Recommended Grass and Clover Lists updated to include five new grass varieties

The lists are an invaluable resource for grassland farmers
The lists are an invaluable resource for grassland farmers

The 2016/2017 Recommended Grass and Clover Lists (RGCL) have been updated with five new ryegrass varieties.

The lists are an invaluable resource for grassland farmers, enabling them to select varieties that will perform well in a particular system.

Only grasses and clovers that have undergone at least four years of independent testing are included in the lists.

"Varieties are rigorously tested for factors such as yield, feed quality, disease and persistence before making the RGCL," said AHDB Beef & Lamb senior scientist Dr Liz Genever.

"The lists give details on the performance and characteristics of each variety, helping producers make informed decisions about the ones that best meet their needs.

"Producers can maximise the productivity of their grassland by selecting the appropriate varieties to suit their system or purpose."

The 2016/17 RGCL handbook and the full lists for merchants will be available to download from the Better Returns section of the website and from the British Grassland Society from 6 June 2016.

The online interactive version for perennial ryegrasses has been updated and will be available from the AHDB Dairy website.

Hard copies of the handbook will be available from the AHDB Beef & Lamb stand at South Sheep on 7 June and at the AHDB Dairy stand at Welsh Grass on 9 June.