Grass and Roots Seed Brochure 2016

Grass and Roots Seed Brochure 2016

Welcome to Mastercrop grass and roots seed brochure 2016.

Quality grass and forage is at the heart of profitable and sustainable livestock farming. The need to maximise grassland utilisation and improve on-farm efficiencies will be vital to the profitability of dairy and beef enterprises.

The Mastercrop name is synonymous with quality, choice and value for money and the 2016 range of grass seed mixtures certainly delivers on all these criteria.

All Mastercrop products are backed by Glanbia’s extensive retail network and highly professional agronomic advisory service.

Our Premium Grazing and Premium One Cut, Graze and Premium Silage mixtures will be to the fore with the best varieties available.

Contents Introduction 2 Contents 3 Reseeding 4-5 Cultivation Methods

6-8

Drainage 9 Soil Fertility Management

10-11

Pest Control

12-13

Weed Control

14-15

Premium Mixtures

16-17

Quality Mixture

18-19

Arable Crops

20

White Clover

21

Pastureade 22-23

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| Mastercrop Grass and Roots Seed Brochure 2016

Recommended Lists 2016

24-25

Pasture Profit Index Overview

26-27

Pasture Profit Index 2016

28-29

Forage Crops

30

Swedes and Kale

31

Fodder Rape

32

Stubble Turnips

33

Forage and Fodder Crops Details

34

Glanbia Agribusiness Branches

35 Mastercrop Grass and Roots Seed Brochure 2016 |

3

Reseeding - An Overview Animal nutrition

Reseeding should be given strong consideration when any of the following features become evident in a sward: • High content of weed grasses e.g. scutch, bent grass.

• Low ryegrass content.

• High content of broad-leaved weeds e.g. chickweed, docks, thistles and buttercups.

• Reduced milk yield or liveweight gain.

• Poor re-growth following grazing or cutting.

• Bare patches throughout sward.

• Reduced silage DMD values.

Reseeding Checklist ✓ □ Identify paddocks for reseeding. (poorer performing paddocks; low perennial ryegrass content) □ Soil test and lime.

In general, swards cut twice annually for silage should be reseeded every 5 - 8 years.

For grazed swards, the arguments for reseeding lie in the areas of an extended grazing season, improved re-growth and the continued improvement in yield and quality achieved by the breeding of new ryegrass varieties.

□ Sowing date.

Advantages of reseeding

□ Choose appropriate grass cultivars.

• Increased Sward productivity (+15-20% especially in the shoulder periods).

• 8% higher milk output/ha relative to permanent pasture.

• Use of newer grass varieties.

• Reduced silage requirement.

• Swards which respond better to applied. nitrogen, higher carrying capacity.

• Improved grass qualities.

□ Method of reseeding. □ Spray off paddock. □ When cultivating - prepare a good seed bed.

□ Sowing rate. □ Roll. □ Slug and other pests. □ Control weed early. □ Graze at 2 leaf stage. □ Avoid poaching and over grazing.

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| Mastercrop Grass and Roots Seed Brochure 2016

Mastercrop Grass and Roots Seed Brochure 2016 |

5

Cultivation Methods Whatever method of seedbed preparation is used, the ultimate aim must be to produce a fine firm seedbed.

This will ensure: • Good contact between soil and seed.

• Moisture is conserved in the soil.

• A level field will result.

Ploughing

• Avoid ploughing too deep (>15 cm) as this can bury the top layer of soil (the most fertile soil).

• Use land leveller until an even seedbed is generated.

• Aim to develop a fine, firm and level seedbed.

• If seedbed is cloddy and loose, grass seed (and especially clover seed) will be too deep and will not germinate.

Discing & One-pass

• Aim for 3 to 4 passes of the disc harrow in angled directions to break the sod and turn up enough soil to for a seedbed.

• Forward speed must not be excessive as it can lead to rough, uneven seedbeds.

One-pass

• The slower the forward speed of the machine the better in terms of finish.

• Often left rough and patchy due to operators moving too fast across fields.

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| Mastercrop Grass and Roots Seed Brochure 2016

Mastercrop Grass and Roots Seed Brochure 2016 |

7

Drainage

Cultivation techniques Do’s

Do not’s

Shallow plough. Develop a fine, firm and level seedbed

Plough too deep (>15cm).

Cloddy, loose seedbed

Graze tight, apply lime.

3-4 runs angled directions

Forward speed too fast rough, uneven seedbed

One-pass

Graze tight, apply lime.

Slow forward speed at cultivation

Forward speed too fast rough, uneven seedbed

Direct drill

Graze tight, apply lime and slug pellets. Wait for moist ground conditions (slight cut in ground)

‘Trashy’ seedbed - no seed/soil contact. Use when ground is dry and hard

Ploughing Discing

No drainage work should be carried out before the drainage characteristics of the soil are established by a site and soil test pit investigation.

