Countryside Seeds Ltd

Great In Grass · Oct 30, 2020

Cow’s Favourite Menu That Never Fails

Finding a dish that suits everyone’s diet can be a real pickle. Although there are classics that most people like, more and more people have their own opinion about what constitutes the perfect dish. Likewise, there are also a lot of opinions about the perfect dish in dairy farming. For cows in stable, the nutritionists would recommend an energy-rich diet composed of two third concentrates and one third forage. The farmer would perhaps change the ratio in favor of more forage, since it is home-grown and therefore cheaper. The environmentalist would recommend perennial forages, because perennials in general have deeper root growth and take up residual nitrogen better than annuals. The climate-activist would definitely recommend the forage to be as digestible as possible in order to decrease methane emission. They all have their say to the diet balance, but how is it possible to satisfy everyone?

Let’s look at it from the farmers perspective
His first priority is to earn his living and keep his animals healthy by maintaining a stable year-round supply of balanced feed. Any sudden change in feed composition- or quality – will destabilize rumen equilibrium and penalize milk production. So, to alleviate any seasonal effect on forage, he will stack the different cuts in one silage pile or feed bales of different cuts together. The overall digestibility of his silage will depend on species, varieties, and cutting management. Each cut, and especially the first, should be taken at the right moment. That is exactly when the forage is heading. Too late – digestibility will decrease; too early – stem production will continue throughout subsequent cuts. One way to infer some flexibility here is to grow mixtures of grasses with different heading date or even better add some clovers to the mixture. Recent results from a scientific feeding study (Johansen et al., 2017, J.Dairy Sci.https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2017-13401), demonstrated, that mixing in 50% white clover to a perennial ryegrass that was cut much too late (visible spikelets) organic matter digestibility could be increased from 77% to 80% and milk production from 31 to 35 kg ECM per day. Same effect was seen for red clover, albeit less pronounced.

The “clover-effect”
Scientists call it the ”clover-effect” as several similar studies show the same phenomenon. So, why are grass-clover mixtures not used more extensively throughout Europe? The direct answer is convenience. In order to keep the optimal ratio between clover and grass the farmer has to keep an eye on the crop and by fertilization stimulate grass growth when clover tends to get on top. Many farmers however, incorrectly believe that it requires undue amount of work to keep this balance. With regular estimation of clover/grass ratio, which by the way can be done through a phone app, the rest is simple management by online product guides. Clover-grass mixtures comes with a very important bonus too: They need less fertilizer!
With new legislative constraints in several countries this might become an important incentive to try it out. So go ahead – there is nothing to lose, but a lot to win for you, your cow, your bees, your environment, and your climate – everybody love that dish!

Great In Grass · Nov 3, 2020

Barenbrug Grass Seed Is a Major Player at Aberdeen Football Club

Pittodrie, the home of Aberdeen Football Club, is one of the most northerly stadiums in the UK and an inherently difficult place to present a top-class natural grass surface for Scottish Premier League football in the depth of winter.

David Nicholson, grounds team leader at the club trusts Barenbrug grass seed, supplied through Neil Mitchell of Greentech Sportsturf, to stand up to the elements that his challenging location presents. Operating on a 100% natural surface with fibresand rootzone, a dedicated renovation programme is planned with Neil, which features Barenbrug’s top-rated grass seed formulation Elite Sport.

David comments, “Elite Sport delivers all aspects that I look for in a stadium seed blend – fast establishment, superb recovery during the playing season, high disease tolerance and superior aesthetics. It ticks every box and I know it’s set to get even better in the next few years, after visiting Barenbrug’s UK Research site, Cropvale and seeing their new cultivars first-hand.” The new breeding material David refers to here are the #1 and #2-ranked in BSPB/STRI Turfgrass Seed, Barzico and Barbasten.

In addition to Elite Sport, David relies on Barenbrug’s SOS product to see the pitch through the depths of the North-East Scottish winter. SOS features an amenity annual ryegrass cultivar, capable of germination and growth at exceptionally low temperatures. David continues, “SOS is a great product. We try to get some established in the pitch in autumn. This gives the annual the platform it needs to continue to grow throughout the winter months. With limited lighting rig coverage, I see this product as a valuable tool in the armoury. It plays a huge role in maintaining turf cover in the goalmouths, which we overseed throughout the playing season.”

The impressive performance of the products at Pittodrie made them a logical choice for the club’s recent expansion at Cormack Park, a new purpose-built training ground in the Westhill region of the city. Neil and Greentech played a huge role in the site’s development, constructing one SIS Hybrid pitch and two natural fibresand based pitches for 1st team usage. Neil commented, “It’s an incredible facility, but there is no getting away from the fact that it’s a cold, exposed site. We have to think out of the box at times to maximise turf performance. With Barenbrug breeding as the start-point, and an excellent team of groundstaff to collaborate with, it gives me great confidence and satisfaction when the grass plant responds to the plans put into action”.

Great In Grass · Nov 5, 2020

Webinar: Successful Out-wintering with Good Brassica Management

Successful Out-wintering with Good Brassica Management
Germinal experts Helen Mathieu and William Fleming discuss key factors for successful out-wintering on brassica.
Sharing practical considerations around feeding brassica such as fencing, introducing fibre, stocking rates, animal health and growing costs.

Webinars Q & A
Can you talk more about multi-grazing and what you need to do as most farmers may graze too hard so regrowth won't happen.
Crops of Redstart sown between May and June, can be grazed at around 8 to 10 weeks, lightly down to say 8 or 10 inches, leaving plenty of nodes and potential growing points, remove the stock and the crop will continue growing well into October or later depending on the conditions. Apply a supplementary dose of N after the first grazing - 50 kg/Ha. Some people will split the field into 4 or more blocks and rotate round, by the time you finish the last block, the first block can be regrazed. It is relative to the sowing day though.
Which varieties are best for in calf dairy heifers over winter?
Depending on date available to sow the crop, then either Maris Kestrel, if you can sow before end of June, later than that Swift or Redstart. (If if is late sown and you are trying to graze earlier (ie October) then Redstart).
We sowed Redstart 3rd August in North East, England. When will it reach its maximum DM/ha ? Approx. what will that DM be?
There would be no harm starting to graze that now, but it will keep if you need to, and keep growing until the soil temperature drops to approx 8 degrees. Capable of 4 to 6 tonnes dm, but I suggest you go and measure it.
What is the best seed rate for hybrids?
6.25 kgs per hectare is a standard rate.
What break length between fodder beet crops?
From a soil pest/disease risk there is less harm than a brassica, but it is very hard on soil structure and soil health. You could over-winter on a brassica and then put fodder beet in the next spring - but then the field would ideally go back to a longer term type ley.
Early drilled oilseed rape with clover, Suggesting to graze for growth regulation / disease suppression with sheep. Any differences compared to forage rape to consider? It's a mixture of hybrid rape and some conventional.
The rules for grazing would be the same, I am not sure there is a great deal of crop there to actually benefit the animals greatly.
Will high pH soils sustain shorter brassica rotations?
They would, but it is not without risk, and soil type matters, so heavier wetter soils will be more prone to club root. Once you have clubroot, you have a problem and wont be grow brassicas successfully for many years in that area.
Would you mix stubble turnips, forage rape and kale together?
My preference is not to as there is no need really, but it is possible and people do like that sort of blend, the potential problem is that the shorter lived and faster growing stubble turnip will swamp anything slightly slower growing anyway. The faster growing reach maturity much earlier and are past their best before the kale reaches is potential, if it can establish its self that is.
With the loss of neonic seed treatments is there anything in the pipeline from a seed treatment point of view that would help the establishment of brassicas and the problem with flea beetle?
We are looking at various treatments down at the Germinal Research Station in Wiltshire that may have potential, we don’t have any information at the moment though.
When feeding a rape or hybrid what causes the ears to fall off on fattening lambs and how can this be prevented?
This is called Rape Scald and is the photosensitization (sun burn) caused by high levels of toxins in the plant, effect mostly white faced sheep. It rarely affects all the animals. It is very much related to the growth stage of the crop but also the environmental conditions, soil fertility (particularly N and S) and the weather at the time. Feed fibre, reduce the amount they are eating, or wait until the weather changes and the crop has reached maturity, or feed in late autumn/winter.
What is the best crop for finishing lambs? With or without any concentrate supplementation? And what is a realistic growth rate without concentrates?
Redstart, it can be sown anytime from mid May through to mid/end of August and fed any time from late July up to end of January or even longer. We've typically seen growth rates of over 200gms, it will certainly produce more lwg than late season poor quality pastures.
Flea beetle! What do you recommend we do for it. Finding timing sprays difficult, usually the damage is done and the crop is never the same after.
Spraying for pests is very much about timing, crops need treating as soon as they reach the threshold - sprayed early enough the crop should recover well.
How far apart should the electric fence posts be and how do you secure the end posts that will be moved every day?
There are lots of different ways to fence the crop. Some will use a hard wire between wooden posts, some use a single strand that clips to a wire running round the outside fence. Some will create a block or square by banging in a strong metal spike as the corner or end pole. Distance between stakes will depend on livestock, length of feed face etc.
If the grazing period is very wet, once lambs are fully introduced, would running lambs on and off, on in the morning, off at night to a drier run off area be advisable or is there a danger of them gorging during the day and causing harm to themselves?
You may make more mess by running them in and out as the footfall will concentrate on a narrow areas. If you feed fibre, and they are well fed with brassica, they should be content and will tend to stand and lie on the drier area, just grazed. If they are not eating the straw, or there is more than they need, they will just lay on it.

Great In Grass · Jan 12, 2021

Barenbrug UK to release NEW AFBI ryegrass varieties for UK agriculture
The AFBI-Barenbrug partnership now has nineteen ryegrass varieties listed on the 2020/2021 Recommended Grass and Clover Lists (RGCL), with varieties such as Gracehill (a late heading tetraploid ryegrass) being one of the newest additions.

