FrostProof

Diploid Annual Ryegrass

Cold hardy, high yielding diploid ryegrass.

A recent release from the University of Florida, FrostProof is an improved ryegrass that handles cold weather and provides superior forage production.

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Features

Cold Hardy

Specifically bred for improved cold tolerance, FrostProof has many potential uses for both southern and northern regions.

Disease Resistant

FrostProof’s better crown rust resistance allows it to keep producing in tough conditions.

High Yielding

This dependable diploid provides high yields for grazing, hay, haylage, baleage and silage.

Uses

Grazing

Yes. Yes. And YES! Graze it with all livestock species. FrostProof is a great option for both rotational grazed and continuous grazed pastures. As is true with other ryegrasses, continuous grazing can adversely affect yield and survivability. If possible, always choose rotational grazing practices.

Hay and Silage

Looking for a single-cut harvest? No problem. Bale it, roll it, wrap it, or chop it. Then feed it as needed. Good cold and disease resistance equals more quality feed in the bag.

Wildlife

Draw in the big racks or grow the herd for next year. FrostProof comes up quick and is ryegrass-sweet; ideal for wildlife food plots.

Cover Crop

Need a cover crop to go through winter? FrostProof is up for the challenge. Grab that excess nitrogen, break up your hard soil, build the carbon bank. High tonnage means lots and lots of biomass. Use by itself or as part of a multi-species cover crop mixture.

HistoryBred for Cold Told Tolerance

FrostProof is the result of a multi-location breeding process including cycling germplasm at the Noble Foundation in Ardmore, OK, selections in Scottsbluff, NE, as well as germplasm from selection in North Carolina and Florida. FrostProof has been evaluated extensively for over ten years before being released to the marketplace.

Illustration showing the breeding history of FrostProof.

Regional PerformanceRegional Performance

In the South

Resists Cold Winters and Disease Pressures

Southerners need ryegrass that can perform well under grazing and also be resistant to cold snaps and disease. During the winter of 2016-17, North-Central Florida experienced nine separate freezing events with the coldest temperature of 25°F on March 16, followed by a high temperature of 88°F on March 22 and 92.5°F on April 2. Crown rust was also a significant disease that "became epidemic" by early March. FrostProof's ability to resist crown rust gave it the ability to continue to produce high yields. Even under these tough conditions, FrostProof was one of the highest performing entries with excellent early season yields, as well as overall forage yields. FrostProof is listed on Florida's 2026 Cool-Season Forage Variety Recommendation List.

University of Florida

Forage Yields (DM/A)

Gainesville, FL

2016-2017

Entry	Jan. 12	Feb. 28	Apr. 26	Total
Highest yield	4922*	4612*	3200*	11681*
FrostProof	4764*	4211*	2200	11175*
Nick	4487*	4359*	2080	10926*
Jackson	4563*	3740*	2265	10568*
Nelson	4444*	3203	2610*	10257*
Marona	4708*	4114*	1007	9829*
Marshall	4389*	3307	2078	9774
Jumbo	4110*	3183	2030	9323
Marmid	3987	3956*	1007	8950
Tetrastar	4099*	3168	1454	8721
Arnie	4178*	3129	1273	8580
Vortex	3421	3430	1680	8531
Lonestar	3706	3160	829	7695
Lowest yield	1854	1676	745	4484
LSD* (0.05)	833	912	806	1804
*Equal to top score based on LSD.
Complete results available upon request.

University of Florida

Crown Rust

Gainesville, FL

March 6, 2017

Entry	Disease Level
Least Disease	1.7*
Jumbo	2.3*
Nelson	2.7*
FrostProof	3.7*
Marmid	3.7*
Jackson	4.7
Arnie	5.3
Lowboy	5.3
Lonestar	6.0
Passerel Plus	6.0
Marshall	8.3
Greatest Disease	8.3
LSD± (0.05)	2.1
Crown Rust Rating: 0 - 10, where 0 = no disease and 10 = 100% coverage or death.
*Equal to top score based on LSD.