• Outfall level must not dictate the drainage system depth. If a free draining layer is present, it must be utilised.

• Drain pipes should always be used for drains longer than 30 m. If these get blocked it is a drainage stone and not a drainage pipe issue.

• Two types of drainage system exist: a groundwater drainage system and a shallow drainage system. The design of the system depends entirely on the drainage characteristics of the soil.

• Drainage stone should not be filled to the top of the field trench except for very limited conditions (the bottom of an obvious hollow). Otherwise it is an extremely expensive way of collecting little water.

• Distinguishing between the two types of drainage systems essentially comes down to whether or not a permeable layer is present (at a workable depth) that will allow the flow of water with relative ease. If such a layer is evident, a piped drain system at that depth is likely to be effective. If no such layer is found during soil test pit investigations, it will be necessary to improve the drainage capacity of the soil. This involves a disruption technique such as moling, gravel moling or subsoiling in tandem with collector drains.

• Most of the stone being used for land drainage today is too big. Clean aggregate in the 10-40 mm (0.4 to 1.5 inch approx) grading band should be used. Generally you get what you pay for.

• Subsoiling is not effective unless a shallow impermeable layer is being broken or field drains have been installed prior to the operation. Otherwise it will not have any long-term effect and may do more harm than good.

• Drains are not effective unless they are placed in a free draining soil layer or complimentary measures (mole drainage, subsoiling) are used to improve soil drainage capacity. If water is not moving through the soil in one or other of these two ways, the water table will not be lowered.

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| Mastercrop Grass and Roots Seed Brochure 2016

• Most land drainage systems are poorly maintained. Open drains should be clean and as deep as possible and field drains feeding into them should be regularly rodded or jetted.

Mastercrop Grass and Roots Seed Brochure 2016 |

9

Soil Fertility Management Guidelines

• Soil Test for P, K, pH before reseeding.

• Aim to have soil test P & K in Index 3 for reseeding.

• Start by using organic fertiliser as effective as possible, then top up with chemical fertiliser as required.

Table below shows P & K requirement when reseeding at different index levels P & K rates requires for pasture establishment.

Soil P Index

Range

Range kg/ha

1

0 - 3.0

60

2

3.1 - 5.0

40

3

6.1 - 10.0

30

4

Above 10.0

10

Soil K Index Range

Rate

1

110

0 - 50

2

51 - 100

75

3

101 - 150

50

4

Above 150

30

Conversation Nutrient Application Rate 1 kg/ha = 0.8 units/acre Organic Fertiliser 11t/ha = 1000 gallon/acre 2.5t/ha = 1t/acre Value of Slurry P & K Organic (kg/T) Pig

P

K

0.8

2.2

Soil Water

0.1

0.6

Cattle

0.6

4.3

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| Mastercrop Grass and Roots Seed Brochure 2016

Mastercrop Grass and Roots Seed Brochure 2016 |

11

Pest Control Reseeded swards are particularly vulnerable to damage from pests during early establishment. Careful monitoring of swards is necessary with appropriate action taken where necessary.

3 Main Pests Slugs • Can be a problem in wet areas or wet years.

• High levels of trash will increase risk of attack.

• Using bait points will help indicate potential problems.

• If damage is visible slug pellets should be applied.

Leatherjackets • Can cause problems particularly in Spring sown swards following grass.

• More active in wetter/heavier soils.

• Seedlings are severed at ground level, dead plants are found on the soil surface.

Frit Fly • Most common pest of reseeded swards in late Summer & Autumn.

• Larvae from adult fly kills the growing point by burrowing into the grass shoot.

• Turning the seeding plant yellow.

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| Mastercrop Grass and Roots Seed Brochure 2016

Mastercrop Grass and Roots Seed Brochure 2016 |

13

Weed Control Herbicides for control of weeds in grassland Main Target Weed Product

Docks

Thistles

Ragwort Nettles

Docks,Thistles & Nettles

Seedling Weeds In New Ley (Clover-Safe)

Grassland Destruction

14

PCS No.

Active Ingredient

Rate

Comment

Hiloadmicram

02336

600 g/l Mecoprop, 80 g/l Dicamba

1.25 l/ha

Treat actively growing docks before flower and buds appear. Kills clover.

Min. 20 gallons water/acre. 5 litres will treat 10 acre.

Doxstar

04202

150 g/l Triclopyr, 150 g/l Fluroxypyr

2.0 l/ha

One application or split application with half rate in Spring and half rate in Autumn.

Will kill clover. Must leave 28 days between spraying and cutting.

Eagle

00573

75 g/kg Amidosulfuron

40-60 g/ha

Clover safe. Controls both broadleaf and curled docks.

