Forage Seed Award winning forage options. germinal.com. Germinal Ireland Limited Horse & Jockey, Thurles, Co. Tipperary

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1 germinal.com Forage Seed 2016 Award winning forage options Germinal Ireland Limited Horse & Jockey, Thurles, Co. Tipperary T: +353 (0)

2 Contents Introduction 01 Contents Forage is the heart of your future business Introduction 01 Why choose Germinal 02 Grass facts 03 Top 5 Range grazing, cutting and silage mixtures Top 5 Range The role of tetraploids 10 Successful etablishment of white clover 11 Multi-cut intensive silage 12 Guidelines for improving the quality of your silage 13 Difficult soils 14 Horse mixture 15 Reseeding 10-point plan 16 Reseeding advice 17 Teagasc Pasture Profit Index Quality forage is at the heart of profitable and sustainable livestock farming. Leading dairy experts consistently demonstrate that forage efficiency is critical for milk producers to maximise profit. In low milk price years the importance of maximising the forage proportion in the diet becomes even more valuable. Each one tonne increase in grass DM utilised is worth over 160 per ha. While an extra day at grass in early spring and late autumn is worth 2.70 and 2.10 per cow per day, respectively for dairy cows, each additional day at grass is worth 1.54 per cow per day for suckler cows. With the right choice of crop and good management, homegrown forages will always cost less per tonne of DM compared to purchased feeds. It makes sense that production from forage should be one of your critical key performance indicators, with focus on profit per ha now more important than profit per cow. Choosing varieties which demonstrate good seasonal yield (spring and autumn) and high quality (DMD value) will deliver more profit to your farm. DAFM, Recommended List of Ryegrass Varieties Seasonal yield and quality drive profit 22 Digestibility the most valuable trait 23 Modern varieties maintain grassland productivity Forage crop options Forage brassica options Hybrid brassica proves finishing potential 30 Oliver Vaughan Managing Director, Germinal Ireland

3 Why choose Germinal? 02 Why choose Germinal? Grass facts Grass facts Top varieties Germinal s access to the top Irish, UK and European breeders means we bring the best varieties to Irish farmers. Unrivalled quality We pride ourselves on the highest quality (DMD) varieties on the Irish Recommended List. Quality is a proven driver of animal performance. Our varieties excel in quality this will deliver increased animal performance and more profit from grazing systems. More profit In the 2016 Teagasc Pasture Profit Index (PPI), Germinal varieties hold the top position across all four categories: late tetraploids (AberGain), late Diploids (AberChoice), intermediate tetraploids (Dunluce) and intermediate diploids (AberMagic). Our varieties will deliver more profit to your farm. Persistent swards Grass pastures are expected to perform for 10 years and often longer. Germinal ensure the seed we supply passes rigorous germination and establishment tests and is of the highest quality. 1% increase in DMD equates to a 5% increase in animal performance. Quality is the most valuable trait to improve animal output and must underpin the selection of grass varieties Experience Relative cost of grazed grass to grass silage and concentrate is 1: 2.5: 4 Germinal is one of the largest and longest established forage seed distributors in Irish Agriculture meeting the needs of Irish farmers for decades. Expert and dedicated staff Germinal staff are experts! We are always available to provide advice and assistance with any technical queries you may have. Each extra day at grass in spring and autumn is worth 2.70 and 2.10 per cow/day, respectively Maximising grazed grass in the diet can generate 170/cow through increased milk yield, milk solids and reduced feed costs Huge opportunity to improve farm performance by increasing grass performance on farms. (Source: Teagasc) 03

