Glanbia Grass and Roots Seed Brochure 2015

Grass and RootsSeed Brochure 2015

ContentsIntroduction 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

Recommended Lists 2015 24-25

Pasture Profit Index Overview 26-27

Pasture Profit Index 2015 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

Welcome to Mastercrop grass and roots seed brochure 2015.

With the abolition of milk quotas this year it provides a great opportunity for Irish dairy farmers to expand their dairy farming business. The need to maximise grassland utilisation and improve on-farm efficiencies will be vital to the future profitability of dairy farms.

The Mastercrop name is synonymous with quality, choice and value for money and the 2015 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.

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Reseeding - An Overview

Animal nutritionReseeding 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.

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.

Advantages of reseeding• 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.

Reseeding Checklist• Identify paddocks for reseeding (poorer performing paddocks; low

perennial ryegrass content).• Soil test and lime.• Sowing date.• Method of reseeding.• Spray off paddock.• When cultivating - prepare a good seed bed.• Choose appropriate grass cultivars.• Sowing rate.• Roll.• Slug and other pests.• Control weed early.• Graze at 2 leaf stage.• Avoid poaching and over grazing.


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.


Cultivation techniques

Do’s Do not’s

Ploughing Shallow plough. Develop a fine, firm and level seedbed

Plough too deep (>15cm). Cloddy, loose seedbed

Discing 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 drillGraze 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

Drainage

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

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.


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.

Conversation Nutrient Application Rate1 kg/ha = 0.8 units/acre

Organic Fertiliser11t/ha = 1000 gallon/acre2.5t/ha = 1t/acre

Value of Slurry

P & K Organic (kg/T)P K

Pig 0.8 2.2

Soil Water 0.1 0.6

Cattle 0.6 4.3

Soil P Index Range Range kg/ha1 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 Rate1 0 - 50 110

2 51 - 100 75

3 101 - 150 50

4 Above 150 30


Pest ControlReseeded 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 pellet eg. Draza

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.• Chemical control using Chlorpyrifos

(Dursban, Clinch) is warranted if damage is noted or high populations of leatherjacket are seen.

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.• Chemical control options include Dursban,

Clinch and Decis.


Weed Control

Herbicides for control of weeds in grassland

Main Target Weed Product PCS No. Active Ingredient Rate Comment

Docks

Hiloadmicram 02336 600 g/l Mecoprop, 80 g/l Dicamba 1.25 l/haTreat 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/haOne 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 HurlerCroplink ReaperStarane 2

029050461301807

200 g/l Fluroxypyr 1.5 l/haMedium 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/haApply 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/haExcellent 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 9013585 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.

ThistlesM50Mastercrop MCPA 50

0416904222

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.

Ragwort D50Dioweed 50

0414402719

500 g/l 2,4 D dimethylamine salt 2.8 - 3.3 l/haTreat 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.

Nettles Nettleban 9077685 g/l Dicamba, 65 g/l Triclopyr, 200 g/l 2,4 D

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

Docks,Thistles & Nettles

Pastor 0423650 g/l Clopyralid, 75 g/l Fluroxypyr,100 g/l Triclopyr

2.0 - 4.0 l/haLower 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 Triclopyr60 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 9183612 g/l Dicamba, 169 g/l MCPA, 62.5 g/l Mecoprop-P

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

Seedling Weeds In New Ley

(Clover-Safe)

Mastercrop Undersown 91839 240 g/l 2,4 DB, 40 g/l MCPA 7.0 l/ha Controls seeding docks, fat hen.

Alistell 90047240 g/l 2,4 DB, 30 g/l MCPA, 30 g/l Linuron

3.5 l/haBroad 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.

Grassland Destruction

Roundup Gold Roundup Biactive Rosate 36Touchdown Quattro

02624023130361601956

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

6.0 l/haTranslocation 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 04593480 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


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

The key points of the premium mixtures are:• 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 two-thirds : one third ‘clover to coat’ is unique to Mastercrop mixtures).

Suitability:Intensive two-cut silage systems.

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.

40% difference in grass production between farms

Premium Silage Sward

Heading Date

2.5 kg Glenroyal 5th June

3.5 kg Carrig (T) 24th May

3 kg AberMagic 30th May

2.5 kg Solomon 23rd May

11.5 kg

Premium Grazing Sward

Heading Date

3 kg AberChoice 10th June

2.5 kg AstonEnergy (T) 2nd June

3 kg AberGain (T) 5th June

3 kg Drumbo 7th June

0.5 kg Small & Medium Leafed Clover

12 kg

Premium One Cut & Graze

Heading Date

3 kg Majestic 2nd June

2 kg Dunluce (T) 30th May

3.5 kg Aspect (T) 5th June

3 kg Glenroyal 5th June

0.5 kg Medium Leafed Clover Blend

12 kg

Suitability:Intensive, continuous grazing systems.