Dependable Diploid for Southern Hay, Pastures and Silage

What do we mean by dependable? When disease comes, it’s not knocked out. When there’s a cold snap, it’s not hammered. It can be grazed intensely, and still be there. FrostProof has been tested in numerous locations throughout the southern United States and has good yields. These tables are a sampling of some of the results.

Dry Matter Yields (Total DM/A)

2016-2017

Variety	Tallassee, AL	Headland, AL	Crossville, AL	Three location ave.
Highest yield	4413*	4749 *	10326*	6496
FrostProof	3815*	4429*	8881*	5708
Nelson	3415*	4662*	8991 *	5689
TAMTBO	3815 *	3991*	8359*	5388
Wax Marshall	2978	4063 *	8815 *	5285
Diamond T	3283*	4315*	7941	5180
McKinley	3269*	3651*	8557 *	5159
Passarel Plus	4045*	2967	8202	5071
Double Diamond	3614*	4157*	7325	5032
Andes	3219*	3432	8002	4884
Flying A	3103	4078*	7375	4852
Gulf (Local)	2836		6535	4686
Lowest yield	2712	2618	6400	3910
LSD (0.1)	1200	960	2049
*Yielded statistically the same as the top-yielding entry.

In the North

Good Performance for Forage and Cover Crop Use

FrostProof has been tested in multiple northern locations for use as a short-term spring forage crop and as a cover crop. Data from Kentucky indicates FrostProof has high forage yield potential. Data from Ohio shows that FrostProof is very cold tolerant.

University of Kentucky

Forage Yield Trials

Lexington, KY

2016-2017

Variety	Height (inches)	Yield (Tons DM/A)
		4/18	5/18	6/20	Total
Highest score	21	2.00*	1.54*	0.66*	3.69*
FrostProof	21	1.91*	1.14	0.23	3.28*
TetraPrime	14	1.20	1.54*	0.36	3.11
Gulf	21	1.77	0.94	0.27	2.98
Bruiser	21	1.86*	0.92	0.19	2.96
Feast II	12	1.21	1.19	0.35	2.75
Lsd	2	0.22	0.32	0.19	0.43
*Equal to top score based on LSD
Planted Sept 7, 2016

Ohio State University

Cover Crop Variety Trial

South Charleston, OH

2017-2018

Entry	% Winterkill 3/26/18	Yield (Total DM/A)
LowBoy	5	0.68
FrostProof	9	2.40
Koga	10	1.79
Kodiak	13	2.16
Winterhawk	13	2.17
McKinley	16	1.65
New Dawn	18	1.74
Sheriff	28	1.45
LSD P=.05	11.73	0.52

Yield Data

Florida

University of Florida

Forage Yields (DM/A)

Gainesville, FL

2016-2017

Entry	Jan. 12	Feb. 28	Apr. 26	Total
Highest yield	4922*	4612*	3200*	11681*
FrostProof	4764*	4211*	2200	11175*
Nick	4487*	4359*	2080	10926*
Jackson	4563*	3740*	2265	10568*
Nelson	4444*	3203	2610*	10257*
Marona	4708*	4114*	1007	9829*
Marshall	4389*	3307	2078	9774
Jumbo	4110*	3183	2030	9323
Marmid	3987	3956*	1007	8950
Tetrastar	4099*	3168	1454	8721
Arnie	4178*	3129	1273	8580
Vortex	3421	3430	1680	8531
Lonestar	3706	3160	829	7695
Lowest yield	1854	1676	745	4484
LSD* (0.05)	833	912	806	1804
*Equal to top score based on LSD.
Complete results available upon request.

