Countryside Seeds Ltd

Countryside Seeds Ltd

As of the 1st July a slight change to the business, it's become incorporated and with it a change of name. Farm machinery sales have not been a part of Farm Equip's business for a number of years and we felt now was the time for a new name to reflect more of what we do, so Countryside Seeds Limited was born.

We still offer friendly service and advice with up to date products at keen prices.

Company History

Farm Equip was launched by myself (Kevin) on the 1st January 1980. Initially selling farm consumables from the back of a yellow transit van.

Over the past few years the business has become almost predominately the sale of seed in its varies guises where it be a single bag of lawn seed to tonnes of grass/cereal seed.

I am in the very lucky position to be a distributor for some of the UK’s leading seed houses which include Barenbrug UK Ltd, DLF Trifolium Ltd, Grainseed Ltd and Soya UK to name a few.

I am more than happy to work with the customer on compiling their own mixture.

To contact me you may PM through the forum or I am very happy to be telephoned on 07881 804442.
Email: [email protected]

As like a lot of you I'm self employed so no 9-5 here so please telephone at your convenience.

 

[Great In Grass]

Adding value to grass

Limagrain UK’s latest grass trial results show the value of young swards, and high quality mixtures

Livestock farmers can add significant value to their grass crops through reseeding and by using better quality mixtures.


This added value comes in yield, feed value and, importantly, financial output. But it must be cost-effective. Reseeding costs and opting for high quality proven mixtures have to provide a favourable return on investment.


Limagrain UK’s latest grass trial results demonstrate that farmers can use these tools to add value to their business.


Value of young grass
New trial information published by Limagrain clearly shows the importance of regular reseeding and opting for high quality mixtures with proven yield and feed quality benefits.


LG innovation site trials, from 2017 to the end of 2020, have tested more than 30 conservation and grazing grass seed mixtures against industry controls. These trials are unique among the industry for several reasons:
• The trials ran across four consecutive years from 2017 to 2020
• Mixtures were tested, not individual varieties
• Yield and feed quality in grazing swards were recorded at regular intervals throughout the four years and not just in spring
• Forage quality parameters such as ME, digestible fibre, sugars and protein were recorded for all conservation cuts right through the growing season


The complexity of the Limagrain trials allowed the company to better access the true performance of the mixtures on trial. Yield and feed value comparisons were made between a range of grass seed mixtures at one and four years old.


Yield drop of 40%
Average yields from the four-year-old mixtures under a grazing regime was nearly five tonnes per hectare lower – around 40% – than the average for the same mixtures in their first growing year, as shown in Table 1.

The growth rate of the newer mixtures was consistently higher throughout the season, with a peak growth rate of 124kg/day/ha in the spring compared with 74kg/day/ha from the older grasses, as shown in Figure 1.

More milk, more meat
The five tonne yield difference from year one to year four equates to a reduction in energy yield of 57,947 MJ, which equates to 10,933 litres of milk worth. Based on a standard milk price of 30p a litre, this is worth £3280 a hectare. Or if this shortfall of energy was met from bought in wheat, this would require 4.92t of feed wheat, costing £836 based on a cost of £170 a tonne.


Reseeding makes sense
Estimates put the costs from £430 per hectare to around £700 per hectare for a full reseed, so based on the milk and meat output from year one to year four, it is easy to see why this is a recommended practice from 20% to 25% of grassland each year.


Integrating grassland with another forage crop or with an arable crop to help control pests and diseases, is an advantage too, alongside yield gains, and one where the momentum will increase.


Spring inspection
Spring and after first cut silage is a good junction for a grassland inspection.


A sustainable sward needs more than 80% of sown species, typically ryegrasses and perhaps clover. If there’s less, but between 80% and 50%, then the sward needs some attention and, depending on its age, some overseeding or slot seeding to get it back on track, or a reseed. It there’s less than 50% of sown species, then a full reseed is likely to be the only solution.


Swards should also be checked for pests and diseases too. If plants are weak and come out easily when tugged then their roots are weakened and there may be pest infestations like nematodes, wireworms or leatherjackets.


Compaction can also hinder grass productivity too, with root development and nutrient exchange restricted where machinery has passed or on cow routes.


Mixtures make a difference
Limagrain trials compared the performance of more than 30 grass seed mixtures and found considerable differences between them, particularly in terms of feed quality.


Looking at the yield and feed values under grazing and conservation management, the Monarch LGAN Silage & Grazing dual purpose mix performed particularly well. This high performance mixture for many dairy and beef units.


LGAN Silage & Grazing produced yields of 8% more dry matter per hectare than the control mixture under conservation management and 12% higher under grazing management.


Feed quality of this mixture was also considerable higher than the control with high sugars and exceptional levels of digestible fibre (dNDF). The average dNDF measured across the four year trial was 2.5% higher under grazing management and 4.0% higher under conservation management compared with the dual purpose control mixture, shown in Table 2.

This digestible fibre value for the Monarch LGAN Silage & Grazing mixture used in conservation was the highest recorded on the trial among all mixtures.


Research has clearly shown that an increase in dNDF levels in the diet has benefits for animal production. A 1% increase in dNDF has shown to increase milk yields by up to 0.25kg/cow/day.


So a 4.0% increase in dNDF is equivalent to a litre of milk per cow per day. In a 300-day lactation this would amount to £90 per cow based on a standard milk price of 30p per litre. For a 200-cow herd, this would be £18000 of extra milk value.


