Grass and clover Recommended Lists add 12 varieties
© Tim Scrivener Eleven new varieties of ryegrass and one red clover variety have been added to the 2017-18 Recommended Grass and Clover Lists (RGCL).
The lists help grassland farmers select varieties that will perform well in a particular system.
Only grasses and clovers that have undergone at least four years of independent testing are included in the lists.
See also: New pulses added to recommended lists
When thinking about reseeding, the RGCL should be used to check that the varieties being selected are on the lists and are the best available, says Liz Genever, AHDB senior scientist.
“The lists give details on the performance and characteristics of each variety, helping farmers make informed decisions alongside their seed merchants about the ones that best meet their needs.
“Varieties are rigorously tested for factors such as total and seasonal yield, feed quality, disease and persistence before making the Recommended Grass and Clover Lists,” Dr Genever said.
In addition to providing information on the varieties, the RGCL also include a range of technical information for farmers on how they can manage their reseed and maximise the productivity of their grassland.
Summary of the new RGCL varieties
Name: Starman
Type: Early perennial ryegrass (diploid)
Good total annual yields under simulated grazing including a very good autumn yield with a good mid-season D-value.
Very good first year annual yields under conservation management, including an excellent second-cut yield combined with a moderate D-value.
Excellent resistance to crown rust. Specifically recommended for conservation management systems, combined with an excellent crown rust resistance.
Name: AstonConqueror
Type: Intermediate perennial ryegrass (diploid)
Good total annual yields under simulated grazing, including very good early and excellent spring grazing yields combined with a moderate mid-season D-value.
Very good first year annual yields under conservation management, including an excellent first-cut and second-cut D-value. Moderate resistance to crown rust. Specifically recommended for grazing yield in a medium- or long-term situation in areas with low crown rust susceptibility.
Name: Nolwen
Type: Intermediate perennial ryegrass (tetraploid)
Good total annual yields under simulated grazing, including a very good early, spring and autumn grazing yields, combined with a very good mid-season grazing D-value.
Moderate yields under conservation management in the first and third harvest years, including an excellent first-cut D-value and second-cut yield. Agronomic characteristics include excellent ground cover in the second harvest year and crown rust resistance.
Name: AberSpey
Type: Intermediate perennial ryegrass (tetraploid)
Excellent total annual yields under simulated grazing, including very good early and late summer yields, as well as excellent autumn grazing yields combined with an excellent mid-season grazing D-value.
Good total annual yields under conservation management in the first harvest year, including excellent first- and second-cut D-values, as well as excellent third- and fourth-cut yields.
Agronomic characteristics include very good ground cover in the second harvest year and winter hardiness, combined with excellent crown rust resistance.
Name: Triwarwic
Type: Intermediate perennial ryegrass (tetraploid)
Good total annual yields under simulated grazing, including very good early summer and autumn grazing yields combined with a moderate mid-season grazing D-value.
Very good total annual yields under conservation management in the first and third harvest years, including very good second-, third- and fourth-cut yields. Agronomic characteristics include good second and third year autumn ground cover combined with excellent crown rust resistance.
Name: Federer
Type: Intermediate perennial ryegrass (tetraploid)
Very good total annual yields under simulated grazing, including excellent late summer yields combined with a very good mid-season D value.
Moderate total annual yields under conservation management in the first harvest year, including good second-cut yields and very good first-cut D-value. Agronomic characteristics include excellent ground cover in the second harvest year and resistance to crown rust.
Name: AberLee
Type: Late perennial ryegrass (diploid)
Very good total annual yields under simulated grazing, including excellent early summer yields and mid-season D-value.
Good and very good total annual yields in the first and third harvest years, respectively, combined with excellent first- and second-cut D-values. Very good disease resistance to crown rust.
Name: Ballintoy
Type: Late perennial ryegrass (tetraploid)
Very good annual yields under simulated grazing, including excellent early and spring grazing yields, with a very good mid-season D-value.
Excellent total annual yields under conservation management in the first and third harvest years, including excellent first-, third- and fourth-cut yields. Moderately susceptible to crown rust. Specifically recommended for situations with low crown rust susceptibility.
Name: Calao
Type: Late perennial ryegrass (tetraploid)
Very good annual yields under simulated grazing, including very good early and spring grazing yields combined with a very good mid-season D-value.
Good total annual yield in the first harvest year, followed by excellent total yield in the third harvest year under conservation management. Agronomic characteristics include excellent ground cover in the second harvest year and excellent crown rust resistance.
Name: Messina
Type: Italian ryegrass (tetraploid)
Excellent annual yields in the first harvest year, including excellent early spring and monthly cut yields combined with excellent first- and second-cut D-values.
Agronomic characteristics include excellent first year ground cover combined with excellent resistance to crown rust and brown rust, very good resistance to ryegrass mosaic virus and mildew, although with limited data.
Name: Barclamp
Type: Hybrid ryegrass (diploid)
Good total annual yields in the first harvest year and excellent yields in the second. Good first- and second-cut conservation yields.
Agronomic characteristics include excellent ground cover in all three harvest years combined with excellent resistance to crown rust and brown rust, good resistance to mildew. Very good resistance to ryegrass mosaic virus, although with limited data.
Name: Hegemon
Type: Red clover
Moderate and good yields in the first and second harvest years, respectively, including a good first-cut yield and protein content in the first harvest year.
How to access the lists
The publication will be launched at the Grassland & Muck event at Stoneleigh on 24 May. They will also be available to download from the AHDB website and British Grassland Society website from 24 May 2017.
The online interactive version for perennial ryegrasses has been updated and will be available at The AHDB Dairy website. Hard copies of the handbook will be available from the AHDB stand at Grassland & Muck on 24 and 25 May (stand number 323).
Grassland & Muck 2017
Grassland & Muck 2017 will be bigger and better than ever and will be your chance to see all the latest machines in action. The 190-acre event covers every aspect of grassland management, helping you make the most of your grass, from varieties and establishment to harvesting, baling, ensiling and feeding.
Go to the Grassland & Muck website for more information