DairyCo

The right species and varieties for you

Published 17 May 11

Livestock producers spend more time selecting sires than they do choosing the right grasses to suit their farms. Yet no single variety can deliver across the board, says independent grassland consultant, Charlie Morgan.

"There are different options for grasses which do different things. No single variety will be a cut and graze pasture that suits both cattle and sheep, for hill and valley," he explains.

"A good start, therefore, is to decide whether a field is predominantly for silage or grazing. This can give information on target yields and quality needed from a sward. Then look at the time of year when the majority of grass is needed, persistence and consider issues such as crown rust."

It's also better to look at sowing a mix of grass varieties, he adds. "It's been proven that a mix of four out-yields single grasses because they complement each other for shade and nutrients. Select varieties from the Recommended List but ask merchants to explain the grasses in their mixes. You don't let anyone else buy your stock bull or ram, so don't do it with grass. Make an informed decision." 

• Getting the most from soils and nutrients- DairyCo extension officer Chris Duller
• Choosing the best reseeding method- Kingshay consultant, Dr Martin Yeates
• Download the Recommended List of Grass and Clover 2011.