LGAN Silage & Grazing mixture – what’s on offer
This medium term, dual purpose mixture includes diploid and tetrploid ryegrasses and white clover to provide high value grass for conservation or grazing mid and late season. The ryegrass varieties are high D-value and digestible fibre to promote intakes and feed value. The white clover improves palatability and provides a protein crop with high mineral levels.


The seed is treated with HEADSTART* GOLD in promote faster establishment, stronger seedlings and higher plant populations.


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.

KEY FACTS - LGAN Silage & Grazing mixture



• 58% tetraploid ryegrass
• 34% diploid ryegrass
• 8% white clover

• LG Monarch Grass Leys Brochure 2020

 

[Great In Grass]

Sheep deserve a good bite of grass!

A higher stocking rate, less supplementary feeding and a shorter time to finish lambs are how sheep farmers can reap the rewards from growing more high-quality grass

“There’s a lot to be gained from giving sheep a good bite from a quality grass sward,” says Limagrain UK’s Forage Crops Product Manager, John Spence.


“Both ewe and lamb performance will improve if there’s good grass of high feed value on offer through the season.”


It’s well known that grass yield and feed value falls away after a peak in year one. Whilst good grassland management will help to protect yield and feed value, it won’t alter the trend.


Recent results from a Limagrain four-year trial on grass plots using more than 30 mixtures, found that yields fell by an average of 40% from year one to year four. Grass and feed quality was measured through the season – not just in spring – under both grazing and conservation management.


Spring assessment
“Spring is a good time to access the quality of the sward,” adds Mr Spence, “and to decide which swards would benefit from a reseed. Reseeding is estimated to cost between £430 and £700 per hectare, depending on cultivations needed, but this is easily justified in additional yield and feed value, compared to older swards or those in poor condition.”


Upgrade the mixture
Farmers can add more value to their reseed by choosing their mixture carefully. “Grass-seed mixtures will have a number of grass varieties included and these will each play a part in the yield, feed value, disease tolerance and growing pattern through the season,” says Mr Spence.


It makes sense to choose a mixture that has demonstrated its performance in mixture trials, as well as having a proven track record on-farm. It costs the same to grow ‘good’ grass as ‘bad’ grass.


“Our trials showed an increase of up to 8% in dry matter yields between the best mixtures and the control, and up to 2.5% difference in digestible fibre content of the grazing mixtures.”


A good sheep mix
A mixture with reliable performance in a range of conditions best suits sheep producers. “Select a mixture with mid – or intermediate – and late perennial ryegrasses,” says Mr Spence.

“Ryegrasses are the cornerstone of UK grass seed mixtures, due to their persistency and high yield characteristics, and one with mid-and late-season varieties will add extra ground cover and persistency throughout the grazing season.


“Including Timothy is ideal as it grows in early spring, before the ryegrasses, and then has another growth surge in mid-summer, when might ryegrasses slow down.”


He also encourages farmers to use a mixture with white-clover blends that, as a legume, has nitrogen-fixing abilities. White clover also has a high feed value and contributes significantly to liveweight gain. “Clovers are the single most important component of a mixture when it comes to liveweight gain in lambs,” he adds.


Castlehill in the limelight
Mr Spence highlights Sinclair McGill’s long-term mixture Castlehill as an ideal choice for sheep farmers. “It’s highly reliable and consistent for most soil types and climate,” he adds.


It is the mix of grass varieties that gives Castlehill the edge with a combination of specialized mid- and late-perennial ryegrasses and a good proportion of Timothy, plus some white clover.


“These are the core components. We have a variation of Castlehill, particularly suited for Scotland and Northern Ireland, which includes some Meadow Fescue. This variety is nutritious and leafy and will out yield the perennial ryegrass under low fertility conditions.”


The relatively new, high-performance intermediate tetraploid perennial ryegrasses Pensel and Timing are included in Castlehill.


Pensel brings high sugar content and high digestibility, and it stays leafy for longer than many other intermediate perennial ryegrasses. It also adds disease-resistance benefits to the mixture, particularly against Crown Rust, Drechslera and mildew.


Timing adds a dense ground cover and a good seasonal distribution of grass, which are both merits in a sheep grazing sward.


“Timothy is also particularly valuable in sheep grazing mixtures,” adds Mr Spence. “It copes well with wetter, colder conditions, starting to grow at lower temperatures than ryegrasses. And it is very winter hardy and will grow in poor soils. It will also continue growth and maintain palatability through summer.”


While some farmers may balk at the cost of reseeding, a regular programme is good practice. “Not only does it promote yield and feed output, but it also gives farmers the opportunity to introduce improved seed mixtures,” he says.

KEY FACTS - Castlehill



• Suitable for most soil types and climate
• Reliable and consistent yield and quality
• Excellent feed for livestock
• Superb disease resistance
• Performance of a medium-term ley with the persistence of a long-term ley
• Reliable top-quality grazing and cutting
• Includes the seed treatment HEADSTART, which promotes early germination

• Sinclair McGill Grass and Forage Crops Handbook

 

[Great In Grass]

Skyfall Bounce Back Brassica Growers Guide

Skyfall Bounce Back Brassica Growers Guide

 

[Great In Grass]

Aim for sward density, winter hardiness and freedom from disease for healthy grass

"Dry matter yield is still very important, but animal performance will always be enhanced if the varieties and species used are both palatable and their digestibility is maximised."


