FOUR new options providing increased agronomic and yield qualities alongside high feed values have been introduced to the latest range of Monarch grass seed mixtures.

The mixtures, which have been proven to increase milk and meat production and have been identified with the LGAN (LG Animal Nutrition – LG is the international brand for multi-species of Limagrain) accreditation, include two mainly cutting mixtures: LGAN quality silage and LGAN protein silage; and the dual-purpose LGAN silage and grazing and grazing mixture LGAN intensive grazing.

“LGAN accreditation is awarded to mixtures that deliver superior nutritional value, while maintaining excellent agronomic qualities and yield,” said John Spence, Limagrain’s seed specialist. “We support each LGAN mixture with independent trial data that demonstrates the added feed value.”

Based on data from trials carried out at the Schothorst Research Institute, based in the Netherlands, cows fed on a diet including the LGAN grass mixture produced 1.4 litres per day more milk than the group of cows fed a dual-purpose mixture.

Based on 300 days in milk and a milk price of 28ppl, the LGAN mixture added £118 per cow to milk value.

The LGAN intensive grazing mixture also out-performed a control mixture of recommended varieties in Dartington forage quality trials. Taking multiple test points throughout the season, the LGAN mixture showed an improvement in dry matter yield of 1.78t per ha and energy of 25,694MJ per ha compared to the control.

“This increase in energy is equivalent to 4848 litres of milk, which, based on a price of 28p per litre, is worth an extra £1357 per hectare,” added Mr Spence.

In addition, the popular, trusted Monarch mixtures, such as the medium- and long-term cutting mixtures Maxicut and Multicut and the Matrix grazing range, remain prominent in the latest brochure.

“These mixtures are made up of consistent and high quality tested seed that has been treated with Headstart® Gold to ensure rapid and reliable germination. Reseeding and grass ley maintenance is an important part of livestock management, leading to improved feed quality and higher productivity. But this depends on selecting quality seed mixtures with a proven track record.”