GRASS AND FORAGE CROPS HANDBOOK - Limagrain UK
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GRASS AND FORAGE CROPS HANDBOOK
1
INDEX
2-3 SEED QUALITY
SINCLAIR MCGILL
SINCLAIR MCGILL
INTRODUCTION 4-7 FORAGE QUALITY & ANIMAL NUTRITION
8-9 MIXTURE SELECTION CHART
10-15 SHORT TERM MIXTURES
Welcome to the latest Sinclair McGill Handbook. 16-23 MEDIUM TERM MIXTURES
Sinclair McGill’s roots can be traced back over 24-29 LONG TERM MIXTURES
170 years. Through this time our philosophy
has remained simple and steadfast - to ensure 30-31 PASTURE RENOVATION
Sinclair McGill offers the best quality products,
backed up with the highest levels of expertise. 32-35 ORGANIC GRASS AND CLOVER
Remaining true to this philosophy ensures that our
customers can be confident that they’re buying the 36-37 OTHER KEY CROPS
best.
38-39 MULTISPECIES MIXTURES
This Sinclair McGill Handbook is packed full of
information to help you make the right choice for your
40 CATCH CROPS
farming enterprise. Whether you’re feeding dairy,
41 STUBBLE TURNIPS
beef or sheep, producing feedstock for an anaerobic
OTHER FORAGE CROPS
digester, or looking for alternative break crop in an 42 FORAGE RAPE/HYBRIDS
arable rotation, we have something that will fit your 43 FODDER MIXTURES
every need. 44 FULL SEASON CROPS
45 FODDER BEET
The Sinclair McGill team are truly passionate about
46 KALE
grass and forage crops. Taking the best modern
47 SWEDE
varieties and using expertise built up over decades, to
formulate mixtures that will perform best in any given 48 MAINCROP TURNIP
scenario. 49 FORAGE PEAS
50-51 EQUIPADDOCK EQUESTRIAN MIXTURES
Mixtures are tested at our innovation site to ensure
they meet our requirements for yield, forage quality
and agronomic strengths, such as; disease resistance, 52-53 AMENITY GRASS MIXTURES
ground cover and persistence.
Our seed meets the very best germination and purity 54 WHY RESEED, BENEFITS AND VALUE OF RESEEDING
TECHNICAL HANDBOOK
standards, and seed treatments are included where 55 GRASS HEALTH CHECK
relevant, to help aid fast and successful establishment. 56 HOW TO ESTABLISH A NEW GRASS LEY
All this attention to detail means that when buying 57 HEADSTART GOLD
a Sinclair McGill product, you really are getting 58 USING GRASS TO INCREASE SOIL ORGANIC MATTER
“Performance you can rely on.” 59 USING GRASS TO HELP MANAGE BLACKGRASS
60-67 GRASSLAND PESTS, WEEDS AND DISEASES
Whether you’re looking to improve production
from home-grown forage, capitalise on a market 68-69 KEY SPECIES FOR PRODUCTIVE GRASSLAND
by growing a catch/cash crop, or build long-term John Spence 70 SOWING RATES
resilience and sustainability into your enterprise, Forage Crops
there’s information in this handbook that will help you. Product Manager 71-73 DISTRIBUTORS & STOCKISTS
2 3
SINCLAIR MCGILL QUALITY
SINCLAIR MCGILL QUALITY
POSSIBLE WEED CONTENT IN AN OFFICIAL
SEED QUALITY SAMPLE OF PERENNIAL RYEGRASS (60gm of seed)
Weed UK Standard Higher Voluntary Sinclair McGill
Standard Target
Docks* 5 5 Less than 1
Couch* 120 10 Less than 1
Blackgrass* 100 10 Less than 1
* Note: There is no UK Standard or test for blackgrass or couch in 60gm so the
figures quoted are an estimate based on our laboratory experience.
POSSIBLE INERT MATERIAL IN
10 ACRES OF PERENNIAL RYEGRASS
LESS WEED SEEDS AND MORE LIVE SEEDS IN EVERY BAG! Inert Material UK Standard Higher Voluntary
Standard
Sinclair McGill
When it comes to grass seed quality, our no-compromise approach is Dead Seed 30 kilos 30 kilos 7 kilos*
simple - we aim to deliver less weed seeds and more live seeds than any
other company. By specifying the Sinclair McGill brand, you really can
make a significant difference to the performance of your new ley mixture. Impurities 6 kilos 3 kilos 1 kilo*
* Note: Based on the laboratory analysis of our own contract crops and
THE CORNERSTONE OF A SUCCESSFUL LEY IS A TOP QUALITY SEED 10 acres being equivalent to 150 kilos of seed.
MIXTURE FROM THE SINCLAIR MCGILL RANGE
GERMINATION STANDARDS PURITY STANDARDS
Species UK Standard Higher Voluntary Sinclair McGill Target Species UK Standard Higher Voluntary Sinclair McGill
Standard Standard
Perennial Ryegrass 80% 80% 90%+ Perennial Ryegrass 96% 98% 98% +
Italian Ryegrass 75% 75% 85%+ Italian Ryegrass 96% 98% 98% +
Hybrid Ryegrass 75% 75% 85%+ Hybrid Ryegrass 96% 98% 98% +
4 5
Forage quality – from field to ration LG Animal Nutrition – a boost for efficiency
SINCLAIR MCGILL QUALITY
SINCLAIR MCGILL QUALITY
The use of near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) has enabled us to evaluate the nutritional attributes
of our grass varieties.
LG Animal Nutrition – or LGAN – is a
We have used this information to formulate the Sinclair McGill portfolio of grass mixtures.
stamp of approval given to carefully
selected grass mixtures, which can deliver LGAN accredited mixtures have been formulated to provide a careful balance of sugars (WSC)
a proven combination of nutritional and with digestible fibres (DNDF), protein, energy, and D value. These nutritionally enhanced mixtures
agronomic qualities. offer farmers and growers increased efficiency.
LG Animal Nutrition - the proof Research and field trials have shown that these products also excel in agronomic traits such as
yield, ground cover, winter hardiness, disease resistance and in palatability.
The agronomic and feed values attributed
to LG Animal Nutrition varieties and Even Sinclair McGill mixtures without the LGAN accreditation have been tweaked to improve their
mixtures are supported by independent feed value based on our improved knowledge. These mixtures typically offer important agronomic
trials at national research institutes. qualities, such as persistency in long-term leys that takes precedence over LGAN accreditation
criteria.
The Schothorst Research Institute in the
Netherlands compared the performance
of a group of cows fed a diet based on a
high quality LGAN mixture with a control
group fed on a diet based on a dual-
purpose grass mixture.
Cows on the LGAN grass-based diet
averaged 1.4 litres of milk per cow more
than the control group. Based on a milk
price of 30ppl, this additional 427 litres
is worth £128 a cow during a 305-day
lactation, as shown below.
Feeding trials comparing
grass mixtures in dairy diets
LG ANIMAL
NUTRITION
CONTROL BENEFITS
MIXTURE MIXTURE
• IMPROVEMENT IN
Feed Efficiency 1.30 1.24 FEED EFFICIENCY
(milk/kg feed) OF 5%
Milk Yield 29.9 28.5
(litres/day/cow) • MILK YIELD
INCREASE OF 5%
Additional milk 427
yield in 305 days • ADDITIONAL
(litres) INCOME
Milk value £128.10 (£128 @ 30PPL)
(based on 30ppl)
Schothorst Research Institute feed trials 2013
6 7
forage quality TRIALS
SINCLAIR MCGILL QUALITY
SINCLAIR MCGILL QUALITY
Not only do we measure the Sinclair McGill Mixture Trials
forage quality of individual
At our Innovation site in Lincolnshire
grass varieties, but we also test
we continue to test both varieties and
our mixtures to ensure that the
mixtures every year. Mixture trials are
balance of characteristics we
fully replicated and managed under
aim for are carried through to either conservation or grazing regimes
the field. that closely follow NIAB trial protocols.