Farmers and agricultural businesses across the country are facing the double-barrelled attack of Brexit and Covid 19. Seed supplies to EU countries and to Northern Ireland are banned at the time of writing, due to equivalence on seed certification and no-one in Europe is inclined to help us out. This applies to potatoes, cereal seed, grass and other small seeds and is a serious concern for many in Scottish Agriculture. There is probably no more resilient industry than farming, as was shown in 2020, and we will all have to show the same level of self-sufficiency and durability to make sure 2021 is as successful as possible. Those farmers who are able to use as many on farm produced inputs as possible, be it feedstuffs, energy or whatever, will be best placed to do well. Similarly farms with greater levels of soil quality from higher organic matter, decent levels of pH, P, K, soil microbes and good physical structure will be able to maximise their farm outputs, for no greater input costs.


DLF Seeds, as HF Seeds and many merchant own brand mixtures, have been helping UK farmers to maximise their livestock production for almost 70 years. This long and successful pedigree has grown over the years as generations of farming families come to trust us as the foremost breeder and blender of grass mixtures available across the UK.


Farmers know that the success of a mixture is much more than just yield in the first year or two. Dry matter yield is still very important, but animal performance will always be enhanced if the varieties and species used are both palatable and their digestibility is maximised. Keeping the carbohydrate content of the cell wall as cellulose and hemi cellulose for as long as possible and delaying the build-up of lignin, leads to more energy per bite of grass. There is almost twice as much energy in the cell wall than in the cell contents and ruminant animals have been designed to maximise their extraction of this energy by chewing the cud. We call this higher level of digestible fibre (digestible Neutral Detergent Fibre - dNDF) as FIBRE ENERGY.


Persistence is a measure of several different and sometimes inter related issues. Sward density, winter hardiness and freedom from disease all contribute to keeping a field of grass healthy and productive for many years. DLF Seeds are renowned for the length of time that they last – while still producing lots of high quality grass. Working alongside Aarhus University in Denmark, we have been able to select individual grass cultivars with greater, deeper root structures. This increased root mass enables the grass plant to harvest more nutrients, including water, from the surrounding soil – increasing both DM yield and also the ability to withstand either too little or too much water.


Our extensive trial sites in Gloucestershire and in Waterford in Ireland, with both straight grass varieties and mixture trials since 2012, have allowed us to breed better grasses for the UK market. As well as better varieties, we are able to study the benefits of using mixtures, rather than mono cultivars. This has helped us design more resilient mixtures which are better suited to the increasingly variable weather patterns we have to cope with.

We are also now running on farm grazing trials of 11 varieties and simple mixtures, across 4 dairy farms, where we are measuring the DM yield, how well a paddock is grazed out and how quickly they recover. This sort of developmental work allows us a better understanding of why certain grasses that perform well in trials, are less impressive on farm.

 

[Great In Grass]

Seed production is about planning ahead – or is it?
Production of grass and clover seed has a long life cycle from the planning phase to the seed is ready for sale.

Producing nuts & bolts is a matter of storing a few ingredients, and push the button and the production starts. Anytime of the year. Consumption of nuts and bolts are all year round. No peaks…
Grass and clover seed production is a far more complex process and there is only one option to ensure availability: Planning ahead, well ahead of the time the seed is needed by end users.

Basic seed
Available basic seed in the wanted quantity is necessary for any production of commercial seed.

Seed Growers
It could seem an evidence, but seed companies rely on farmers willing to sign a seed production contract rather than opting for the usual cash crops in the production area.

Perennial crops
Most grass species are perennial, and apart from annual ryegrass, the seed harvest is at the best the year after sowing. Fields of several species are harvested for 2-3 years, which adds additional planning and adjustment requirements.

Advised by specialists
Field advisors from seed companies are in close contact with the seed growers for guidance with technical information about crop establishment, plant protection, certification, harvest, drying and storage.

Execution of the 2022 seed crop plans
Springtime is sowing time in some of the major seed production areas. Seed growers will be busy in the coming weeks preparing the soil to get a perfect texture for seed germination. The seed lots planted this spring will be ready for harvest in summer 2022.

Cleaning, analysis and certification.
Once harvested, all seed must be processed by cleaning followed by analysis of germination, purity and plant health measures (quarantine species etc.). Ultimately, when the quality is documented, the seed is conditioned pure or in mixtures in the adequate packaging types.

Weather is a powerful player
The production fields are subject to weather and climatic accidents at all stages during the production cycle(s). With the increasing influence of fluctuating weather conditions and restrictions in pesticide use, planning is of utmost importance for success for your share of the business.

 

[Great In Grass]

Did you know that more homegrown protein can have a positive impact on feed cost?
Decreasing bought-in protein with a correspondingly increased amount of homegrown protein will help you to become more self-sufficient and reduce the reliance on and cost of bought-in protein.

The case for homegrown protein
Homegrown protein will offer you an important economic benefit and is a green solution:

• Self-sufficiency at farm level with less dependency on fluctuating world market prices for concentrates
• Positive environmental and climatic impact with carbon sequestration, improved soil structure, nitrogen fixation and biodiversity

The main tools to improve protein independence
When you want to increase the ratio of homegrown protein to be more self-sufficient there are things to be considered:

• Forages species and mixture composition
  The first consideration is the choice of species. In grassland the share of e.g. alfalfa and clover can be increased to improve the protein content
  
• Grassland management
  Cutting or grazing at the optimal stages of plant development is essential for maximizing outcome of energy and protein.
  
