NEWS: 2012 Grass and Clover Recommended Lists published

Ten new varieties have been added to the 2012 Recommended Grass and Clover Lists for England and Wales, with three varieties promoted to the Fully Recommended category following four years of provisional recommendation.

The provisionally recommended varieties include the perennial ryegrasses AberGain and Aberplenty from British Seed Houses, Clanrye and Glenariff from Barenbrug Ltd, Glenvale (DLF-Trifolium) and Irondal (RAGT). The Italian ryegrass varieties Shakira (Eurograss Breeding) and Udine (DLF-Trifolium) have also been added to the List as has Barrett (Barenbrug Ltd), a variety of timothy and the white clover Katy, also from Barenbrug UK Ltd.

All of these varieties will be re-sown in trials to confirm their performance before being considered for full recommendation.

The three varieties that achieved fully recommended status include the perennial ryegrass AberMagic from British Seed Houses, and from DLF-Trifolium the Italian ryegrass Hunter and the timothy Narnia.

“Under conservation management Narnia has an above average total annual yield in the third harvest year, with a very high first cut D-value combined with outstanding second cut yield in the first harvest year,” says Simon Kerr from NIAB TAG, who manage the variety trials. “It also has a very good mid season D-value under simulated grazing management combined with very good early summer yields.”

AberMagic has high total annual yields under a simulated grazing management which includes very high autumn yields combined with a very good mid season grazing D-value. “The variety’s very good D-value at the first conservation cut in the first harvest year allows delayed cutting to achieve better yield and maintain good quality. AberMagic also has good resistance to mildew and moderately good resistance to crown rust,” advises Mr Kerr.

The Italian ryegrass Hunter has very good total annual yields which include an excellent first conservation cut yield in the first harvest year and above average total annual yields in the second harvest year. “Hunter has moderately good resistance to mildew with limited data showing excellent resistance to brown rust, but it is susceptible to ryegrass mosaic virus,” says Mr Kerr.

Making an informed decision is key when purchasing grass varieties says EBLEX senior livestock scientist Dr Liz Genever. “The choice of grass variety very much depends on what you need the ley to do. A field which is going to be used for extensive grazing has a very different job to a pasture that is required to produce two or three cuts of silage over the season,” she advises.

“Help the merchant help you by ensuring that you are clear on the purpose of the ley before speaking to them. Ask for recommended varieties for your re-seed to make sure you benefit from the best performing grasses and clovers,” says Dr Genever.

The full lists are published in the Recommended Grass and Clover Lists 2012 booklet, available from participating breeders, merchants, EBLEX, BSPB, NIAB and online.

The Recommended Lists are supported by BSPB, EBLEX, DairyCo, Hybu Cig Cymru, the British Grassland Society and seed merchants participating in the Grass Levy Scheme. Merchants and breeders who support the Grass Levy Scheme also have additional data from trials used to assist in formulating mixtures from UK tested and recommended varieties. Scotland and Northern Ireland produce their own recommended lists via SAC or DARD, respectively.

Ends

New Provisionally Recommended Varieties

New Fully Recommended Varieties