The first independent forage What makes the trials unique is that
mixture trials to demonstrate we measure the forage quality, as well
the LGAN principal were carried as dry matter yield of every mixture
out in 2014 and 2015 at NIAB at every cut rather than just in the
TAG in Dartington, Devon. LGAN spring when quality is usually at its
grass mixtures were trialled under best. This gives us a better insight into
conservation and simulated grazing the mixture’s performance all the way
regimes and compared with a through the growing season.
control mixture consisting of non-
LGAN Recommended List varieties. Sinclair McGill mixtures consistently
outperform control or competitor
The results below show the huge mixtures and are particularly strong
difference between the energy when it comes to forage quality.
yield of different grass mixtures.
The LGAN mixture TURBO
produced an additional 23,518
Sinclair McGill Forage Quality
• 17% HIGHER ENERGY YIELD
MJ/Ha. This is equivalent to an
additional 4,437 litres of milk • MORE SUGAR AND DIGESTIBLE FIBRE
worth £1,331/Ha, at a milk price • AN EXTRA £1,331 PER HA
of 30 pence per litre.
The chart (right), shows 82.00
the average digestible fibre
81.80
(dNDF) content and sugar TURBO
(WSC) content of the LGAN 81.60
Digestible Fibre (% dNDF)
mixtures TURBO, PROSPER PROSPER
and POLYCROP compared to a 81.40
2014/15 CONTROL TURBO TURBO BENEFIT, COMPARED
competitor control mixture.
MEAN RESULTS MIX MIXTURE TO CONTROL MIX 81.20
TURBO and PROSPER both have POLYCROP
dNDF levels over 1% higher 81.00
Dry Matter Yield (T/Ha) 9.81 11.46 +1.65
than the control. Small changes
80.80
in digestible fibre levels can
Energy Content ME (MJ/Ha) 13.7 13.8 +0.1 have a big impact. An increase 80.60
of 1% dNDF has been shown to CONTROL
Energy Yield (MJ/Ha) 134,508 158,026 +23,518 increase milk yield by 0.25kg per 80.40
day and intakes by 0.17kg per 17.00 17.20 17.40 17.60 17.80 18.00 18.20 18.40 18.60 18.80 19.00
day (Oba and Allen, 1999). Sugars (% WSC)
Source: Limagrain Trials 2014-2016
8 9
grass MIXTURE SELECTION CHART
grass MIXTURE SELECTION CHART
grass MIXTURE SELECTION CHART
Long Term 8-12 years PREDOMINANTLY GRAZING DUAL PURPOSE MAINLY CUTTING
CASTLEHILL® Page 24 & 25
Short Term 1-4 years PREDOMINANTLY GRAZING DUAL PURPOSE MAINLY CUTTING LAMBHILL Page 26
COLOSSAL® SILAGE Page 10 CASTLEPARK Page 27
COLOSSAL® RED Page 11 EMERALD HILL Page 28
SCIMITAR® Page 12 MEADOW MIXTURE Page 29
ADMIRAL’S CHOICE Page 13
POLYCROP® Page 14
EARLY START Page 15 Multi Species Mixtures/
Herbal Leys PREDOMINANTLY GRAZING DUAL PURPOSE MAINLY CUTTING
CASTLEHERB Page 35
LAMBTASTIC Page 35
Medium Term 4-8 years PREDOMINANTLY GRAZING DUAL PURPOSE MAINLY CUTTING
TURBO® Page 16
SCOTSWARD® Page 17 Pasture Renovation Mixtures PREDOMINANTLY GRAZING DUAL PURPOSE MAINLY CUTTING
PROSPER® Pages 18 & 19 PASTURE RENOVATION Page 30
SHORT TERM MIXTURE
EXTRA LAMB Page 20
PASTURE RENOVATION Page 31
PROGRESS® Page 21 LONG TERM MIXTURE
PASTURE RENOVATION
MATRIX 40 ENHANCED® Page 22 & 23 Page 31
LONG TERM MIXTURE
RYEGRASS
(WITHOUT CLOVER)
CLOVERPLUS Page 31
10 11
SHORT TERM GRASS MIXTURES
SHORT TERM GRASS MIXTURES
SHORT TERM MIXTURES
COLOSSAL® SILAGE: This mixture is COLOSSAL® RED: This mixture is
treated with Mainly Cutting treated with
Mainly Cutting
■ Highest yielding mix in our portfolio LG ANIMAL NUTRITION PERFORMANCE ■ Protein rich 3 year ley LG ANIMAL NUTRITION PERFORMANCE
■ Close ‘D’ Value cutting dates make ■ A powerful combination of high
this a very easy mixture to manage Dry Matter Yield (t/Ha) yielding Tetraploid Hybrid Ryegrasses Dry Matter Yield (t/Ha)
and our Red Admiral Red Clover blend
■ The high sugars and high fibres
ME (MJ/Kg) ■ In a 3 year farm scale trial in Devon, ME (MJ/Kg)
stimulate rumen activity and maximise
conversion to milk Red Admiral blend gave consistently
Protein (%) higher yields over all cuts in all 3 Protein (%)
■ COLOSSAL SILAGE outyields Perennial years, than single varieties
Ryegrass based leys in the autumn Sugar (WSC%)
■ Predominantly a cutting mixture but it Sugar (WSC%)
■ Includes the new generation of Italian can also be grazed by lambs and ewes
Ryegrass varieties, with improved DNDF Yield (t/Ha) in the late summer DNDF Yield (t/Ha)
digestibility
Suggested seed rate:
ME Yield (MJ/Ha)
Suggested seed rate: 10-12kg/acre (25-30kg/ha) ME Yield (MJ/Ha)
10-12kg/acre (25-30kg/ha)
Guide cutting height:
Guide cutting height: 66% ITALIAN RYEGRASS 10cm (4 inches)
10cm (4 inches)
30% RED CLOVER BLEND
17% HYBRID RYEGRASS (TET)
70% HYBRID RYEGRASS (TET)
17% ITALIAN RYEGRASS (TET)
12 13
SHORT TERM GRASS MIXTURES
SHORT TERM GRASS MIXTURES
SCIMITAR®: This mixture is ADMIRAL’S CHOICE: This mixture is
treated with Mainly Cutting treated with
Mainly Cutting
■ High yields over 2-3 years ■ Formulated to produce high yields of Suggested seed rate:
protein rich silage 10-12kg/acre (25-30kg/ha)
■ Contains Italian Ryegrass/Tall Fescue
type Festulolium which gives increased 36% FESTULOLIUM ■ Slightly later than Colossal® Red Guide cutting height:
stress tolerance 10cm (4 inches)
■ High sugars to complement the
■ Good forage quality and high in sugars 36% HYBRID RYEGRASS (TET) protein in the clover
■ Higher yields than conventional Italian ■ Late Tetraploid Perennial Ryegrasses
and Hybrid based mixtures with more 14% MID SEASON PERENNIAL RYEGRASS are more persistent than Hybrid
leafy regrowth Ryegrasses, matching the better
persistency of some of the newer Red
■ Scimitar® gives best results with Clover varieties such as Maro
7% MID SEASON PERENNIAL RYEGRASS (TET)
liberal applications of nitrogen
■ Red Admiral blend contains both 70% LATE PERENNIAL RYEGRASS (TET)
Suggested seed rate: early and later flowering Red Clovers,
13-18kg/acre (32-45kg/ha) 7% LATE PERENNIAL RYEGRASS (TET)
Diploid and larger leafed Tetraploid
varieties for more even yields over 3 30% RED CLOVER BLEND
Guide cutting height:
10cm (4 inches) or more cuts and better persistency
14 15
SHORT TERM GRASS MIXTURES
SHORT TERM GRASS MIXTURES
POLYCROP®: This mixture is
treated with
Dual Purpose
EARLY START: This mixture is
treated with
Mainly Grazing
■ High sugar mixture Suggested seed rate:
13-18kg/acre (32-45kg/ha)
■ High Tetraploid content (80%) makes