Key points:• 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 medium-

leafed clovers on recommended list.

Suitability:Grazing with one large silage cut in lateMay/early June.

Key points:• Judicious use of tetraploid varieties which have high yield, palatability and drought-tolerance characteristics.• Also suitable for early grazing before

closing up for silage.

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Quality MixturesThese 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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Reseeding costs are returned in two years

Horse Pasture

9 kg Late Perennial Ryegrass

2 kg Dwarf Prennial Ryegrass

2 kg Creeping Red Fescue

2 kg Smooth Stalked Meadowgrass

1 kg Timothy

16 kg

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.

Permanent Pasture (incl. Hi clover)

Heading Date

3 kg Glenveagh 5th June

3 kg Kintyre (T) 8th June

2 kg AstonEnergy (T) 2nd June

3 kg Clanrye 7th June

0.5 kg Medium Leafed Clover Blend

11.5 kg

Mastercrop ExtendHeading Date

3.5 kg Drumbo 7th June

2.5 kg AberGain (T) 5th June

3 kg AberChoice 10th June

2 kg Dunluce (T) 30th May

0.5 kg AberHeraldWhite Clover

11.5 kg

60% variation on grass production within farms

Hill / Heavy Ground Mix

Heading Date

3.25 kg Glenveagh 3rd June

2.5 kg Majestic 2nd June

2.5 kg Navan (T) 6th June

3.25 kg AderChoice 10th June

0.5 kg Small Leafed Clover Blend

12 kg

Key points:• Heavy ground or difficult sites.• Superb persistence and ground cover.• Excellent mid-Summer and Autumn

grazing.• 100% late heading varieties.

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Arable CropsWe also cater for a number of forage cropsand arable silage with either peas andbarley or peas and oats.

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

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.

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.

15,000

12,000

9,000

6,000

3,000

0Her

bage

Pro

duct

ion

(kg

DM

/ha)

0 60 120 180 240

Fertiliser N application (kg N/ha/year)

Grass only Grass white clover


Pastureade

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.

Energy content of grass (UFL)

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

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.

Figure 1: Pastureade Results 2012


Recommended Lists 2015Department of Agriculture Irish Recommended List of Grasses 2015Recommended Intermediate Diploid & Tetraploid Perennial Ryegrass

Vari

ety

Nam

e

Hea

ding

Dat

e

Simulated Grazing

General Purpose (2-Cut Silage)

*DM

D%

*WSC

%

Tota

l Rel

. Yi

eld

SG

Grou

nd

Cove

r (1

-9)

Spri

ng

Gro

wth

Sum

mer

G

row

th

Aut

umn

Gro

wth

1st C

ut

Sila

ge

2nd

Cut

Sila

ge

Control Mean (t DM/ha) (10.8) (6.3) (1.3) (7.2) (2.4) (4.8) (3.8) (82.7) (21.5)

Boyne 22nd May (98) (6.9) (98) (99) (93) 110 100 97.7 85

Solomon 23rd May 97 6.8 109 96 94 104 92 98.6 89

Rosetta 24th May (101) (6.5) (124) (99) (96) 104 91 99.3 92

Rodrigo 27th May - - - - - 102 93 98.6 85

AberMagic 30th May 105 6.6 100 104 111 95 102 100.8 113

Giant (T) 20th May 101 6.4 96 103 96 106 90 99.3 95

Magician (T) 22nd May 99 5.9 106 98 97 105 97 99.6 93

Carraig (T) 24th May 98 6.3 98 100 95 108 95 99.5 97

Trend (T) 24th May 97 5.9 90 100 92 111 96 99.8 96

Seagoe (T) 29th May (99) (6.2) (92) (101) (97) 109 99 100.3 99

Dunluce (T) 30th May 101 5.9 98 101 103 95 111 101.1 105

*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 Terraploid

No variety has all the traits

Recommended Late Diploid Perennial Ryegrass Varieties 2015

Vari

ety

Nam

e

Hea

ding

Dat

e

Simulated Grazing

General Purpose (2-Cut Silage)

*DM

D%

*WSC

%

Tota

l Rel

.Yi

eld

SG

Grou

nd

Cove

r (1

-9)

