Sustainability of grassland management means more from grass and less from bought in inputs, as demonstrated at the recent Grassland and Muck event which saw record numbers on the DLF Trifolium stand. However currently rotational grassland in the UK is operating between 60-65% of full potential. "Would a cereal farmer tolerate a 35% loss of potential from his crops?" asked Tim Kerridge, Agricultural Sales Manager for DLF. "Definitely not, so why should the grass farmer?"

In order to realise the additional 35% potential it is necessary to fine tune grass management and where necessary look at shorter term mixtures to boost output in the early years by 20-30% with Hybrids, Festulolium and Red Clover. This should be followed by overseeding in years 2 and 3 with additional Hybrids, Perennials and White Clover to ensure continued performance over the remaining life of sward.

In light of ever increasing costs of fertiliser, overseeding with the reintroduction of Red and White Clover into the sward is another way of fighting rising costs. Overseeding demonstrations, in conjunction with Masstock showed machines operating, which allowed farmers to see the results for themselves. The residual Nitrogen left after a three year crop of Red Clover grass mixture can leave up to the equivalent of £70 per acre worth of bagged Nitrogen for subsequent crops.

Without a doubt, maintaining sward output over the life of the sward has never been more important but of equal importance are new initiatives for the farmer which are cost saving, such as iSeed. This is an unique seed coating of nitrogen and phosphate developed by Kemira GrowHow and marketed exclusively by DLF, which overcomes the need for a seed bed fertiliser. Improvements of 30% can be demonstrated when grass seed is treated with iSeed.  For further information about iSeed please click here

For further information about the agriculture range of mixtures from DLF Trifolium, please contact 01386 791102 or Email forage@dlf.co.uk

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A combination of factors will inevitably force the price of grass seed to rise says leading grass seed Supplier DLF Trifolium Ltd. "In recent years we are seeing fewer grass seed crops grown, says Tim Kerridge, Agriculture Sales Manager for DLF.

"No longer is there any subsidy on grass seed production so growers are looking at the most profitable crops to grow i.e. wheat. In addition to this factor is a higher demand for bio-ethanol crops such as oil seed rape and wheat in Europe." 


"Already we are experiencing difficulty in contracting for 2008 grass seed production  due to these competitive crops," concludes Kerridge.

The recent wet harvest in the main production areas of Western Europe has reduced seed yield by 20% for 2007 harvest thus compounding the problem further.

For more information on the agriculture range please call 01386 791101 or email forage@dlf.co.uk 

Grass Breeding & New Facilities For UK Grass Seed Business

As part of the global grass breeding organisation, DLF Trifolium A/S, the UK subsidiary is delighted to have the opportunity to carry out its own grass trials on home grounds.

Chris Taylor transferred to DLF Trifolium Ltd together with the CPB grass breeding programme, which was finalised in November 2006. With 30 years of breeding experience behind him, he has been very successful in breeding agriculture ryegrass varieties for the UK Recommended List including Twystar, Twymax, Twytop and Twyblade and some highly rated amenity varieties, Twysport red fescue and Twyplay perennial ryegrass. Now in charge of all trialling activity for the UK's leading grass seed company, he is based at Hailes Farm, Didbrook, near Cheltenham.

Breeding grasses for UK conditions is the main objective for Chris with overall responsibility for 5000 plots within 40 acres of land dedicated to amenity and agriculture varieties. In order to complement this significant appointment for DLF, proposals have been submitted to the planning authorities to build new trials facilities to include offices and machinery storage at Hailes Farm, for the trials and plant breeding department.

This building will, when completed, become the main location for all trials functions in the UK including personnel, equipment, grass trials and additionally demonstration areas of amenity and game cover crops subject to planning permission! The new trial facilities will be completed by spring 2008.

In addition to these changes, there are significant developments within the UK business. Excavation work started on 18th June at Thorn Farm, Head Office as the first phase of extending the warehouses by approximately 10,000 square feet.

An important element of the new building will be the installation of "roller racking" which will significantly increase the quantity of finished goods that can be stored. Once the construction has been completed, hopefully by early October this year, the packing lines will be re-organised to be accommodated in one area with a direct link to the new warehouse.

These two developments are further significant investments by DLF Trifolium in the business which emphasises its commitment to creating the best seed business serving the UK market.

For more information on the agriculture range please call 01386 791101 or email forage@dlf.co.uk

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