Polycrop® very palatable and extremely Guide to first cut: 20th May (70D) ■ 3-4 year ley with exceptionally
productive 26-31st May (67D) early spring growth for spring lamb
production 14% ITALIAN RYEGRASS
■ Expect improved liveweight gain in Guide cutting height: 10cm (4 inches)
beef and lambs ■ Also suitable for early turnout with
cattle or dairy cows 20% HYBRID RYEGRASS (TET)
■ Multiple cutting potential with
excellent aftermath grazing ■ After spring grazing, the ley can be
47% HYBRID RYEGRASS (TET)
20% EARLY PERENNIAL RYEGRASS
closed up for a late silage or hay crop
■ True dual purpose mixture with a
productive lifespan of at least 3 years ■ Early Start is the ideal complement
13% MID SEASON PERENNIAL RYEGRASS
to Lambhill for lowest cost lamb 10% MID SEASON PERENNIAL RYEGRASS
■ Includes Late Tetraploid Ryegrasses production
to enhance grazing potential
10% MID SEASON PERENNIAL RYEGRASS (TET)
17% MID SEASON PERENNIAL RYEGRASS (TET)
■ Also available with White Clover Suggested seed rate:
13-18kg/acre (32-45kg/ha)
7% LATE PERENNIAL RYEGRASS
14% LATE PERENNIAL RYEGRASS
Guide to first cut:
20th May (70D) 26-31st May (67D)
23% LATE PERENNIAL RYEGRASS (TET)
5% WHITE CLOVER
Guide cutting height:
10cm (4 inches)
16 17
MEDIUM TERM grass MIXTURES
MEDIUM TERM grass MIXTURES
MEDIUM TERM MIXTURES
This mixture is
TURBO®: Mainly Grazing treated with
■ New formulation using to LG ANIMAL NUTRITION PERFORMANCE
optimise production of milk and meat DM Yield (t/Ha)
■ Fast growing grazing mixture with ME (MJ/Kg)
SCOTSWARD®: This mixture is
potential for one cut of top quality Protein (%) treated with
silage Mainly Cutting with Quality Grazing
Sugar (WSC%)
■ Tweed White Clover Blend fixes dNDF Yield (t/Ha) ■ A later heading mixture capable of
atmospheric nitrogen and provides
ME Yield (MJ/Ha) producing high ME silage
minerals and protein
19% MID SEASON PERENNIAL RYEGRASS
■ Particularly well adapted to the
■ Grazing TURBO® can reduce costs of
harsher climates of Scotland &
milk production 7% MID SEASON PERENNIAL RYEGRASS
Northern Ireland 11% MID SEASON PERENNIAL RYEGRASS (TET)
■ Suitable for both paddock grazing
■ Two or more cuts of high quality
systems and set stocking 17% MID SEASON PERENNIAL RYEGRASS (TET)
silage plus aftermath grazing 23% LATE PERENNIAL RYEGRASS
Suggested seed rate:
■ The inclusion of Timothy enables
13-18kg/acre (32-45kg/ha) 22% LATE PERENNIAL RYEGRASS Scotsward to stand up to the mower
30% LATE PERENNIAL RYEGRASS (TET)
Guide to first cut: 20th May (70D)
■ White Clover contributes to quality
26-31st May (67D)
41% LATE PERENNIAL RYEGRASS (TET) aftermath grazing
12% TIMOTHY
Guide cutting height: 10cm (4 inches)
Suggested seed rate:
7% MATRIX ENHANCED® RYEGRASS 13-16kg/acre (32-40 kg/ha)
5% WHITE CLOVER BLEND
Guide cutting height:
6% WHITE CLOVER BLEND 7.5cm (3 inches)18 19
MEDIUM TERM grass MIXTURES
MEDIUM TERM grass MIXTURES
PROSPER®: This mixture is
treated with
Dual Purpose | England & Wales
■ Balanced nutritional formulation to
produce more milk and meat
17% MID SEASON PERENNIAL RYEGRASS
■ Two cuts of top quality silage plus PROSPER®: This mixture is
palatable grazing treated with
Dual Purpose | Scotland & N Ireland
41% MID SEASON PERENNIAL RYEGRASS (TET)
■ The perfect mixture for beef and dairy units
Suggested seed rate: ■ Potential to reduce silage making
13-16kg/acre (32-40kg/ha) 16% LATE PERENNIAL RYEGRASS costs by £20 per tonne of dry matter
17% MID SEASON PERENNIAL RYEGRASS
Guide cutting height: 7.5cm (3 inches) ■ Production is concentrated on
21% LATE PERENNIAL RYEGRASS (TET) intermediate heading varieties to
LG ANIMAL NUTRITION PERFORMANCE produce the highest forage quality 38% MID SEASON PERENNIAL RYEGRASS (TET)
5% WHITE CLOVER BLEND ■ Includes Timothy for early bite and
DM Yield (t/Ha) improved mid-summer grazing 13% LATE PERENNIAL RYEGRASS
ME (MJ/Kg)
Suggested seed rate: 20% LATE PERENNIAL RYEGRASS (TET)
13-16kg/acre (32-40kg/ha)
Protein (%)
Guide cutting height: 7% TIMOTHY
Sugar (WSC%) 7.5cm (3 inches)
5% WHITE CLOVER BLEND
dNDF Yield (t/Ha)
ME Yield (MJ/Ha)20 21
MEDIUM TERM grass MIXTURES
MEDIUM TERM grass MIXTURES
Jeremy West, a client of Bodle Bros, Sussex uses Extra
Lamb mixture, he says: ‘We get early grass growth from the
Extra Lamb with plenty for ewes and lambs in the spring - and
it’s persistent – it keeps growing through spring and summer.’
This mixture is
EXTRA LAMB: Dual Purpose treated with
This mixture is
PROGRESS®: Dual Purpose treated with
■ Ideally suited to intensive sheep
enterprises
■ Combines early spring growth for 13% MID SEASON PERENNIAL RYEGRASS ■ Versatile and dependable dual purpose
lambing outside mixture for all classes of livestock
20% EARLY PERENNIAL RYEGRASS
■ Very persistent under close grazing 30% MID SEASON PERENNIAL RYEGRASS (TET) ■ Excellent spring growth for early turnout
■ Cheviot White Clover blend has been ■ A fail-safe mixture which is also highly
9% MID SEASON PERENNIAL RYEGRASS
specially developed for sheep and 40% LATE PERENNIAL RYEGRASS suitable for extensive systems
lambs and has been proven to increase ■ Produces a succession of fresh
liveweight gain herbage for palatable grazing, silage 19% MID SEASON PERENNIAL RYEGRASS (TET)
10% TIMOTHY
■ Rich in protein, minerals and trace or quality hay
elements essential for healthy livestock ■ If you require a source of herbage 21% LATE PERENNIAL RYEGRASS
7% WHITE CLOVER BLEND
■ Extra Lamb can be closed off for a high from early spring until late autumn,
yielding cut of quality silage, if desired this is the mixture for you
20% LATE PERENNIAL RYEGRASS (TET)
Suggested seed rate: Suggested seed rate: 6% TIMOTHY
13-17kg/acre 13-16kg/acre
(32-42kg/ha) (32-40kg/ha)
5% WHITE CLOVER BLEND22 23
MEDIUM TERM GRASS MIXTURES
MEDIUM TERM grass MIXTURES
MEDIUM TERM grass MIXTURES
Matrix shown here on the left showing
superior spring growth, adjacent to a
conventional perennial ryegrass.
What is Matrix Enhanced Ryegrass?
®
Matrix was developed by Cropmark® Matrix was bred as a high quality grazing grass
in New Zealand and it is a complex with an extended grazing season and very rapid
inter-generic hybrid consisting of 80% regrowth. This makes it especially suited to paddock
diploid pasture Perennial Ryegrass and management or rotational grazing systems, but it
20% Meadow Fescue. can also be used for set stocking.
