Further NZ data is currently being gathered for AberGain and it is expected to enter the Dairy NZ Forage Value Index in 2020. After two years of trialling in Canterbury, the total dry matter yield of AberGain is not significantly different to that of a conventional NZ tetraploid perennial ryegrass.

Proven performance

Recommended list trials in various locations across the UK have shown AberGain to have a ME value under grazing of 12.6 MJ (Digestibility-value of 78.6), compared with the late heading tetraploid average of 12.4 MJ ME (Digestibility-value of 77.9).

Quality of grass is just as important as total yield, with a digestibility gain of 1% worthy of 3% of yield. A higher digestibility increases voluntary intake and allows animals to absorb more energy from the feed. Maximising the high-quality grazed grass in an animal’s diet will increase milk production and reduce feeding costs.

AberGain key features

• First tetraploid high sugar grass released in New Zealand.
• Densely tillered for improved recovery from severe grazing events and pugging.
• Highest ME yield of all perennial ryegrasses on the British Recommended List and highest-ranking variety on the Irish Pasture Profit Index.

Type: Perennial ryegrass
Ploidy: Tetraploid
Sowing Rate: 25-30 kg/ha
Heading Date: Very late +24 days
Endophyte: LE and AR1

AberGain

This fosters a better balance of energy and protein in the rumen, allowing the microbes responsible for the breakdown of forage to operate more efficiently, so more protein is converted to milk and meat, and less is excreted into the environment.

More energy absorbed from feed

The quality of grass is just as important as total yield. A digestibility gain of 1% is worth 3% of yield – animals have a higher voluntary intake with high digestibility, and are able to absorb more energy from the feed, meaning animals fed on good quality grass will yield more. AberGreen is 5.5% higher in digestibility when compared to a standard ryegrass.

AberGreen key features

• Vigorous ground cover
• Optimum energy-to-protein balance
• Excellent digestibility under grazing and silage management
• Bred for enduring persistence
• Superior late spring yields

Type: Perennial ryegrass
Ploidy: Diploid
Sowing Rate: 18-20 kg/ha
Heading Date: Late +17 days
Endophyte: LE and AR1

AberGreen

Quality of grass is just as important as total yield. A digestibility gain of 1% is worth 3% of yield – animals have a higher voluntary intake with high digestibility.

Energy absorption

They are able to absorb more energy from the feed, meaning animals fed on good quality grass will yield more. AberMagic is 5.0% higher in digestibility when compared to a standard ryegrass

AberMagic key features

• New generation of Aber HSG, bred for even higher sugar levels
• Exceptional quality under grazing and silage mangement
• Dense tiller growth providing increased ground cover
• Deep roots for enduring persistance
• Superior late spring yields

Type: Perennial Ryegrass
Ploidy: Diploid
Sowing Rate: 18 – 20Kg/ha
Heading Date: Late +19 days
Endophyte: LE

AberMagic

Performance
ONE50 is one of the most trialled cultivars in New Zealand with ONE50 AR37 being in 23 individual national trials to date, and ONE50 AR1 trialled in 17 trials. This level of trialling creates confidence that the results reported today won’t change greatly in the near future.

ONE50 AR37 is a leading variety in the 2015 NFVT national perennial ryegrass yield trials and delivers particularly strong growth from summer through to winter. ONE50 AR37 also delivered outstanding yield results in Canterbury, producing a strong result in summer and autumn.

Features

• Outstanding summer, autumn and winter growth

• Excellent spring quality and summer leafiness

• Excellent use of summer irrigation or natural rainfall