Eleven new varieties of ryegrass and one red clover variety have been added to the 2017/2018 Recommended Grass and Clover Lists (RGCL). The publication will be launched at the Grassland & Muck event at Stoneleigh on 24 May.
The lists are an invaluable resource for grassland farmers, enabling them to 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.
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. Dr Liz Genever, AHDB senior scientist, said: “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.”
In addition to providing information on the varieties, the RGCL also includes a range of technical information for farmers on how they can manage their reseed and maximise the productivity of their grassland.
The 2017/2018 RGCL handbook and the full lists for merchants will be available to download from beefandlamb.ahdb.org.uk/returns and britishgrassland.com/rgcl from 24 May 2017. The online interactive version for perennial ryegrasses has been updated and will be available at dairy.ahdb.org.uk. Hard copies of the handbook will be available from the AHDB stand at Grassland & Muck on the 24 and 25 May (stand number 323).
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