4 Top 5 Range grazing, cutting and silage mixtures 04 Top 5 Range grazing, cutting and silage mixtures 05 Top 5 Extend High grazing quality fuels dairy expansion Top 5 Extend is the premium grazing mixture for Fig 01. Top 5 Extend: Fig 02. Top 5 Extend: Spread of heading dates Top 5 Extend contains the highest performing varieties on the Pasture Profit Index list. The varieties selected for this mixture excel in spring growth and quality meeting the demands of intensive grassland farmers. Top 5 Extend is designed to achieve high animal performance through its exceptional quality values and extend the grazing season with high spring and autumn growth rates. Kg/acre Variety Type Heading Date 3.0 AberGain Perennial Ryegrass (T) 5 June 3.0 AberChoice Perennial Ryegrass 9 June 2.0 Dunluce Perennial Ryegrass (T) 30 May 3.0 Drumbo Perennial Ryegrass 7 June 0.5 AberHerald (medium leaf) Coated white clover 11.5 Optimum spread of heading dates within mixtures for grazing and cutting results in better performance of the leys. When cutting for silage, aim to cut 4-5 days before average heading date for optimum quality. T = Tetraploid MAY JUNE High quality grazed grass is underpinning the expansion of the O Keeffe family s award-winning pedigree Irish Friesian dairy herd, based in Co. Kilkenny. Herd size is now close to the target of 300 cows, with average annual yields reaching 6,500 litres at 4% butterfat and 3.69% protein. Additional land has been leased and will be improved, and the farm is also continuing to reseed regularly to increase both dry matter yield and quality. There is a particular focus on extra grass in early spring, allowing not only an increase in herd size but the production of more high-solids milk from forage. We like to have our cows out by day from 15th January and fully turned out in February, says Bill, as this extended season will help us to reach our target level of 14 t DM/ha from grass. Reseeding is helping us to reach our targets, particularly with more production in the first half of the grazing season. Germinal s premium grazing mixture Top 5 Extend is being used for most of the reseeding. The high ranking varieties within this mixture - AberGain, AberChoice and Drumbo - provide extended grazing and high total DM yields, with exceptional quality (DMD) and persistency. The O Keeffe family s outstanding Irish Friesian herd has won numerous awards in the pedigree shows. Bill considers the breed to be well-suited to low cost production systems, being easy to maintain with excellent fertility and delivering high milk solids and high value male offspring. Key benefits in summary Exceptional spring yield. AberGain is +8% for spring growth Outstanding autumn growth rates Highest quality varieties. All four varieties are highest in their category for DMD% Highly digestible leafy grasses, for higher intakes and animal performance Contains AberGain, AberChoice and Dunluce, leading varieties on the Teagasc PPI

5 Top 5 Range grazing, cutting and silage mixtures 06 Top 5 Range grazing, cutting and silage mixtures 07 Top 5 Grazing Top 5 Silage Top 5 Grazing is ideally suited to rotational grazing or set stocking, but also offers the potential for a heavy silage cut in late May or early June. Top 5 Silage is a superior quality silage mixture. Designed for the livestock farmer aiming for one or two high quality heavy silage cuts with the best possible aftermath grazing. Top 5 Grazing will result in a dense leafy sward suited to intensive animal production systems. With good management this mixture will continue to perform for 8-10 years giving a high yielding and exceptional quality sward for animal grazing. First cut will be late May with the option of a second cut approximately 6 weeks later, or alternatively commence grazing. The varieties in Top 5 Silage were specifically selected for their exceptional quality to help maximise the feed value of your silage crop without compromising on yield. Fig 03. Top 5 Grazing: Kg/acre Variety Type Heading Date 3.0 AberChoice Perennial Ryegrass 9 June Fig 05. Top 5 Silage: Kg/acre Variety Type Heading Date 4.5 Seagoe Perennial Ryegrass (T) 28 May 2.5 Kintyre Perennial Ryegrass (T) 7 June 3.0 AberMagic Perennial Ryegrass 31 May 3.5 Drumbo Perennial Ryegrass 7 June 3.5 Clanrye Perennial Ryegrass 6 June 2.0 Navan Perennial Ryegrass (T) 6 June 0.5 AberHerald (medium leaf) Coated white clover 0.5 AberHerald (medium leaf) Coated white clover Optimum spread of heading dates within mixtures for grazing and cutting results in better performance of the leys. When cutting for silage, aim to cut 4-5 days before average heading date for optimum quality. T = Tetraploid Optimum spread of heading dates within mixtures for grazing and cutting results in better performance of the leys. When cutting for silage, aim to cut 4-5 days before average heading date for optimum quality. T = Tetraploid Fig 04. Top 5 Grazing: Spread of heading dates MAY JUNE Fig 06. Top 5 Silage: Spread of heading dates MAY JUNE Key benefits in summary Key benefits in summary Supreme grazing mixture balancing exceptional seasonal yields and quality Highly palatable mixture Excellent spring and autumn growth Very persistent sward with a good base Narrow range of heading dates for optimum silage production Balanced to optimise both first and second cut silage yields Varieties selected for their quality and WSC characteristics to maximise silage quality High spring and autumn yields for early spring or late autumn grazing Contains all late heading varieties

