Choose varieties to complement each other i.e. combine Yield, Quality and
Persistency.
Silage Mixture
Choose varieties with good early spring growth e.g. Magician,
Napoleon, Umbria.
The principal silage grasses should have complementary heading
dates, e.g. Cashel, Magician.
Improve sward density by including very persistent late types e.g.
Cornwall, Umbria.
The relative proportion of intermediate to late varieties will
influence the cutting date.
High proportion of intermediate types = Earlier silage
High proportion of late types = Later silage cutting
Erect growth habit reduces lodging.
Grazing Mixture
Choose varieties which grow well from early spring to late autumn and whose production
complements each other over the entire grazing season. Napoleon and Magician give good early spring and late autumn growth.
The high digestibility and palatability of Tetraploids are particularly useful. Millennium and Condesa are late heading varieties which increase palatability.
Highly persistent varieties reduce poaching. Cornwall and
Umbria give a good dense base to the pasture.
Trials have shown that 10 to 15% of extra production can be achieved from
Tetraploids. Milk yield and protein are also improved from more leafy late perennials.
Surplus grass from this type of sward will give excellent quality baled
silage.