• Improving the protein and energy contribution of grasses
  Grasses with increased fiber digestibility, lead to an increased amount of energy per kg dry matter. A higher intake results in higher animal output and better earnings; we call it DLF Fiber Energy.

Are clover-grass and alfalfa sustainable solutions?
Yes, legumes in your sward will for two reasons be an on-farm sustainable solution:

1. Legumes are providing locally grown protein, limiting the import of protein and emissions from transport of overseas substitutes
2. Legumes fixate nitrogen from the air, reducing the need for fertilising the soil. That has a positive climatic impact since production of nitrogen fertiliser is highly energy consuming.

With legumes, you also gain better soil structure and create better diversity in your field. Read more about the benefits of clover in legumes in sustainable farming here.

 

[Great In Grass]

The benefits of the right reseed


Keeping your grassland healthy and productive is a vital part of livestock farming enterprises. Productive leys provide an extremely cost-effective feed, costing just 5p for 1kg DM of grazed grass and 10-12p for 1 kg DM of grass silage. To achieve this, leys must be reseeded regularly with high-performing grasses well suited to the farm’s requirements.
Regular reseeding
Start your reseeding plan by walking your farm to examine each ley, looking for areas of concern. Pay particular attention to more mature leys as these will have a higher proportion of weed grasses and likely to be less productive.
Signs of an unproductive ley suitable for a reseed:

• High proportion of unproductive grass varieties including bents, meadow grasses, red fescue and Yorkshire fog
• High number of weeds such as docks, thistles, nettles and chickweeds
• Reduction in silage production or stock carrying capacity
• Rejection by livestock or uneven grazing
• Slower regrowth, intermittent growth or reduced response to fertilisers

The long-term aim of a reseeding plan is to ensure leys do not deteriorate over time and remain as productive as possible. To gain the most from your leys, aim to reseed around 10-15% of your farm each year.

Use high-quality seed mixtures
To implement a successful reseeding plan and maintain grass quality, pick your seed mixtures carefully. Select grass varieties bred specifically to support livestock production, as these result in the most effective conversion into milk or meat. They are also 25-50% more responsive to nitrogen than mature permanent pasture.
Select a mixture with grass varieties on the Recommended Grass and Clover List (RGCL). The difference in performance between the highest and lowest ranked varieties can be substantial. Varieties on the RGCL are tested in Britain under trial conditions over a four-year period, so you can have confidence in their performance in this country.
Ask your merchant if the varieties in your grass mix are on the RGCL. The list acts as a safeguard, so you know you are buying the best. If your varieties aren’t there, ask why.
To best fulfil your production goals, a good mixture for livestock should strike a balance between quantity (DM yield) and quality (D-value). Other agronomic factors, such as seasonal growth, ground cover and disease resistance, also influence performance so should be considered.

Soil health check
Before you start reseeding, carry out a quick health check of your soil to make sure conditions are right. For optimum growth, soil pH should be 6 – 6.5, with P and K indices of 2. Addressing any deficiencies well in advance is important for a successful reseed. In the long term, carrying out regular soil health checks and addressing problems as soon as they occur helps ensure your leys remain as productive as possible.

Choose what is right for your farm
Deciding how and when to reseed largely depends on your farm type and soil conditions. Whichever method is used, always aim to produce a fine, firm seedbed to maximise seed-to-soil contact and increase the chance of a successful germination. Sowing when soil is moist and at least 5°C also increases your chances of success, as well as using the correct seed rate of 15 kg/acre or 35 kg/ha at an optimum seed depth of 10mm (maximum 15mm).
Ploughing is usually best where soil compaction is an issue, but for those with stony soils minimum tillage is more suitable to avoid disturbing too much top-soil. Whichever method you use, following best practice and good post-drilling management maximises your chance of success.

Spring vs autumn
Whether done in spring or autumn reseeds can be successful, the timing largely down to your farm and soil conditions. Spring provides a wider window of opportunity with generally better weather and soil conditions favouring good growth and effective control of post-emergence weeds with herbicide sprays. But spring reseeds leave leys out of use at their most productive, with the soil too tender for travel or grazing in the early stages.
An autumn reseed has a narrower window of opportunity, with poorer weather conditions and soil conditions worsening as the season progresses. But autumn provides the prospect of a ley reaching its full production potential over winter and gives the soil time to settle before travel or grazing in spring.
Both spring and autumn reseeds allow break crops to be grown, and this can be a useful tool for farms looking to break grass-specific pest, parasite or disease cycles. They can also control weeds and address any problems with soil nutrients or condition, as well as providing a useful forage crop for livestock.
Overseeding can give a short-term boost to production when a complete reseed is unsuitable. This can be when leys still have at least 50% perennial ryegrass species and the type of land makes a full reseed challenging.
Overseeding is also a good way of starting a reseeding programme on farm if you are heavily stocked or don’t want to take a field out of production for any length of time. To make it effective, aim to overseed between July and September after either tight grazing or a silage cut. Use a seed rate two thirds of the full reseed rate, around 10 kg/acre, and ensure good seed-to-soil contact by harrowing and rolling as required.


Related News
Reseeding Methods

 

[Great In Grass]

Why feed lucerne in 2021?