GRAZING MANAGEMENT MATRIX 40 ENHANCED® This mixture is
treated with
RYEGRASS MIXTURE
Benefits of Matrix Enhanced Ryegrass
® Mixtures are more easily managed on a paddock
grazing system as pioneered in New Zealand, where
Matrix was developed. When the Matrix in the ■ High yielding grazing mixture designed
■ Grows at lower temperatures than mixture has 3 true leaves per tiller, it is ready for for rotational grazing
Ryegrass, giving up to 3 weeks extra grazing. At this point, it is likely to yield between 40% MATRIX ENHANCED® RYEGRASS
■ Very fast regrowth between grazings
growth in the spring! 2500 to 2800 kg DM/ha. After grazing, the residual
grass should be 1400 to 1600 kg DM/ha for cattle ■ Continues growing at lower 35% LATE PERENNIAL RYEGRASS (TET)
■ Matrix also grows much later in the autumn and 1000 to 1200 kg DM/ha for sheep. If grass gets temperatures extending the
than Ryegrass, giving up to another 3 beyond the 3 leaf stage prior to grazing, quality will grazing season
weeks extra grazing! drop and regrowth will be slower. If you are using a 15% LATE PERENNIAL RYEGRASS
rising plate meter, you will need to make allowances ■ Excellent sward density
■ Very rapid regrowth, particularly when
defoliated at the 3 leaves per tiller stage for the improved density of a Matrix based mixture. ■ High (10%) White Clover content helps
10% WHITE CLOVER BLEND
On a typical New Zealand system, every paddock will to feed the grass with clover nitrogen
■ Very dense fine-leaved sward resists
be grazed 10 to 12 times a year. and increases the protein and mineral
poaching and treading
content of the sward
■ Complex genetic make-up enhances forage
quality and digestibility. For best results,
graze when there are 3 true leaves per tiller24 25
LONG TERM grass MIXTURES
LONG TERM grass MIXTURES
LONG TERM MIXTURES
CASTLEHILL®: This mixture is
treated with
Dual purpose | England & Wales
CASTLEHILL®: This mixture is
treated with
Castlehill® is the long term ley with rock
Dual purpose | Scotland & N Ireland
solid performance.
12% MID SEASON PERENNIAL RYEGRASS ■ Proven high performance on farms from
■ Suitable for most soil types and
the Orkneys, to the borders
climates
12% MID SEASON PERENNIAL RYEGRASS
23% MID SEASON PERENNIAL RYEGRASS (TET) ■ Palatable grazing, silage and hay for all
■ Excellent feed for all classes of
classes of livestock
livestock
■ Winter-hardy and persistent with good 20% MID SEASON PERENNIAL RYEGRASS (TET)
■ Superb disease resistance 20% LATE PERENNIAL RYEGRASS
longevity
■ Delivers the performance of a 20% LATE PERENNIAL RYEGRASS
■ Offers a seriously significant return on
medium term ley, combined with the 29% LATE PERENNIAL RYEGRASS (TET)
your investment
persistency of a long term ley
■ A failsafe mixture 22% LATE PERENNIAL RYEGRASS (TET)
■ Reliable top quality grazing and 11% TIMOTHY
cutting Suggested seed rate:
13-18 kg/acre (33-45 kg/ha) 5% MEADOW FESCUE
■ Invest in Castlehill® for the ultimate 5% WHITE CLOVER BLEND
long term productivity mixture Guide cutting height: 7.5cm (3 inches)
Suggested seed rate: 16% TIMOTHY
13-18 kg/acre (33-45 kg/ha)
Guide cutting height: 7.5cm (3 inches) 5% WHITE CLOVER BLEND26 27
LONG TERM grass MIXTURES
LONG TERM grass MIXTURES
CASTLEPARK: This mixture is
treated with
Dual Purpose
LAMBHILL: This mixture is
treated with ■ Dual purpose mixture for drought prone
Mainly Grazing areas 7.5% MID SEASON PERENNIAL RYEGRASS
■ Formulated for harsh environments ■ Excellent early bite followed by reliable
and marginal land 16% EARLY PERENNIAL RYEGRASS production throughout the season
9% MID SEASON PERENNIAL RYEGRASS (TET)
■ Suitable for upland reseeds and bogs ■ Includes TWEED White Clover blend to
fix ‘free’ nitrogen and provide nutritional
■ Excellent long term sheep grazing 28% LATE PERENNIAL RYEGRASS 10% LATE PERENNIAL RYEGRASS
benefits to stock
mixture
■ Now includes Tall Fescue which is
■ Lambhill is perfectly suited to 22% LATE PERENNIAL RYEGRASS (TET) 27% LATE PERENNIAL RYEGRASS (TET)
widely used in Northern Europe for its
extensive farming systems and all tolerance to drought and heat
classes of livestock
7.5% CREEPING RED FESCUE N.B: Castlepark should be grazed hard to 16% TALL FESCUE
■ Despite the name, Lambhill is also prevent Cocksfoot from forming clumps
suitable for both beef cattle and
dairy cows! 5% MEADOW FESCUE Suggested seed rate: 5% MEADOW FESCUE
13-18 kg/acre (33-45 kg/ha)
Suggested seed rate:
13-18 kg/acre (33-45 kg/ha) 13% TIMOTHY Guide cutting height: 10% TIMOTHY
10cm (4 inches)
3% ALSIKE CLOVER 8.5% COCKSFOOT
5.5% WHITE CLOVER BLEND 7% WHITE CLOVER BLEND28 29
LONG TERM grass MIXTURES
LONG TERM grass MIXTURES
MEADOW MIXTURE:
Specialist Mixture
■ A traditional mixture without ryegrass
for farmers wishing to recreate the 45% MEADOW FESCUE
meadows of the past.
■ Meadow mixture is well suited to low
10% ROUGH STALKED MEADOWGRASS
fertility situations, flood meadows and
conservation areas.
■ Mixed herbs or chicory can be supplied 7.5% SMOOTH-STALKED MEADOWGRASS
separately for mixing in the drill, to
EMERALD HILL: This mixture is enhance the nutritional benefits of the
7.5% CREEPING RED FESCUE
treated with sward.
Mainly Grazing
Sowing rate:
12.5kg/acre (31kg/ha) 17% TIMOTHY
■ Developed specifically for Ireland
Packed in 25kg LG bags
■ A later heading mixture for stem free
12% MID SEASON PERENNIAL RYEGRASS
Seed is natural & untreated. 2% CRESTED DOG’S TAIL
production for much of the season
■ Very dense sward for maximum
resistance to poaching and treading 15% MID SEASON PERENNIAL RYEGRASS (TET) 0.5% MEADOW FOXTAIL
■ Easy to manage and reliable mixture
48% LATE PERENNIAL RYEGRASS 2.5% BIRD’S FOOT TREFOIL
■ Suits both extensive and intensive
livestock systems
19% LATE PERENNIAL RYEGRASS (TET) 2% ALSIKE CLOVER
Suggested seed rate:
13-18 kg/acre (33-45 kg/ha)
6% WHITE CLOVER BLEND 6% WHITE CLOVER30 31
PASTURE RENOVATION: This mixture is
treated with
Long Term
PASTURE RENOVATION
PASTURE RENOVATION
■ A longer term solution to pasture
renovation 58% MID SEASON PERENNIAL RYEGRASS (TET)
■ White Clover will fix free nitrogen to
feed your ley and provide nutritional 35% LATE PERENNIAL RYEGRASS (TET)
benefits to your livestock
■ All the grasses are larger seeded 7% WHITE CLOVER BLEND
Tetraploids which compete better in
the existing swards and improve both
yields and forage quality
PASTURE RENOVATION
PASTURE RENOVATION: This mixture is
treated with
Long Term without Clover
PASTURE RENOVATION: This mixture is
treated with
Short Term ■ This mixture is the same as the above
but excludes clover on the assumption 60% MID SEASON PERENNIAL RYEGRASS (TET)
that there is sufficient clover in the
■ This mixture will really “pep up” your
existing sward
pasture and give it a new lease of life 19% ITALIAN RYEGRASS
40% LATE PERENNIAL RYEGRASS (TET)
■ Best cut for silage or hay but will also
give useful aftermath grazing 31% ITALIAN RYEGRASS (TET)
■ Designed to perform for 12-18
months after sowing 50% HYBRID RYEGRASS (TET)
CLOVERPLUS This mixture is
A blend of white clover varieties, coated in a pellet treated with
and treated with HEADSTART GOLD
■ Increased seed size and weight makes
equipment calibration easier and
distribution more even if broadcast
■ Increased weight ensures seed is able
to get down through the existing sward
to ensure good soil/seed contact
■ CLOVERPLUS is the perfect product
to add white clover into an existing
grass ley.32 33
organic grass & clover mixtures ORGANIC GRASS & CLOVER MIXTURES
ORGANIC GRASS & CLOVER MIXTURES
ORGANIC GRASS & CLOVER MIXTURES
This mixture range contains the requisite amount of organically produced seed to satisfy the
demands of the organic certification authorities. Further details are available on request.
