New grass and clover varieties help to maximise forage use 

New grass and clover varieties on the RL offer improved yields and disease resistance, and could help livestock farmers to maximise forage use on farm.

There are 11 new varieties on the 2024/2025 RGCL for England and Wales, including: two Italian ryegrass, six perennial ryegrass, two lucerne and one festulolium.

With production costs a key concern for livestock farmers, maximising forage use can help reduce feed costs and improve efficiency. 

Missed opportunity

Katie Evans, senior engagement manager (Beef & Lamb) at AHDB, said: “While farmers readily embrace advancements in livestock genetics, reliance on outdated grassland varieties persists.”

Farmers who fail to adopt modern varieties are missing an opportunity to capitalise on superior attributes such as yield, digestibility and seasonal growth, she added. 

“The priority to minimise production costs per unit of output remains a key concern for livestock producers. 

“Increasing forage production on farm presents a viable strategy to reduce reliance on external feed sources. 

“Grassland farms in England and Wales hold substantial potential to increase both the quantity and quality of grass and clover produced and consumed.”

Better sward performance

Ellie Sweetman is a forage crop specialist at NIAB and the RGCL trial coordinator on behalf of BSPB.

She said reseeding with RGCL varieties will increase sward performance and give good return on investment.

“To get onto the RGCL, varieties must offer a clear improvement to the existing list. 

“This pushes the standard continually upward with increasing yield, nutrient use efficiency and ME yield per hectare, therefore increasing production efficiency and sustainability.”

Accurate, independent data on the RGCL allows farmers to select varieties and mixtures that are tailored to their specific farming conditions and animal needs.

The list also provides technical guidance on reseeding, maximising sward productivity, she concluded.

The Grass and Clover Recommended List (RL) trial programme is managed by NIAB on behalf of the BSPB, with trials sites across the country run by NIAB, IBERS, DLF, DSV and disease sites run by NIAB and Barenbrug. 

The 2024/2025 RGCL handbook and full lists for merchants is available for download from the AHDB website. Hard copies are available upon request. 

READ MORE: Considering outwintering cattle? Start grazing planning now

Descriptions of new RGCL varieties 2024

Italian ryegrass (diploids):

Bigdyl

• Excellent total average yield
• Very good ME yield for an Italian diploid
• Excellent ground cover in both harvest years
• Excellent resistance to crown rust
• Limited data showing very good resistance to brown rust.

Exotyl

• Excellent total average yield and ME yield for an Italian diploid
• Excellent ground cover in both harvest years
• Excellent resistance to crown rust
• Limited data showing very good resistance to brown rust.

Hybrid ryegrass:

Kubicek (DLF FPF-25856) (Festulolium Hexaploid)

• Excellent total annual yields in second and third harvest years when compared to hybrid tetraploid means
• Outstanding ground cover with good D values
• Limited data shows excellent winter hardiness
• Very good resistance to crown rust
• Limited data shows very good resistance to brown rust.

Intermediate perennial ryegrass dip:

AberTweed

• Excellent total annual yield, ME yield, seasonal growth and D value under simulated grazing with good ground cover
• Excellent total yields, D values and ME yield under conservation management
• Good resistance to crown rust
• Very good resistance to drechslera
• Limited data shows very good winter hardiness.

Farmington

• Very good total annual yield
• Good ME yield, D value and ground cover under grazing management
• Good yields and D values under conservation management
• Good resistance to crown rust and drechslera
• Limited data shows very good winter hardiness.

Late PRG dip:

Bomium

• Excellent total annual yield and ME yield
• Excellent late season growth under simulated grazing
• Excellent yields and ME yields under conservation management
• Good resistance to crown rust.

Late PRG tet:

AberForth

• Good total yield
• Outstanding early season growth and D value under simulated grazing management
• Excellent first and second cut D values under conservation management
• Good winter hardiness and good resistance to Drechslera.

Richhill

• Excellent total yields under conservation management
• Excellent first and third cut yields and very good second cut D value.

AstonGlory 

• Very good total yield
• Excellent ME yield
• Outstanding D value under simulated grazing management
• Excellent seasonal growth from early summer to autumn
• Excellent second cut D value under conservation management.

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