With increasing environmental concerns around bought-in protein and rising feed costs, is 2021 the year to move towards homegrown high protein forages such as lucerne?
Many farmers are looking for alternative ways to meet the protein requirements of cow diets as concerns grow about the environmental burden of imported feeds, particularly soya. High feed prices are also prompting some to consider growing their own high-protein forages such as lucerne.

With high protein levels, and its rumen-friendly scratch factor making it highly digestible, lucerne is a viable alternative to imported protein. Its nutrient composition also makes it a useful complementary feed for diets containing maize.

Despite these nutritional credentials and its popularity globally in countries with conditions similar to the UK, lucerne is not commonly grown here. A lack of familiarity and reservations about growing conditions may be limiting its popularity but there is an expanding community of UK farmers using the crop. And if feed costs remain high, this is only set to continue in 2021.

Lucerne has been grown at Harper Adams University since 2007 and Chris Ruffley, the university’s Assistant Farm Manager, believes it has huge potential in the UK; “We simply don’t see much lucerne about so it can be hard for farmers to see how it could work in their system. But, here at the university, lucerne has a great place in the cows’ diet as a highly digestible forage and a great source of protein, and it’s reduced our input costs. Across our 400 cows, we’ve saved £50,000 from reducing protein in the concentrate by around 1kg/cow per day.”

Lucerne is suited to all types of soil with a pH of at least 6.2 but must be grown on ground that drains well. To be successful, it should also be sown when soil temperatures are above 8°C; in the UK this is normally between May and the end of August.

“Lucerne isn’t drought resistant, but it is certainly drought tolerant. In the very hot dry weather we had last summer, growth was checked but it didn’t suffer in the way grass did,” Chris adds.

It’s ability to tolerate dry conditions, as well as its rich mineral content, come from its deep tap root. Being a legume, lucerne also fixes nitrogen, lowering the need for bought-in fertiliser and further reducing input costs. This also improves nitrogen availability for follow-on crops in a rotational system. Lucerne is primarily grown as a silage crop due to the potential for poaching, although can be grazed successfully with 5 to 6-week intervals.

Five reasons to grow lucerne

1. Reduced bought-in feed costs
2. Potential DM yield of 10-15 tonnes/ha
3. Lower nitrogen fertiliser requirements of up to 300kg/ha
4. Complements maize silage
5. Four to six years persistency

 

[Great In Grass]

BARMIX
Low input, high output for beef & sheep

• A highly successful, persistent, drought tolerant, protein-rich sward for beef and sheep production from a clover-based sward
• BARMIX uses the best new cocksfoot and tall fescues to produce a highly palatable, very productive ley
• As a result it produces considerably more grass than conventional ryegrass leys especially under low fertility conditions and low fertiliser usage

Key benefits

• An innovative mixture developed to offer an alternative option for beef and sheep enterprises looking for low input, high output.
• ARCHIBALDI, BARDOUX and BARELITE are proven in on-farm grazing trials to be highly palatable due to their soft leaves.
• Ryegrasses in the sward are highly productive, contributing to the total performance
• Tall fescue is a winter-active species, thereby extending the growing season. They add excellent drought tolerance due to their deep rooted, persistent nature but are also more tolerant of waterlogged soils.
• Cocksfoot grows earlier in the spring than other species, delivering that vital early bite for lambing.

When to sow

Sow when soil temperature is above 8°C. The mixture has been designed to deliver exceptional late winter and early spring growth.

With a lower proportion of ryegrass, this mixture will thrive on more marginal land and under a clover-only or under lower fertility conditions and low nitrogen usage.

When to cut

Produces one or two exceptional silage cuts of extremely nutritious forage.

BARMIX can be shut off mid-season after spring grazing for a big bale silage, haylage or hay cut.

When to graze

This mixture can be grazed all year.

Tall fescue and cocksfoot grow very rapidly, particularly in early spring, so to maintain the sward in its optimum condition, it is strongly recommended to tightly graze the sward from late winter. This stops the grass becoming too strong, ensuring it remains highly palatable to grazing animals or giving the best combination of quality and quantity when conserved.

 

[Great In Grass]

COMBI
Flexible, extensive ley for cutting and grazing

• A blend of the best recommended intermediate and late heading ryegrasses designed to produce a very high-yielding, dense, palatable, top class cutting mixture which will also produce quality grazing.
• COMBI’s high proportion of tetraploid varieties ensure better drought resistance and higher water-soluble carbohydrate content.

Key benefits

• Flexible cutting and grazing mixture with excellent yield and quality
• Higher proportion of tetraploid varieties ensures better drought resistance and higher water-soluble carbohydrate content and faster recovery after grazing or cutting
• GALGORM – New for 2021, holds top position for total yield in both grazing and silage management. 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
• GRACEHILL is an excellent all-round performer right across the growing season, producing superb annual yields of high digestibility grass under both grazing and silage management along with extremely high metabolizable energy (ME) yields per hectare
• FINTONA is a ground breaking variety, top ranked under grazing and silage management in terms of yield and quality
• Uses all Herbage Varieties Guide recommended varieties

When to sow
Perennial ryegrass germinates at 8°C; ensure this is sown when soil temperature is above 8°C.

When to cut & graze
Offers a high-quality mid-May silage production with excellent sward density for exceptional silage cuts of extremely nutritious forage.