Louisiana

Louisiana State University

Annual Ryegrass Trials (Total DM/A)

2017-2018

Variety	Franklinton	Winnsboro	Two Location Total
Highest yield	8746*	7886*
FrostProof	7619*	7490*	15109
Andes	7782*	7069	14851
Winterhawk	7436	7405*	14841
Jumbo	7613*	7155*	14768
Prine	7685*	6948	14633
Double Diamond	7726*	6881	14607
Flying A	7514	7054	14568
Diamond T	7273	7011	14284
McKinley	6324	7886*	14210
Ribeye	7175	6991	14166
Nelson Tetraploid	6845	7202*	14047
Triangle T	7020	7007	14027
Gulf Certified	6884	7066	13950
Lagniappe	7165	6653	13818
Spicer	6811	7003	13814
Grits	7018	6778	13796
Jackson	6587	7194*	13781
Herdsman	7218	6423	13641
Earlyploid	6964	6435	13399
Passerel Plus	6910	6489	13399
Angusta	6175	6718	12893
Lowest yield	5492	5882
LSD (.1)	1200	774
*Equal to top score based on LSD.
Complete results available upon request.

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.

Dry Matter Yields (Total DM/A)

Tallassee, AL

2021-2022

Variety	Yield (Total DM/A)
Highest yield*	8707*
FrostProof	8217*
Prine	7854*
Wax Marshall	7838*
TAMTBO	7836*
Nelson	7830*
Flying A	7610
Earlyployd	7543
Gulf	7015
LSD	1031
*Yielded statistically the same as the top-yielding entry.

Dry Matter Yields (Total DM/A)

Tallassee, AL

2019-2020

Variety	Yield (Total DM/A)
Highest yield*	2944
FrostProof*	2752
Wax Marshall*	2554
Passerel Plus	2434
Nelson	2305
Flying A	2249
Trial average	2222
Winterhawk	2197
Double Diamond	2023
TAMTBO	1938
Diamond T	1791
Lowest yield	1532
LSD (0.1)	461
*Yielded statistically the same as the top-yielding entry.

Dry Matter Yields (Total DM/A)

Multiple Locations

2016-2017

Variety	Tallassee, AL	Headland, AL
Highest yield	4413*	4749*
FrostProof	3815*	4429*
Nelson	3415*	4662*
TAMTBO	3815 *	3991*
Wax Marshall	2978	4063*
Diamond T	3283*	4315*
McKinley	3269*	3651*
Passarel Plus	4045*	2967
Double Diamond	3614*	4157*
Andes	3219*	3432
Flying A	3103	4078*
Gulf (Local)	2836
Lowest yield	2712	2618
LSD (0.1)	1200	960
*Yielded statistically the same as the top-yielding entry.

Tennessee

University of Tennessee

Forage Yield (Tons DM/A)

Crossville, TN

2018

Variety	Apr. 10	May 2	May 29	Total
Highest score	2.53	1.77*	1.77*	4.91*
Koga	1.88	1.07	1.77*	4.72*
FrostProof	1.59	1.46*	1.30	4.35*
Angusta	1.72	1.26*	1.25	4.24*
Kodiak	1.55	1.24	1.45	4.23*
Passerel Plus	1.47	1.50*	1.22	4.19*
Credence	1.56	1.30*	1.10	3.97
GRAZER	1.67	1.37*	0.93	3.97
Maximus	1.67	0.73	1.03	3.42
LSD	ns¹	0.52	0.31	1.04
*Yielded statistically the same as the top‐yielding variety.
¹Non‐significant at the 0.05 level.
Nitrogen application: 45 lb/acre at planting, 60 lb/acre at green‐up, 30 lb/acre after first harvest.

Dry Matter Yields (Tons DM/A)

Crossville, TN

2016-2017

Variety	Yield (Tons DM/A)
Highest yield	5.95*
Kodiak	4.83
Nelson	4.64
FrostProof	4.47
Angusta	4.44
Credence	4.31
Vortex	4.28
McKinley	4.27
Winterhawk	4.27
Andes	4.23
Jackson	4.18
Arnie	3.78
LSD (0.1)	0.77
*Yielded statistically the same as the top-yielding entry.

Texas

Texas A&M

Forage Yields (Lbs. DM/AC)

Overton, TX

2024

Variety	2/21/2024	3/12/2024	4/30/2024	Total Yield
Top Score	2168	1692	3332	6439
FrostProof	1627	1350	2980	5957
TAMTBO	2168	1266	2458	5892
Trinova	1785	1166	2952	5903
Nelson	1611	1207	2983	5801
Wax Marshall	1023	1134	3198	5355
Gulf	1863	843	2019	4725
LSD	-	-	-	988
Complete results available upon request.

