (.05) | NS | NS | NS | NS |
Louisiana State University
Annual Ryegrass Trials (Total DM/A)
Four Locations
|2004-2006
| Variety | Franklinton | Jeanerette | Rosepine | Winnsboro | 2-yr Mean |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prine | 10,394* | 4,657* | 6,416* | 7,256* | 6,987* |
| Big Boss | 9,823* | 4,784* | 6,562* | 7,507* | 6,985* |
| Striker | 9,883* | 4,825* | 5,884* | 7,499* | 6,854* |
| Passerel Plus | 9,892* | 4,506* | 5,578* | 8,046* | 6,813* |
| Abundant | 10,253* | 4,245 | 5,799* | 7,497* | 6,741* |
| Ed | 9,633* | 4,712* | 6,348* | 6,827 | 6,713* |
| Jumbo | 9,779* | 4,918* | 5,472 | 7,151 | 6,683* |
| Beefbuilder III | 9,342* | 4,696* | 5,777* | 7,457* | 6,655* |
| Dyna-Gain | 9,708* | 4,605* | 5,577* | 7,265 | 6,621* |
| Rio | 9,646* | 4,764* | 5,628* | 7,003 | 6,607* |
| Graze-N-Gro | 9,837* | 4,485* | 5,175 | 7,280 | 6,524* |
| Tam 90 | 9,421* | 4,531* | 5,288 | 7,486* | 6,516* |
| Diamond T | 9,149* | 4,249 | 5,859* | 7,337* | 6,464 |
| Gulf | 10,026* | 4,413* | 5,406 | 6,652 | 6,454 |
| King | 8,980* | 4,741* | 5,573* | 6,850 | 6,398 |
| Jackson | 9,145* | 4,532* | 5,553* | 6,967 | 6,394 |
| Verdure | 9,183* | 4,294 | 5,281 | 7,181 | 6,316 |
| Shiwasuaoba | 6,714* | 3,726 | 4,387 | 5,595 | 5,006 |
| LSD | - | 417 | 1,016 | 751 | 499 |
| *Equal to top score based on LSD. | |||||
Texas
Texas A&M
Trial Results (Total DM/A)
Overton, TX
|2010-2013
| Variety | 3–Yr. Mean (2010-2013) | Six Harvests (2011-2012) |
|---|---|---|
| Big Boss | 7,700 | 10,813 |
| Diamond T | 7,062 | 9,438 |
| Flying A | 6,983 | 9,021 |
| Gulf | 5,748 | 6,290 |
| Jackson | 6,766 | 8,059 |
| Jumbo | 6,980 | — |
| Lonestar | — | 8,834 |
| Maximus | 7,039 | 9,107 |
| ME-4 | 6,293 | — |
| ME-94 | 6,686 | — |
| Nelson | 7,539 | 9,165 |
| Passeral Plus | 6,593 | 8,493 |
| Prine | 7,091 | 9,175 |
| Tam 90 | 6,335 | — |
| TAMTBO | 7,569 | 9,315 |
| Tetrapro | — | 8,992 |
| Tetrastar | — | 8,911 |
| Winterhawk | 6,621 | 7,564 |
| LSD | — | 1,282 |
Mississippi
Mississippi State University
Annual Ryegrass Trials (Total DM/A)
Three Locations
|2015-2016
| Variety | Holly Springs | Starkville | Poplarville | 3-Location Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Boss | 7220 | 5330 | 8524 | 7025 |
| Fria | 7158 | 4833 | 9040 | 7010 |
| Lonestar | 6093 | 5485 | 9243 | 6940 |
| Winterhawk | 6820 | 5633 | 8334 | 6929 |
| Flying A | 6433 | 5467 | 8868 | 6923 |
| Maximus | 6721 | 5060 | 8484 | 6755 |
| Prine | 5841 | 5582 | 8215 | 6546 |
| Jumbo | 7970 | 5023 | 6385 | 6459 |
| TAMTBO | 7416 | 3960 | 7847 | 6408 |
| Cedence | 6967 | 4508 | 7539 | 6338 |
| Nelson | 5090 | 4360 | 9452 | 6301 |
| Passerel Plus | 5754 | 5249 | 7387 | 6130 |
| Marshall | 3919 | 6461 | 7187 | 5856 |
| Diamond T | 5595 | 4562 | 6198 | 5452 |
| Jackson | 6030 | 3889 | 6192 | 5370 |
| Andes | 4758 | 4336 | 6896 | 5330 |
| LSD | NS | 1225 | 2241 | – |
| *Equal to top score based on LSD. | ||||
Big Boss Gallery
Testimonials
Tetraploid Annual Ryegrass Big Boss entering the winter with fall sowing.
Porcampo Uruguay Achard, Tacuarembo, Uruguay – May 2019We will be using Big Boss next year. We planted approximately 100 acres of Big Bos in September of 2018 and were able to graze it through the winter. We grazed over 150 fall calving cows for 2 hours per day. No other supplement was give, only hay. Cows came through the winter primarily in body condition score 6 with a few body condition score 5's. Calves are weaning heavy and cows appear to have bred back. We are now in the process of baling what the cows did not eat...looks like it will yield 2+ bales. We will be using Big Boss this fall.