 

[Great In Grass]

LONG SEASON
A perfect mixture for extended grazing.

• LONG SEASON has been designed to provide exceptional spring and late season growth, the times of year when grass is most valuable, replacing expensive feed or silage
• Extremely flexible, persistent, long-term ley that can be both cut and grazed as required

Key benefits

• Extremely flexible, persistent, long-term ley that can be both cut and grazed as required
• GALGORM holds top position for total yield in both grazing and silage management. 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
• GRACEHILL is an excellent all- round performer right across the growing season, producing superb annual yields of high digestibility grass under both grazing and silage management along with extremely high metabolizable energy (ME) yields per hectare

When to sow
Sow when soil temperature is above 8°C; clover will germinate at 10°C. It’s ideal for early turnout or lambing thanks to its exceptional spring growth.

When to cut & graze
LONG SEASON is a mixture designed for just that, an extended grass growing season. Owing to the continual production from the mixture, there are several options available for cutting.

If early grazing is a priority on the farm, it’s an ideal sward to turn stock into at the start of the year, giving other fields a chance to get started, and when grass supplies become more plentiful elsewhere on the farm, the fields growing LONG SEASON can be closed off for one cut of silage and then re-grazed for the rest of the season.

Alternatively, silage can be cut throughout the year with the potential for four cuts of top quality grass, with the first cut taken in early May. LONG SEASON really opens up all the options for farmers who can utilise grass from the start of the growing season.

Early spring grazing can be followed by two high quality silage cuts and aftermath grazing or season long grazing.

 

[Great In Grass]

DAIRY GRAZER
The most cost-effective feed for dairy

• Developing high quality grassland, this mixture enables cows to graze from an early spring turnout for intensive grazing and also gives faster recovery after grazing or cutting
• The long growing season will increase the grazing season
• The mixture can help reduce external input costs by lowering feed requirements

Key benefits:

• Designed specifically to maximise the grazing period for cows
• Produces a very palatable high D value grass ley
• GALGORM: New for 2021. Holds top position for total yield in both grazing and silage management. 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.
• GRACEHILL produces superb annual yields of highly digestible grass with extremely high ME yields per hectare up to +108%
• Excellent resilience and remains good through autumn and into the first phase of winter

When to sow
Perennial ryegrass germinates at 8°C; ensure this is sown when the soil temperature is above 8°C.

When to graze & cut
It gives maximum production at times of the year (March-Nov) when grass is the most valuable and will form a dense, easily managed sward. The mixture has been formulated to provide grass ready to be grazed for an early spring turnout and grazing ability throughout the season. Livestock can enter when cover of 2,800kg DM/ha and exit at 1,700kg DM/ha.

DAIRY GRAZER is also capable of providing a top quality silage sward which can be utilised if grass growth exceeds the grazing animal. With proper management, swards can be closed off and cut at any time as the later heading dates of the varieties in DAIRY GRAZER minimise the risk of stemmy growth or seed heads throughout the growing season.

 

[Great In Grass]

NUTRIFIBRE
For grass production on dry land and drought prone soils

• Up to 30% more yield
• Massive forage, energy & protein
• Drought tolerant
• Nutrient efficient
• Rich, effective fibre
• Excellent AD crop

The foundation of NutriFibre is the Soft-leaf tall fescue, a development stemming from the Royal Barenbrug Group’s international breeding programme. NutriFibre technology combines mineral efficiency, high protein production, digestibility, effective fibre-rich cell walls and drought tolerance from the deep rooting ability of the Soft-leaf tall fescue.

Key benefits

• High-yielding and rich in protein
• Drought tolerant from deep roots
• Nutrient efficient grass from mineral use deep in the soil
• Effective fibre giving optimal roughage in the diet
• Better capacity to survive periods of wet weather, limiting damage to the grass
• High digestibility from Hemicellulose cell structure

When to sow
The soil temperature should be above 8°C at the time of sowing; it is advisable to sow NutriFibre between March 1st and September 15th.

After sowing, NutriFibre puts a lot of energy into the development below the ground, within its root system, resulting in a slower visible start than other grasses. After developing a solid underground system, the grass yield is higher due to the extra root structure.

When to cut
Cutting times are flexible because the quality of the feed value of NutriFibre decreases more slowly when the crop matures than with perennial ryegrass or Festulolium. This makes farmers less dependent on the weather, providing a better guarantee for making successful silage.

The technology

The Soft-leaf tall fescue grass with a strong, impressive root system and nutritious, protein rich leaves offers larger advantages over grasses traditionally grown by dairy farmers. The Soft- leaf tall fescue in NutriFibre is tolerant to long periods of drought as the grass is able to absorb water from deeper layers in the soil.

In the coming decades the probability of dry, hot summers will increase and NutriFibre is designed to meet these demands by being highly tolerant to these periods of drought thanks to its deep rooting ability. It is ideal for dry, light land and drought prone soils as its roots can reach depths of more than 100cm allowing it to reach deep layers of soil storing water, even absorbing the most water from its roots that are 20-30cm in depth compared to perennial ryegrass at only 10cm (Figure 1).

Figure 1. The difference in root length between NutriFibre and perennial ryegrass.