Texas Trial Results (Six Harvests – Total DM/A)

Overton, TX

2017-2018

Variety	Total Season
Highest	12116*
FrostProof	10385*
Kodiak	10314*
Maximus	9869
Gulf	9803
TAMTBO	9566
Tetrastar	9301
Nelson	9125
Winterhawk	9009
Jackson	8693
Ribeye	8426
Passerel Plus	8016
TAM 90	7885
Prine	7628
Fria	7227
LSD (0.05)	2081
*Equal to top score based on LSD.
Planted Oct 5, 2017.
Complete results available upon request.

Kentucky

University of Kentucky

Forage Yields (Tons DM/A)

Lexington, KY

2021-2022

Variety	December 3	April 30	May 9	June 6	Total
Marshall	0.91	1.84	1.01	1.00	4.75*
Winterhawk	0.87	1.78	1.06	0.96	4.67*
Grazekeeper	0.74	1.66	1.10	1.13	4.63*
Meroa	0.81	1.71	1.08	0.98	4.58*
Koga	0.81	1.66	1.03	1.02	4.52*
Dexter	0.65	1.46	1.06	1.06	4.24*
FrostProof	0.80	1.32	0.89	0.80	3.80
Feast II	0.62	0.71	0.98	0.87	3.17
Gulf	0.80	0.63	0.91	0.79	3.13
LSD	0.21	0.33	0.16	0.23	0.70
Sown Sept 10, 2021.
*Statistically equal to top score.

University of Kentucky

Forage Yields (Tons DM/A)

Lexington, KY

2019-2020

Variety	November 6	April 1	April 28	May 21	June 8	June 25	Total
Meroa	1.16	0.64	1.04	0.84	0.62	0.27	4.56*
Dexter	0.93	0.69	0.98	0.83	0.58	0.33	4.33*
Koga	1.15	0.64	0.99	0.40	0.54	0.23	4.25*
Marshall	1.07	0.72	0.92	0.76	0.45	0.30	4.22*
FrostProof	0.98	0.70	0.81	0.77	0.38	0.29	3.93*
Grazekeeper	0.61	0.73	0.84	0.80	0.53	0.25	3.76
Feast II	0.90	0.36	0.83	0.82	0.45	0.29	3.64
Gulf	1.09	0.27	0.77	0.63	0.39	0.21	3.36
LSD	0.37	0.14	0.24	0.18	0.15	0.11	0.57
Sown Aug 30, 2019.
*Statistically equal to top score.

University of Kentucky

Forage Yield Trials

Lexington, KY

2016-2017

Variety	Height (inches)	Yield (Tons DM/A)
		4/18	5/18	6/20	Total
Highest score	21	2.00*	1.54*	0.66*	3.69*
FrostProof	21	1.91*	1.14	0.23	3.28*
TetraPrime	14	1.20	1.54*	0.36	3.11
Gulf	21	1.77	0.94	0.27	2.98
Bruiser	21	1.86*	0.92	0.19	2.96
Feast II	12	1.21	1.19	0.35	2.75
Lsd	2	0.22	0.32	0.19	0.43
*Equal to top score based on LSD
Planted Sept 7, 2016

Ohio

Ohio State University

Cover Crop Variety Trial

South Charleston, OH

2017-2018

Entry	Yield (Tons DM/A)
FrostProof	2.40
Winterhawk	2.17
Kodiak	2.16
Koga	1.79
New Dawn	1.74
McKinley	1.65
Sheriff	1.45
LowBoy	0.68
LSD P=.05	0.52

New York

Cornell University

Forage Yields (Tons DM/A)

Ithaca, NY

2018

Variety	August 2	October 25	2018 Total
FrostProof	2.27*	0.90*	3.17*
Feast II	1.74	0.99*	2.73
True	1.76	0.78*	2.54
LSD	0.20	0.20	0.23
Sown May 18, 2018.
*Statistically equal to top score.