Barclay Hurler Croplink Reaper Starane 2

02905 04613 01807

200 g/l Fluroxypyr

1.5 l/ha

Medium term dock control, excellent on chickweed.

Can be used on new leys. Will kill clover.

Prospect SX

02284

500 g/kg Thifensulfuron-methyl

15 g/ha

Apply from April to October, 7-10 days before cutting or grazing. Apply before docks have seeded.

If docks have seeded, top and spray the regrowth. Will not kill curled dock, safe on clover.

Forefront T

03800

30 g/l Aminopyralid, 240 g/l Triclopyr

2.0 l/ha

Excellent long-term control of docks, nettles, thistles, buttercup, dandelion and ragwort.

Will kill clover. Do not graze for at least 7 days after application.

Bandock

90135

85 g/l Dicamba, 65 g/l Triclopyr, 200 g/l 2,4 D

4 - 5 l/ha

Apply to actively growing docks before flower buds appear. Ideal application period is April to June.

M50 Mastercrop MCPA 50

04169 04222

500 g/l MCPA

4.0 l/ha

Treat before flower buds appear.

Thistlex

03831

200 g/l Triclopyr, 200 g/l Clopyralid

1.0 l/ha

Excellent knockdown of thistles; also effective on nettles. Will kill clover.

D50 Dioweed 50

04144 02719

500 g/l 2,4 D dimethylamine salt

2.8 - 3.3 l/ha

Treat ragwort at rosette stage before end of April. If weeds are gone to seed, top and spray the regrowth. Avoid extremes of temperature when spraying. Rushes should always be green when spraying.

Nettleban

90776

85 g/l Dicamba, 65 g/l Triclopyr, 200 g/l 2,4 D

3.0 l/ha

Good control of other weeds such as thistle, ragwort, rush, daisy and buttercup can be achieved when rate is increased to 5.0 l/ha.

Pastor

04236

50 g/l Clopyralid, 75 g/l Fluroxypyr, 100 g/l Triclopyr

2.0 - 4.0 l/ha

Lower rate on new leys or as a split application. Allow 4 weeks between application and mowing for optimum activity. Use whenever weeds are actively growing. Will kill clover.

Grazon 90

04261

60 g/l Clopyralid, 240 g/l Triclopyr

60 ml in 10 l knapsack

Very useful product for spot treatment only (with knapsack). Can graze pasture 7 days after treatment provided no ragwort present. Apply any time of year that weeds are actively growing.

Mastercrop Bandit

91836

12 g/l Dicamba, 169 g/l MCPA, 62.5 g/l Mecoprop-P

5.6 l/ha

Provides inexpensive control of broad range of weeds in grassland. Follow-up treatments may be required in subsequent years. Will kill clover.

Mastercrop Undersown

91839

240 g/l 2,4 DB, 40 g/l MCPA

7.0 l/ha

Controls seeding docks, fat hen.

Alistell

90047

240 g/l 2,4 DB, 30 g/l MCPA, 30 g/l Linuron

3.5 l/ha

Broad spectrum control of seedling weeds in new leys where chickweed is important. Grasses can be sprayed from the 2-leaf stage and clover from the one trifoliate leaf stage.

Roundup Gold Roundup Biactive Rosate 36

02624 02313 03616

360 g/l Glyphosate (plus wetters/surfactants depending on product)

6.0 l/ha

Translocation and overall effectiveness of product will be affected by growing condition. Grassland can be cut/grazed 5 days after application. Rainfastness varies with product - check label.

Roundup Flex

04593

480 g/l Glyphosate (plus wetters/surfactants)

4.8 l/ha

New formulation of glyphosate from Monsanto with improved rainfastness.

Roundup Gold

02623

450 g/lt

5 l/ha

New formulation of glyphosate from Monsanto with improved rainfastness

| Mastercrop Grass and Roots Seed Brochure 2016

Mastercrop Grass and Roots Seed Brochure 2016 |

15

Premium Mixtures

The key points of the premium mixtures are:

Premium One Cut & Graze

Heading Date

Heading Date

These represent the elite products of the Mastercrop range, formulated with the intensive, top-class farmer in mind.

• Use AberGain (T), AstonEnergy (T) and Kintyre (T) with very high D values.

• AberGain (T) with its exceptional Spring growth.

• Focus on later heading varieties, in order to maximise digestibility of the sward through the Summer and Autumn growing period.

• Judicious use of tetraploid varieties which have high yield, palatability and drought tolerance characteristics.

• Combination of two leading Nitrogen tolerant clover varieties.

• Only the leading varieties of grass and clover on Irish recommended list used, to promote maximum yields.

• Clover coating to improve germination and establishment (Clover coating ratio of twothirds : one third ‘clover to coat’ is unique to Mastercrop mixtures).

