Irish Study Centre Reports Booming Grass Sales

UK – Sales of grass varieties developed by a scientific research body have broken records, selling 3,000 tonnes in a year in the UK and Ireland.
calendar icon 16 September 2014
clock icon 1 minute read

Producer popularity is thought to be down to seeds grown under local conditions through the Recommended List process.

New varieties Clanrye and Seagoe, recently released in Ireland, have been popular in the UK, producing high forage yields.

Late-heading varieties Tyrella, Portstewart and Drumbo enjoy a reputation for good digestibility, persistence and productivity.

Making money out of cattle hinges on grass, said an AFBI spokesperson.

“The improved prices for milk during the last year have helped to offset the increased cost of expensive concentrate feeding, but efficient use of grass remains the key to profitability on dairy and beef farms in the UK.

“Although the majority of farms make maximum use of grass for both grazing and silage, on some farms grass remains under-exploited, barely reaching 50 per cent of potential utilisation.”

Despite this, pastures are getting older on average, with the risk of losing production and needing to supplement with bought in feeds.

Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) figures show the area of grassland under five years old has decreased over the last twenty years.

TheCattleSite News Desk

© 2000 - 2024 - Global Ag Media. All Rights Reserved | No part of this site may be reproduced without permission.