 

[Great In Grass]

HYBRID 4x4
4 cuts, 4 years

• HYBRID 4x4 is a highly productive hybrid ryegrass cutting ley, designed for four years and providing four cuts each year.
• It’s designed for a three or four year rotation system, delivering 10% higher yield than traditional perennial ryegrass mixtures.
• A key benefit of this mixture is that it offers multiple exits and entries for slurry / digestate application, using home produced nutrients more efficiently, saving valuable time and resources.

Key benefits

• HYBRID 4x4 delivers a superb silage mixture to farmers
• It has a very tight heading date range and excellent resistance to disease, offering strong silage production throughout the season
• This mixture does not contain clover, so is inexpensive to clean up sward
• Perfect if three and four year rotation is required
• Multiple exits and entries for slurry / digestate application, using home produced nutrients more efficiently
• Will produce 20% more yield than perennial ryegrass leys, due to its ability to use all nutrients very efficiently via its long season growth and usage of deep rooting varieties
• New variety BANNFOOT produces improved yields with high D value along with excellent persistency. It also has a good all-round disease profile

When to sow
Grows at temperatures as low as 6°C so the farm must be able to make use of this early growth.

When to cut
Up to four cuts per year which can take place in May, July, August and October.

This is the ultimate silage mixture, yielding up to 20t DM/ha in its first year and exceeding 16t DM/ha in its second year.

AD
Grass crops can be grown specifically for biogas production in anaerobic digestion (AD), for stabilising or supplementing other feed stocks such as low yielding slurries or variable quality food waste. Grass crops can be incorporated effectively into existing crop rotations and won’t impact on food production as they can be grown on lower fertility soils and on land which is not suitable for the production of food crops. Grass gives long term benefits of improved soil health, structure and fertility, particularly in the arable rotation. It can also aid in the control of black grass by reducing heading and therefore seed shed by taking multiple cuts.

• Grass silage yields around 160-200 M3/tonne of biogas at 28% DM
• Excellent addition to other feed stocks
• Enables efficient utilisation of digestate
• Lower environmental impact
• Ability to sequester carbon into the root matrix
• Improves soil health and structure
• Reduced soil erosion and nutrient leaching
• Lower production costs

 

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EARLY CUT & GRAZE
Top quality hybrid with excellent forage & grazing

• An excellent cutting and grazing ley using the most persistent hybrid varieties for a full five years' production
• Designed to provide excellent spring growth, enabling an early first cut

Key benefits

• This mixture delivers maximum production by using the top yielding varieties
• The high proportion of tetraploid varieties ensures better drought resistance and higher water-soluble carbohydrate content
• FINTONA: Ground breaking variety. The highest yielding perennial ryegrass ever listed in the UK with unrivalled spring grazing yields and impressive sward density for the type
• BARBLANCA white clover is included for nitrogen fixation and increased protein content
• GALGORM – New for 2021, holds top position for total yield in both grazing and silage management. 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.
• Uses all Herbage Varieties Guide recommended varieties

When to sow
Sow when soil temperature is above 6°C; clover will germinate at 10°C.

The mixture has been designed to provide season-long production, with exceptional early spring and late summer growth.

When to cut & graze
Produces highly digestible forage from a late May - early June first cut with the mixture averaging over 70% D value throughout the season.

This top-quality dual purpose mixture has the ability to be grazed from early spring through to late summer.

If it's being used as cut and graze, the mixture will deliver two exceptional silage cuts and early summer grazing, making it truly flexible.

 

[Great In Grass]

A highly productive short-term Italian ley

• HIGH D is a highly productive Italian ley, which will give exceptional crops for silage
• HIGH D is ideal for growers who want to produce the maximum amount of stored forage possible from their own land.
• It grows for longer in the season and its exceptional spring growth makes it ideal for lamb finishing or early turnout.
• An early grazing can be followed by up to four cuts of quality silage and a late flush for grazing.

Key benefits

• HIGH D is a better option than sowing a single Italian ryegrass variety
• It will provide massive amounts of clean, quality forage throughout the year without any loss of production mid-season
• HIGH D grows down to 4°C soil temperature extending the growing season for store lambs or wintering sheep
• Responds very positively to high levels of fertility and will produce 20% more yield than perennial ryegrass leys.

When to sow
Grows at temperatures as low as 4°C so the farm must be able to make use of this early growth.

When to cut & graze
Depending on how it is managed High D Italian can be ready for
a first cut at the end of April / early May. If grazed hard over winter and early spring this can be set back to mid May. It will produce 70+ D value silage, if cut at the optimum growth stage for quality (25% ear emergence). The ultimate silage mixture which will yield up to 20t DM/ha in its first year under high input management. For maximum production up to six cuts a year under high N systems. Early grazing for turnout of ewes and lambs or finishing long keep store lambs.

AD

• Grass crops can be grown specifically for biogas production in anaerobic digestion (AD), for stabilising or supplementing other feed stocks such as low yielding slurries or variable quality food waste. Grass crops can be incorporated effectively into existing crop rotations and won’t impact on food production as they can be grown on lower fertility soils and on land which is not suitable for the production of food crops.
• Grass Silage yields 160-200 M3/tonne of biogas at 28% DM
• Enables efficient utilisation of digestate
• Lower environmental impact
• Ability to sequester carbon into the root matrix
• Improves soil health and structure
• Reduced soil erosion and nutrient leaching
• Lower production costs

 

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PROTERRA MAIZE
The easy way to successful undersowing

• PROTERRA MAIZE offers a quick and easy undersowing solution for maize crops in your rotation producing a green cover which doesn’t compete with the crop
• Green manure crops are indispensable to maintain healthy soil, provide ground cover, reduce nutrient leaching and reduce soil erosion while ensuring a good yield of maize or other crop
• This environmentally friendly product combines successful undersowing with significant advantages.