Premium Grazing Sward

Premium Silage Sward 3.5 kg Carrig (T)

24th May

3 kg AberChoice

9th June

4.5 kg AberMagic

31st May

2.5 kg AstonEnergy (T)

2nd June

2 kg Dunluce (T)

30th May

3.5 kg Rosetta

24th May

3 kg AberGain (T)

5th June

3.5 kg Solas (T)

10th June

3 kg Drumbo

7th June

3 kg Glenroyal

5th June

11.5 kg

Key points:

• Leading conservation varieties.

• Inclusion of Glenroyal assist in combating traditional problems of openness.

• Clover available on request increasing options of weed control.

• Narrow range of heading dates for optimum silage production.

9th June

Heading Date

3 kg AberChoice

0.5 kg Small & Medium Leafed Clover

0.5 kg Medium Leafed Clover Blend

12 kg

12 kg

Suitability:

Suitability:

Key points:

Key points:

Intensive, continuous grazing systems.

Grazing with one large silage cut in late May/early June.

• Inclusion of Drumbo and AberGain ensures maximum Spring growth.

• AberChoice and Aston Energy with their high D values • 47% Tetraploid.

• Combination of leading small and mediumleafed clovers on recommended list.

• A highly palatable mixture.

•

•

Judicious use of tetraploid varieties which have high yield, palatability and drought-tolerance characteristics.

Also suitable for early grazing before closing up for silage.

Suitability:

Intensive two-cut silage systems.

40% difference in grass production between farms Quality is the most important trait

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| Mastercrop Grass and Roots Seed Brochure 2016

1% DMD increase equates to a 5% improvement in animal performance

Mastercrop Grass and Roots Seed Brochure 2016 |

17

Quality Mixtures

Mastercrop Extend

These are proven, tried and trusted mixtures which combine sound principles of mixture formulation with varieties which have performed consistently well in recommended list trials.

They represent excellent performance at a reduced cost.

5th June

3 kg Alfonso (T)

4th June

2 kg AstonEnergy (T)

2nd June

3 kg Drumbo

7th June

0.5 kg Medium Leafed Clover Blend 11.5 kg

Hi Clover Sward Hi clover sward is the same as permanent pasture plus extra 1.5 kg of clover making it a 13 kg mixture with 2 kg of clover.

9 kg Late Perennial Ryegrass

3.25 kg Glenveagh

2nd June

2 kg Dwarf Prennial Ryegrass

3 kg AberGain (T)

5th June

3 kg AberChoice

9th June

2.5 kg Majestic

2nd June

2 kg Creeping Red Fescue

2 kg Dunluce (T)

30th May

2.5 kg Navan (T)

6th June

2 kg Smooth Stalked Meadowgrass

3.25 kg Clanrye

6th June

1 kg Timothy

Reseeding costs are returned in two years Key points:

• MASTERCROP EXTEND is for farmers who want to extend their grazing seasons and who want to maximise grass in the diet of dairy cows.

• Produces very high digestibility grass (HID) which means cows eat more and convert to more milk and milk solids per KG of Dry Matter consumed.

Suitability:

Grazing with option of one silage cut in late May/early June.

Key points:

• Excellent total yield across grazing season.

• Large leafed nitrogen-tolerant clover.

• Outstanding flexibility to suit wide range of management systems.

18

Heading Date

7th June

11.5 kg

Heading Date

| Mastercrop Grass and Roots Seed Brochure 2016

Horse Pasture

3 kg Drumbo

0.5 kg AberHerald White Clover

Permanent Pasture (incl. Hi clover) 3 kg Glenveagh

Hill / Heavy Ground Mix

Heading Date

0.5 kg Small Leafed Clover Blend

16 kg

12 kg

Key points:

• Heavy ground or difficult sites.

• Superb persistence and ground cover.

• Excellent mid-Summer and Autumn grazing.

• 100% late heading varieties.

Key points:

• Designed to produce a high quality grazing and if required, a very high quality hay cut in Summer.

• Can be used to patch poached areas on the farm.

• Extremely persistent, dense, and hard wearing.

• Packed in 0.5 acre bags.

• Herbs can be added on request.

60% variation on grass production within farms

Employing the Department of Agriculture’s Seed Certification Scheme which guarantees purity and germination

Mastercrop Grass and Roots Seed Brochure 2016 |

19

Arable Crops

The crops can actually be harvested in a number of different ways:

We also cater for a number of forage crops and arable silage with either peas and barley or peas and oats.

1. As a whole crop.

2. As crimped grain.

3. Unripened grain for caustic soda treatment.

4. Moist grain for treatment with proprionic acid.

5. Combine harvested when dry.

White Clover • Including white clover in grass swards receiving up to 250 kg N/ha can increase total annual herbage production by 1.1 t DM/ha.