6 Top 5 Range Top 5 Range Top 5 Range 2016 Delivering more value to your swards The Top 5 Range for 2016 contains varieties with outstanding performance and are extremely suited to intensive grazing or silage systems. Below we have highlighted the key varieties which are used to formulate our range of grass seed mixtures with unbeatable quality and yield performance. Silage varieties Specially selected for their outstanding performance under a 2-cut silage system. The Top 5 silage range for 2016 is designed to maximise the feedvalue of your silage, by selecting the highest quality varieties. AberMagic (Diploid) The highest ranked variety overall on the Teagasc Pasture Proifit Index at 210 per ha/year. An intermediate diploid with a heading date of 31st May. AberMagic will ensure the highest possible quality silage for systems targeting a first cut towards the end of May. Excellent total yield figures and the highest intermediate diploid for 2nd cut silage, autumn growth and quality. Seagoe (Tetraploid) An intermediate tetraploid, but with a heading date of 28 May, to maximise the quality of the forage at harvest time. Outstanding spring growth and 1st cut silage yield figures from the DAFM Recommended List, with high quality and a good ground score. Grazing varieties AberGain (Tetraploid) The highest ranked tetraploid variety on the Teagasc PPI list at 199 per ha/ year. AberGain is the best available tetraploid variety, which excels in the key traits of seasonal yield, quality and total yield. AberChoice (Diploid) The highest ranked late diploid variety on the Teagasc PPI list at 173 per ha/year. AberChoice, the best late diploid currently available in Ireland, has excellent performance across the most important traits including seasonal yield, quality, total yield and ground score. Kintyre (Tetraploid) A high performing late tetraploid variety on the Teagasc PPI list at 156 per ha/year. Kintyre is an exceptional tetraploid variety with excellent seasonal growth and quality values. Drumbo (Diploid) An outstanding diploid variety, with a PPI value 108 per ha/year. Drumbo demonstrates a superior performance in seasonal growth, ground cover and quality. Fig 08. Performance of Top5 Silage varieties under 2-cut silage in 2016 DAFM Recommended List and Teagasc PPI List Clanrye (Diploid) Clanrye has good total yield performance with excellent figures for 2nd cut silage yield. A dense diploid that maintains good DMD values. Clanrye has excellent mid-season yield and is the highest late diploid on the PPI within the silage sub-indices. DAFM RECOMMENDED LIST DATA TEAGASC PPI DATA PER HA / YEAR Variety Heading Total Rel. Ground 1st Cut 2nd Cut Autumn DMD WSC Silage Quality Total Date Yield Cover Silage Silage Growth % AberMagic (D) 31 May Seagoe (T) 28 May Clanrye (D) 6 June Dunluce (Tetraploid) Dunluce is an exceptional variety, with proven performance on Irish farms for several years. The highest ranked intermediate tetraploid on the Teagasc PPI list at 174 per ha per year. Suited to intensive grazing systems, Dunluce will also perform well in a sward cut for silage. Fig 07. Performance of Top 5 Range of grazing varieties under simulated grazing in 2016 DAFM Recommended List and Teagasc PPI List: DAFM RECOMMENDED LIST DATA TEAGASC PPI DATA PER HA / YEAR Variety Heading Spring Summer Autumn Total Rel. DMD Spring Quality Total Date Growth Growth Growth Yield % AberGain (T) 5 June Dunluce (T) 30 May AberChoice (D) 9 June Kintyre (T) 7 June Drumbo (D) 7 June

7 10 The role of tetraploids The role of tetraploids Successful establishment of white clover There is growing interest in the value of increasing the tetraploid proportion in grazing mixtures. Achieving the target of 25-30% white clover in a sward can be difficult. Coated white clover provides the clover seeds with nutrients to aid faster establishment. Tetraploids bring a number of benefits to a grazing mixture including:: Increased palability improving animal intakes Higher quality increasing animal output Excellent utilisation White clover can supply over 150 kg Nitrogen/ha. However in order to get an animal production and sward benefit to clover, the ideal content of clover in the established sward is 25 to 30%. Even under good management practices successful clover establishment can be difficult on farm as it is a very small seed and slower than grass to germinate. The small seed size means it has fewer reserves than grass to draw on during the early stages of development and is more prone to stress and poor establishment. Coating clover seed can substantially improve establishment and productivity. The coating used for clover contains beneficial ingredients to aid improved germination and provide more energy to the seed. These include: Fertiliser including phosphorus to promote root growth and allow the clover plant establish quicker and better compete with grasses for soil nutrients Rhizobium inoculants to ensure rapid nodulation by rhizobium strains which will fix N for the clover and grass plants Coated white clover has been shown to establish quicker and produce seedlings with longer petioles and larger leaves. Coated white clover can be successfully used when completing a full reseed or alternatively to over-seed clover into an existing sward. To maximise the success of clover Seed practice must be applied. establishment,clover best management Tetraploid varieties have received a lot of interest recently due to their high digestibility and palatability. Several research trials from Teagasc have demonstrated the increased ease with which animals can graze out tetraploid swards over diploids, improving the utilisation of the sward. Compared to diploids, tetraploid plants have a larger leaf size and a more upright growth habit, making them easier to graze by the animal. Tetraploids have higher water soluble carbohydrate contents (WSC) and higher digestibility. Tetraploids are however, more open in their growth habit and therefore less suitable to heavier soil types due to their increased risk of poaching. Fig 09. Tetraploid varieties from Germinal: 11 Successful establishment of white clover Variety Type Heading Date Seagoe Perennial Ryegrass (T) 28 May Dunluce Perennial Ryegrass (T) 30 May AberGain Perennial Ryegrass (T) 5 June Navan Perennial Ryegrass (T) 6 June Kintyre Perennial Ryegrass (T) 7 June Fig 10. Coated clover seed: T = Tetraploid Clover seed Tetraploid varieties for overseeding Where a full reseed is impractical or unwarranted, short term productivity can be improved through a number of different overseeding methods. When overseeding it pays to use the best available varieties. Tetraploid varieties are considered to be more suitable to overseeding due to their heavier seed and ability to establish rapidly. Rhizobium inoculant Fertiliser Outer layer Over-seeding into established grassland Ensure adequate soil ph and P and K indices. Seed must make contact with the soil therefore an old sward with a butt is unsuitable The ideal time for over-seeding is following a heavy silage harvest. If over-seeding: - Clover: Sow 2 kg/acre of coated clover seed with a bag of 0:7:30 - Perennial ryegrass: Sow 8 kg/ acre of a tetraploid perennial ryegrass Mix seed and fertilser in the fertiliser spreader and sow in 2 directions both up/down and then across the field. Apply watery slurry ideally around 3000 gals/acre If over-seeding clover to increase clover % in the sward avoid spreading fertiliser N for the remainder of the year Graze frequently approx. every 3 weeks at covers of no more than 1400 kg DM/ha