Mixture 1 Mixture 3
SHORT TERM FERTILITY BUILDER CUTTING MIXTURE
A 2 year mixture for farmers converting to A medium term cutting mixture with high
organic or seeking a fertility building mixture yielding intermediate perennials and Timothy
which can also provide excellent yields of high for excellent spring growth. Late perennials
protein hay or silage. and high white clover content also help to give
good aftermath grazing.
Mixture 2
GRAZING MIXTURE Mixture 4
A long term grazing mixture with all late DUAL PURPOSE MIXTURE
heading perennial ryegrasses to ensure good A long term dual purpose mixture designed to
palatability through the season. A high white produce a succession of nutritious herbage all
clover content gives excellent digestibility and through the season for both cutting and grazing.
protein.
Please contact
us to find out
our full range
of Organic
forage crops.34 35
SMG TITLEgrass
Organic
SMG mixtures
Organic grass and clover TITLE ???
??? and clover mixtures
Why Grow White Clover? ■ High quality feed
■ High protein and digestibility
White clover is the most important forage
legume currently grown in the UK. Whether you ■ Rich in minerals
are milking dairy cows, finishing cattle or feeding ■ Increased voluntary intakes and animal performance
sheep, this flexible species has an important part
to play in the ley mixtures on your farm. ■ Good drought resistance and mid-season growth
White clover has the potential to improve the ■ Can fix over 160Kg/ha of nitrogen
quality of any leys cut and conserved as silage or ■ Reduced N fertiliser use
grazed in the field, whilst also fixing atmospheric
nitrogen - reducing fertiliser costs. ■ Improves soil structure Why Grow red Clover?
■ High yields of protein rich forage
Red clover offers the opportunity to reduce reliance
clover blend technology
■ Predominantly used for silage but can also
on purchased concentrate feeds, due to its big be grazed
yields of very high protein forage.
■ Much higher yielding than white clover
Sinclair McGill pioneered the development of clover blends in the 1980s in association with IBERS Sown straight or as part of a mixed grass/clover
(Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences). Certain principles were established sward, red clover can produce up to 4 cuts a ■ Reduces N fertiliser use
that are still valid today but the varieties we now use are far superior. year with quality aftermath grazing. Like other
■ Improves soil structure
leguminous plants, red clover also fixes atmospheric
White Clover Blends leaved varieties with excellent persistence to nitrogen, helping to bring down fertiliser costs. ■ Drought tolerant
CloverPlus® stand up to the rigours of intensive and close
This blend is for inclusion in ley mixtures designed grazing by sheep. As sheep are selective grazers
RED CLOVER BLENDS
for beef and dairy systems. It includes varieties it also includes some clover with large leaves
with a range of leaf sizes that can adapt to which act as a “decoy” during the establishment Sowing Information
grazing with cattle and cutting for silage. phase. Sowing rate
Pelleted CloverPlus is also available pelleted Tweed® Red Blend 5-6kg/acre (12.5-15kg/Ha) straight
and treated with Headstart Gold. See page A highly adaptable and persistent blend, for Red Admiral® 3kg/acre (7.5kg/Ha) as part of
31 (pasture renovation) for details. inclusion in long term mixtures. The range of leaf Red Admiral is a blend of diploid and tetraploid a grass/clover mix
sizes enables Tweed to adapt to suit all classes of red clover varieties with a range of flowering
Cheviot® livestock and most management systems. dates, that has been proven to deliver
A specialist blend primarily made up of very small consistently high yields for three harvest years.36 37
Why grow forage chicory?
OTHER KEY CROPS
OTHER KEY CROPS
■ Highly palatable Sowing Information
Sowing period Sowing Rate 1-4kg/acre
■ Summer production April to-August 2-6kg/acre (2.5-10kg/ha)
(5-15kg/ha) as part of a grass/
■ Drought tolerant
Straight chicory mix
■ Quick recovery after grazing
■ No bloat problems Grasslands Choice chicory
■ Grown on its own or mixed with a grass Grasslands Choice chicory is UK proven and has the
seed ley mixture ability to deliver high quality forage for finishing
lambs. Choice can also be mixed with Forage Plantain
■ Rich source of trace elements and minerals to help increase the copper and selenium content.
Why grow forage plantain?
■ Very palatable Sowing Information
Sowing period Sowing Rate 1-2kg/acre
■ Excellent source of calcium, sodium, copper April to mid- 3-4kg/acre (2.5-5kg/ha) as
& selenium August (8-10kg/ha) part of a grass/
■ Drought tolerant Straight plantain mix
Sowing Information
Why grow lucerne? Sowing period
April to mid-
Direct drill
20-30kg/ha
Broadcast ■ Positive impact on animal performance
25-30kg/ha
August (8-12kg/acre (10-12kg/acre) Tuatara
■ High protein forage Tuatara has a deep, coarse rooting system, giving it a degree of drought tolerance and is able to be
Yield & Feed Quality
persistent in a wide range of soil types. It is also highly palatable to stock. Tuatara has shown, in our UK
■ Drought tolerant Average dry Dry matter Digestibility trials, to have exceptional late spring growth and faster recovery after grazing.
matter yield 25-30% value
■ Four cuts per year possible 10-12 tonnes/ha 62-64%
Crude protein
■ 3-5 year potential Average 17-22% Metabolisable
■ Clamp, big bale or hay fresh yield energy Lamb Tonic
35-40 tonnes/ha 10-10.5 Mj/
■ Nitrogen benefit for subsequent crop kg DM 25% White Clover
15% Plantain Tonic
60% Chicory Choice
Mezzo Marshal 100% Sow at 4kg/acre (10kg/ha)
The top-rated variety in France with a dormancy This variety can produce very high dry matter
rating of 3.6 making it worth considering yields. It is well adapted to UK conditions and can
Lamb Tonic is a great way to combine the
for more northerly areas of the UK & Ireland be harvested for either silage or hay.
benefits of clover, plantain and chicory. Sown on
previously considered unsuitable for growing
Marshal has thinner stems and is therefore very its own in strips, or mixed with grass, this mixture
Lucerne.
palatable. will give 3 to 4 years of nutritious, leafy grazing.
Exceptionally fast growth rate and outstandingly
high yields of protein rich forage. High resistance
to all the main diseases and nematodes.38 39
CASTLEHERB: Multispecies Herbal Ley - Mainly Grazing
■ Scientifically formulated mixture containing 40%
MULTISPECIES MIXTURES - HERBAL LEYS
FORAGE HERBS AND MULTISPECIES MIXTURES
5% MEADOW FESCUE
grasses and 60% legumes and herbs
■ Four year ley, suitable for all classes of livestock 10% RED CLOVER
■ For lowest cost livestock production, improved
animal health coupled with huge benefits to the 5% WHITE CLOVER BLEND
soil and environment
5% ALSIKE CLOVER
■ Rich in minerals, protein and trace elements
■ Excellent tolerance of drought 4% BIRD’S-FOOT TREFOIL
Suggested seed rate:
11 -13kg/acre (27 – 32kg/ha) 10% FORAGE CHICORY
10% MATRIX ENHANCED® RYEGRASS 10% SAINFOIN
5% TIMOTHY 10% FORAGE PLANTAIN
15% LATE PERENNIAL RYEGRASS (TET) 4% SHEEP’S BURNET
5% TALL FESCUE 2% YARROW
This mixture is
LAMBTASTIC®: Mainly Grazing
MULTISPECIES MIXTURES - HERBAL LEYS treated with
Could this be the future for low cost, environmentally friendly and sustainable ■ This mixture is an adaptation of work
livestock production? done in New Zealand to exploit the 5% EARLY PERENNIAL RYEGRASS
lamb finishing attributes of deep rooting
Well formulated multi-species mixtures really represent a win-win solution for farmers wishing to Forage Chicory and Plantain, combined 10% MID SEASON PERENNIAL RYEGRASS
produce livestock on the lowest possible cost platform, as they also improve soil fertility and the with the well understood complementary
overall environment. properties of White Clover 22% MID SEASON PERENNIAL RYEGRASS (TET)
Multi-species advantages: ■ The inclusion of Matrix Enhanced®
Ryegrass, combined with Timothy and 22% LATE PERENNIAL RYEGRASS
■ Faster liveweight gain in beef and potential to finish lambs one week earlier than grass and clover Early Perennial Ryegrass, all ensure that
mixtures, and two weeks earlier than ryegrass only mixtures. the sward gets a sprint start in the spring, 8% TIMOTHY
making it ideal for early lambing
■ Improved voluntary intake in dairy cows and overall production can equal grass leys receiving 10% MATRIX ENHANCED® RYEGRASS
250kg of N/ha. ■ Lambtastic remains very productive
throughout the summer and well into 11% FORAGE CHICORY
■ Legumes fix atmospheric nitrogen and provide protein, trace elements and minerals. A good legume the autumn, and it can be utilised by all
content can reduce, or even eliminate the requirement for applied nitrogen. classes of livestock
5% FORAGE PLANTAIN
■ Deep rooting herbs draw up the minerals from the soil that are vital for animal health. Most herbs Suggested seed rate:
also exhibit high resistance to drought. At low nitrogen levels, weed ingress is reduced too. 11 -13kg/acre 7% WHITE CLOVER BLEND
■ Multi-species mixtures improve carbon sequestration and the ability of the soil to retain moisture. (27 – 32kg/ha)40 41
Other Forage Crops
Other Forage Crops
catch crops
Catch crops are ideal for maximising the use of your crop rotations, as they can produce ‘fast
food’ from a short growth cycle.