• Sward white clover content varies across the year; it is lowest in Spring, increases to a peak in late Summer, and then begins to decline during Autumn.

• Annual milk solids production can be increased by up to 12 kg milk solids/ cow when average annual sward white clover content is 23 per cent.

• Frequent tight grazing (4 - 4.5 cm above ground level) of grass-clover swards will encourage clover persistence in grazed swards.

Herbage Production (kg DM/ha)

Grass only

Grass white clover

15,000 12,000 9,000 6,000 3,000 0 0

60

120

180

240

Fertiliser N application (kg N/ha/year) Figure 1: Average annual herbage production (kg DM/ha) on grass only and grass clover swards receiving 0, 60, 120, 180 or 240 kg N/ha.

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| Mastercrop Grass and Roots Seed Brochure 2016

Mastercrop Grass and Roots Seed Brochure 2016 |

21

Pastureade

Energy content of grass (UFL)

The science of grass quality and animal performance.

Pastureade is Glanbia’s Agribusiness grass management programme. Through Pastureade Glanbia sample four farms weekly across the grazing season.

Grass samples are analysed for Dry matter (DM), Dry matter digestibility (DMD), Energy (UFL), Fibre (NDF + ADF), Crude Protein and protein digestibility (PDIN, PDIE). These results are enabling Glanbia to present nutritional solutions to issues that arise on farm based on the quality of grass at the time.

UFL is a net energy figure. Unlike ME all of the energy is available to the cow. The energy content of the grass is closely related to the DMD. The DMD is a direct consequence of the grass variety and grassland management on the farm.

Mastercrop focuses on varieties which maintain high digestibility values through the crucial Summer growth period such as AberMagic, AberAvon, Drumbo, AberChoice, Kintyre (T), Aston Energy (T), Dunlace (T) and AberGain (T).

Grassland management to preserved grass quality relies on presenting the cow low daily herbage allowances and thus forcing the cow to graze paddocks out tightly. Cows should be offered pre-grazing covers of 1500kgDM/Ha (approx 10cm). To maintain quality across

Figure 1: Pastureade Results

22

| Mastercrop Grass and Roots Seed Brochure 2016

the season it is vital that these are grazed out to 4cm. If this isn’t being achieved by the cow then paddocks should be topped to 4cm.

Even with good grassland management the energy content of grass will drop slightly from the start of the second rotation. Figure 1 shows the average UFL content of grass on to Pastureade farms in 2012 between the 19th April and the 12th of July.

Production and fertility performance of dairy cows is driven by the quality of grass on your farm. Of equal importance is your cows’ ability to ingest sufficient quantities of that grass. Grass dry matter will vary considerably across the grazing season. During times of extended wet weather steps should be taken to guarantee high dry matter intakes.

Intake is King Low energy intake leads to low milk proteins, excessive body condition score loss and poor fertility performance. Low energy intake can be from:

-

-

Intake of low energy feeds. Not common if grassland management is good.

Low intake of high energy feeds. Very common in grazing scenarios.

It is also important the keep an eye on crude protein and DM4 levels in grass. Crude protein is a function fertiliser application and growth condition. Excessive crude protein can lead to high milk urea nitrogen (MUN) levels. These can impact directly on fertility performance.

DM4 is a measure of the degraded dry matter within 4 hours of ingestion. As grass quality improves fibre levels decrease and fibre digestibility increases. This can lead to sub acute ruminal acidosis (SARA). SARA has been linked with low butterfat percentage, increased lameness and low DMI. To follow weekly Pastureade results log onto www.gainfeeds.com. For any nutritional information please contact your local GAIN feeds business manager.

Mastercrop Grass and Roots Seed Brochure 2016 |

23

Ground Cover (1-9)

Spring Growth

Summer Growth

Autumn Growth

1st Cut Silage

2nd Cut Silage

*DMD%

*WSC%

*WSC%

*DMD%

2.1

4.5

3.9

82.9

21.4

2nd Cut Silage

7.0

1st Cut Silage

1.1

Autumn Growth

6.5

Summer Growth

10.2

Spring Growth

Control Mean (t DM/ha)

Ground Cover (1-9)

Control Mean (t DM/ha)

General Purpose (2-Cut Silage)

Simulated Grazing Total Rel. Yield SG

Heading Date

Variety Name

Recommended Intermediate Diploid & Tetraploid Perennial Ryegrass Varieties 2016

General Purpose (2-Cut Silage)

Simulated Grazing Total Rel. Yield SG

Variety Name

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Irish Recommended List of Grasses 2016

Heading Date

Recommended Late Diploid & Tetraploid Perennial Ryegrass Varieties 2016

Recommended Lists 2016

10.7

6.2

1.3

7.1

2.3

4.7

3.9

83.3

21.8

Stefani

2nd June

(98)

(7.0)

(98)

98

(97)

