New seeds have at least four mixes
Most have at least four mixes to suit different situations. The price of seed mixes has gone up this year, costing €50 to € 55 per acre, but there may be cheaper varieties which should not be used. For example, Dairygold Co-op has four standard mixes. They include 30 to 40% tetraploids. The number one mix is designed for grazing and one-cut silage. A one-acre mix includes 3.0kg of Tyrella; 3.25kg of Sorienta, which has a dense growth pattern; and 4kg of Astonenergy, plus 0.625kg of Barblanca clover and 0.625kg of Crusader clover. The modern trend is to include only three varieties of ryegrass in a mix.
The Dairygold number two mix is designed for areas that will normally be cut twice for silage. It includes 4kg of Abermajic, 3kg of Solomon, and 4kg of Trend or Glencar. The number three mix is designed for intensive, early grazing, and the number four mix is for wet land, and contains some Timothy.
Most suppliers will make up mixes on request, but this incurs extra expense and is not worthwhile. Generally, grazing and one-cut silage swards should include at least 1kg of clover seed.
The full list of recommended varieties is available in Teagasc offices.
Only varieties from the Department of Agriculture or NI-recommended lists should be used. Varieties are divided into early, intermediate and late, on the basis of heading dates.
It is easier to maintain high digestibility with late varieties throughout the grazing season. In recent years, most farmers have been using late varieties in intensive-grazing areas. However, where an early crop of silage may be required, it is probably best to use one early-growing, medium variety and two late ones. The newer, late varieties have very good spring growth and are classed as late-only because of their heading dates. There is very little difference between the top varieties within each category.
In addition to variety trials by the Department of Agriculture, Moorepark researcher, Michael O’Donovan, and colleagues are testing the digestibility and other aspects of varieties, and are finding some significant differences, which may not be showing up in the official list. This work should result in some useful information after a few years.
Every year, there are a few varieties being added to the official list, and a few being dropped out.