Today’s farms require grasses that produce consistently high yield and quality at the right time of year. Farmers are now choosing seed mixtures with varieties suited to their farm’s specific requirements. On any farm the fields can vary in soil type, drainage capacity, slope and orientation as well as their use which could be silage-only on outlying fields, intensive paddock grazing or priority fields for late winter/early spring growth. The Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) as a leading plant breeder, in collaboration with Barenbrug UK, as a successful commercialisation partner are dedicated to ensure there are a range of grasses to meet these requirements.

The AFBI-Barenbrug partnership now has nineteen ryegrass varieties listed on the 2020/2021 Recommended Grass and Clover Lists (RGCL), with varieties such as Gracehill (a late heading tetraploid ryegrass) being one of the newest additions. Each of the AFBI-bred varieties have been proven to show increased performance and have been bred for use in specific situations as part of high-performing cutting and grazing mixtures.

The extensive range of varieties available have been specifically bred for superior performance under local environmental conditions. Advances in grass breeding research at AFBI mean that new varieties show significant improvements in traits such as yield, digestibility and disease resistance, compared with varieties currently available, which is important in reducing the carbon footprint of the agricultural sector whilst increasing productivity. As well as the rigorous real-world testing of all new varieties and breeding lines at AFBI Loughgall, further evaluations are completed by Barenbrug UK, on sites across the UK and ROI. As the AFBI-Barenbrug partnership continues to deliver, the team continue to use advances in grass breeding science to develop a steady supply of new varieties that can meet the ever changing demands of the future grassland industry in Northern Ireland and beyond.

To maximise the range of varieties on offer and ensure seed availability Barenbrug UK have stepped up the seed production of their leading varieties Glasker, Bannfoot, Gracehill and Galgorm which will be available for spring 2021. All of these varieties have successfully passed rigorous evaluation at testing sites across the UK and confirms the ongoing success of the grass breeding research programme with Barenbrug UK & AFBI Loughgall, funded by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA).

Glasker is an early maturing ryegrass that can produce extra spring forage at that critical time of the year. In contrast the hybrid ryegrass variety Bannfoot can supply extra yielding capacity especially during the silage cutting season. Hybrid ryegrass varieties combine the useful characteristics of their perennial and Italian ryegrass parents and are especially useful in multi-cut silage and haylage production systems.

Gracehill is a late heading tetraploid ryegrass. Such varieties are now increasingly sought after for use on intensively managed grazing platforms. Gracehill heads on the 1st June and has proven to be an excellent all-round performer right across the growing season, producing superb annual yields of highly digestible grass under both grazing and silage management with extremely high metabolizable energy (ME) yields per hectare (+108% and 104% of the mean of all other late tetraploid varieties on the RGCL list).

Another leading variety is Galgorm, an intermediate heading diploid, which was first listed in 2018. It has remained in top position on the list for total yield in both grazing and silage management ever since. No other intermediate diploid variety on the list produces more ME yield per hectare under grazing management (106% of the mean of all intermediate diploid varieties on the list) and is very persistent in grazing swards.

Ultimately grass is the most important crop on farms in Northern Ireland and one of the most efficient ways of sustaining productivity from grass is to breed top performing, resilient varieties that are adapted to local farming requirements and conditions. The ongoing research and development work undertaken by AFBI & Barenbrug UK ensures that a steady supply of new varieties are produced that can meet the ever changing demands of the grassland and livestock industries right across the UK.

Great In Grass · Jan 12, 2021

How new grass varieties help farmers, landscapers, and groundsmen beat climate change
Climate change is making drought, especially spring drought, a more frequent event in northern Europe. Our range of drought-tolerant varieties has been tested widely, including at the world-leading RadiMax facility. These are the varieties that will help forage producers and turf managers protect their businesses in a changing world.

Root science helps you minimise the effects of drought
Drought is one of the greatest challenges facing future crop production. Forage producers and turf managers need plants that perform better in a changing world – plants that are more durable and better at acquiring vital nutrients in tough conditions.

Species bred for the climate of northern Europe are not well adapted for drought because drought has, in the past, never been a big issue. But things are changing. Spring droughts are becoming ever more frequent, which means we need grass varieties better suited to drier conditions. At the RadiMax facility we test grass varieties to see which ones are better at dealing with climatic and environmental challenges such as drought.

High-performance roots give end users an advantage
The secret to beating drought lies in the roots of plants. Following many years of research, we can now apply our extensive knowledge of grass root-architecture to the problems forage producers and turf managers face. We can help you future-proof your business by securing your forage production or maintaining the visual appearance of your turf.

PLUS grasses are drought-tolerant
Grasses with a deep root mass are better able to maintain reliable and consistent forage production. Their nutrient uptake is more efficient, they are better at carbon sequestration, and they improve your soil structure.

Our two festulolium types, Ryegrass PLUS and Tall Fescue PLUS, are excellent choices for withstanding drought. Ryegrass PLUS has the same quick root growth as ryegrass, but its root mass grows deeper, which makes it more drought tolerant. Tall fescue PLUS has the same root mass as Tall Fescue, but provides better spring and summer forage quality.

Choose 4turf® for a stronger, more drought-tolerant playing field
Grasses with a fast root growth have a strong foundation. They give you more playing hours, a better visual appearance, and improved carbon sequestration. They also save you money because they need less irrigation. Our 4turf® varieties are good examples. They are proven to be drought-tolerant as a result of their fast root growth and extensive root mass.

Minimise the risk of drought impact
To reduce the risks associated with drought, choose varieties with strong root performance and/or better above-ground drought-coping mechanisms. Better regrowth after a spring drought, for example, reduces the impact on yields or on turf performance. Drought-tolerant varieties are a time-saver too. As the season progresses, you waste far less time finding ways to fix drought-related damage.

By choosing drought-tolerant varieties or mixtures for your local conditions and your risk-management strategy, you are better prepared for a potential drought. Circumstances vary, but every drought-tolerant variety has its own set of natural mechanisms for coping with a lack of water. During a spring drought, for example, water is still available at deeper soil layers. That's when a plant needs its drought-tolerance to come from below: it needs a deep root mass. But when a spring drought extends into summer, those deeper soil layers also dry out. Now the plant needs an above-ground drought-tolerance to maintain its growth.

Great In Grass · Jan 13, 2021

Looking ahead to 2021: What to do now so you’re ready for the spring

Winter is a good time to think about how to maximise cow performance from forage in the coming year.
Growing good quality forage is not straightforward but there are plans you can put in place now to benefit your herd’s potential performance from using your forage more effectively. Ben Wixey, National Agricultural Sales Manager, shares his ‘top tips’ on what you could do this winter:

Think beyond volume
Forage is not all about DM tonnage in the clamp. Producing large volumes of stemmy grass gone to seed is nutritionally poor and indigestible. Instead, focusing on the metabolisable energy (ME) a hectare of grassland can produce can release more milk potential. Multi-cut silaging is one way to achieve this change; the level of ME/ha obtained is far higher than traditional systems. The increased cutting encourages rapid regrowth, improves the energy levels of the grass and leads to more consistent silage. What you might pay in higher contractor fees, you can recoup in greater milk potential and financial returns.

“We have a 700 strong dairy herd and aim to produce 50-55% of milk from forage, so producing lots of high-quality forage is key to the success and sustainability of the business. We aim to cut grass every four weeks during the silaging season. The silage we are producing has a good nutritional value and is highly digestible.” James Evans, dairy farmer, Mid Wales

Reflect on forage performance
Look back at how your forage has performed this year and establish your goals for next year. How much forage did you produce? And of what quality? Did you have any underperforming fields? Talk to your nutritionist about what you need to produce to support your performance goals of your cows. Compare this to your yield data and grass/silage sample results. You may need to carry out further sampling to identify poorer performing grassland and help target remedial work.

Measure forage production
Regular grass measurements with a plate meter provide useful, accurate data, but simply recording the number of trailer-loads you take off silage ground or how many times specific areas of grassland are grazed provides a benchmark. If you don’t measure, you can’t monitor improvements. Fresh grass and silage analyses also give you an idea of the nutritional quality and potential of forages in specific areas.

Check soil health
Soil compaction has a strong influence on performance potential. Vehicle movement from harvesting first cut alone can result in over half of grassland being compacted. Plough pans can prevent grass roots penetrating the soil adequately; cows grazing on wet ground can cause similar problems. Assess compaction by digging a few test holes in your grassland and smell the soil. If soil is too compact and not suitably aerated it smells putrid or like anaerobic silage. Then feel it. A healthy soil crumbles in your hands; it shouldn’t break off in large clumps.

Take the pressure off
Grass grows more grass. To see the best rates of regrowth, aim to move cows on to fresh pasture once grass is grazed down to a maximum of 7cm. To avoid grazing below this point, adjust stocking rates, change the paddock size or alter the rate of rotation. This might need to involve new fencing, gates and water troughs, but longer-term, this will help grass growth and productivity.

Extend your rotation with brassicas
Brassicas are a good option for extending autumn grazing and offering forage stocks through the winter. They provide a cost-effective alternative source of protein to bought-in feed and are a valuable pest suppressor between grass reseeds. Plan to sow brassicas in either late spring or July/early August.

“The Redstart had a direct feed benefit and helped maintain the herd’s milk from forage performance, but it also proved to be a useful break crop and improved the soil condition of the old grass ley into which the brassica mix had been drilled.” Tom Mansell, dairy farmer, Cheshire

Find the right grass varieties
Select grass mixtures with varieties on the latest Recommended Grass and Clover List (RGCL) and high performers in terms of ME yield/ha. It’s worth looking closely at differences between them and seeking advice if unsure what’s right for you. The energy difference between the highest and lowest-ranked varieties is 18,000 MJ/ha or a possible 3,400 litres of milk per hectare per year.
For silaging, grass varieties should be at their optimum level of quality and maturity when cut, so a small heading date range is best. A range of over around 10 days means some varieties will have put up seed heads, while others are still leafy, impacting the quality and digestibility of the silage. Heading dates are given in the RGCL.