8 Multi-cut intensive silage 12 Guidelines for improving the quality of your silage 13 Multi-cut intensive silage Guidelines for improving the quality of your silage Multi-cut Intensive Silage is a specialist silage mixture for those aiming for three to four high quality silage cuts. Multi-cut intensive silage contains both perennial and hybrid ryegrasses. Hybrid varieties are a cross between Italian and Perennial ryegrass types. Expressing the best characteristics of both parents, hybrid varieties deliver exceptional silage yield and quality. This mixture is designed for those aiming for 3 to 4 high quality silage cuts, followed by aftermath grazing and contains the best hybrid Aber High Sugar Grasses and the top perennial ryegrasses. It is ideally suited to both out-farms aiming to maximise yield potential and zero-grazing systems. Key benefits summary Contains 65% hybrid Aber High Sugar Grasses and 35% tetraploid perennial ryegrass Significantly higher yielding than perennial ryegrass based mixtures Greater persistency than Italian ryegrass based mixtures Excellent seasonal growth Exceptional quality Suitable for zero-grazing Red clover in your cutting mixtures In Ireland there is relatively low use of red clover in silage leys. Yet, there are several benefits to be gained by including it in your intensive silage leys. Germinal offer the first 4 to 5 year duration red clovers, with AberClaret and AberChianti, extending the life of the red clover component well beyond the normal 2 to 3 years. Including 3 kg/acre of red clover has the potential to increase the yield and quality of your silage. Benefits of including red clover in an intensive silage mixture Increase overall forage yield potential Improve the protein content of silage Reduce protein losses in the clamp Reduce N fertiliser application (red clover can contribute over 150 kg N/ha through fixation) Long term Medium term Short term Preservation 1. Use perennial ryegrass dominant swards for optimum silage quality. 2. Avoid soil compaction. 3. Complete soil analysis on a regular basis and ensure appropriate soil P and K status, and ph. 1. Graze tightly in the autumn or early spring (before late March) to minimise the amount of low quality dead and stem material in the sward. A dead butt can drop digestibility by 5-6 % units in May. 2. Avoid excess input of Nitrogen. High or late application of N can reduce grass sugar concentration and increase buffering capacity, making it more difficult to preserve the silage. 3. Control weeds as they will reduce the digestibility of the silage. Monitor the development of your crop and see if heading date, the absence of lodging and the absence of the accumulation of dead herbage, etc., are progressing as expected. If a silage digestibility of 75% is required then aim to harvest intermediate heading-date ryegrasses as seed-heads start to emerge from the grass plants. The digestibility of such crops can be expected to decrease by 2 to 3 % units per week once heading-out commences. Some flexibility in harvest date is usually necessary. 1. Avoid mowing and harvesting under very wet conditions. 2. Successful wilting (½ to 1½ days of good drying conditions) will greatly assist preservation and reduce effluent output. Ideally, mow the grass after the dew has evaporated and place in wide rows. 3. Fill the silo quickly, rolling the herbage throughout, and immediately seal it perfectly under two sheets of black polythene. Then cover completely with a layer of car tyres etc. This will help achieve the air-free conditions that are necessary for good preservation and to prevent mould growth.

