Use
Grass Manager Leys are formulated for the intensive farmer who requires silage
and grazing leys to have a direct effect on milk or meat production. The need
to maximise output from efficient forage production is clear. Grass Manager
Leys are designed to combine high yields with the highest nutritive value.
Emphasis is placed on achieving optimum D-value at the time of utilisation,
as well as high soluble carbohydrate content. Grass varieties in these mixtures
are highly rated for their overall disease resistance which will improve both
yield and palatability.
Yields
Italian ryegrass leys usually produce the highest yields but are limited
to two years of production. Typically they yield 15-18 tonnes DM per hectare
compared to perennial ryegrasses which are usually in the region of 12-13
tonnes. Hybrid ryegrass, the cross between Italian and perennial, offers
yields similar to Italian ryegrass but with greater persistence. Therefore
hybrids should be considered a good option for leys of 3-4 years in duration.
White Clover
We can add clover to these leys. White clover will improve nutritional value,
particularly in the mid-summer and autumn. We recommend adding a 1 kg mixture
of Crusader and Barblanca at an additional cost of £6.90 per acre.
Red Clover
Red clover is a high yielding silage legume which is usually grown with
Italian or hybrid ryegrasses. Yields are comparable with Italian ryegrass
receiving high levels of artificial nitrogen.
Cover Crop
Long leys can benefit from the addition of a fast growing cover or nurse
crop. Westerwolds, a one year ryegrass, can provide cover during establishment
and increase yields in the first year of production. Add westerwolds ryegrass
at
3 kg per acre. Cost £5.88 per acre.
3.50 kg certified FABIO tet. Italian ryegrass
3.50 kg certified GEMINI tet. Italian ryegrass
3.50 kg certified ADIN Italian ryegrass
3.50 kg certified FOX Italian ryegrass
Ref.
MIXA
Optimum balance between the highest quality and yield for
silage. Maximum-Yield produces the all important first cut usually between
the second and third week of May. At this time the grasses will have high
D-values and a high soluble carbohydrate content which ensures good silage
fermentation. As well as offering a potential major saving in silage additive,
this improves palatability and therefore the profitability of winter milk
production.
Maximum-Yield
Two Year Silage Ley
14.00
kg per acre £35.82 (35 kg/ha £89.55)
6.00 kg certified ABERECHO tet. hybrid ryegrass
6.00 kg certified ABEREXCEL or similar tet. hybrid ryegrass
2.00 kg certified TWYSTAR perennial ryegrass
Ref.
MIXB Early growth, high yields and good persistence make hybrid
ryegrasses worth considering when the ley is expected to remain down for more
than two years. Utilising excellent hybrid varieties this ley is comparable,
in terms of output, with Italian ryegrass leys. It should also be noted that
the grazing potential is superior.
Hybrid
Silage Ley Three-Four Year Silage Ley
14.00
kg per acre £37.72 (35 kg/ha £94.30)
4.00 kg certified CALIBRA tet. perennial ryegrass
6.00 kg certified ABEREXCEL or similar tet. hybrid ryegrass
2.00 kg certified ABERSTAR perennial ryegrass
2.00 kg certified PORTRUSH perennial ryegrass
Ref.
MIXC
Maximum feed value can only be obtained from well made high D-value silage.
This ley will provide optimum D-value and yield during the
third week of May. Yields are boosted by utilising hybrid ryegrass. This quality
ley will also provide good summer and late season grazing.
Maximum
D-Value
Four-Five Year Silage Ley
16.00
kg per acre £43.77 (40 kg/ha £109.43)
4.50 kg certified ABERECHO tet. hybrid ryegrass
4.50 kg certified ABERSTAR perennial ryegrass
3.00 kg certified MAGICIAN tetraploid perennial ryegrass
2.00 kg certified DUNLUCE tet. perennial ryegrass
2.00 kg certified TWYSTAR perennial ryegrass
Ref.
MIX3
To provide quality grazing throughout the season this mixture includes tetraploid
grasses which will increase palatability and therefore voluntary intake. Containing
some early grasses this ley is well suited to light land and requires early
grazing. It should last up to five years and can help to extend the
grazing season.
Intensive
Dairy Graze - Early
Four-Five Year Ley
18.00
kg per acre £48.16 (45 kg/ha £120.40)
5.00 kg certified DUNLUCE tet. perennial ryegrass
4.00 kg certified ORION tetraploid perennial ryegrass
3.00 kg certified ABERSTAR perennial ryegrass
3.00 kg certified PORTRUSH perennial ryegrass
3.00 kg certified TWYSTAR perennial ryegrass
Ref.
MIX4
A proper late, thick bottomed sward for summer grazing or
late silage making on heavier soils. A high sowing rate of very palatable
grasses with good D-values has made this mixture very popular over
many years. This ley can be expected to last at least five years.
Intensive
Dairy Graze - Late
Five Year Plus Ley
13.00
kg per acre £37.32 (32.50 kg/ha £93.30)
3.00 kg certified MAGICIAN tet. perennial ryegrass
2.00 kg certified CORBET perennial ryegrass
3.00 kg certified TWYSTAR perennial ryegrass
2.50 kg certified DUNLUCE tet. perennial ryegrass
2.00 kg certified PROMESSE timothy
0.20 kg certified ABERHERALD white clover
0.20 kg certified CRUSADER white clover
0.10 kg certified ABERPEARL white clover
Ref.
MIXMM
An excellent dual purpose ley which is equally suitable for cattle or sheep.
This mixture combines the benefits of intermediate and late perennial ryegrass
with highly palatable timothy and white clover. It can be grown for silage
and hay or it can be intensively grazed. This versatile high D-value ley will
yield well on all soil types.