“HSG 4 is a very versatile seed mix and complements our approach on the farm well. It provides plenty of high sugar grasses for grazing in the early part of the season and each silage cut we take has a progressively higher protein content, with first cut yielding around 16% protein and final cuts producing silage with a protein content of 19%.” Ian Farrant, beef farmer, Worcestershire
Plan to reseed

If your end goal is to maximise the benefits of homegrown forage, reseeding is fundamental. If you don’t reseed, the percentage of perennial grasses declines as native grasses increase, producing poor quality grass, hard for cows to digest.
Routine reseeding requires investment but is one of the best ways to maintain sward performance and nutritional quality. Grassland renewal rates sit around 5-6% in the UK, suggesting many leys are left down past their optimum performance levels.

Great In Grass · Jan 13, 2021

Grassland Reseeding Guide

Your field guide from sward assessment to establishment.

PLAN
Aim to renew 10 – 15% of your leys each year
Germinal SWARD FACTS

Older leys (8 years +) will usually comprise 50% weed grasses or more
Aber High Sugar Grasses are typically 15 D-value units higher than weed grasses
Response to nitrogen is 5 times greater in modern ryegrasses than weed grasses

Full reseed or sward renovation?
Whilst short-term productivity can be improved cost effectively through a variety of over-seeding methods, there is no doubt that a full cultivation reseed is the best method of establishing a new ley.
Carry out a full reseed when any of the following are evident:

Production falls
Inadequate spring or autumn growth
Response to N declines
Regrowths take longer
Stock fail to clean up available grass
Sown species make up less than 50% of the sward
The cost of controlling weeds, pests and/or diseases is prohibitive
Poaching or compaction levels have become unmanageable
Rotational policy dictates a change of crop

Choose optimum timing
When to reseed?
England & Wales:
Spring or autumn reseeding can be equally effective, so do whatever best suits your farming system.

Sow no later than August when including red clover
Sow no later than mid-September when including white clover

Northern England & Scotland:

Spring reseeding allows time for swards to establish before winter
When summer/autumn reseeding and including red or white clover, sow no later than mid-August

Consider a brassica break crop
In the context of pasture renewal, a break crop offers the following advantages:

Disruption of grass-specific pest and disease cycles
Elimination of pasture-based animal parasites
Enhanced weed control opportunities
Extended opportunities to address soil nutrients and/or soil condition
Additional 4-8 t DM/ha production from the brassica

Identify priorities for reseeding
Your Pasture Health Check List:

Increased presence of docks, thistles, nettles, chickweed or other weeds
Unproductive grasses such as bents, meadow grasses, red fescue and Yorkshire fog
Drop offs in silage production or stock carrying capacity
Slow regrowths after cutting or grazing
Reduced response to fertiliser
Rejection or uneven grazing
Intermittent growth or shortening of growing season

If you have ticked any of the above, your ley is certainly beyond its productive life and in need of replacement.
Make a thorough sward assessment
Targets for sward assessment

75% Ground cover
30% Clover content (average over a season)
50% Sward composition (PRG minimum)
10% Broad leaf weeds (maximum)

Carry out the red stem test
As a general guide, perennial ryegrasses have a red colouration at the base of the stem and a shiny underside of the leaf - weed grasses do not – so carry out a simple field assessment to check your sward composition.

Assess your sward clover content
At the optimum sward content of 30% averaged across the season, white clover contributes 150kgN/ha
15%

25-30%

50%

CHECK
Test your soil pH
Optimum pH for plant growth and uptake of nutrients is 6 – 6.5.
Applying lime at 5 t/ha will raise pH by 0.4 units, but not for 9-12 months.
For a faster response apply a granulated lime product.
Test your P&K levels
Phosphate (P) and Potash (K) indices should ideally be at 2 for optimum sward performance, so apply fertiliser to the seedbed if necessary.
Low P = poor root development, poor use of nutrients
Low K = poor transport and utilisation of nutrients, poor growth
Assess the condition of your soils
Take a spade and dig out a sod to a depth of about 40cm.
Signs of water logging and compaction:

Rusty, grey, mottled colouration
Distinctive foul smell
Poor root penetration (should be 30cm and more)
Lack of earthworms (should be 10-15 in a spade-full)
No vertical cracks (5mm channels allow air, water and nutrients to circulate)

Rectify any soil structure problems
Match the solution to the problem:
Surface capping (0-10cm) - use a soil aerator with spikes or knives (e.g. below)
Compaction (10-15cm) - sub-soiler or sward lifter
Plough pans - sub-soiler or mole plough

Assess weed populations
Identify any major problems and control them in the old sward as this will make establishment of the new ley better and easier to manage.

ESTABLISH
Select grass mixtures containing varieties that are ranked on the Recommended Grass and Clover List.

Select top performing varieties; there is significant variation in performance even amongst RGCL listed varieties
Look for the ideal combination of yield (dry matter) and quality (D-value)
Consider other agronomic factors such as seasonal growth, ground cover and disease resistance
Ensure mixtures are fit for purpose, whether for cutting, grazing or dual purpose

Give your seed the best chance of germination:

Work the ground to a fine tilth
Sow when soil is moist and warm (minimum 5°C)
Use the correct seed rate (15kg/acre; 35kg/ha) to establish a dense sward
Optimum seed depth is 15mm (½ inch)
Roll before and after drilling for optimum consolidation - you should be able to walk on the field and leave no footmarks

Overseeding
Overseeding, or sward rejuvenation, can be a good way to improve the yield and quality of grassland whilst minimising any time out of production.
When should overseeding be used?

If leys still have a good proportion (50%) of perennial ryegrass present.
For a short-term boost in production.
Where land is steep or stony and difficult to reseed.
As a tactic alongside a full reseeding programme.

How to overseed effectively:

Ideally in the July – September period, following a tight grazing or silage cut.
Seed rate of 10kg/acre (two-thirds of a full reseed).
Ensure good soil-to-seed contact, through harrowing and rolling, as required.

Return on investment

Estimated 10% increase in dry matter production
Increased D-value worth 0.5MJ/kg ME
Return on investment within the year of overseeding

MANAGE
Protect new leys by monitoring weeds, pests and diseases:
Newly sown pastures are more susceptible to weed ingress, pests and diseases than well-established grassland.

Identify weeds and control early by spraying or grazing
Monitor new leys for pest attack, with wireworm, frit fly, slugs, leatherjackets and chafers the most common threats

Graze to aid establishment:
Graze new leys lightly with sheep or young stock when grass reaches 7.5 – 10cm to consolidate roots and promote tillering.

Great In Grass · Jan 13, 2021

The Nutritional Value of Grass Guide

Capturing the full power of grass
Understanding the full value of grass is key to maximum utilisation.
As grazing or silage, grass is the foundation for most forage-based systems. It is the cheapest source of ruminant feed and the most important factor in modern dairy, beef and sheep farming profitability. Livestock farmers however need to take full advantage of grass by maintaining sward quality and productivity. They need to manage intakes through effective grazing and winter-feeding plans. It is also important to have a good understanding of the nutritional qualities of grass. If you don’t know the full feed value of grass, there is a chance it will either be under-utilised or inaccurately supplemented – its potential will then be lost.
In this guide, we provide simple definitions and highlight the importance of different components and offer pointers on how to attain the best results. Grass is also commonly grown with white and red clover, so we provide references where applicable to the contribution of these legumes.

Dry Matter
Why is dry matter important in grass?
The dry matter (DM) content of forage (measured as a percentage) is the proportion of total components (fibres, proteins, ash, water soluble carbohydrates, lipids, etc) remaining after water has been removed.

Knowing the dry matter percentage of forage is important. The lower the dry matter content, the higher the freshweight of forage required to achieve a target nutrient intake, whether this is grazed grass or conserved forage.

Dry matter is also used as a term to measure yield. Recorded as kgDM/ha, this is used as a measure of sward carrying capacity (stocking rate) and is an essential element of effective grazing management. It is also used to measure silage crop yields.

In terms of dry matter content, field and weather conditions will cause significant variation, and there are also inherent differences between diploid and tetraploid varieties. All other factors being equal, diploids have higher dry matter content (typically 18-26% DM) than tetraploids (15 – 20% DM), due to diploids having smaller cells and a lower cell wall to cell contents ratio. This means ruminants fed entirely on a tetraploid sward will need to consume as much as one-third more fresh grass per day to achieve the same nutritional intake as from a purely diploid sward.

Looking at dry matter yield, modern ryegrasses have been bred for maximum production. The best rated perennial ryegrass varieties on the Recommended List are now capable of grazing or conservation yields in excess of 11 tDM/ha whilst weed grasses (e.g. creeping bent or annual meadow grass) can yield as little as 2 tDM/ha. Production from ryegrasses over a season follows the classic growth curve, peaking at around 120kgDM/ha/day in May/June and typically dipping to around one-third of peak levels by early autumn.

In grazing terms, the aim should be to present grazing that offers the ideal balance of fresh nutritious growth with the appropriate fibre content for optimal rumen passage. This balance is best achieved by using a grazing rotation of 18-25 days in peak season. Poor sward management will increase the proportion of dead and dying plant material, resulting in a significant decline in forage quality and intake potential.

When making silage, the aim should be to cut at 16-20% dry matter and ensile at 30 – 35% dry matter (for clamp silage) and 35 – 40% (baled). This will ensure a good fermentation and optimum intakes, and minimum risk of aerobic instability.

