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
4500 plots at Didbrook
450 plots in Scotland
Access to the best material & breeding programmes from international sources to ensure the best cultivars in your fields.
Stage 2
Mixture Trials to assess mixture formulations
In 2006, seventy two mixtures were sown at the DLF Trifolium research centre at Didbrrok, Gloucestershire. These were managed for cutting, grazing and dual purpose scenarios . These trials are now complete and the results show: -
BROADSWORD is the highest yielding cutting mixture at 122% of controls.
MEGABITE is the highest yielding grazing mixture at 111% of controls.
FORTRESS is the highest yielding dual purpose mixture at 103% of controls.
Stage 3
Unique Grazing Trials to Assess Mixture Performance.
200 plots in 4 farm trilas.
150 plots in controlled grazing and persistence trials. The limit to animal performance is intake. By improvong 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 £60/acre/year.
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
Seed Quality
EU standards allow for a great variation in seed quality available in Britain. Oliver Seeds have developed a quality control system which ensures the seed grade delivered to farm is consistently of the highest standards available.