9 Difficult soils 14 Horse mixture 15 Difficult soils Horse mixture Difficult Soils is a specially designed mixture specifically suited to wet, peaty or heavier soils. The varieties included within this mixture are specifically selected for their outstanding ground cover and persistency, while also being of high quality. Timothy can be included on request but is not included in the general mixture. Fig 13. Horse mixture: Specialist horse and pony mixture Kg/acre Variety 6.0 Perennial Ryegrass Fig 11. Difficult soils mixture: Fig 12. Difficult soils: Spread of heading dates Kg/acre Variety Type Heading Date 2.5 Navan Perennial Ryegrass 6 June 4.5 Clanrye Perennial Ryegrass 6 June 4.5 Drumbo Perennial Ryegrass 7 June 0.5 AberHerald (medium leaf) Coated white clover 12.0 Optimum spread of heading dates within mixtures for grazing and cutting results in better performance of the leys. When cutting for silage, aim to cut 4-5 days before average heading date for optimum quality MAY JUNE 2.0 Creeping Red Fescue 2.0 Smooth Stalked Meadow Grass 1.5 Timothy 0.5 Mixed Herbs 12.0 Key benefits in summary Excellent yield performance for both grazing and cutting Available with or without mixed herbs high in trace elements Contains smooth stalked meadow grass and strong creeping red fescue to minimise poaching Dense and persistent sward No clover Key benefits in summary Designed specifically for difficult soil conditions High sward density and persistent varieties Narrow range in heading dates for optimum management High quality varieties to improve palatability and help achieve higher utilisation Timothy can be included on request

10 Reseeding 10-point plan 16 Reseeding advice 17 Reseeding 10-point plan Reseeding advice Timing Autumn reseeding may suit from a feed budget perspective, but there are some risks associated with this: Lower soil temperature can decrease seed germination aim to sow seed by early September Deterioriating soil conditions in autumn may make it more difficult to graze which will help the new sward to tiller and also to apply a post-emergence spray for effective weed control in the new ley Spring reseeding is desirable for several reasons Improving soil temperatures are beneficial to germination The following is a 10-point plan to ensure you get the best out of your new reseed Soil test. Target ph is 6.3, target P and K index is 3. Apply bagged lime and P and K as necessary. If ploughing, wait until after ploughing to soil sample Spray off the old sward with glyphosate Cultivate to ensure a fine, firm seed bed is achieved. Ploughing will help level any rough fields Select Irish Recommended List varieties suited to intended field use eg grazing or silage Sow 14kg seed/acre in good conditions (warm with rain forecast), no deeper than 10 to 15 mm Liming Weed control Generally there is little difference between sowing method assuming everything is completed correctly. A fine firm seed-bed before sowing is critical you should be easily able to ride a bike across the field before seed is sown. Direct drilling is less successful in dry conditions so ensure rain is forecast if using this method. Post-sowing rolling is a necessity. Rolling will help compact the soil and therefore maintain more moisture in the seed bed. Rolling also increases soil/ seed contact which is necessary for the seed to germinate successfully. Liming at sowing is important to help counteract any acidity as the old sward decays. Therefore, even if the field was limed in the previous 2 years, applying 1-2 t lime at sowing will help with the establishment of the new sward. Post-emergence spray is essential, and provides the best opportunity you will have for weed control in the sward. Apply 5-6 weeks after sowing and ensure you use a spray which targets the weeds present in the field. If clover was sown, spray should be applied at the trifoliate stage and you must use a clover-safe spray. Increased temperature and sunshine will aid good establishment of the new sward Opportunity to take several grazings to help tiller the new sward Improved soil conditions will make it easier to apply a post emergence spray The sward will be well settled in the following spring Easier to establish clover Roll well to ensure good soil/seed contact Apply N, P and K as per guidelines Monitor reseed for pest attack e.g. slugs, frit fly, leatherjacket, rabbits etc and take immediate action where necessary Post emergence spray is essential, apply approx. 5-6 weeks after establishment, prior to 1st grazing. Where clover was sown, use a clover safe spray Graze the new reseeds, frequently and at light covers to assist in tillering and to help create a dense sward. Pests Monitor the new reseed for signs of pest attack. Frit-fly, leatherjackets and slugs are the most common problem and are more prevalent with an autumn reseed. Frit fly can result in patchy, poorly established reseed. The frit-fly larvae burrow into the base of the newly emerging grasses and cut off the plant at the growing point. Autumn reseeds and min-till results in greatest risk. An appropriate pesticide can be applied if an attack is evident. Leatherjacket can result in bare patches or missing rows. Leatherjackets are the larvae of the crane fly (daddy-long-legs). Large crow populations feeding can indicate a leatherjacket problem. The leatherjacket cuts the new plant off just below the soil surface, destroying the seedling. An appropriate pesticide can be applied if an attack is evident. Slugs more prevalent during wet weather or in damp sections of a field, e.g. headlands. High levels of surface trash or inadequate/no rolling will increase the likelihood of a problem. Shredded leaves indicate a problem. Greater risk in direct drilled reseeds as the slit in the ground allows the slug shelter. Reduce the risk by creating a fine firm seedbed with adequate rolling. Use slug pellets when direct drilling or if a problem is identified.