Fresh grass requirements at different dry matters

Pointers on dry matter

Factor in grazing and/or cutting DM yield when selecting the best varieties from the Recommended List
Diploids generally aid grazing efficiency whilst tetraploids are typically more suited to cutting
Consider pre-cutting grazing swards as a means of increasing dry matter intakes
Remember that livestock on wet pasture will require more fresh weight of forage per day
Delaying cutting for silage increases yield but decreases quality

The clover effect

Overall dry matter yield from a mixed grazing sward with optimum white clover content is broadly compatible with a straight ryegrass sward, assuming average UK nitrogen
fertiliser applications
When red clover is included in silage leys, only use light conditioning on the mower (e.g. rubber roller or flails fully open)
Red clover content will be higher in later cuts, so a longer wilt is required to achieve comparable dry matter content in the silage

D-Value and ME
Why are the D-value and ME of grass important?
D-value is the measure of digestibility, or the proportion of the forage that can be digested by a ruminant. This digestible part of the forage
is made up of crude protein, carbohydrates (including digestible fibres and sugars) and lipids (oils).

ME is the amount of energy that an animal can derive from the feed. It is measured in megajoules of energy per kilogram of forage dry matter (MJ/ kg DM). ME is directly correlated with D-value because any feed has to be digestible in order for the energy to be available.

One percentage point of D-value equates to 0.16 MJ/kg DM of ME. A proportion of ME is available as an energy source for rumen microbes. This is referred to as fermentable ME (FME) and is largely comprised of plant cell walls. D-value (and ME) is highest in the top ranking ryegrasses on the Recommended List, with figures for Grazing D-value and First Cut D-value available on all listed varieties. Leading varieties will be in the 75 – 80 D-value range, up to five percentage points higher than average varieties on the list and higher still than non-listed varieties. Weed grasses will be substantially lower in D-value than modern ryegrasses.

In all cases, D-value is highest in grass when the sward has fresh leafy growth and declines as the plants become more mature (stemmy).
The decline in D-value is highest after ear emergence (heading). Grass cut for silage will typically lose 2 percentage points in D-value between cutting and feeding.

The higher the D-value and ME in forage, the better ruminant performance will be. In the UK, NIAB estimates that a single point increase in D-value (or 0.16 MJ/kg ME) equates to 0.26 litres of milk per dairy cow per day, 40g/day extra beef liveweight gain and 20g/day of extra lamb liveweight gain. Similar work at Teagasc in Ireland and DARDNI put the increase in milk yield higher at 0.33 and 0.4 litres per cow per day respectively

Variation in D-value and ME between grass species

Pointers on D-value and ME

Select the highest ranking varieties on the Recommended List
Use a rotational (18 – 25 day) paddock grazing system with entry determined by the ‘Three Leaf System’
Consider soil nutrient availability and when applying fertilizer always apply in line with Fertiliser Manual RB209
Cut for silage prior to stem thickening, or approximately one week before heading
Manage to minimise diseases that will reduce D-value (e.g. crown rust, leaf spot)
When necessary, stop grazing swards to prevent heading

The clover effect

White and red clovers typically have D-values comparable to the highest ranking ryegrass varieties, with a greater proportion of the digestible material being in the form of crude protein (ie. less carbohydrate)
The optimum white clover content in a grazing sward is an average of 30% over a grazing season
When including red clover in a silage ley, it is important to use compatible ryegrass varieties to achieve the best overall
D-value at cutting. As with ryegrass, D-value of red clover declines rapidly with increased crop maturity, with the target being to cut when no more than half the plants are in bud

Water Soluble Carbohydrate
Why is water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) important in grass?

Water soluble carbohydrates are the soluble sugars that are quickly released from grass within the rumen. These sugars provide a readily available source of energy for the rumen microbes that are responsible for digesting forage.

These sugars also provide the fuel for silage fermentation. The higher the sugar, the better the silage is preserved and the higher the feed value for the animal.

Higher WSC is a major differentiating factor in modern ryegrasses bred at IBERS Aberystwyth University over 30 years. Varieties higher in WSC than conventional varieties are now available as Aber High Sugar Grass. The Aber HSG range now includes intermediate and late heading diploid and tetraploid perennial ryegrasses and hybrid ryegrasses.

Relative differences in WSC are maintained between ryegrass varieties even though the content typically rises and falls over a season, with varying weather conditions and even over the period of a day. On a warm sunny summer day, WSC content can be as high as 35% of dry matter, whilst on a cool cloudy autumn day it can be as low as 10%, but at either end of the spectrum differences between varieties are maintained.

A high WSC will generally mean forage composition is closer to the 2:1 WSC-to-crude protein ratio that animal models suggest is the target for optimum nitrogen use efficiency in the rumen. This means that more of the feed is converted into milk and meat, with less going to waste in urine (and methane). Under ideal growing conditions, modern Aber HSG ryegrasses will achieve the optimum ratio of 2:1 for WSC-to-protein. Wetter silage ultimately uses up more sugar to achieve a stable fermentation, leaving less for the animal.

Average WSC over five years

Effect of DM at ensiling on WSC content of silage as a result of fermentation:

Wetter silage ultimately uses up more sugar to achieve a stable fermentation, leaving less for the animal.
Pointers on WSC

Select and sow grass and silage mixtures that are 100% Aber HSG to maximise WSC
Avoid over-use of fertiliser by following RB209 guidelines
Cut for silage late in the afternoon to maximise the WSC content
Avoid making overly wet silage (below 28% DM) as this may result in sugar losses in the effluent and increases the effluent; wet silage also has increased need for sugars to create a good fermentation and stable silage
WSC generally peaks 3 – 5 weeks after grazing or cutting
Manage swards to avoid diseases that will reduce WSC (e.g. crown rust, leaf spot)

The clover effect

White clover is generally lower in WSC and higher in protein, so it important to maintain the target of 30% white clover sward content over a grazing season for optimum performance
Red clover is generally lower in WSC than ryegrass, so growing it in combination with Aber HSG varieties is beneficial for the silage fermentation process
Aim for a minimum dry matter of 30% when ensiling red clover and ryegrass to increase the concentration of WSC in the forage

Protein
Why is protein important in grass?
Protein is a large and expensive component of livestock rations, and reliance on imported sources (e.g. soya) leaves businesses vulnerable to price volatility and supply. Greater use of homegrown protein is therefore desirable.

Protein in grass is generally reported as total crude protein (CP), which is 6.25 times the nitrogen content. Typically around 80% of the crude protein in fresh grass is true protein. The remaining fraction is often referred to as non-protein nitrogen. Both types of nitrogen can be used by the animal but the true protein is used more efficiently for meat and milk production. A larger part of the non-protein nitrogen is used inefficiently and is excreted by the animal.

Crude protein can be split into effective rumen degradable protein (ERDP) and digestible undegradable protein (DUP). ERDP, which is by far the biggest part of fresh forage protein, can be broken down by rumen microbes and converted into microbial protein that is digested later. DUP passes through the rumen intact and can be broken down and digested in the small intestine.

Crude protein content can vary within single varieties and between varieties and is influenced by management factors such as nitrogen fertiliser applications and crop maturity.

The proportion of the crude protein that is available as true protein is lowest in the period after nitrogen fertiliser is applied, but rises as the grass grows and converts non-protein nitrogen into true protein.

In silage, the proportion of crude protein that is available as true protein is affected by the fermentation. A better fermentation results in more of the crude protein remaining as true protein.
Protein in grass and silage

Grazed grass provides the best source of true protein. Good ensiling practice will preserve more of the true protein in silage.
Typical nutrient content of farm feeds

Animal research has shown that typically only about 20% of protein consumed by ruminants is used (to maintain the animal and produce meat or milk); the rest is lost in waste products. A better balance of protein and energy supply to the rumen will improve the proportion of protein that is used. Feeding forage (as grazed grass or silage) with a higher sugar (WSC) content has been shown to improve protein utilisation in ruminants.

Given the optimum balance of protein and energy sources, dietary crude protein concentrations can routinely be as low as 12 – 14% of dry matter without any detriment to livestock productivity (14% for milk production).
Pointers on protein

Aber HSG varieties are bred for improved protein-to-energy balance
Apply fertiliser in line with the Fertiliser Manual RB209, and 2 – 3 days after grazing or cutting
Avoid making overly wet silage (below 28% DM) as this may result in soluble protein losses in the effluent
Optimum protein concentrations occur 3 – 5 days after cutting or grazing

The clover effect

White clover is generally higher in protein than ryegrass; it is important to maintain an optimum balance in grazing swards of an average 30% of dry matter over the season
Red clover is a high protein forage (typically 22% crude protein). It contains an enzyme (PPO) that in silage helps to maintain the proportion of true protein

Fibre
Why is fibre important in grass?
Fibre is essential in the ruminant ration to provide the ‘scratch factor’ essential to stimulate rumen function. There is an important balance to be achieved in all rations for optimum performance.

Fibre is measured as NDF (neutral detergent fibre), this being the insoluble fibre fraction (cellulose, hemicellulose, pectin and lignin) that remains after boiling in a neutral detergent solution.

Carbohydrates within NDF are not as readily accessible as those in the WSC component of ryegrasses. However, NDF content is important for predicting ruminant voluntary intake.

The proportion of NDF that can be digested by ruminants is referred to as dNDF. This is a secondary source of slowly released carbohydrates that provides a useful source of fermentable energy for ruminants within the rumen and hind gut.

Grass fibre concentration can vary greatly during the growing season. It is at its highest (and the grass least digestible) when the sward is producing reproductive seed heads rather than vegetative leaves. Conversely, during the early spring when fresh growth is at its peak, fibre content is typically at its lowest (grass is most digestible).

The principle target with fibre is to maximise animal voluntary intake whilst ensuring sufficient rumen digestion time. For grazing, the optimum NDF content of grass should be in the range of 30 – 40% of total dry matter, with dNDF around 20-30% of total dry matter, or roughly 60-75% of the total fibre content in a digestible form.

When grass fibre content falls below these optimum levels (e.g. early spring flush) supplementary feeding of fibre may be necessary to prevent grass passing through the rumen too rapidly.

