It compares the yields of different varieties of fodder beet, swede, kale, stubble turnips and forage rape. For example, kale variety Caledonian yielded 21% more Dry Matter than Maris Kestrel â equating to an extra 2t/ha.
The data in the booklet is compiled from over 10 years of fully replicated plot trials conducted at Limagrain’s Lincolnshire site, and also at the James Hutton Institute, near Dundee.
Limagrain’s Martin Titley adds:
“There can be big differences in yields and consequent feed returns between older and newer varieties of forages. For instance, fodder beet variety Robbos has a Dry Matter yield of 18.4t/ha which is 1.2t/ha more than older variety Kyros, and swede variety Gowrie gives 2.7t/ha more than Ruta Otofte & that’s an 18% higher yield!”
“So whilst it might cost an extra few pounds per hectare to sow a newer variety, there can be at least an extra tonne of DM yield to be gained. Many of the newer varieties also have better disease resistance and forage quality than older ones.”
Limagrain’s forage trials booklet also contains information on each variety’s forage quality, disease resistance and physical features, e.g. height, shape. For each forage type, the establishment costs, feed values, sowing rates and fertiliser guidelines are also included.
For a free copy of the Forage Crops Trials Results booklet, farmers can email Limagrain at: enquiries@limagrain.co.uk or visit our Forage Crop Range.