11 Teagasc Pasture Profit Index Teagasc Pasture Profit Index Teagasc Pasture Profit Index 2016 Teagasc Pasture Profit Index 2016 Late Tetraploids: Late Diploids: PASTURE PROFIT INDEX SUB-INDICES ( PER HA PER YEAR) VARIETY DETAILS DM PRODUCTION Quality Silage Persistency Total PPI per ha/yr Variety Ploidy Heading Date Spring Summer Autumn AberGain T Jun AberPlentiful T Jun Solas* T Jun Kintyre T Jun Astonenergy T Jun Xenon T Jun Alfonso T Jun Aspect T Jun Navan T Jun Delphin T Jun PASTURE PROFIT INDEX SUB-INDICES ( PER HA PER YEAR) VARIETY DETAILS DM PRODUCTION Quality Silage Persistency Total PPI per ha/yr Variety Ploidy Heading Date Spring Summer Autumn AberChoice D Jun Kerry D Jun Glenroyal D Jun Drumbo D Jun Clanrye* D Jun Majestic D Jun Glenveagh D Jun Stefani D Jun Tyrella D Jun Piccadilly D Jun Twymax T Jun Intermediate Tetraploids: Intermediate Diploids: PASTURE PROFIT INDEX SUB-INDICES ( PER HA PER YEAR) VARIETY DETAILS DM PRODUCTION Quality Silage Persistency Total PPI per ha/yr Variety Ploidy Heading Date Spring Summer Autumn Dunluce T May Seagoe T May Magician T May Carraig T May PASTURE PROFIT INDEX SUB-INDICES ( PER HA PER YEAR) VARIETY DETAILS DM PRODUCTION Quality Silage Persistency Total PPI per ha/yr Variety Ploidy Heading Date Spring Summer Autumn AberMagic D May Nifty D May Rosetta D May Solomon D May Boyne D May Rows in yellow indicate Germinal varieties Rows in yellow indicate Germinal varieties

12 DAFM, Recommended List of Perennial Ryegrass Varieties DAFM, Recommended List of Perennial Ryegrass Varieties DAFM, Recommended List of Perennial Ryegrass Varieties 2016 DAFM, Recommended List of Perennial Ryegrass Varieties 2016 Intermediate Diploid and Tetraploid: Late Diploid and Tetraploid: FREQUENT CUTTING 2-CUT SILAGE FREQUENT CUTTING 2-CUT SILAGE Variety Ploidy Heading Total Spring Autumn 1st 2nd Ground DMD date yield growth growth cut cut cover 1-9 % Control Mean t DM/ha Solomon D 21-May Boyne D 22-May Rosetta D 24-May Nifty D 27-May AberMagic D 31-May Magician T 22-May Carraig T 24-May Seagoe T 28-May Dunluce T 30-May Rows in yellow indicate Germinal varieties. Variety Ploidy Heading Total Spring Autumn 1st 2nd Ground DMD date yield growth growth cut cut cover 1-9 % Control Mean t DM/ha Kerry D 01-Jun Majestic D 02-Jun Glenveagh D 02-Jun Stefani D 02-Jun Piccadilly D 03-Jun Tyrella D 04-Jun Glenroyal D 05-Jun Clanrye D 06-Jun Drumbo D 07-Jun AberChoice D 09-Jun AstonEnergy T 02-Jun Delphin T 02-Jun Alfonso T 04-Jun AberGain T 05-Jun Aspect T 06-Jun Navan T 06-Jun Kintyre T 07-Jun Twymax T 07-Jun AberPlentiful T 09-Jun Solas T 10-Jun Xenon T 11-Jun Rows in yellow indicate Germinal varieties.