Mississippi

Mississippi State University

Forage Yields (Lbs DM/A)

3 Locations

2023-2024

Variety	Coffeeville	Brooksville	Newton	Total
	Harvested 4/5 and 5/2	Harvested 3/13 and 5/1	Harvested 4/5 and 5/2	Average of 3 sites
Highest Score	8787	8516	10808	8,664
FrostProof	7566	7468	9266	8,100
Angusta	7437	7296	8336	7,690
Gulf	7249	6057	9719	7,675
Marshall	7090	6672	8910	7,558
Prine	6189	6652	9103	7,315
Centurion	6628	6656	7360	6,881
LSD (0.05)	NS	NS	NS
N.S. – differences are statistically non-significant.
Select varieties shown. For complete trial results visit the Mississippi State annual ryegrass testing site.

Forage Quality

In 2017–2018, FrostProof was trialed in Crossville, TN. In addition to forage yield, University of Tennessee evaluators sampled entries for forage quality at each of the three cuttings. This chart compares FrostProof to the mean data of the 44 other entries.

University of Tennessee

Forage Quality

Springfield, TN

2019-2020

Harvest		CP	ADF	NDF	TDN
April 22	FrostProof	8.29	38.35	58.59	58.43
April 22	Average*	10.50	25.70	39.80	71.70

May 31	FrostProof	8.47	38.70	55.89	58.07
May 31	Average*	7.70	37.70	61.80	59.10
*Average included 25 entries.

University of Tennessee

Forage Quality

Crossville, TN

2018

Harvest	Variety	CP	ADF	NDF	TDN
April 10	FrostProof	18.30	28.50	57.60	69.00
April 10	Trial mean	16.50	30.20	56.50	67.30

May 2	FrostProof	12.46	29.80	46.05	67.70
May 2	Trial mean	12.60	30.90	49.10	66.60

May 29	FrostProof	11.60	35.07	55.37	62.43
May 29	Trial mean	11.90	34.40	53.10	63.10
Nutritive values represented at 100% DM Basis for CP, crude protein; ADF, acid detergent fiber; NDF, neutral detergent fiber; TDN, total digestible nutrients; (Analysis performed using Near Infrared Spectrometer [NIRS] Technology) Target stage of growth for harvest was late boot. Grass Hay Equation (NIRS Consortium, 2017).

FrostProof Gallery

A field with various plots of green grass, each marked with a sign indicating different types of grass species.

The image shows a close-up view of lush, green grass (variety Frostproof) with a ruler inserted vertically to measure its height. The grass appears lush and dense, with various shades of green indicating healthy growth.

The image shows a close-up view of lush, green grass, variety Frostproof. The grass appears lush and dense, with various shades of green indicating healthy growth.

The image depicts an extension agent standing in a grassy field surrounded by numerous small blue signs. Each sign contains text and QR codes which providing information about the variety. The sign closest to the extension agent reads “Variety Testing” for FrostProof Diploid Annual Ryegrass

An informational sign from Auburn Agriculture staked into a field, indicating “Variety Testing”. The sign includes a QR code and a URL for more information, set against a backdrop of FrostProof Diploid Annual Ryegrass.

FrostProof diploid annual ryegrass (center) in Penn State University's annual ryegrass trial.

Gulf (left) compared to FrostProof (right) in Penn State University's annual ryegrass trial.

Frostproof diploid annual ryegrass in a Penn State University's annual ryegrass trial on May 5, 2021.

FrostProof Diploid Annual Ryegrass in a field.

FrostProof diploid annual ryegrass in Illinois

TetraStar (left) | FrostProof (center) | Trinova (right) at Blackbelt Research Center in Marion Junction, Al, on March 13, 2024.

Close-up of dense, healthy green grass blades with varied textures and shades of green.

Person in a light blue shirt and black cap kneeling in a tall, lush green field with distant trees and cloudy sky in the background.

A tall, lush green field with distant trees and cloudy sky in the background.

Clemson Forages Program sign labeled “Ryegrass – FrostProof” standing in front of a dense plot of tall green ryegrass.

Planting

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

FrostProof 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

FrostProof 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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