Crop Data Stubble Turnip Forage Rape & Hybrids Forage Rye Forage Peas
Sowing Date April - August May - August Sept - Oct March - late July
Sowing Rate (kg/ha) 4-6 6-8 185 125-150
Utilisation Period June - Dec July-Jan Feb - April Mid June - early Oct Sowing Information
Why grow stubble turnips?
Sowing period Direct drill Broadcast
Fresh Yield (tonnes/ha) 40-50 24-35 20-24 20-25
(1) May to June 4-5kg/ha 6-7kg/ha
% DM 8-9 12-13 25 20-25 (2) July to August (2kg/acre), (3kg/acre),
Total DM (tonnes/ha) 4.5-5 3.5-4.0 5-6 8-10 Natural seed Natural seed
■ Fast growing catch crop
Crude Protein % 17-18 19-20 11-12 18-20 Yield & Feed Quality
of the DM ■ Autumn or winter feed Average dry Dry matter Digestibility
D Value Bulb 80 Leaf 70 65% 67% 65% matter yield 8-9% value
■ Finishing lambs
4-5.5 tonnes/ha 68-70%
Metabolisable Energy 11 10-11 10 10 (silage) Crude protein
■ Summer buffer feed for dairy cows
MJ/kg DM Average 17-18% (mainly Metabolisable
■ Economical to grow fresh yield leaves) energy
40-50 tonnes/ha 11 MJ/kg DM
Grazed Conserved ■ Flexible sowing options
■ Helps reduce winter feed costs
Forage Rape and Samson Delilah
Stubble Turnip Forage Rye Forage Peas Samson can produce huge tankard shaped purple This cultivar has outperformed many existing
Hybrids
bulbs which are very palatable to both sheep and varieties in our trials for several years. Delilah is
Autumn/ cattle. ideal for finishing lambs and will produce huge,
Summer Autumn Winter
Winter white tankard shaped bulbs.
In trials, Samson has shown to be preferentially
grazed, which can lead to higher intake and Good resistance to mildew.
Skyfall Samson Unicorn Rampart Humbolt Magnus*
* also ideal for use in arable liveweight gains.
silage mixtures42 43
Other Forage Crops
Other Forage Crops
fodder mixtures
Sowing Information
Autumn Keep Late Lamb
Why grow forage rape/Hybrids?
Sowing period Direct drill Broadcast
May to end 6kg/ha (2.5kg/ 8kg/ha (4kg/ MIXTURE COMPOSITION MIXTURE COMPOSITION
August acre), Natural acre), Natural
seed seed Rampart Forage Rape 40% Interval Rape/Kale Hybrid 14%
■ Fast growing, leafy catch crop
Yield & Feed Quality Samson Stubble Turnip 20% Rondo Stubble Turnip 14%
■ High protein content Average dry Dry matter Digestibility
matter yield 12-13% value Rondo Stubble Turnip 30% Italian Ryegrass 72%
■ Longer lasting than stubble turnips
3.5-4 tonnes/ha 65% Kale 10% Total 100%
Crude protein
■ Winter hardy hybrids available
Average 19-20% Metabolisable Total 100%
■ Finishing lambs fresh yield energy
24-35 tonnes/ha 10-11 MJ/kg DM
■ Flexible sowing period
■ Very fast establishment for autumn use ■ Ideal for later use
■ Sheep, dairy or beef production
■ Good disease resistance to ensure quality ■ Winter hardy varieties
Interval Unicorn
■ Value autumn feed ■ Italian ryegrass improves crop density
When it comes to filling the gap in your winter A brand-new variety which can provide a highly
feed programme, Interval rape/kale hybrid can palatable forage for autumn and winter grazing. Sow at: Sow at:
really boost your profits. Interval’s exceptional 6kg/Ha (2.5kg/acre) 18.0kg/Ha (7kg/acre)
yield potential, disease resistance and palatability Unicorn has some re-growth potential providing
is ideal for finishing lambs or dairy cows. Interval the stems are not fully grazed, and with this Sowing Time: Sowing Time:
is very fast to establish, with some crops ready to additional growth, dry matter yields per hectare Summer/early Autumn Summer/Autumn
utilise within 12-14 weeks of sowing. can be boosted.44 45
Other Forage Crops
Other Forage Crops
Sowing Information
FULL SEASON crops Sowing period
Late March -
Direct drill
125,000
Seeds sold in
one acre packs
Why grow fodder beet? late April seeds/ha
50,000 seeds/
(50,000 seed
units)
These crops require a full season production cycle but can offer high yield potential. acre
■ Huge yields Yield & Feed Quality
Crop Data Kale Turnips Swede Fodder Beet Average dry Dry matter Digestibility
■ Ideal replacement for cereals
Sowing Date April-July Late May-early June Sept - Oct March - late July matter yield 15-23% value
■ High energy feed 15-18 tonnes/ha 78%
Sowing Rate (kg/ha) Nat. 2-4 Nat. 2-3 Nat. 3-4 100,000 seeds Crude protein
■ Clamp and store over winter Average 12-13% Metabolisable
Utilisation Period Sept-March Oct-Feb Oct-March Nov-April
fresh yield (mainly leaves) energy
Fresh Yield (tonnes/ha) 60-70 59-69 70-90 90-100 ■ Improved milk yields 80-100 12.5-13
% DM 14-16 8-10 10-13 15-22 ■ Palatable and nutritious tonnes/ha Mj/kg DM
Total DM (tonnes/ha) 8-10 5.50-6 7-10 15-18 ■ Can be grazed in situ for outwintering systems
Crude Protein % 16-17 15-17 10-11 12-13
of the DM Tarine Robbos
A new variety which has performed outstandingly Robbos has been a consistent performer in the
D Value 68% 80% 82% 78-80% in our trials. Tarine has unique, clean, pink roots, UK & Ireland.
Metabolisable Energy 10-11 11 12.8-13.1 12.5-13.0 with a slightly higher DM content % than other
MJ/kg DM varieties, which enables crops to be harvested High dry matter yields from a medium DM
later. Tarine is one of the new generation of content means Robbos is ideally suited for first
fodder beets, bred for maximum feed potential time fodder beet growers and its clean yellow
Grazed Conserved from every hectare. roots are easily harvested and can be fed whole
or chopped.
Rhizomania tolerance completes its outstanding
package. Blaze
Blaze has the potential to produce excellent dry
Kale Swede Maincrop Turnip Forage Beet Brick matter yields with very clean, bright red roots.
New, high yielding variety, ideal for growers Blaze is a medium dry matter variety which
looking to produce a high quality feed with a enables the roots to be fed whole or chopped.
Autumn use Winter use Autumn use Winter use Autumn/Winter Autumn lifting
higher DM content %. Brick is a true fodder beet Low dirt contamination ensures high intakes with
Sheep
and therefore exhibits cleaner roots, but will still no scouring.
Sheep & cattle Keeper Sheep & cattle Sheep Sheep & cattle Sheep & cattle deliver very high dry matter yields for maximum
feed potential. Rhizomania tolerant.