101

98

99.5

94

Kerry

1st June

103

6.4

106

103

104

95

107

99.6

106

Glenveagh

2nd June

101

7.5

102

101

99

100

99

99.2

95

Majestic

2nd June

(102)

(7.3)

(108)

100

(105)

97

96

98.9

94

Solomon

21st May

97

6.8

106

97

92

104

94

98.4

90

Piccadilly

3rd June

(99)

(7.2)

(101)

99

(96)

107

94

98.7

90

Boyne

22nd May

97

6.8

99

97

93

110

100

97.6

90

Tyrella

4th June

96

6.7

109

94

94

100

91

99.7

101

Rosetta

24th May

99

6.8

116

96

97

103

90

99.1

93

Glenroyal

5th June

103

7.3

103

103

104

95

106

99.7

98

Nifty

27th May

105

6.8

110

105

103

104

92

99.3

100

Clanrye

6th June

(102)

(7.6)

(106)

(103)

(95)

96

112

99.3

93

Drumbo

7th June

100

6.7

101

99

101

91

102

100.9

107

AberMagic

31st May

105

6.6

96

105

109

97

100

100.7

112

AberChoice

9th June

105

6.5

100

106

106

93

111

101.6

119

AstonEnergy (T)

2nd June

101

5.7

91

101

104

102

98

102.0

114

Magician (T)

22nd May

97

5.9

99

98

94

105

98

99.5

92

Delphin (T)

2nd June

101

5.5

97

103

99

105

102

100.3

100

Carraig (T)

24th May

98

6.3

95

100

93

107

96

99.1

93

Alfonso (T)

4th June

101

6.3

94

102

103

100

95

101.4

111

Seagoe (T)

28th May

(99)

(6.2)

(90)

(102)

(95)

109

100

100.1

98

AberGain (T)

5th June

105

6.1

108

104

104

105

106

102.0

115

Dunluce (T)

30th May

100

5.8

89

102

101

95

112

100.6

102

Aspect (T)

6th June

(102)

(6.7)

(101)

(103)

(98)

(96)

(107)

101.2

105

Navan (T)

6th June

102

6.2

93

102

108

95

108

100.7

105

Kintyre (T)

7th June

103

6.4

102

101

111

96

110

100.9

106

Twymax (T)

7th June

(99)

(6.1)

(81)

(104)

(94)

98

110

100.8

103

AberPlentiful (T)

9th June

108

6.1

111

107

107

97

110

100.9

104

Solas (T)

10th June

(106)

(6.4)

(106)

(104)

(113)

94

114

101.1

104

Xenon (T)

11th June

102

6.8

99

102

102

92

118

101.1

108

*DMD and WSC controls data is shown as g/100g on this Table and have been taken from both the GP and SG Trials.

(T) Denotes Tetraploid

No variety has all the traits 24

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What is the Pasture Profit Index?

How are economic values determined?

The economic value of each trait is determined using the Moorepark Dairy Systems Model.

The economic value of a unit change in each trait is outlined below.

The Pasture Profit Index (PPI) is a selection tool for perennial ryegrass varieties, developed

by Teagasc, which places economic values on the traits of importance for a grass-based ruminant production system. The purpose of the Pasture Profit Index is to help the grassland industry and farmers identify the most appropriate perennial ryegrass varieties for their farm. The PPI comprises of six sub-indices outlined opposite.

The economic merit of a variety for each trait is calculated by determining the difference between the performance of each variety and a base value for each trait. This difference is then multiplied by the economic value of the trait. The sum of the individual trait is then calculated to determine the total economic merit of a cultivar (€ per ha per year).

The performance values included in the Pasture Profit Index are based on data collected from the DAFM grass variety evaluation trials.

(€ per ha/year)

• Mid-season DM yield • Autumn DM yield • Quality (across the months of April to July) • 1st and 2nd cut silage DM yield • Persistency

production then greater emphasis would be placed on the performance of that variety within the silage sub-index and persistency.

From 2015 onwards, the Pasture Profit Index will be published annually by Teagasc and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) in conjunction with the Irish Recommended List for Grass varieties.

Using the Pasture Profit Index When using the PPI to select grass varieties, using the subindices presents the opportunity to select varieties for specific purposes. For example, if selecting a variety for intensive grazing, the emphasis would be placed on seasonal DM yield and quality with less importance on the silage performance. If selecting a variety specifically for silage

26

Pasture Profit Index

• Spring DM yield

| Mastercrop Grass and Roots Seed Brochure 2016

DM production

Quality

Silage

Persistency

(per kg DM/ha)

(per unit decrease in DMD)

(per kg DM/ha)

(per year reduction in persistency)

Spring €0.16

April €0.001

1st Cut €0.04

€67.20

Mid-season €0.04

May €0.008

2nd Cut €0.03

Autumn €0.11

June €0.010 July €0.009

The Pasture Profit Index (PPI) helps the grassland industry & farmers identify the most appropriate perennial ryegrass varieties for their farm.