Spri

ng

Gro

wth

Sum

mer

G

row

th

Aut

umn

Gro

wth

1st C

ut

Sila

ge

2nd

Cut

Sila

ge

Control Mean (t DM/ha) 10.2 6.4 1.1 7 2.1 4.5 3.8 82.7 21.3

Stefani 1st June (101) (7) (105) (100) (100) 101 98 99.5 93

Majestic 2nd June (104) (7.3) (115) (102) (107) 97 96 98.7 91

Glenveagh 3rd June (103) (7.4) (111) (102) (103) 101 97 99.2 96

Piccadilly 3rd June (102) (7.2) (108) (102) (98) 107 94 98.6 90

Tyrella 4th June 98 6.7 114 96 97 101 90 99.7 101

Glenroyal 5th June (104) (7.3) (104) (103) (108) 96 103 100.1 99

Clanrye 6th June - - - - - 98 111 99.2 96

Mezquita 6th June 99 7.5 103 99 97 97 101 98.8 91

Drumbo 7th June 102 6.8 105 101 104 92 102 100.7 107

AberChoice 10th June 107 6.6 104 107 109 93 112 101.6 121

Delphin (T) 2nd June 102 5.6 98 103 100 105 102 100.5 101

AstonEnergy (T) 2nd June 103 5.7 96 103 107 103 98 102 113

AberCraigs (T) 4th June 101 6.3 98 102 98 102 104 100.5 106

AberGain (T) 5th June 107 6.1 114 106 107 106 106 102.1 116

Aspect (T) 5th June (104) (6.7) (105) (104) (101) (96) (107) 101.2 106

Navan (T) 6th June 104 6.2 98 103 110 96 107 100.7 106

Twymax (T) 7th June (101) (6.1) (84) (105) (97) 98 110 100.7 107

Kintyre (T) 8th June 105 6.5 107 102 113 97 110 101 104

AberPlentiful (T) 8th June (104) (6.5) (99) (104) (109) 98 108 100.9 107

Solas (T) 10th June - - - - - 96 112 100.9 104


What is the Pasture Profit Index? 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.

• Spring DM yield

• Mid-season DM yield

• Autumn DM yield

• Quality (across the months of April to July)

• 1st and 2nd cut silage DM yield

• Persistency

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.

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

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.

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) helps the grassland industry & farmers identify the most appropriate perennial ryegrass varieties for their farm.

Pasture Profit Index(€ per ha/year)

DM production(per kg DM/ha)

Quality(per unit decrease

in DMD)

Silage(per kg DM/ha)

Persistency(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


Pasture Profit Index 2015

Variety Details Pasture Profit Index Sub - Indices (€ per ha per year)Total PPI €/ha/year

Ground Cover from RL (1-9)

Group Variety Heading Date

Dry Matter ProductionQuality Silage Persistency

Spring Summer Autumn Grazing Silage

Inter Diploid

AberMagic 30th May 47 53 78 21 13 -28 184 6.6 6.8

Rosetta 24th May 97 40 39 -2 19 -28 165 6.5 6.6

Solomon 23rd May 66 32 35 -30 22 0 125 6.8 6.7

Boyne 22nd May 42 39 33 -56 41 0 99 6.9 6.8

Rodrigo 27th May 6.8

Inter Tetraploid

Dunluce 30th May 43 45 58 35 24 -11 194 5.9 6.1

Seagoe 29th May 30 45 43 13 38 -11 158 6.2 6.0

Magician 22nd May 59 37 42 -5 28 -11 150 5.9 6.1

Giant 20th May 39 50 39 -2 22 0 148 6.4 6.6

Trend 24th May 25 41 30 3 38 0 137 5.9 6.0

Carraig 24th May 42 40 38 -19 31 0 132 6.3 6.7

Late Diploid

AberChoice 10th June 24 52 47 57 9 -5 184 6.6 6.7

Drumbo 7th June 27 35 35 36 -4 -11 118 6.8 6.7

Glenroyal 5th June 25 41 46 -2 6 -11 105 7.3 7.0

Majestic 2nd June 43 38 43 -23 0 0 101 7.3 6.8

Glenveagh 3rd June 37 39 34 -22 7 0 96 7.4 7.4

Stefani 1st June 25 34 27 -9 9 0 86 7.0 6.8

Piccadilly 3rd June 31 38 22 -30 16 0 77 7.2 6.9

Tryella 4th June 41 23 19 -1 0 -11 71 6.7 6.6

Mezquita 6th June 22 30 18 -22 6 0 54 7.5 7.1

Clanrye 6th June 7.0

Late Tetraploid

AberGain 5th June 42 50 43 58 26 -11 208 6.1 6.3

Kintyre 8th June 29 40 58 25 14 0 166 6.5 6.0

AstonEnergy 2nd June 10 41 43 54 12 0 160 5.7 5.7

AberPlentiful 8th June 15 44 48 30 15 0 152 6.5 6.2

Navan 6th June 14 41 50 21 10 0 136 6.2 6.3

Aspect 5th June 26 45 29 30 10 -5 135 6.7 6.7

Delphin 2nd June 13 42 27 10 21 0 113 5.6 5.9

AberCraigs 4th June 14 38 21 17 18 0 108 6.3 6.2

Twymax 7th June -11 48 20 27 17 -5 95 6.1 6.4

Solas 10th June 6.4


DM(kg/ha)