13 Seasonal yield and quality drive profit 22 Digestibility the most valuable trait 23 Seasonal yield and quality drive profit Digestibility the most valuable trait Seasonality of grass production Seasonal yield and quality are the two most valuable traits when selecting grass for reseeding. Varieties which excel in these traits have the potential to allow earlier turnout and extend the grazing season, reduce requirements for silage and/or concentrate and increase animal performance due to increased energy intake. Increasing grass production at the shoulders of the season (in the spring and in the autumn) has the potential to improve farm profitability due to the reduced requirement to buy in more expensive feeds such as concentrates and also reduce the reliance on silage. Grass growth is dependent on soil temperatures reaching above 6 C, while clover requires soil temperatures above 8 C for growth. In Ireland, due to our climate, we typically have low grass growth rates over the winter months. Although there is little we can do about the weather, by selecting those varieties which have higher spring and autumn yields we can increase the proportion of grass in the animals diet, thus reducing the need for more expensive feeds such as silage and concentrates. According to Teagasc, each 1-unit increase in DMD will result in an extra 0.24 kg milk per cow/day, which equates to an additional 10 c per cow/day. For a 100 cow herd grazing a high digestibility grass such as AberGain, over a 300 day grazing period, the value of the improved digestibility in terms of extra milk is worth a staggering 3,000 to the herd compared to conventional grass varieties. Higher digestibility grasses have higher feed value and this should be at the forefront of your mind when selecting grass varieties. High digestibility grasses will: Increase DM intake Improve milk protein concentration Increase milk production Optimise animal performance Selecting varieties with high DMD values is critical to improving the overall performance of your herd. Research at Teagasc has shown that dairy cows are better able to graze tighter on swards with higher DMD, resulting in increased utilisation of the sward. The same is true for beef and sheep grazing systems. Germinal varieties excel in quality and seasonal yield. Our varieties are highest across all four categories for both quality and total economic value on the pasture profit index. Meaning our varieties will deliver increased performance to you farm. Fig 14 shows the relationship between total value and quality on the 2016 Teagasc Pasture Profit Index. Fig 14. Relationship between total value and quality on the 2016 Teagasc Pasture Profit Index: Total PPI Value /ha per year Germinal tetraploids Germinal diploids Other tetraploids Other diploids Carraig Nifty Kerry 100 Rosetta Magician Boyne Solomon Glenroyal Majestic Clanrye Glenveagh 75 Stefani Piccadilly Tyrella 50 AberPlentiful Solas Dunluce Seagoe Kintyre Delphin Navan Twymax AberMagic Drumbo AberGain AberChoice Xenon Astonenergy Aspect Alfonso Quality PPI /ha per year

14 Modern varieties maintain grassland productivity 24 Modern varieties maintain grassland productivity 25 Modern varieties maintain grassland productivity With the milking herd stocked at four cows to the hectare on land described as one-third wet, one-third intermediate and one-third good for grazing, Des Quinlivan relies on regular reseeding and innovative management to ensure he has sufficient grass of the best quality. Reseeding is not a cost but a necessity and it pays for itself within the year The 77-cow herd of New Zealand x Jersey milkers averages 5,200 litres at 4.64% butterfat and 3.86% protein, utilising a combination of grazing, zero grazing and quality silage. The policy at Knockatloe in O Callaghan s Mills, Co. Clare is to reseed 10% of the land each year, using the best available varieties to continually improve productivity. We reseed in May or June and aim to have fields back in production in six weeks, says Des. Reseeding is not a cost but a necessity and it pays for itself within the year. New grass varieties are like a new breed of anything they keep improving. We have more grass, particularly early and late in the season; it is more palatable, utilised better by the cows, and has an increased response to nitrogen. Des takes advice on grass varieties from Germinal s Dermot Campion, using the company s Top 5 Grazing mixture across the 42 acre grazing platform close to the parlour. He also uses specialist mixtures from Germinal to cope with the more difficult areas on the farm and includes the hybrid ryegrasses AberEcho and AberEve on land allocated for zero grazing. The hybrids work well for us under a zero grazing regime, adds Des. It has the yield potential of an Italian ryegrass but will persist for four years, offering good leafy regrowth through the season. We zero graze from St Patrick s Day through to early-to-mid October, on a needs be basis, feeding the fresh grass from a bunker trailer.

15 Forage crop options Forage crop options Forage crop options Without doubt grass has to be the first priority to feeding livestock efficiently, however forage crops can play a valuable role both for out-wintering livestock and overcoming grass shortfalls during the summer months. There are a number of options available to farmers when choosing fodder crops, but there are three fundamental questions to answer 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? 2. When will the land for growing fodder crops become vacant? 3. How many animals will a fodder crop feed? The table below highlights the sowing and utilisation period for a number of forage crops. Information is also presented on expected DM yields, and ME values. This information should help you decide on the best forage crop for your requirements. Fig 15. Fodder crop selection and production guide: Crop Variety Sowing time Seeding Time of rate Utilisation (per acre) Kale Maris Kestrel May-June kg* Hybrid Brassica Redstart April-August kg June-February Forage Rape Stego July-August kg October-February Swede Marian May-June Stubble Turnip Tyfon April-September 400 g kg November-February November-February June-February Expected DM% CP% DM Yield (t DM/ha) Metabolisable energy (MJ/kg DM) * If broadcasting seed increase to 4.0 kg/acre seeding rate. Key grazing guidelines Introduce stock to brassicas gradually (1-2 hours/day initially, building to unrestricted access in 7-10 days) Always allow access to a run-back area Provide supplementary fibre at all times e.g. silage, hay or straw Ensure appropriate minerals are available bolussing animals is the most effective means to achieve this Always provide easy access to fresh water