Beef & dairy
Grampian Bombardier Lomond Invitation Massif Robbos • Blaze • Tarine
Gowrie46 47
Other Forage Crops
Other Forage Crops
Sowing Information
Sowing period Direct drill Broadcast
Why grow kale? April - early July 4-5kg/ha 8kg/ha Sowing Information
(1-2kg/acre), (3kg/acre), Sowing period Direct drill Broadcast
Natural seed Natural seed April to June 3kg/ha 5kg/ha
■ Higher yields than rape/kale hybrids
Yield & Feed Quality Precision drill (1kg/acre) (2kg/acre),
■ Buffer feed for dairy cows during Average dry Dry matter Digestibility Natural seed Natural seed
350g-850g/ha
dry summers matter yield
8-10 tonnes/ha
14-16% value Why grow swede? (150g-350g/
70-75% acre) Grade H
■ Flexible utilisation period Crude protein
Average 16-17% fresh Metabolisable
■ Excellent crude protein content fresh yield ■ Excellent high energy winter feed Yield & Feed Quality
energy Average dry
60-70 tonnes/ha 10-11 MJ/kg DM Dry matter Digestibility
■ High yields and economical to grow ■ Low production costs matter yield 10-13% value
■ Outwintering systems ■ Finishing lambs or winter maintenance 7-10 tonnes/ha
Crude protein 82%
■ High dry matter yields Average 10-11% Metabolisable
Bombardier Grampian fresh yield
■ Cost effective (even where yields are only energy
A new variety with the potential to deliver high This is a variety bred in Scotland which will 70-90 tonnes/ha
moderate) 12.8-13.1
dry matter yields ideal for dairy, beef or lamb produce excellent autumn or winter feed for MJ/kg DM
production. both sheep and dairy cows. Grampian exhibits
very high dry matter yields combined with Gowrie
Bombardier will maximise the yield potential per some clubroot tolerance and can be used in Gowrie is a variety bred in Scotland and can be
hectare, but this variety has been enhanced to outwintering systems. utilised pre or post-Christmas. It can produce
ensure that the feed produced will be of a higher high dry matter yields and exhibits good tolerance
quality. Bombardier is also clubroot tolerant. Keeper to both clubroot and powdery mildew.
Keeper is very winter hardy and exhibits good Invitation
Caledonian lodging resistance. Lomond
Caledonian is the highest yielding kale in our trials. Invitation is a very uniform, clubroot tolerant
High, fresh and dry matter yields make this variety, ideal for utilisation after Christmas. It
It is clubroot tolerant, which now enables growers It is a medium/short type, ideal for finishing lambs variety ideal for finishing lambs post Christmas.
to continually sow kale on clubroot infected and providing high quality winter keep. It has low also has excellent tolerance to powdery mildew
Lomond has both powdery mildew and clubroot and will produce large leaves for extra grazing
sites. Caledonian’s huge yield makes it ideal for SMCO levels (anti-nutritional chemical). tolerance and trials show it suffers less from rots
utilisation by dairy and beef cattle. potential. Invitation is winter hardy and is suitable
and splits in its root. for sheep or cattle.48 49
Other Forage Crops
Other Forage Crops
Why grow forage peas? Sowing Information
Sowing period Direct drill Broadcast
March to early 1.25kg/ha 150kg/ha
■ Very high protein content (16-20%) June (50kg/acre) (60kg/acre)
■ Easy to harvest using forage machinery Yield & Feed Quality
■ Suitable for undersowing with new grass leys Average dry Dry matter Digestibility
matter yield 20-25% value
■ Impressive field performance 4-6 tonnes/ha 62-64%
Crude protein
■ Great for organic situations Average 16-20% Metabolisable
Sowing Information
fresh yield energy
Sowing period Direct drill Broadcast ■ Some nitrogen fixation to enhance soil and
Why grow maincrop turnip? June to July 5kg/ha
(2kg/acre),
7.5kg/ha
(3kg/acre),
next crop
20-30 tonnes/ha 10.5 MJ/kg DM
■ Excellent break crop
Natural seed Natural seed
■ Very high fresh yields
Yield & Feed Quality Magnus is a semi-leafless forage pea variety, which ensures the crop is self-supporting. This reduces
■ Autumn or winter feed Average dry Dry matter Digestibility the damaging effect of lodging often seen in traditional full-leaved varieties.
matter yield 9-10% value
■ Finishing lambs Magnus is very fast growing and can be harvested between 11-14 weeks after sowing. Because of its
5.5-6 tonnes/ha 68-70%
Crude protein growth habit (semi-leafless and open to the light), Magnus crops are ideally suited to undersowing with
■ Economical to grow
Average 17-18% Metabolisable a new grass ley.
■ Flexible sowing options fresh yield (mainly leaves) energy
50-60 tonnes/ha 10-11 Mj/kg DM Magnus is a true catch crop with tremendous flexibility and is UK proven.
■ Slower growth than stubble turnips
Prosile Arable Silage Mixture Sow at:
Massif Imperial Green Globe 50-60kg/acre (125-150kg/ha) undersown with grass.
A traditional yellow fleshed turnip that can be A white-fleshed turnip that can be sown from 60% Forage Pea
sown from May to August. Huge yields from a May to August. Useful dry matter yields from a 40% Spring Barley Sow at:
short growing period and a good alternative to short growing season. 100% 70-80kg/acre (175-200kg/ha) for best results.
swedes.50 51
OTHER FORAGE CROPS
OTHER FORAGE CROPS
equipaddock range
Horse Hay Herb Mixture
15% Timothy 35% Chicory
5% Cocksfoot 35% Plantain
Our popular range of equestrian mixtures continue to satisfy the demands of a diverse range 5% Meadow Fescue 25% Burnet
of requirements from horse hay to herbs. 75% Late Perennial Ryegrass 5% Yarrow
100% 100%
All our mixtures have been specifically formulated after extensive consultation with Equine Nutritionists. They
therefore avoid high sugar grasses, popular in agriculture, because they can increase the risk of Laminitis in horses ■ Specially developed for horses and ponies and
and induce “stroppy” temperaments in mares. ■ This mixture is designed to produce high quality includes a number of deep rooting and nutritious
horse hay with that special ‘nose’ that can only species, which provide a good source of minerals
come from a good Timothy content. and trace elements.
■ Provides useful grazing in the early spring and
Equipaddock Original Equipaddock Gold NEW! during late summer and autumn. In winter, it should
Available in 1kg packs
Sow at 250-500g/acre
only be grazed lightly if a good hay crop is desired.
15% Early Perennial Ryegrass 12.5% Timothy
30% Mid-season Perennial Ryegrass 30% Meadow Fescue
23% Late Perennial Ryegrass 25% Strong Creeping Red Fescue
12% Timothy 10% Sheeps Fescue
Haylage
4% Smooth Stalked Meadowgrass 5% Tall Fescue
16% Creeping Red Fescue 15% Smooth Stalked Meadow grass 8% Timothy SOWING RATES:
100% 2.5% Bentgrass 50% Italian Ryegrass For complete re-seeds we recommend
100% 22% Mid-season Perennial Ryegrass a sowing rate of 15-20kg per acre
■ Equipaddock Original is a flexible grazing or cutting 20% Hybrid Ryegrass
ley designed specifically for use by horses and 100%
and for overseeds or improvements;
ponies.
■ A high quality non-ryegrass long-term mix 10-15 kg per acre, depending on how
with high fibre and low sugar content to help much the sward has deteriorated.
■ A short term, high yielding mixture for the
■ Forms a very dense, rhizomatous sward suited to avoid dietary issues. production of quality haylage. Our seed is supplied in handy
hard grazing and is also capable of producing good 10kg packs
yields of high quality horse hay. ■ Very dense sward tolerates very close grazing ■ High in fibre and with a good inclusion rate of
and helps prevent pasture damage. Produces Timothy to give a good “nose.”
excellent quality hay.52 53
amenity grass mixtures
amenity grass mixtures
Action Replay Wicket Renovation
amenity grass mixtures 35%
25%
Cyrena Perennial Ryegrass
Melbourne Perennial Ryegrass
30% Nagano Perennial Ryegrass
40% Cyrena Perennial Ryegrass
20% Columbine Perennial Ryegrass 30% Nagano Perennial Ryegrass
20% Nagano Perennial Ryegrass 100%
100%
Suburban Formal This mixture contains a blend of fine-leaved, fast to
An excellent mixture to use when renovating winter germinate, quick recovering ryegrasses that have
25% Platinum Perennial Ryegrass 50% Heidrun Chewings Fescue
sports pitches and high wear areas. good wear tolerance.
