Press Information

Milk from grazed grass is the most profitable.

However, one of the biggest problems is availability, as most grasses require sufficiently high temperatures to initiate growth. Most dairy farmers are already familiar with New Zealand grazing systems and the use of the plate meter. For many years New Zealand plant breeders have focussed their breeding programmes on grasses with an extended growing season.

Grazing late into the autumn and turning out earlier in the spring shortens the winter feeding period and lowers costs. Extending the grazing season can only be achieved with grasses that can grow at lower than normal temperatures, these the breeders have identified as “Cool season active grasses” and have the potential to grow at lower temperatures than traditional European types.

New Zealand breeder PGG Wrightson Seeds the largest plant breeder in New Zealand and one of the most respected throughout the world has successfully bred grass varieties with the potential for cool season growth. After several years use in New Zealand these grasses have proved successful on the more progressive dairy farms in Ireland.

Now, through an exclusive agreement these varieties are available in the UK through the Yorkshire based seeds company Hurrells.

Hurrels managing director, Nick Gladstone said, “ Cool season active grasses are a major breakthrough in reducing costs for the dairy farmer.” He continued with a caution, ”Extending the grazing season does not increase overall annual yield – it transfers some of the surplus growth peak to either end of the season. It is important to choose free draining; dryer fields to allow the earlier spring turnout and those preferably closer to the parlour and housing. The total of grazing area sown with cool season grasses should not exceed 20% and the fields regularly monitored”.

For further information about “Cool season active grasses” and their role in producing milk from grass contact Nick Gladstone at Hurrell & McLean Seeds, telephone; 01377 271400.

Everyone knows that all a seed requires to germinate is moisture and warmth. However, too often this alone is not enough to achieve a good establishment. This can be due to the seeds needing a little something extra to overcome the stresses of establishment.

One simple answer is a seed coating that allows a safe, controlled easy sowing which can be used to advantage when the seedbed or weather conditions are less than favourable.

Following extensive trials in Germany, Hurrells, the amenity seeds specialists are making a revolutionary seed coating named WASP (Water Absorbing Process) available for amenity seeds mixtures and straights this spring.

As a seed coating WASP is unique as it places a water reservoir around the seed protecting it from “drying off”. In addition the coating contains a bio stimulant of essential nutrients and trace elements enhancing the growth and health of the plant, optimising root development during that vital early stage. The coating is non-toxic and totally safe to humans, animals and the environment.

Nick Gladstone, Hurrells managing director said, ”WASP is a major breakthrough in seed treatments. No one likes to see a patchy established area of grass that is unacceptable in the majority of amenity and sports situations. When sowing grass seed there are so many factors beyond the control of the groundsman or greenkeeper but by using WASP nearly all of these risks are eliminated.”