When making silage, it is important to cut before grass becomes too mature (pre-heading) to avoid a significant reduction in digestibility.
Grass fibre and dry matter intake

Pointers on NDF and dNDF

Rotational grazing (18 – 25 day) using the Three Leaf System to determine when to graze will optimise both NDF and dNDF levels in grass
Topping will remove stemmy growth and stimulate fresh growth (and avoid NDF being too high) but good grazing management should ideally avoid the need for topping
Take silage cuts before grass goes to head to avoid NDF rising too high
Manage grazing and cutting swards to avoid diseases (e.g. crown rust, leaf spot) that will increase NDF at the expense of overall quality

The clover effect

The clover concentration of white and red clover is lower than that of ryegrass and can have the potential to increase voluntary intake
The physical form of fibre in clovers typically breaks down in the rumen more quickly than the fibre in ryegrass

Lipids
Why are lipids important in grass?
Lipids in forage grasses contain a high proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). These are the ‘good’ fatty acids, better known as Omega 3 and Omega 9, which have positive human health effects.

From an animal production perspective, increased PUFA supply has been shown to improve animal fertility and result in positive effects on meat quality (longer shelf life and a more desirable colour). There is also evidence of reduced methane emissions from ruminants consuming high PUFA diets, an effect that is positive for the environment.

Early data suggests total fatty acid content of grass varies from about 2.5 to 5% of forage dry matter, with the PUFA component making up 65 – 78% of the total lipid content. Grass fed livestock will naturally consume more polyunsaturated fatty acids (Omega 3 and Omega 9) which is believed to improve the colour of aged meat and potentially extend shelf life.

Lipids have approximately twice the energy content of carbohydrates (WSC and fibre) and are an important source of energy for livestock.
Ruminant diets are frequently supplemented with high lipid feeds as a means of increasing the energy content of the diet.

Current and future grass breeding programmes at IBERS Aberystwyth University have identified lipid concentration and fatty acid profile as important objectives.

Pointers on lipids

Fresh grass provides a better PUFA profile than many dry feeds
Forage-based systems have the potential to produce better quality human food due to the favourable PUFA profile in grass
When silage making, rapid wilting will increase the level of lipids retained in the forage

The clover effect

White clover lipid content is generally reported to be slightly lower than that of ryegrass, with a range of 2 – 4.4% of forage dry matter
Red clover is generally reported to be higher in polyunsaturated fats than ryegrass

Minerals and Vitamins
Why are minerals and vitamins important in grass?

Minerals include various elements like calcium, selenium and iron. These basic elements, like the more complex vitamins, have important roles in the health and performance of livestock. Understanding the mineral and vitamin content of grass is important in the context of any additional supplementation that may or may not be required.

The mineral content of a sward will depend largely upon the mineral availability in the soil and the pH. Mineral and vitamin content will not usually change in silage, though in very wet crops some losses may occur in the effluent.

Whilst many vitamins are synthesised by rumen microbes, some lipid soluble vitamins must be obtained from feed (vitamins A, D and E) and all vitamins provided by feeds can be a useful addition to the ruminant’s diet.

Accurately managing a sward for minerals and vitamins content will require soil analysis for each paddock. Where any mineral is found to be deficient, provision of supplemental licks or mineral boluses can overcome most deficiencies. When turning stock into lush pastures of rapidly growing grass, particularly in the spring, it is advisable to monitor them to further reduce the risk of staggers. Supplement rations with minerals in line with silage analysis.

Nutrient availability chart

Pointers on minerals and vitamins

Test soils to determine any mineral deficiencies
Provide licks or mineral boluses to overcome deficiencies detected
Avoid making overly wet silage (below 28% DM) as this may result in mineral losses in the effluent
Inclusion of Puna II perennial chicory in a sward increases forage mineral supply and profile
Always be vigilant about the risk of grass staggers when stock are grazing fresh spring grass
Check phosphorous status of soil before reseeding with clovers

The clover effect

White clover is typically richer in calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, copper, cobalt, molybdenum, boron and selenium than ryegrass.
Red clover is typically richer in copper and cobalt than ryegrass.

Great In Grass · Jan 13, 2021

The science behind Aber High Sugar Grass

Cattle and sheep are inefficient at converting grass protein into milk and meat. When grazing conventional grass, livestock use only about 20% of protein from the herbage for production – most of the rest is wasted in urine. This is not only a waste of money, but it is detrimental to the environment.

A major reason for these losses is the imbalance between readily available energy and protein within the grass. Proteins are rapidly broken down when feed enters the rumen but, when the diet lacks readily available energy, rumen microbes are able to use less of the nitrogen released from the feed. This results in a large proportion of the nitrogen being absorbed as ammonia and eventually excreted. Grass cell walls consist of complex carbohydrates called cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin.

Although these components can be broken down to provide energy, this is a relatively slow process and is often out of balance with the breakdown of protein.

Water soluble carbohydrates in grass are the sugars found inside the plant cells, rather than in the cell walls themselves. Unlike the carbohydrate in the cells walls, these sugars are a source of readily available energy soon after forage enters the rumen, fuelling the rumen microbes to process more of the grass protein. This protein can then be used in the production of milk and meat, rather than being excreted.
This is why livestock perform better off forage with higher sugar levels. Research at IBERS Aberystwyth University has shown that Aber HSG varieties have consistently higher levels of sugars than standard varieties, throughout any grass growing season. WSC levels up to 50% higher than controls have been recorded in some Aber HSG varieties. Results from trials are summarised later in this section.

The development of Aber High Sugar Grasses
Extensive research over 30 years has shown how high water soluble carbohydrate content in Aber High Sugar Grass varieties improves performance and profitability in milk, beef and lamb production.

Early research included:

Grazing trials on commercial dairy and beef farms over two seasons
Sheep studies at two research farms over three grazing seasons

More recent research with improved varieties that combine the high WSC trait with good disease resistance and high yields includes:

Zero grazing studies to investigate the potential benefits of feeding Aber HSG to dairy and beef cattle on productivity and environmental impact
Studies to investigate the digestive mechanisms that allow ruminants to utilise Aber HSG varieties more efficiently than other recommended grass varieties
Field-scale grazing studies to investigate animal performance on Aber HSG swards
Studies on the reduction of methane emissions from ruminants grazing Aber HSG ryegrasses.

Variety development
Since proof of principle research established the value of a higher WSC content, a breeding programme has been ongoing to develop Aber HSG ryegrasses.

Following the first Recommended Grass and Clover List variety AberDart HSG in 2000, new varieties have continued onto the RGCL, with higher and higher levels of WSC and – as a result – continually improved performance potential.

Ongoing Aber HSG research
Research to improve the quality of grass continues at IBERS Aberystwyth University, with a focus on animal performance and increasing emphasis on the environmental benefits.
In addition to WSC, other quality traits including improvement of the fibre and lipid components of grass, are now included in project objectives.

Enabling ruminants to convert more of the nitrogen in their feed into milk and meat improves production efficiency. It is also very positive for the environment in terms of reducing greenhouse gas emissions (ammonia and nitrous oxide) and urea (in urine). Feeding ryegrasses with higher WSC content leads to improved rumen efficiency (allowing increased protein synthesis) and evidence shows this results in reduced nitrogen losses.

Aber High Sugar Grass varieties are proven performers in terms of dry matter yield, D-value and ME yield, boosting not only production from forage but the environmental credentials for farming too. This has been recognised with a string of prestigious awards, beginning in 2003 when the first Aber High Sugar Grass, AberDart HSG, became the first grass to win the NIAB Variety Cup. In subsequent years, the plant breeders behind this breakthrough technology have collected innovation and technology awards from RASE and the BGS, and with the Queen’s Anniversary Prize and the recent Times Higher Education Award they have received accolades beyond the agricultural industry. In 2015, AberGreen became only the second grass to win the NIAB Variety Cup.

Aber High Sugar Grass for milk production
Results of several studies conducted on commercial dairy farms and by IBERS at its dairy unit near Aberystwyth show that grass protein is used more efficiently for milk production when extra energy is provided by feeding Aber HSG varieties.
Animals were fed either an experimental Aber HSG or a recommended control ryegrass variety. Both grazing and zero grazing techniques were used in the assessments.
The main advantages of feeding Aber HSG varieties were found to be:

Milk yield increased substantially

In an early study that looked at Italian ryegrass across six commercial dairy farms, animals averaged 6% more milk per cow over the grazing season. In recent zero grazing trials with perennial ryegrass, the average milk yield of animals fed Aber HSG increased by 2.3kg/day in early lactation and by 2.7kg/day in late lactation, without a detrimental effect on milk quality.

Dry matter intakes improved significantly

Zero grazing trials at IBERS completed in 2000 found that dry matter intakes rose by around 2kg/head per day. This is particularly important in low input farming systems where producers want animals to obtain as much of their nutrients as possible from grazed grass.

Diet digestibility increased

In the same trial, a 3% improvement in diet digestibility was recorded with Aber HSG. The dry matter digestibility of the Aber HSG variety was found to be consistently higher than the recommended control variety throughout spring, summer and autumn.

The amount of feed nitrogen lost in urine is significantly reduced

In three zero grazing trials involving early, mid and late lactation animals, the amount of feed nitrogen lost in the urine was reduced by up to 24% from animals fed the Aber HSG variety. This has important implications for the environment in terms of nitrogen pollution.
Aber High Sugar Grass for beef production
Grazing trials and a companion zero grazing study run by IBERS at Aberystwyth have shown that when extra energy is provided to beef cattle by feeding Aber HSG varieties, grass protein is used more efficiently and animal performance is enhanced.
Research involved beef steers offered either an Aber HSG variety or a recommended control ryegrass variety. No extra additional feed was given, and grass intakes and liveweight gains were monitored regularly.