Robert Demaree Demaree Angus, Como, MS – May 14, 2019We planted the Big Boss in mid October. We applied the grass at a rate of 40 lbs per acre with about 6-8 lbs of crimson clover to aid in the progress of the summer annuals. The Big Boss came up great, but around 2 weeks after germination we experienced some freezing temps that cut the ryegrass back. I let the cattle graze the ryegrass about once a week for a couple hours at a time just to nip the tops to make the roots tiller. With the abnormally wet winter/spring we had, I was worried the grass wouldn’t come on. Once we had some favorable sunshine and temps, the grass started growing very rapidly. I top dressed it with some nitrogen and man it took off. Thankfully it did because hay was so short and we ran out. Since fertilizing in mid March, I’ve been able to rotate the mama cows and a pen of 400-500 weight calves each getting 3-4 days a week of grazing. Our mama cows have never looked this good this time of year.
Aylon Putt Senatobia, MS – May 6, 2019Awesome reaction of tetraploid ryegrass Big Boss with the lack of moisture it had. Now will explode with this coming rain!!
Imponente reacción del Raigras Tetraplide BIG BOSS con la poca humedad que tenía!!! Ahora explotará con esta lluvia!!
Alberto De León Uruguay – May 2019This is one of my fields of Big Boss ryegrass that was planted in November 2017. I’ve had some drawbacks from the extreme cold this year, but it seems to be a pretty durable grass that can withstand heavy cold and we hope to get high tonnage off it and some good digestibility for the cows to make more milk. When we started planting Big Boss, I actually liked the performance of it and so we never looked back, never looked for another variety. We just wanted to stay with Big Boss. I highly recommend the Big Boss seed, we’ve grown it for years now and it’s a good go-to seed.
Gary Johnson Climax, GAWe use Big Boss for hay and with crimson clover in my pastures for grazing. I've really seen an increase in the weight of my cows and the tonnage of hay. The Big Boss is more tolerant to the weather and it produces a lot more tonnage per acre in hay production. It’s really be a great asset to our farm. As compared to the other ryegrasses, it’s not much difference in the price, but it gives you more for your money.
Brian Hawkins Newberry, SCAprovecho para felicitarlos por la buena calidad del producto, y ofrezco enviarles fotos de las praderas que tengo sembradas que se ven fabulosas. (I wanted to take opportunity to congratulate you on the high quality product, and offer to send you pictures of the pastures that I seeded – they look fabulous.)
Dario Samaniego Colca, Loja, EcuadorIt was very thick. My hay cutting guy could really tell a difference. It was number one in my trials.
Alex Lewis George County Co-Op, Lucedale, MSThe largest two dairies in the county chose Big Boss in 2007 after seeing how well it did in 2006. These dairies need 'cold tolerance, rust resistance, and tonnage.' And that's what Big Boss is giving them.
Buddy Bass Georgia–Florida Fertilizer Company, Quitman, GAPeople ask for it by name. There is a noticeable difference between Big Boss and other varieties. You can tell when a product works because people come in and ask for it by name. The good producers want it.
Greg Williams Lake Butler Farm Center, Lake Butler, FLEveryone I sold it to is very happy. A number of my customers have come back asking for it by name. It outgrows other varieties. It has more forage and broader leaves.
Chris The Hitching Post, DeFuniak Springs, FLWhen customers found out I had Big Boss, they took it away from me. I have had no complaints. It must be a very palatable variety.
Milney Perry Zorn Brothers, Inc., Florala, ALWhat I liked about Big Boss is that it stayed longer and gave me about two more weeks of grazing.
Elias Higdon Hogdon Cattle Company, Grandbay, ALRepeat customers want it and want nothing else. It doesn't get disease, like other ryegrasses.
Stan Gramling Gramlings, Inc., Tallahassee, FLGrew well, does what it is supposed to do. Customers are pleased. It's fine!
John Williams Newberry Williams Farm, Colquitt, GAI really like it. I am planning on putting out more next year.
Gene Snail Double D. Cattle Company, Enterprise, ALPlanting
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. Optimal pH Range is 6.0–7.0.
When to Plant
Big Boss can be planted throughout the year. However, maximum utilization will be obtained by planting in the fall as soon as adequate moisture is available. If planted at other times of the year, performance will be limited.
How to Plant
Big Boss 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
Application of fertilizer (following soil test recommendations) throughout the growing season and/or use of legumes will provide maximum forage tonnage and root growth.
| Seeding Rate - New Pastures | 25–35 lbs/ac |
|---|---|
| Seeding Rate - Overseeding | 10–15 lbs/ac |
| Planting Zones (map) | green |
| Planting Depth | ⅛–½" |
| Optimal pH Range | 6.0–7.0 |
| Germination | 5–10 days |
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