DM(%)

ME(M.I/kg)

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

Cows Young-stock

Ewe Finishing Lambs

Swedes 9-14,000 10-12 12-14 15 14 83 65

Kale 11-12,000 12-15 10-13 19 18 107 84

Stubble Turnips 6,500 9-12 10-13 11 10 63 49

Grazing Turnips

4,000(regrowth 2,000)

10-14 10-13 9 8 49 38

Hybrid Brassica

7-9,000 12-14 10-13 11 10 63 49

Forage Rape 4-5,000 11-13 10-13 7 6 30 30

Assumptions: Cow liveweight 500 kg (adjust upwards for dairy cows); youngstock liveweight gains0.75 kg/day; 55 kg ewes on maintenance feeding; lamb liveweight gains 200g/day.

SwedesVery 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.

KaleA 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.

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 foddercrop 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.


Fodder RapeA 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.

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.

Stubble TurnipsEconomic 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).


Forage and Fodder Crops Details

Crop Fodder Beet Swedes Kale Fodder Rape

Stubble Turnips

Sowing Date Late March Early April

May - Early June

May - JuneJune - 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 kg1.5 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 1214-15 (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 0.851.10

(Top and Root)

Glanbia Agribusiness Branches

*CountryLife Store Locations

Branch Address TelephoneAshford* Co. Wicklow 0404 - 40105Athboy Co. Meath 046 - 9432552Ballacolla Co. Laois 057 - 8734013Ballinamult Co. Waterford 058 - 47102Ballycanew Co. Wexford 053 - 9427103Ballyhale* Co. Kilkenny 056 - 7768603 or 7768868Ballyragget Co. Kilkenny 056 - 8833107Ballytore Co. Kildare 059 - 8623105Ballywilliam Co. Wexford 051 - 424514Bennettsbridge Co. Kilkenny 056 - 7727104 or 7727244Bunclody Co. Wexford 053 - 9377122Campile* Co. Wexford 051 - 388102Cappoquin Co. Waterford 058 - 54308Carrickbeg Co. Waterford 051 - 640002Castlecomer* Co. Kilkenny 056 - 4400834Castlelyons Co. Cork 025 - 36337Clonmel Co. Tipperary 052 - 6129620Clonroche* Co. Wexford 053 - 9244136Crettyard Co. Carlow 056 - 4442112Derrygrath Co. Tipperary 052 - 6138002Donaghmore* Co. Laois 0505 - 46315Dungarvan* Co. Waterford 058 - 44444 or 42078Durrow Co. Waterford 051 - 293178Fennor Co. Tipperary 056 - 8834104Fethard* Co. Tipperary 052 - 6131108Freshford Co. Kilkenny 056 - 8832100 or 8832454Gaultier* Co. Waterford 051 - 383124Glenmore Co. Kilkenny 051 - 880102Glenville Co. Cork 021 - 4880106 or 4880307Goresbridge Co. Kilkenny 059 - 9775155Graiguecullen Co. Carlow 059 - 9131639 or 9143677Graiguenamanagh Co. Kilkenny 059 - 9724200 or 9724205Inch Co. Wexford 0402 - 21734Kells Co. Kilkenny 056 - 7728233Kilberry Co. Meath 046 - 9024204Killenaule Co. Tipperary 052 - 9156205Kilmanagh Co. Kilkenny 056 - 7769102 or 7769127Kilmeaden* Co. Waterford 051 - 384106Kilmuckridge Co. Wexford 053 - 9130133Monasterevin* Co. Kildare 045 - 525337 or 525608Mountmellick* Co. Laois 057 - 8624268Mullingar Co. Westmeath 044 - 9342299New Ross* Co. Wexford 051 - 421274 or 421654Piltown Co. Kilkenny 051 - 643260 or 643303Raheen Co. Laois 057 - 8731104Rathcoffey Co. Kildare 045 - 902732Rathdrum* Co. Wicklow 0404 - 46105Spink Co. Laois 057 - 8731169Taghmon Co. Wexford 053 - 9134154Tallow Co. Waterford 058 - 56322Tullamore* Co. Offaly 057 - 9341310 or 9351666Windgap Co. Kilkenny 051 - 648203Portlaoise Mill Co. Laois 057 - 8622311Clonroche Mill Co. Wexford 053 - 9244204Glanbia House Co. Kilkenny 056 - 7772200


Glanbia Agribusiness, Kilkenny Business Park, Purcellsinch, Kilkenny.LoCall 1890 321 321Email: [email protected]

10051

Documents

Glanbia Grass and Roots Seed Brochure 2015