Dry matter intakes of animals fed Aber HSG increased by around 25%, compared with those fed the control variety
Greater intake was achieved because the Aber HSG variety was highly palatable. Additionally, Aber HSG was utilised more efficiently by rumen microbes and passed more quickly through the rumen
Animals grazing Aber HSG recorded average daily liveweight gains of 0.997kg/head per day, which was 20% higher than the gain of cattle fed the recommended control variety

Performance of Charolais cross steers in grazing trials at Aberystwyth, Summer 2000

In a separate zero grazing trial, animals fed an Aber HSG variety recorded high levels of growth performance, with an average liveweight gain of 1.3kg/head/day
This bonus from Aber HSG was the result of higher forage intakes and greater efficiency of grass utilisation
The growth rates of Aber HSG fed animals were enhanced, so they reached slaughter weights more quickly than those fed the control variety

Aber High Sugar Grass for lamb production
In both upland and lowland situations, IBERS’ grazing trials have shown Aber HSG varieties to be superior in terms of animal performance, when compared with standard ryegrass swards.

Initial studies on upland and lowland IBERS research farms showed that an early experimental Aber HSG variety supported significantly higher lamb growth rates
In recent trials with Welsh Halfbred ewes and lambs, the liveweight gain of lambs was 20% higher where animals were grazing the Aber HSG variety
In the same study, the carrying capacity (stocking rate) of the Aber HSG sward was 20% higher than the standard ryegrass sward
Ad lib forage intake of grazing lambs was higher on the Aber HSG sward.

Great In Grass · Jan 26, 2021

New Fodder Beet variety for 2021 - Fosyma.

Great In Grass · Jan 26, 2021

Fodder Beet UK Trials Data 2021 (click to download)

Great In Grass · Jan 26, 2021

Fodder Beet Seed Treatments 2021 (click to download)

Limagrain treatments for 2021

Great In Grass · Jan 26, 2021

STUBBLE TURNIPS:

Some of the varieties we are offering for 2021.

Skyfall https://www.lgseeds.co.uk/products/forage-crops/skyfall/
Tyfon https://www.lgseeds.co.uk/products/forage-crops/tyfon/
Delilah https://www.lgseeds.co.uk/products/forage-crops/delilah/
Rondo https://www.lgseeds.co.uk/products/forage-crops/rondo/
Samson https://www.lgseeds.co.uk/products/forage-crops/samson/

Great In Grass · Mar 30, 2021

New fodder beet ‘in the pink’

The new, high dry matter fodder beet variety Fosyma is available to growers this spring.

Added to the National List in 2020, and marketed by Limagrain UK, this pink-skinned, conical-shaped beet combines a dry matter content of between 20% and 21% with a relatively high proportion of its root (40%) out of the ground, leaving only 60% in the ground.

“This unique combination makes it one of the best fodder beet options for dairy and beef cattle, as well as for sheep,” says Limagrain’s forage crop manager John Spence. “Fosyma’s medium-depth root reduces the risk of soil contamination and offers flexible feeding options. It can either be harvested, with leaf or root lifting equipment or grazed in situ.”

High dry matter fodder beets are usually associated with deep-rooted varieties. Among the 16 varieties tested annually in Limagrain’s field trials, Fosyma’s dry matter content puts it in the top 25%.

“It is also rhizomania tolerant and resistant to powdery mildew, rust and leaf spot, as well as having a high tolerance to bolting,” adds Mr Spence. “Fodder beet as a crop is typically highly reliable, but these advantages will further promote its consistency as a feed.”

Limagrain is offering Fosyma fodder beet in units of 50,000 seeds, recommended for 0.5 hectares. The seed is pelleted and treated with fungicides and insecticides to offer protection across a wide range of pests and diseases.

More details are available here

Great In Grass · Mar 30, 2021

Great In Grass · Mar 30, 2021

Fodder beet has well-established roots on Shropshire dairy unit

Shropshire dairy farmer Phil James has been growing fodder beet to graze his dairy youngstock for the past 13 years, and this high energy fodder crop continues to tick all the boxes for him.

He grazes between 100 to 120 dairy cattle, mainly in-calf heifers, from mid November until late March on the crop, that he feeds with grass silage. “The cattle thrive on it and they are especially healthy,” says Phil, who runs the 320-cow three way cross herd near Oswestry in partnership with his parents Roy and Morfydd and with three full time staff and four part time casuals.

Dairy Farmer and Milk Producer, Phil James

Short on housing space and land around the dairy, Phil needed to look at fodder crops that he could graze, on out-lying land. “We tried kale, but this grew too tall to graze youngstock in. We also tried a type of rape hybrid that was popular at the time, but that didn’t give us the feed value we were looking for,” he says.

Next he tried Blaze fodder beet. “It was third time lucky. This worked well for us and it gave us what we wanted in terms of feed value.”

And it’s a good solution for over-wintering his in-calf heifers in this autumn calving system. “The grazing platform around the dairy unit is limited to just 40 hectares and it’s reserved for the milking herd – we need it all for the cows,” he adds.

The only ‘downside’ Phil’s found with over-wintering heifers outdoors, is encouraging them to use the cubicles when they’ve calved. “I think we need to train them well before they calve down – I’m sure they’ll then get the hang of it.”

About 200ha of out-lying land growsmaize and grass for silage and the 6ha of fodder beet. The silages form the basis for the milk herd’s diet with a compound blend including Trafford Gold, rapeseed meal, wheatfeed, whey permeate and minerals.

Blaze fodder beet

The fodder beet is reserved for youngstock, a few dry stock and possibly a few beef cross youngstock.

The herd is a combination of Friesian, Norwegian Red and Fleckvieh genetics. This cross breeding programme gives him the ideal animal for his system – robust cows with high milk quality and good health and fertility traits to suit an autumn calving herd.

Working with Genus’ RMS, he uses sexed semen on Norwegian Red and Friesian crosses. Average yields are 7,500litres at 4.5% fat and 3.5% protein. Milk quality is important here as the milk is sold to Belton Farm for cheese.

So while the milking herd is in full swing and indoors, Phil’s dairy youngstock are on grass then, once AI’ed, move on to the fodder beet that they graze in strips and have access to fresh, round bales of grass silage.

“We keep a grass margin around the fields and put out 200 bales of grass silage that the heifers work their way through. The fence is moved on daily, so heifers get access to fresh feed,” he adds.

A rough estimate suggests to Phil that the cattle get at least half their dry matter intake from the beet, with the grass silage balancing the ration and supporting rumen health.

“It provides plenty of feed and I rely on the crop to keep them going until late March when there’s grass ready to graze.”

Working with agronomist Mark Hancock at Spunhill, Phil grows a medium dry matter fodder beet that isn’t too far into the ground. Blaze is his favourite, as it yields between 80 and 90 tonnes a hectare fresh weight and has a dry matter yield of 18.7%. And more than 40% of the root is above the ground, giving the heifers ‘easy access’ to the feed.

Land for fodder beet – and maize – is subsoiled, ploughed and power-harrowed ahead of sowing. The beet is sown in April and at a rate of 100,000 seeds per hectare.

Fungicide and insecticide treated seed is supplied via Limagrain as an insurance against key pests and disease. Plenty of FYM and slurry is applied, plus potash, at a rate of 200kg per hectare, 60kg of nitrogen and 48kg of sulphur. The amounts of inorganic fertilizer is adjusted, depending on FYM and slurry applications.

The crop has a pre emergence herbicide followed by one or two post emergence herbicides plus foliar boron and a fungicide against powdery mildew, ramularia, rust and leaf spot.

Blaze Fodder beet crop ready for grazing with big bale silage

Despite having a limited choice of ground on which to grow fodder beet, Phil can grow a consistent crop year-in-year-out. “Some fields get muddy at times, but it doesn’t bother the cattle and after moving the cattle off, it dries up and leaves good soil that’s had its fair share of organic manure. We then prepare it for the next crop that’s either maize or a grass reseed.”

The big attraction though, is the yield of fodder beet. “It grows well in hot dry summers and wet seasons,” he adds. “We’ve seen the leaves flag in dry conditions but come September it picks up again and grows a bit more and the feed value stays there all winter. And it doesn’t seem to suffer if it’s very wet.”

He remembers the first year that he grew the crop. “It was an especially bad year for sugarbeet with severe frosts and I really thought our fodder beet wouldn’t have a chance, but it was fine. The cattle ate the tops and spat the mushy bit around the crown then tucked into the rest of the root. I knew from this point that the crop would suit us well.”

And he admits to learning a bit more all the time. “In the past, youngstock have taken a few days to get used to fodder beet – they’ve stuck with the surrounding grass and eat the green leaves first. Then gradually found the roots,” says Phil.

“But in 2019, we had more stock on the farm due to TB and bought in some fodder beet for the TMR that was fed to milkers and young heifer calves. Even though it was only roughly chopped, the calves nibbled away at it – they loved it.

“So when these heifers went on to graze it six months later they were straight into the roots. They knew exactly what they were in for. I may well repeat this in future and give the young heifer calves an early bite to give them a taste of what’s to come.”

KEY FACTS: Blaze fodder beet

• Clean red roots
• Medium dry matter content 17-18%
• Grows 40% out of the ground
• Easily eaten
• Consistent performance

Great In Grass · Mar 30, 2021

Grass ‘companion’ can make maize more ‘friendly’

Maize undersown with grass could solve the forage crop’s environmental issues, particularly with regard to run off and soil nutrient losses, while maintaining, if not boosting, feed output. But what underpins the viability of this approach on UK dairy units?

Growing a crop like maize and leaving the field fallow for at least six months is like having an empty factory for half a year. And that’s before considering the environmental impact, from soil run off and the loss of nutrients from the soil, when maize fields are left fallow.

“So combining maize with another crop, like grass, to increase its output, while helping to retain soil and nutrients, aid drainage and improve soil structure makes good sense,” says Limagrain’s forage crop manager John Spence.

“But we have to be careful that maize yields are not compromised by the grass. And additional cultivations and passes across the field must be efficient and cost-effective.”

There are some possible options that can support maize crops while increasing land productivity and avoiding environmental issues.

Three include: drilling maize and grass at the same time, with the grass spaced in rows that are at least 15cm away from the maize; drilling grass into the maize crop once the maize has reached the six-leaf stage, after about six weeks; or follow maize with a forage rye, grass reseed or a winter cereal crop.