Key benefits

• Longer sowing window
• Lower competition with the maize crop
• More biomass underground
• Less risk of structural damage from harvest machinery
• More resistant to extreme weather conditions
• PROTERRA MAIZE is composed of carefully selected grass varieties
• Reduces soil erosion and nutrient leaching

Environmental benefits
Grasses are highly valued as a cover crop, primarily because they form extensive root systems. This enables them to supply large quantities of organic matter to the soil, while their roots simultaneously improve soil structure. It also aids in the reduction of soil erosion. The deep rooting system of PROTERRA MAIZE means reduced nutrient leaching as nutrients are taken up by the plants roots through a wider range of the soil profile.

Harvest benefits
You don’t have to worry about the soil being too wet for a good quality crop. The intensively branched root system characteristic of PROTERRA MAIZE creates a higher bearing capacity of the soil. This means that you can harvest when the crop is ready without risking structural damage to the plants. The deep root system also improves soil drainage, which in turn boosts the resistance of both the main crop and the green manure to extreme weather conditions. The large amounts of organic matter underground improve soil fertility resulting in better crop performance the following year.

 

[Great In Grass]

BAR GS4
An excellent bio-diversity ley

• A true multispecies legume, grass, wildflower and herb rich sward for increased biodiversity
• This vigorous sward, with abundant legumes and herbs, will provide habitat and food for a huge variety of insects and wildlife need for your farm to thrive and improve soil structure and water infiltration
• It is also suitable for productive cattle and sheep

Key benefits

• This diverse mixture has been proven to provide a hardy, long grazing season for livestock with the multi legume species to fix nutrients and sustain year-long production
• Including flowering species, this mixture provided vital beneficial pollinators feed and shelter
• Deep penetrating roots will improve soil structure and have the ability to make the best use of the available soil nutrients, moisture and minerals

1.75kg Glasker Perennial Ryegrass Early Dip.
1.75kg Callan Perennial Ryegrass Late Dip.
0.50kg Comer Timothy
0.50kg Motim Timothy
2.00kg Barelite Tall Fescue
1.00kg Cosmonaut Meadow Fescue
1.50kg Dascada Cocksfoot
0.25kg Alice White Clover Large Leaf
0.25kg Crusader White Clover Medium Leaf
1.50kg Discovery Red Clover Late
0.10kg Sanfoin Legume
0.10kg Birdsfoot Trefoil Legume
0.80kg Barvicos Vetch
0.15kg Commander Chicory
0.15kg Tonic Plantain
0.05kg Yarrow Herb
0.05kg Sheeps Parsley Herb
0.10kg Salad Burnet Herb

 

[Great In Grass]

BAR HERBAL
Mixture including perennial ryegrasses, white clover, plantain and chicory.

• Specialist mixture designed to extend the shoulders of the grazing season whilst enhancing the yield and the quality of the sward
• Includes perennial ryegrasses, white clover, plantain and chicory

A mixture containing grass, clover, plantain and chicory. The deep rooting characteristics of the herbs and legumes will enhance the mineral content of their companion grasses due to their ability to source nutrients from deep within the soil. This will also help with soil structure and therefore increase water infiltration, resulting in extra grazing days when compared to conventional perennial ryegrass mixtures.

Animals prefer to graze a mixed species sward, resulting in higher voluntary intakes and better animal performance.

Advantages

• Exceptionally long growing season
• Fixes free nitrogen from the atmosphere, up to 150kg N/ha
• Chicory and Plantain are rich in minerals and trace elements

 

[Great In Grass]

Lucerne: Artémis - Europe's No.1 Variety

A highly nutritious forage for livestock

• Artémis Lucerne is top of Recommended Lucerne Lists across Europe
• Excellent yield
• Extreme persistent – especially in dry or cold areas
• LUCERNE is a highly nutritious forage for livestock
• It combines good digestibility with high protein, providing excellent milk yields and daily live weight gains

Lucerne is a highly nutritious forage for livestock. It combines good digestibility with high proteins providing excellent milk yields or daily live weight gains.

Well managed, this perennial crop can persist for up to five years and performs well in free-draining, drier environments due to tap roots. A more mature hay crop would be more suitable for feeding young stock.

Expert Advice

• One of the most underrated and underutilised forage crops available to livestock farmers in the UK
• To get the best from your lucerne crop, ensure a minimum of 50% of the tallest stems have a flower prior to the first grazing/cutting.
• If the stand is weedy at establishment it can be grazed/cut ONCE if it is 15-20cm tall and then left to flower to a minimum of 50%

Advantages

• Dual purpose
• Perennial - Well managed crops can persist for up to 5 years
• Performs well in free draining, drier environments due to tap roots
• >300 - 500 g/hd/d – rotationally grazed or cut
• High MJME and high protein, which is easily digested

Limitations

• Legume – pH 6.0 and high levels of P to establish
• Requires good management
• For more information and advice on management, please contact us for the guide

Sowing rate: 8-10kg/acre (20-25kg/ha). Drill at 5 - 12mm deep on normal soils or up to 25mm on light sandy soils.
Pack sizes: Available in pack sizes 25kg