May 2007
New varieties offer opportunity for improved performance
New NIAB Recommended List released
Growers who are not referring to the Herbage Recommended List produced by NIAB in partnership with the BSPB are missing out on bringing the very best new variety developments to their Livestock production systems.
As NIAB/BSPB release the new Herbage List on the 10th May, Mr Pendergrast NIAB’s Livestock crops specialist commented “ Growers need to realise the list does the hard work for them, we test all the new material coming in the UK so that our growers can achieve the very best grass leys for all circumstances. This can ensure better longevity of pasture, improved LWG and increased milk production, depending on what growers are looking for.”
Mr Pendergrast went onto comment “Growers in the Cereal sector study HGCA lists very carefully to ensure they are getting the best variety technology. Livestock growers need to learn from them and ensure they are achieving excellence in their grass leys as an essential part of their whole farm system.”
This year 38 grass and herbage legume varieties were submitted for recommendation, among these 7 new varieties have been adopted and 12 varieties were not recommended.
NIAB recommends 5 grass varieties for their combinations of quality, yield, good disease resistance and ground cover. Each of the grasses has previously been provisionally recommended (PG) and has now gained full recommendation status (G) this year or special recommendation status (S) for use in certain situations. They are:
· Herbal: Late Perennial Ryegrass (G)
· Dolina: Timothy (G)
· Winnetou: Timothy (G)
· AberZest: Late Perennial Ryegrass (S)
· Glencar: Late Perennial Ryegrass (S)
NIAB also recommends 2 White Clovers. Which have both shown good yield. Each of the White Clovers has previously been provisionally recommended (PG) and has now gained full recommendation status (G) this year. They are:
· Grassland Bounty: White Clover
· Makuri: White Clover
With so many changes, NIAB is recommending that farmers consult the merchants who fund research through the Grass Levy Scheme to be sure of getting the most up-to-date technical information. A comprehensive variety guide is also provided by BSPB on the web site: www.herbagevarietiesguide.com
NIAB specialist grass scientist, Don Pendergrast, said “We are delighted to have been able to recommend so many new varieties this year. It is a mark of the high quality of the breeders.
“However, with so many changes to the lists this year, I cannot emphasise enough how important it is that farmers get the most up-to date technical information on the varieties they select. Merchants who participate in the BSPB Grass Levy Scheme have access to the most comprehensive data on each variety and we would recommend that farmers talk to them before making their purchasing decisions.”
Farmers who would like to see for themselves how the grass varieties on the lists perform and who wish to talk to NIAB’s scientists are urged to visit the NIAB site at Headley Hall in Yorkshire on the 17th May or contact NIAB for information on future Levy days.
Ends
For further information contact Don Pendergrast on 01223 342348 or at don.pendergrast@niab.com