16 Forage brassica options 28 Forage brassica options 29 Forage brassica options Forage brassica options Maris Kestrel Kale Maris Kestrel is established as the leading kale variety in Ireland and is suitable for all classes of stock. It is renowned for its high digestibility and long utilisation period (July to April). Maris Kestrel has been used in Teagasc Moorepark and also in the SAC outwintering demonstrations. Its success is due to the fact that livestock can utilise the whole plant. Main uses Ideal for out-wintering Good late summer/early autumn feed for cattle or sheep Solution to late season grazing deficits Key benefits Outstanding leaf-to-stem ratio High whole plant D-value Vigorous early growth Resistant to lodging Good winter hardiness Long utilisation period Available with Ultrastrike Stego Forage Rape Marian Swede Stego is an extremely high yielding forage rape variety with excellent disease resistance, including mildew. The variety has extremely digestible stems, which allows complete use of the whole plant with minimal residual matter. Main uses High energy grazing for cattle and sheep Autumn and winter grazing Ideal for out-wintering systems Key benefits Fast and vigorous growth High leaf to-stem ratio Excellent whole plant D-value so low plant residues after grazing Regrowth potential High energy and good protein source Marian is a high yielding, winter hardy swede which makes for an excellent autumn and winter feed. It has a good uniform shape and also offers the benefit of good resistance to club root and mildew. Redstart Hybrid Brassica (Rape Kale) Redstart is a unique utility fodder crop, which offers the highly beneficial combination of rapid growth ability and good all year round performance. The forage rape genes in Redstart give it the ability to grow very fast while the kale genes deliver very good winter hardiness. It s a combination that means Redstart is a superb catch crop for countering late season grazing shortages. Redstart is mainly used as a high energy high protein grazing for cattle and sheep and is ideal for out wintering. Main uses High energy grazing for cattle and sheep Summer, autumn or winter grazing Ideal for out-wintering Key benefits Very rapid and vigorous growth Winter hardiness Regrowth potential Good late season yield potential High energy and good protein source Tyfon Stubble turnip Main uses High energy winter grazing for cattle and sheep Ideal for out-wintering systems Key benefits Outstanding winter hardiness High yielding with excellent D-value Strong clubroot resistance Yield and energy combination means one hectare of Marian is equivalent to 7-10 tonnes of barley Tyfon is a high yielding stubble turnip offering cost effective feeding solutions in summer, autumn or winter for either sheep or cattle. Main uses Catch crops for overcoming summer grazing shortfalls Versatile autumn/winter grazing that reduces concentrate feeding period Valuable source of fresh (worm-free) grazing for lambs Key benefits Easy to establish (undersown or scratched into stubbles) Early vigour varieties suitable for May sowing (July feeding) Good resistance to bolting Excellent regrowth potential Wide sowing window

17 Hybrid brassica proves finishing potential 30 Hybrid brassica proves finishing potential County Kilkenny farmer William Hutchinson views brassicas as the perfect accompaniment to his mixed system, enabling him to boost soil fertility, stocking rates and lamb weight gains. The Hutchinson family farm at Chepelizod, Kells, and currently run 700 commercial and pedigree ewes. The current breeding flock comprises 500 commercial ewes which include Easy Care x Belclares, 80 pedigree Texels, 35 pedigree Suffolks and 35 pedigree Île de France. High energy brassicas have formed a key component of his system for the last 15 years, primarily as a means of finishing lambs, but also as a useful nurse crop for new grass leys. In 2015, William used the hybrid brassica Redstart for the first time, rotationally grazing the crop and exploiting its potential for re-growth. The Redstart was sown in a 5.3ha (13 acre) field as a straight brassica crop (not undersown with grass) as there was a dock problem to be rectified. The first to graze the field were 500 commercial ram lambs at weaning at the end of June. The field was sub-divided by electric netting into six plots each of about 0.8ha (2 acres). Each plot was grazed by all the lambs. Lambs were moved between plots after about seven days, leaving the crop stalk to help promote re-growth. The plots were then re-grazed after around four weeks. The lambs were weighed at weaning and pre-sale and averaged 280g daily liveweight gain. William was drafting lambs for slaughter every 10 to 14 days and says performance in growth rate and killing out percentage was similar to the turnips used previously. All in all William believes brassicas offer an effective finishing crop, with daily liveweight gain being about 25% more than on grass. Finishing lambs on brassicas also allows grass fields to be shut up for the in-lamb ewes. This helps keep costs down and also maintains grass quality through the winter. 31

18 Notes 32 Further information sources 33 Notes Find out more Should you require any more information or to request a selection of free brochures and technical guides please visit our website: Aber and Aber HSG are registered trademarks of Germinal Holdings Ltd. The mixtures in this brochure are correct at the time of going to press and the supplies of the varieties used in the mixtures should be adequate for this season. If however we do run short of some, they will be replaced by the next best variety on the DAFM Recommended List.