The first, drilling maize and grass at the same time, is preferable, according to South Staffs Water (SSW) senior catchment adviser Nina Yiannoukos-Benton. “Because this minimises the number of passes and helps to protect soil structure and nutrient retention.

Nina Yiannoukos Benton, senior catchmnet adviser South Staffs Water

“Some producers may be concerned that the grass could compete and compromise maize yield, but in the trials we’ve carried out on commercial dairy units, they’ve actually seen increased crop performance.

“The grass ‘stays in its lane’, so to speak, only spreading once the maize has been harvested and providing a good cover crop for winter.”

Mr Spence says it’s key, if this is the chosen option, to select early maturing maize varieties and slow growing (low yielding) grass seed mixtures to avoid grass competing with the maize in the early growth stage.

Limagrain has been working with SSW on developing a mixture that creates a ‘carpet’ effect, but is also palatable.

And maize varieties with good early vigour that are typically harvested by late September/early October, gives grass the chance to grow, take up nutrients, and develop a good root system to ‘bind’ the soil.

Mrs Yiannoukos-Benton prefers undersowing the grass at the same time as the maize. “Because multiple passes can create soil compaction issues.
But, drilling once the maize is established is an option if producers are concerned about maize yields, and it also enables higher yielding grass varieties to be grown, if that’s their preference.”

This option relies on good sowing conditions for grass. And again, early maturing maize varieties are ideal so there’s still enough warmth and light for some grass growth once the maize is harvested, ensuring the ‘companion’ crop can play its environmental role and provide a green cover.

Success really depends on the grass mixture drilled alongside the maize.

“It can’t compete with, or comprise, the maize crop. And it also needs to be a valuable feed in its own right – offering some late-season grazing for dry cows and young stock, or even milkers,” adds Mr Spence.

So grass mixture choice is crucial. “It has to quickly establish and grow in the dry environment caused by the maize crop. But it’s a fine line – too fast and it will compete with the maize crop, resulting in yield loss.”

For sowing at the same time as maize he recommends a high proportion of amenity-type tall fescues in the grass mixture, to provide some drought tolerance and the ability to survive well when sown at the same time as the maize.

For sowing at the six leaf stage he suggests a proportion of tall fescue type festuloliums (a cross between tall fescue and Italian Ryegrass) and Matrix (a meadow fescue type festulolium).

“But make sure seed rates are not too high. Good agronomy advice and careful drilling – with the correct equipment – is key.”

Grant schemes
There are environmental schemes to encourage producers to consider a second crop to reduce pollution from maize land.

Countryside Stewardship SW5 is an option, with payments of £133/hectare for mid and higher tiers. Applicants must satisfy criteria that stipulate harvesting maize by October 1 and establishing a quick-growing cover crop, by October 15, which will provide a dense cover and protect the land from soil erosion.

SSW has a grant scheme for producers in its high-risk catchment areas and offers £150/hectare towards the cost of growing maize that’s undersown with grass.

The grants are available under its SPRING environmental protection scheme, set up to help producers reduce soil run off and pollution.

One Staffordshire-based dairying couple has been trialling maize undersown with grass for the past two years and are about to start their third year in the scheme.

Becky and Trevor Mycock grow 90 hectares of maize to feed their 400-cow herd and 48 hectares of it was undersown with a grass mixture in 2020.

“Local contractor Rob Moore used an adapted drill – a prototype that’s been developed in conjunction with SSW – that sows both crops at once. This removes the need for additional cultivations, which reduces the risk of compaction and other soil structure and fertility issues,” says Mrs Mycock.

The couple grew 60 hectares of maize in 2019, the first year they took part in the SSW trials, and a third of it was undersown with grass, using a Pottinger maize drill that is owned by another local contractor.

“Our biggest concern was whether the grass would reduce maize yield. But our big gamble paid off. We actually saw more maize freshweight yield per hectare from the undersown fields,” she adds.

“And forage quality was unaffected. We were also able to graze some dry cows and young stock on the maize ‘aftermath’ and the grass also provided a good cover crop during the winter between maize crops.”

The Mycocks grow a mixture of early and later maturing maize varieties. “Both have done well. And we’re also looking at trialling a different grass mixture this year – one developed in conjunction with Limagrain – that should improve the palatability of the sward.”

During the past two years they have seen good establishment of both the maize and the grass, even though the seasons have been wetter than usual. “We have also seen some excellent maize yield results.”

Mrs Mycock adds that, typically, the maize freshweight yield is five tonnes per hectare higher for the undersown crops – averaging 42t/hectare compared to 37t/hectare for straight maize. “Our experience certainly allayed any concerns that the grass could compromise maize growth and development,” she says.

Maize has a reputation for being environmentally damaging. “But we recognise that it is an essential part of many producers’ dairy production system,” says Mrs Yiannoukos-Benton.

“So we looked at a way to undersow the maize with grass to offer green cover during the winter. This is when land is at high risk from nutrient and sediment losses to watercourses and, with this dual-sowing approach, we have reduced losses dramatically.”

Other producer who are also involved in trials reported that harvesting the maize crop is also easier and ‘cleaner’. “The grass acts like a carpet, keeping mud to a minimum and allowing access to what may otherwise be inaccessible fields,” adds Mrs Mycock. “I can honestly say that without the undersown grass we may not have been able to harvest a lot of our maize in 2019, because it was just too wet.”

“If that’s not an incentive to give it a go, particularly after the exceptionally wet autumns of 2019 and 2020, I don’t know what is.”

Great In Grass · Mar 30, 2021

How valuable is your grass?

The well-known value of reseeding grass swards to support livestock production is shown in Limagrain UK’s latest trial results.

Grass swards are at their most productive in their first year. Dry matter yield and energy content of the grass will then decline year-on-year. Good grassland management and the use of quality grass seed mixtures will promote output but, yields from a young sward will always out-perform older swards.

Limagrain’s latest grass trial results have demonstrated the yield benefits of the younger sward, and the benefit of high quality grass seed mixtures versus a control.

The trials conducted over four consecutive years, from 2017 to 2020, showed an average decrease in yield of nearly five tonnes per hectare – around 40% – from year one to year four.

2020.08.18-John-Spence-National-forage-crops-product-manager-Limagrain-UK-199x300.jpg

While some mixtures showed greater performance than others – all had a significant decrease in yield over time. This, according to the company’s forage crop manager John Spence, is typical even in a well-managed sward.

“Some growers will see much greater yield reductions,” he says. “Management and grass seed mixture will affect forage production over time.”

These latest trial results reinforce the value, and cost-justification, of reseeding as part of good farm management.

“This loss of nearly five tonnes of dry matter yield per hectare in four years would provide the energy for £3,280 worth of milk based on a milk price of 30p per litre. “Reseeding is estimated to cost between £430 and £700 per hectare, so there’s a clear return on investment here.”

Value-added swards

Limagrain’s trial results also showed that using proven grass seed mixtures can provide added yield and feed value.

“Take one of our trial mixtures Monarch Silage & Grazing,” says Mr Spence. “This medium-term mixture yielded 8% above the control under conservation management and was 12% higher yielding under grazing management.

“The mixture also added feed value with improved digestible fibre of 2.5% under grazing management and 4% in conservation systems, compared with the control.

“If we consider that a 1% improvement in this digestible fibre – dNDF – can increase milk yields by 0.25kg per cow per day, a 4% increase is worth an extra litre of milk per cow.

Based on a milk price of 30ppl, this is an extra £300 of milk income a day for 100 cows.”

A mixture with credentials

Monarch grass mixtures bag

Monarch Silage and Grazing mixture is LGAN accredited that identifies it as having a proven ability to deliver superior nutritional value, while maintaining excellent agronomic qualities and yield. Limagrain mixtures with LAGAN accreditation are all supported with independent trial data that demonstrate their added feed value.

Monarch Silage & Grazing includes medium and late tetraploid and diploid ryegrasses and white clover. All the seed is tested to ensure quality standards are met and it is treated with Headstart® Gold to ensure rapid and reliable germination.

“The latest trial data, and the return on investment of adding value through a reseed and by using high quality mixtures makes for good reading and supports the role of these practices in successful management,” adds Mr Spence

Please get in touch for your Minarch Grass Leys Brochure.

Great In Grass · Mar 30, 2021

A tough fodder crop to beat

Fodder beet has been ‘around’ as monogerm seed since the mid-70s, but it’s far from ‘old-hat’ when it comes to its yield potential, reliability, and exceptional feed value in dairy diets.

Fodder beet has been ‘around’ as monogerm seed since the mid-70s, but it’s far from ‘old-hat’ when it comes to its yield potential, reliability, and exceptional feed value in dairy diets. So says one Cornish dairy farmer, who relies on the feed value it delivers in his milking cow rations.

When Alan Richard’s contractor gave up harvesting fodder beet, he considered buying his own machine or switching to another crop. “I didn’t want to lay out the money for a harvester, but I also didn’t want to stop growing the crop. So I was relieved when another contractor spotted the gap in the market and offered his services.”

Alan, who runs a 160-cow Friesian herd, plus a beef enterprise, at Cury, on the Lizard Peninsula, has continued to grow between seven and eight hectares of fodder beet grown each year.

Dairy Farmer and Milk Producer, Alan Richards

Just seven miles from the sea at the most southerly point of England, Alan is fortunate to have good growing conditions for his crops. “Having said that, we’ve had some long dry spells of hot weather in summer and some colder springs in the past few years. But the fodder beet seems to take whatever’s thrown at it. Yields are consistent.”

And it’s this that he particularly likes about the crop. “I can rely on my fodder beet when it comes to winter rations.”

That said, there’s no short cuts taken in choice of variety and in growing the crop.

Limagrain UK’s Robbos is the variety he and Dominic favour for its consistent dry matter, high energy and clean roots.

Prior to drilling the soil is analysed and in conjunction with RB209 fertiliser guidelines, the nutrition planning is tailored accordingly.

