Eleven new varieties of ryegrass and one red clover variety have been added to the 2017/2018 Recommended Grass and Clover Lists (RGCL) for England and Wales.

Only grasses and clovers that have undergone at least four years of independent testing are included which should be considered when reseeding, according to Dr Liz Genever, AHDB senior scientist.

“The lists give details on the performance and characteristics of each variety, helping farmers make informed decisions alongside their seed merchants about the ones that best meet their needs," she said.

“Varieties are rigorously tested for factors such as total and seasonal yield, feed quality, disease and persistence before making the Recommended Grass and Clover Lists.”

In addition to providing information on the varieties, the RGCL also includes a range of technical information for farmers on how they can manage their reseed and maximise the productivity of their grassland.

The 2017/2018 RGCL handbook and the full lists for merchants is available to download from beefandlamb.ahdb.org.uk/returns and britishgrassland.com/rgcl

Name Type

Starman Early perennial ryegrass (diploid)

Good total annual yields under simulated grazing including a very good autumn yield with a good mid-season D value. Very good first year annual yields under conservation management, including an excellent second cut yield combined with a moderate D value. Excellent resistance to crown rust. Specifically recommended for conservation management systems, combined with an excellent crown rust resistance.

AstonConqueror Intermediate perennial ryegrass (diploid)

Good total annual yields under simulated grazing, including very good early and excellent spring grazing yields combined with a moderate mid-season D value. Very good first year annual yields under conservation management, including an excellent first cut and second cut D value. Moderate resistance to crown rust. Specifically recommended for grazing yield in a medium/ long term situation in areas with low crown rust susceptibility

Nolwen Intermediate perennial ryegrass (tetraploid)

Good total annual yields under simulated grazing including a very good early, spring and autumn grazing yields, combined with a very good mid season grazing D value. Moderate yields under conservation management in the first and third harvest years, including an excellent first cut D value and second cut yield. Agronomic characteristics include excellent ground cover in the second harvest year and crown rust resistance.

AberSpey Intermediate perennial ryegrass (tetraploid)

Excellent total annual yields under simulated grazing, including very good early, late summer yields, as well as excellent autumn grazing yields combined with an excellent mid-season grazing D value. Good total annual yields under conservation management in the first harvest year, including excellent first and second cut D values, as well as excellent third and fourth cut yields. Agronomic characteristics include very good ground cover in the second harvest year and winter hardiness, combined with excellent crown rust resistance.

Triwarwic Intermediate perennial ryegrass (tetraploid)

Good total annual yields under simulated grazing, including very good early summer and autumn grazing yields combined with a moderate mid-season grazing D value. Very good total annual yields under conservation management in the first and third harvest years, including very good second, third and fourth cut yields. Agronomic characteristics include good second and third years autumn ground cover combined with excellent crown rust resistance.

Federer Intermediate perennial ryegrass (tetraploid)

Very good total annual yields under simulated grazing, including excellent late summer yields combined with a very good mid-season D value. Moderate total annual yields under conservation management in the first harvest year, including good second cut yields and very good first cut D value. Agronomic characteristics include excellent ground cover in the second harvest year and resistance to crown rust.

AberLee Late perennial ryegrass (diploid)

Very good total annual yields under simulated grazing including excellent early summer yields and mid-season D value. Good and very good total annual yields in the first and third harvest years respectively, combined with excellent first and second cut D values. Very good disease resistance to crown rust.

Ballintoy Late perennial ryegrass (tetraploid)

Very good annual yields under simulated grazing including excellent early and spring grazing yields, with a very good mid-season D value. Excellent total annual yields under conservation management in the first and third harvest years, including excellent first, third and fourth cut yields. Moderately susceptible to crown rust. Specifically recommended for situations with low crown rust susceptibility.

Calao Late perennial ryegrass (tetraploid)

Very good annual yields under simulated grazing including very good early and spring grazing yields combined with a very good mid-season D value. Good total annual yield in the first harvest year, followed by excellent total yield in the third harvest year under conservation management. Agronomic characteristics include excellent ground cover in the second harvest year and excellent crown rust resistance.

Messina Italian ryegrass (tetraploid)

Excellent annual yields in the first harvest year, including excellent early spring and monthly cuts yields combined with excellent first and second cut D values. Agronomic characteristics include excellent first year ground cover combined with excellent resistance to crown rust and brown rust, very good resistance to ryegrass mosaic virus and mildew although with limited data.

Barclamp Hybrid ryegrass (diploid)

Good total annual yields in the first and excellent yields in the second harvest year. Good first and second cut conservation yields. Agronomic characteristics include excellent ground cover in all three harvest years combined with excellent resistance to crown rust and brown rust, good resistance to mildew. Very good resistance to ryegrass mosaic virus although with limited data.

Hegemon Red clover

Moderate and good yields in the first and second harvest years respectively, including a good first cut yield and protein content in the first harvest year.