30% Nagano Perennial Ryegrass 20% Smirna Slender Creeping Red Fescue
35% Corail Strong Creeping Red Fescue 25% Trophy Strong Creeping Red Fescue Action Replay will germinate and establish very Ideal for cricket square overseeding and end of the
10% Caldris Chewings Fescue 5% Highland Browntop Bent
quickly, producing a dense, hard-wearing sward. season renovation.
100% 100%
Sowing Rate 35-50g/m2 Sowing Rate 35-50g/m2
An excellent multipurpose lawn and landscape Produces an attractive, fine, dense sward for use Cutting Height 20mm Cutting Height 5mm
mixture that establishes quickly with high wear on non-ryegrass ornamental lawns and landscape
tolerance and good appearance. areas. The inclusion of rhizomatous grasses provides
resistance and strength to the sward. Greens
Sowing Rate 35g/m2
Cutting Height 20mm Sowing Rate 30-50g/m 2 40% Trophy Chewings Fescue
Cutting Height 15mm 40% Nikky Chewings Fescue
20% Highland Browntop Bent
100%
Prize Lawn Estate
30% Cyrena Perennial Ryegrass 15% Columbine Perennial Ryegrass A high quality traditional 80:20 greens mixture that
20% Nagano Perennial Ryegrass 20% Platinum Perennial Ryegrass produces a dense, fine-leaved, attractive sward
25% Caldris Chewings Fescue 20% Gladys Perennial Ryegrass with good colour throughout the year.
20% Smirna Slender Creeping Red Fescue 15% Tetramagic Tetraploid Perennial Ryegrass
5% Highland Browntop Bent 30% Corail Strong Creeping Red Fescue Sowing Rate 35g/m2
100% 100% Cutting Height 5mm
A high quality lawn and landscape mixture with An economical landscape ryegrass mixture that
ryegrass that produces a fine, dense sward with establishes quickly, giving rapid cover and good wear All our amenity mixtures are
good colour and wear tolerance. tolerance. Estate contains only true amenity cultivars. treated with HEADSTART® GOLD
Sowing Rate 35-50g/m2 Sowing Rate 35g/m2
and packed in 10kg or 20kg bags.
Cutting Height 13mm Cutting Height 20mm All varieties are subject to change.54 55
TECHNICAL HANDBOOK TECHNICAL HANDBOOK
Why reseed?
Why is reseeding so important?
TECHNICAL HANDBOOK
TECHNICAL HANDBOOK
Good grass mixtures contribute hugely to lowering production costs, but as a sward ages, its yield and
feed quality decreases significantly. This is caused largely by the ingress of lower yielding, lower quality
weed grasses.
Reseeding gives the opportunity to replace older varieties and weed grasses with the newest genetics
RUN A HEALTH CHECK ON YOUR GRASS
that offer a multitude of benefits.
Benefits of Reseeding Take a good look at all your grass fields this year and if you can answer ‘yes’ to any of these questions then
you need to think very seriously about the various options that are open to you.
Improved Feed Quality Increased Palatability Q: Are your leys struggling to support the numbers of livestock they did in the past?
■ Higher ME ■ Increased voluntary intakes Q: Is the speed of re-growth after silage cuts slower than it was?
■ More digestible Q: Have your fields been attacked badly by pests and/or diseases in recent years?
More Efficient Use of Inputs Q: Do you see more and more patchy areas on some fields?
■ Higher sugars
■ Better yield response to fertilisers Q: Is the population of weeds and weed grass much higher than you thought?
■ Increased protein
■ Nitrogen fixation from clover Q: Have your fields been badly poached in recent years?
More Forage Q: Do you detect a reduction in the amount of silage being taken
■ Increased silage yields Better Stock Holding Capacity off each field every season?
■ Increased grazing yields ■ Extended growing season Q: Has the level of broad-leaved weed infestation been rising?
■ Better disease resistance ■ Increased drought tolerance Q: Could you make better use of the high feeding value
of legumes like White Clover?
You have various options if you have
Value of Reseeding answered ‘yes’ to any or all of these
questions. It may be that in some
cases you will be able to bring the ley
Reduced feed bills back up to speed by close attention
The table below shows how the yield and energy content of a typical mixture changes over time and to the control of weeds and pests.
how this can lead to increased concentrate costs. A regular reseeding programme reduces money Alternatively, it may be necessary
spent on bought-in feeds. either to consider a complete
re-seed or perhaps an
Concentrate overseeding operation.
Age of Sward Ryegrass Yield Herbage ME Lost ME Grown
(Years) Content (%) (T DM/HA) (MJ/KG DM) (MJ/HA) Cost to Replace
Lost ME (£/HA) The key point to
2 95 13.5 12.0 - - remember is that it
3 90 12.6 11.8 13,320 197 is important not to
5 80 11.2 11.5 33,200 491 look at the cost of
reseeding but instead
7 70 9.8 11.3 51,260 759
consider the cost of
9 60 8.4 11.0 69,600 1,030 not reseeding!
11 60 7.0 10.8 86,400 1,279
Souce: AHDB56 57
TECHNICAL HANDBOOK TECHNICAL HANDBOOK
HEADSTART® GOLD
HEADSTART® GOLD
How to establish a new grass ley HEADSTART® was originally developed in response to pleas by groundsmen
TECHNICAL HANDBOOK
TECHNICAL HANDBOOK
to give them something that would speed up the renovation of winter sports
pitches in the short “window” between the end of one season and the start
■ Lime the field if necessary so that seed is sown into soil with a pH as close to 6.5 as possible. Try to of play and training. HEADSTART® proved to be so successful that it is now
maintain a stable pH in the future. used by about 60% of football clubs in the English Premiership as well as
rugby clubs and famous pitches throughout Europe. Growers of cultivated
■ Check the drainage status as undesirable weed grasses will invade waterlogged fields. Consider turf also took to it, finding it not only improved cover, but rooting as well,
sward lifters, mole ploughs and other means of relieving compaction if you discover that this is a enabling both faster establishment and earlier harvesting of the turf.
problem. Digging a few deep holes in the field to check soil structure is a worthwhile investment of
your time and effort. We recognised that the many benefits of HEADSTART® translated to
forage grass as well, and in difficult seasons farmers have often found that
■ Analyse the soil and correct any obvious nutrient imbalances. seed applied with HEADSTART® established well, when untreated seed has
struggled.
■ Prepare a fine, firm and weed free seedbed.
The introduction of HEADSTART® GOLD retains all the advantages of the
■ Timing of the sowing is important. Spring sowing from March to mid-May and Autumn from July
original formulation but adds a scientifically balanced package of minerals and
until late September – depending on where you are located and the altitude. Mixtures with clovers
trace elements, essential for the successful establishment of seedlings; further
are best sown when soil temperatures are higher; from April through May and July and August.
insurance that your grass seed gets off to a flying start.
Clovers require soil temperatures of at least 5-10oC to germinate and higher temperatures to
achieve satisfactory growth.
■ Ensure the seedbed is sufficiently moist and if possible, avoid mid-summer seeding in drought- Biostimulants Enzyme Activity
prone years. • Promote the supply of nutrients • Stimulates growth of roots/shoots
• Ensure efficient use of nutrients • A catalyst for photosynthesis
■ Ring roll prior to seeding to close any gaps and again after sowing to ensure close contact between • Prevent deficiency of trace elements
the seed and the soil.
■ Broadcast or cross drill and then roll or very lightly harrow. Ensure that the seed is placed no
deeper than 6mm.
■ If you use a cover crop, make sure that it is suitable to establish a grass ley and that the seed rate
is not too heavy or the grass may get crowded out.
■ Watch for any signs of pest attack and consult your agronomist if you see anything.
■ Specify a Sinclair McGill mixture treated with HEADSTART® GOLD to improve establishment,
increase plant stand and get your new ley off to a vigorous start.
Trace Elements Seaweed Extract with
• Copper, Molybdeum, Phosphorous High Cytokinin Content
and Sulphur - all essential for rapid • Promotes cell division & metabolism
rooting and initial seedling growth • Leads to faster germinationYou can also read
