Description
Demonstration plot to compare: Tall fescue vs. perennial ryegrass (cultivars for moor-soils); and especially structured grassland mixtures; test of performance on a moor-site where perennial ryegrass is difficult to establish permanently. Comparison of yield, fodder quality, suitability for biogas plants, silage, persistence
The farmer was interested to find alternatives to perennial ryegrass for wet moor sites, because of its unsatisfying persistence on those sites
It was a challenge to establish the new grasses on the wet moor-site; persistence remains to be seen.
Farm description
Environment
- Soil type: Sandy soils and moor
- Climate: Temperate oceanic climate
- Average altitude: 2 m a.s.l. ; no slope
Grassland management
- No grazing
- Five cuts per year
Structure
- Annual work units: 1.5
- Agricultural Area: 185 ha
- 113 ha permanent grassland, 50 ha silage maize and 20 ha arable land
Animal performance
- 143 Dairy cows and 161 heifers;
- 8600 l /year/dairy animal
- Bull fattening: 400 kg carcass weight (20 months)
- Heifer fattening: 380 kg carcass weight (24 months)
Why it is working
Good weather conditions and know how of the farmer were essential to establish Festuca arundinacea successfully.