Significant levels of FYM and slurry are applied and balanced out with 125kg/ha of DAP at drilling and some nitrogen, depending on levels of FYM and slurry applied. Potash at a rate of 185kg/ha

Germ Activ pelleted fodder beet seed from LG

Primed seed is now available and may be used in future to promote germination, but this is only an insurance for Alan.

Drilled in late April or early May, at a seed rate of 100,000 seeds/ha, he finds the crop usually gets off to a good start every year. “Germination is great,” says Alan. “We never have any gaps and we get long straight lines of plants. That’s maybe why the roots are so clean when we lift them? It must help.”

A pre-emergence herbicide is used, with post-emergence products used depending on the field history. Flea beetle control in certain warm dry springs has been necessary and in some cases a mid season fertiliser is applied.

Trace elements in the form of magnesium and boron are always applied.

As Dominic says: “Sometimes we are in and out the crop frequently, but when its lifted we reap the benefits. The cheapest way to grow a crop is to get good yields. This lowers the cost per tonne of production and provides a high value feed for the cows.”

Fodder beet is lifted from October to March ‘on demand’ and added to the TMR for the all-year-round calving herd, which is housed during winter and overnight in summer. “We’ve land that’s a bit spread around and this dictates our system,” adds Alan. “We have to manage it carefully and keep our grazing land close to the farm and grown forages further away.”

As fodder beet stocks in the yard get low through winter, Alan gets his contractor to replenish stocks. “The contractor can lift about 60 tonnes in an afternoon, so I just telephone when we’re running short and they’ll come over for half a day.”

Alan selects his driest fields for growing beet, and where there’s easy access to the road to ease the lifting work. ”I don’t want to have to drive across a field to get to the beet,” he adds. “And we’ll make sure the fields are drilled the right way to make harvesting in wet conditions easier.”

If there’s any beet left by mid March – which is usually a couple of hectares – he’ll get the contractor to harvest it in one go, leaving the land ready to cultivate for spring cropping.

He finds that yields are consistently 75 tonnes per hectare. “It doesn’t matter what the season brings, I can rely on a good fodder beet crop every year.”

And it fits well with the farm’s cropping. “I’m not one for leaving land fallow, particularly if I’m paying rent,” he adds. “We sow the fodder beet after a cut of silage in mid-April, then follow it with spring barley or maize and then a winter cereal crop. We can get three crops in two years, which works out to be very efficient, and also helps to control pests and diseases.”

Ration mix
Fodder beet is added to the cows’ ration from October at a rate of between 10kg and 15kg fresh weight a head per day in a TMR with maize and grass silages, home- grown barley and a small amount of soya and wheat distillers. This provides maintenance plus 17 litres and diets are topped up with a 20% protein concentrate in the parlour. This is bought from farmer co-operative ACT and formulated by south west-based Harpers Feeds.

Robbos Fodder beet is an important part of the feeding ration for milking cows

Parlour feed rates, which can be from 0.5kg to 10kg a head a day depending on yield, are adjusted weekly by the automatic parlour system,” adds Alan, who admits he’s getting to grips with all the bells and whistles on the system they put in two years ago. “It has auto ID and records yields, again automatically.”

With more farm assurance details needed by his milk buyer Arla, Alan is keen to keep on top of all the data requirements and herd management protocols. “There’s always something new, but moving to auto ID and integrating a lot of our records is a good move in the right direction.

“We’re not a high yielding herd – the average is 7,000 litres. But milk quality is high at 4.5% butterfat and 3.6% protein.

“And fertility is good – good enough to rank us quite near the top on Genus’ RMS scheme. I know we haven’t got the best genetics by any means, but we feed the cows to their potential. Fodder beet plays a big part in our milk quality and fertility, so I’m pleased we look set to keep it in the rotation for a good while longer.”

KEY FACTS - Robbos Fodder Beet

• Clean yellow roots
• Ideal for first time growers
• Easily eaten with medium dry matter content
• Consistent performance
• Easy to harvest

Downloads
Fodder Beet UK Trials Data 2021
Fodder Beet Seed Treatments 2021

Great In Grass · Mar 30, 2021

Beet the power!

There’s no other forage crop that competes with the yield of fodder beet, according to plant breeding company Limagrain UK.

“Yields are typically between 70 and 80 tonnes per hectare – and with new genetics can be up to 100 tonnes per hectare – with MEs typically between 13 and 13.5 megajoules per kilogramme of dry matter in good varieties,” says the company’s forage crops manager John Spence.

“This level of energy competes with maize,” he adds. “That gives an idea of the sort of feed value it adds to dairy rations.”

The crop offers a lot more though in terms of feeding systems, storage and, from trials, its high reliability and consistency.

“We’re not suggesting fodder beet replaces a mainstay silage crop,” adds Mr Spence. “But it can support these silages, either in a mixed ration or grazed in situ, and it promotes production from home-grown forages, helping to replace more expensive bought-in concentrates.”

Fodder beet is a unique crop in many ways. It can be lifted and stored in a clamp, then used through winter, stored in the ground and lifted as required, or grazed in situ.

If the latter, round baled grass silage or hay can be placed at the ends of grazing strips to provide a field-based ration. “Rations need to be balanced to make sure there’s not too much energy in the diet, and there’s the necessary fibre.”

For the past five years Limagrain has been exporting fodder beet seed to New Zealand dairy farmers for grazing dairy cattle – both milkers and young stock. “It’s taken off among their milk producers,” says Mr Spence. “They use the same varieties as we grow here and, as in the UK, the maritime climate suits the crop.”

And an advantage with grazing a fodder beet crop is the reduced costs. “There are no harvesting costs, which typically makes it a good option – on the right ground – for dairy young stock. “But consider the land type first,” adds Mr Spence. “Heavy, wet land can make moving fences daily or every few days hard work. And while cattle are typically content and very healthy grazed on fodder beet, muddy conditions may increase crop spoilage”

Areas where beet lifting equipment is available lend themselves to fodder beet crops destined for lifting. “A good contractor will lift the beet in one go and put it in a clamp, or as it’s required.”

Pick your beet
A fodder beet variety with medium dry matter content and has 60% or less root in the ground (compared to some varieties that have more than 70% of their root in the ground) – is better suited to dairy systems. “Varieties with less root in the ground are favoured for grazing situations and they’re cleaner, and more easily utilised.

Plant breeding programmes have brought cleaner, varieties to the market. “Robbos and Blaze are prime examples here,” says Mr Spence. “They have 60% or less of their root in the ground and both have clean roots combined with consistent and reliable yields. We always recommend these two varieties as ideal choices for first time growers. They’re clean when harvested and this reduces the risk of soil contamination in the feed and spoilage in clamps.”

Those with access to washing and chopping equipment may favour a higher dry matter variety. “We’ve got growers who favour high dry matter varieties for that extra feed value. Take Brick, for example, with a dry matter of 24.1%. It is one of the highest dry matter fodder beets available and has 76.3% of its root in the ground.”

Breeding programmes are developing improved varieties all the time with higher dry matters, improved disease resistance and ‘extra’ winter hardiness. “We introduce these, though, when they’re tried and tested. Fodder beet is an ideal crop for the UK’s climate, but each variety needs its merits.”

A new variety added to the National List in 2020 and now available to growers is Fosyma. “This is a good one for dairy cattle as it has a dry matter of between 20% and 21% but has only 60% of its root below the ground, so there’s a reduced risk of soil contamination. It’s also rhizomania tolerant and resistant to powdery mildew, rust and leafspot, as well as having a high tolerance to bolting,” he adds.

Choice of variety will depend on suiting yield potential with the growing, harvesting and feeding system. Disease resistance will also be a consideration. “And buying treated seed with both an insecticide and fungicide will offer a further insurance.”

Rotation slot
Dairy producers could well be looking at alternative forage crops to slot into the rotations, as the pest and disease control options in grassland diminish. “Fodder beet should be on the radar,” says Mr Spence.

28.1.19_Dry-cows-out-wintered-on-fodder-beet-24-300x283.jpg

“Sown in spring, up to the first week of May, it can follow a first-cut silage crop. And if it’s lifted in October there’s chance of a cereal crop being drilled, particularly in drier autumns or more southerly parts of the country. If it’s grazed or lifted through winter, a spring cereal crop, maize, a new grass ley or another fodder crop can be sown. There’s no need to leave bare earth and the fodder beet will provide a useful break in any rotation.”

He adds that fodder beet is an ideal alternative to maize for producers in marginal areas, where conditions don’t lend themselves to maize. “Fodder beet will grow in colder temperatures, so it’s a far more successful crop than maize in some areas.”

Weather tolerant
In fact, year on year, trials have shown that fodder beet crops can cope with hot, dry summers and wet conditions. “We’ve had some variable conditions in the past five years, yet our field trials with fodder beet show that yields don’t seem to take much of a hit. If these unpredictable seasons are a sign of what’s in store, I can see a lot more livestock producers looking at fodder beet,” he concludes.

FODDER BEET – is it for you?

What fodder beet offers:
• High feed value – dry matter and energy
• Extra home grown forage
• Feeding flexibility – grazing or harvesting
• Long shelf life – crop maintains quality:
• Timing of grazing to suit through winter
• Harvested and clamped until the end of end March
• Stored in ground, harvested to requirements
• Clean varieties, disease resistance, treated seed availability
• Good break crop
• Stamina – grows successfully in more extreme summers and autumns

Fodder beet considerations:
• Soil conditions – ground needs to be suitable for grazing in situ
• Availability of harvesting services/equipment
• Access to precision drill and harvesting machinery
• Relatively high input costs – fertiliser and herbicides


Growing costs	£1460/ha
Fresh weight cost	£16/tonne
Cost per tonne utilized dry matter	£115/tonne
Relative value (£ per tonne dry matter)	£122/tonne DM
Cost per litre of milk	6.2ppl

Growing and feeding cost of fodder beets. Source: Kingshay Farming Trust 2010

Downloads

Fodder Beet UK Trials Data 2021

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