Oliver Seeds grass mixtures are designed using a unique product development process involving variety screening with HVG, NIAB and SAC, official trials, farm evaluation and grazing trials.
Testing optimises performance over a range of systems. To confirm a variety's performance, we also consider Northern European data. This verifies that a variety will perform if subjected to the range of climatic extremes which may occur in Britain.
Stage 1
The largest grass and clover screening operation in the UK
400 plots at Dartington
2500 plots at Didbrook
120 plots at Aberdeen
Access to the best material & breeding programmes from international sources to ensure the best cultivars in your fields.
Stage 2
Unique Mixture Trials to assess Grazing Performance
200 plots in 4 farm trials
150 plots in controlled grazing & persistence trials. The limit to animal performance is intake. By improving palatability, Oliver Seeds improve intake and the ease of grazing management
More intake = more milk and/or quicker live weight gain
1 extra litre/cow/day = An extra £30/acre/year
Latest Grazing Scores for Oliver's Mixtures:
Grazing Score (Max 9 - Min 1)
Megabite
8.5
Claymore
7.5
Century
7.9
Fortress
7.8
Twymax Perennial Ryegrass (T)
7.6
AberDart Perennial Ryegrass
7.0
AberGlyn Perennial Ryegrass (T)
6.8
Maurice Perennial Ryegrass (T)
8.5
Donata Cocksfoot
7.2
AberTop Cocksfoot
6.5
Stage 3
Analysis of the results
Wide differences in grazing preference, both within and between, herbage species
After 3 seasons, only 34% of grasses had +60% ground cover Only the best are used in Oliver's Mixtures
Only clovers ideally suited to a particular management may survive, thrive and contribute to stock performance and fertility
Stage 4 NIAB and Vartest mixture results
Olivers are enthusiastic supporters of the NIAB/BSPB levy scheme and include this levy in the cost of their seed. This guarantees extensive independent testing of varieties as featured in the new Herbage Variety Guide. (HVG).
Well formulated mixtures out perform the mean of their ingredients. This is because you can combine varieties with different growth patterns and compensate for seasonal variation in individual variety performance.
In NIAB trials, key Oliver's mixtures have performed well above expectations. Mixtures carrying the NIAB Vartest logo have been tested for outstanding performance.
Stage 5
The benefits to you
The results allow us to select the best varieties for the intended use of the sward and the best formulation for the mixture. This means:
Longevity that reduces re-seeding costs
Maximum production levels and reduced forage costs