Mastercrop Grass and Roots Seed Brochure 2016 |

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Pasture Profit Index 2016 Variety Details Group

Inter Diploid

Inter Tetraploid

Late Diploid

Late Tetraploid

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Pasture Profit Index Dry Matter Production

Variety

Heading Date

Spring

Summer

Autumn

AberMagic

31st May

47

50

Rosetta

24th May

92

25

Solomon

21st May

69

Boyne

22nd May

Nifty

Sub - Indices (€ per ha per year) Quality

Silage

Persistency

63

36

14

0

33

2

16

0

29

22

-23

21

54

29

24

-39

27th May

77

50

49

Dunluce

30th May

32

42

Seagoe

28th May

33

41

Magician

22nd May

53

Carraig

24th May

AberChoice Drumbo

Total PPI €/ha/year

Ground Cover from RL (1-9) Grazing

Silage

210

6.6

6.8

168

6.5

6.7

0

118

6.8

6.7

39

0

107

6.9

6.9

-6

20

0

190

6.8

6.7

43

39

23

-5

174

5.9

6.1

29

20

37

0

160

6.2

6.0

30

26

7

26

-5

137

5.9

6.1

46

37

23

-11

30

0

125

6.3

6.7

9th June

23

47

36

64

8

-5

173

6.5

6.6

7th June

26

30

24

44

-5

-11

108

6.7

6.7

Glenroyal

5th June

29

40

31

2

7

0

109

7.5

7.2

Majestic

2nd June

39

32

33

-16

-1

0

87

7.3

7.2

Glenveagh

2nd June

27

35

20

-10

8

0

80

7.5

7.4

Stefani

2nd June

21

27

16

-2

8

0

70

7.0

7.0

Piccadilly

3rd June

26

31

12

-23

15

0

61

7.2

7.1

Tyrella

4th June

40

18

8

3

-1

-5

63

6.7

6.7

Clanrye

6th June

34

42

10

-10

15

0

91

7.6

7.1

Kerry

1st June

34

40

32

0

7

0

113

6.4

6.4

AberGain

5th June

38

44

32

65

25

-5

199

6.1

6.2

AberPlentiful

9th June

44

51

38

30

14

0

177

6.1

6.3

Solas

10th June

34

45

51

31

14

0

175

6.4

6.4

Kintyre

7th June

28

35

47

33

13

0

156

6.4

6.1

AstonEnergy

2nd June

7

37

31

61

11

0

147

5.7

5.6

Xenon

11th June

22

39

26

46

14

0

147

6.8

6.8

Alfonso

4th June

13

38

27

51

4

0

133

6.3

6.2

Aspect

6th June

25

41

17

37

9

0

129

6.7

6.7

Navan

6th June

10

39

40

26

9

0

124

6.2

6.2

Delphin

2nd June

17

40

19

16

20

0

112

5.5

5.9

Twymax

7th June

-13

44

7

35

16

0

89

6.1

6.4

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Forage Crops The drive to cut production costs is creating a large interest in growing fodder crops. So much so that they are already starting to play a significant role alongside grass in low input, low cost livestock farming. With forward planning fodder crops can also significantly extend the growing season when grass is finished growing.

Each farm and livestock enterprise has individual requirements. However, there are always three fundamental questions to ask before deciding on the most cost-effective type and variety of fodder crop for your livestock production system.

1.) When do you want to use the crop?

With versatile, Winter hardy varieties available, fodder crops can be utilised by stock from June right through to April. If extra fodder is needed in the Summer, early sown kale and grazing turnips can be ready to feed in June

and are very useful for plugging a mid or late Summer grazing deficit. There are plenty of options to choose from if fresh fodder is required through the Winter months.

2.) When does the land for growing fodder crops become vacant?

Crop rotation, soil type and local conditions will dictate when fodder crops can be sown.

Most farmers can now sow fodder crops from as early as February through to September.

Catch crops of stubble turnips or kale can be sown early and utilised by stock mid to late Summer before the land is returned to grass or arable production.

3.) How many animals will a fodder crop feed?

Fodder crops are suitable for high yielding dairy cows, beef cattle, ewes and lambs. The number of stock your brassica crop will feed depends on the type of crop sown, the dry matter yield and the stock utilisation rate.

Swedes

Kale

Very adaptable crop for both grazing and storage. Grown on their own, modern varieties can also offer the option of being lifted for culinary use as well as livestock fodder. The pH of the soil should preferably be around 6.5. Swedes are quite tolerant of acid soils but below a pH of 5.4 growth is increasingly restricted. At pH 7.0 and above boron becomes less available. Allow a minimum break of 4-5 years between all brassicas. To minimize the build up of pests and particularly diseases a rotation of 7-8 years between swede crops is desirable. Average yields of packed out swedes would be about 35 tonnes per ha. The weight of an individual swede is around a kilo.

A very adaptable crop providing useful forage. Can be ensiled as kaleage or zero and strip grazed. A fine, firm seedbed (like grass) and moisture is essential for rapid emergence as kale has small seeds. All brassicas will yield poorly where compaction has occurred. Placing some fertiliser at sowing may aide establishment. Ploughing and powered cultivation is the surest method of establishment but in well structured soils, direct drilling will also be successful. With direct drilling, it is essential to achieve a good weed kill with glyphosate pre-cultivation. Kale may be precision drilled at 3 kg/ha or direct drilled at 4 kg/ha or broadcast usually with the fertiliser at 5-6 kg/ha.

Animals/ha for 100 days (70% of diet)

DM (kg/ha)

DM (%)

ME (M.I/kg)

Cows

Youngstock

Swedes

9-14,000

10-12

12-14

15

Kale

11-12,000

12-15

10-13

19

Stubble Turnips

6,500

9-12

10-13

Grazing Turnips

4,000 (regrowth 2,000)

10-14

Hybrid Brassica

7-9,000

Forage Rape

4-5,000

Ewe

Finishing Lambs

14

83

65

18

107

84

11

10

63

49

10-13

9

8

49

38

12-14

10-13

11

10

63

49

11-13

10-13

7

6

30

30

Assumptions: Cow liveweight 500 kg (adjust upwards for dairy cows); youngstock liveweight gains 0.75 kg/day; 55 kg ewes on maintenance feeding; lamb liveweight gains 200g/day.

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Fodder Rape

Stubble Turnips

A popular forage crop with many livestock farmers due to its ease of production, the flexibility of its sowing date and its palatability at feeding time. It is capable of producing a large bulk of fodder in a short period.

Fodder Rape is an ideal pioneer crop in the reclamation of hill and marginal land.

Economic and fast to grow, an excellent catch crop which can produce nutritious, highly palatable feed in just 12-14 weeks after sowing. The crop can be sown in Spring for feeding in late Summer or sown in July or August for feeding in October to February. They are not very Winter hardy and losses will occur in frosty weather. Seeding rate depends on sowing conditions and method of sowing. Fine and firm seedbed required similar to grass reseeding. Broadcast at 8 kg/ha (3 kg/acre).

Direct drill at 5kg/ha (2 kg/acre).

Rape is extremely useful as a feed fattening lambs and lactating ewes and very good performance can be achieved with good grazing conditions. It is also widely used to supplement cattle and cows but care is needed as there is a much greater risk of digestive disorders than with sheep. These problems can be prevented by taking the following precautions: 1. Introduce the Rape gradually.

2. Restrict intakes.

3. Always feed hay or silage as a roughage source.

4. Supplement with phosphorus and Iodine.

5. Ensure all diets are properly balanced.

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Mastercrop Grass and Roots Seed Brochure 2016 |

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Forage and Fodder Crops Details

Glanbia Agribusiness Branches Branch

Crop

Fodder Beet

Swedes

Kale

Fodder Rape

Stubble Turnips

Sowing Date

Late March Early April

May - Early June

May - June

June August

June -August

Seeding Rate Per Acre

40,000 50,000 Seed

50,000 Pelleted Seeds

2.5 kg Broadcast, 2 kg direct drill

3-4 kg

1.5 kg Drilled 2.5-3.5 kg Broadcast

Fertilisation Per Acre

10 x 50 kg of Beet Compound

7 x 50 kg of 6.10.18 + B

4.5 x 50 kg 10.10.20 + 2 x 50 kg CAN

4.5 x 50 kg 18.6.12

4 - 5 x 50 kg 18.16.12

Time Of Utilisation

Nov - Feb

Nov - Mar

Sept - Dec

Sept - Dec

Sept - Dec Nov - Dec

Fresh Yield Per Acre

33-40 (Roots) 18 (Tops)

25-30

20-30

14-16

15-25

% Dm Yield (Tonnes/Ac)

16 (Root) 11 (Tops)

11

15

12

14-15 (Bulb) 9-10 (Leaf)

Cr Protein As % Of Dm

6.5-7 (Roots) 17 (To Silage) (Crop Silage)

11

14

19

20-24

Nett Energy Ufl/Kg Dm

1.12 (Roots) 0.87 (Tops)

1.21

1.03

0.85

1.10 (Top and Root)

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10890

Glanbia Agribusiness, Purcellsinch Industrial Estate, Kilkenny, R95 E70V. LoCall 1890 321 321 Email: agricsc@glanbia.ie www.glanbiaconnect.com