QUALITY GRASS MIXTURES

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1 QUALITY GRASS MIXTURES

2 CIRCLE LEYS THE LEADERS IN THE FIELD Nickerson, based at Rothwell in Lincolnshire, have been dedicated to supplying the very best seed technology and genetic improvement from the research programmes within our group for over 60 years. Because we are plant breeders, we are your partners in all aspects of your forage production, from advice on seedbed preparation, through to the mixture choice and inputs. We have an unrivalled team of Seed Specialists in all parts of the UK who are trained in all aspects of forage production and conservation. Their role is dedicated to supplying the best seed available with informed expert advice, which is only possible by having a large research and development commitment to the industry. At Nickerson we are in full control of our seed quality, ensuring unsurpassed levels of reliability. By having a dedicated production facility we can grow a large proportion of our requirements on selected farms, then process the seed to our own exacting standards. We are justifiably proud of our track record in forage seeds. For over 60 years we have produced the UK s leading brand of grass mixtures Circle Leys. Nickerson is a division of Groupe Limagrain, the largest seed company in the EU, and is uniquely positioned to offer you the full advantages of our huge resources and investment in research and development. Page 1 CIRCLE LEYS

3 CONTENTS Circle Leys - The Leaders in the Field The Concept Seed Treatments Red Circle Long term grazing and high h quality silage Blue Circle Big bale silage, hay and grazing Green Circle Short term high h yield conserved feed Pro Plus High protein silage Gold Circle High silage yields and grazing Amber Circle Medium term silage and grazing Silver Circle Lamb fattening and hay/silage Catch Crop One year ley with high h yields Direct Circle Stitching in Page CONTENTS

4 THE CONCEPT THE CONCEPT THE UK S FINEST RANGE OF GRASS MIXTURES Mixture Trialling Nickerson believe in the importance of mixture trialling. Recommended Lists from DARD, NIAB and SAC are used as a starting point, but these take little account of how individual varieties perform when grown together in a farmers grass ley. This is where Nickersons research begins. Mixture trialling is the key to ensuring that only the very best grass mixtures find their way on to your farm. Highest Seed Standards Possible Good establishment is essential to achieve full production potential. Poor establishment results in weed invasion, increased poaching and loss of yield. Seed of the highest quality is therefore critical to achieve good establishment. Germination Species Nickerson 3 year mean Basic & Certified Seed (minimum standard) Italian Ryegrass 91.6% 75% Perennial Ryegrass 93.5% 80% Germination standards achieved by Circle Leys Seed Purity Species Nickerson 3 year mean HVS Basic & Certified Seed (minimum standard) Italian Ryegrass 99.3% 98% 96% Perennial Ryegrass 99.2% 98% 96% Nickerson purity standards are higher than the EU minimum and HVS Page 5 THE CONCEPT

5 SEED TREATMENTS SEED TREATMENTS To improve establishment, most Circle Leys are treated with fungicide and GPA as standard. GPA (Growth Promoting Agent) is a researched blend of nutrients essential for plant growth. These stimulate seedling germination, particularly under stress conditions and also encourage larger root systems, enabling the plants to absorb soil nutrients more efficiently. Fungicide is applied to help control damping-off diseases. Seed Film Coating Seed Film Coating is a technique that forms a polymer film around the seed in which a range of conventional and innovative seed treatments can be carried. Seed Film Coating offers a number of major benefits to the seed and its application. Benefits of SFC Accurate application of fungicide and GPA seed treatments Improved seed flow Increased efficacy of the seed treatments Less dust in the seed Improved establishment Page 7 SEED TREATMENTS

6 RED CIRCLE Suggested Use Graze only or: Cut Cut/Graze Graze Graze Red Circle is a very high yielding, long term, top quality grazing mixture that gives quality silage if required. It is suitable for all livestock. Good early spring growth The use of modern late perennials, which start to grow much earlier than older varieties, provides a good quality, early bite. Very high quality Achieved by using a carefully selected blend of late heading Perennial Ryegrasses, Clovers, and Timothy which have a high D-value combined with high levels of sugar, minerals and protein content. Red Circle will also retain its quality when left to bulk up because it contains pasture perennials which maintain high D-values and do not produce early seed heads. Adaptable Red Circle has proved successful on all soil types and in all locations including exposed sites. It is suited to both high and low input systems. Long lasting By using Perennial Ryegrasses Red Circle gives maximum production for many years. Easy to manage All varieties in Red Circle reach 70 D-value over a narrow mid-season period. RED CIRCLE Extended grazing Late Perennial Ryegrasses start growth early and finish late giving 3 weeks more leafy grazing. They also grow well in mid-summer when other species slow down production. Page 8 Page 9

7 RED CIRCLE Excellent animal performance Achieved by using late Perennial Ryegrasses, Clover and Timothy. This blend of species will improve palatability in dry weather and in mid-summer thus ensuring maximum intake of high quality grass and optimising animal production. Additional benefits High yields Quick recovery from cutting Winter hardy and drought tolerant Easy to establish Excellent poaching resistance Red Circle Constituent Graph Late Perennial Ryegrass 1,000 seeds/m 2 Late Perennial Ryegrass (tet) 420 seeds/m 2 Timothy 570 seeds/m 2 White Clover 290 seeds/m 2 Grazing Silage Early Spring Growth Persistency Pack Size Up to 10 years 14kg Red Circle is available in a number of variations, with or without Clover, Timothy or Festulolium. It is also available with organically produced constituents and without seed treatments. Page 11 RED CIRCLE

8 BLUE CIRCLE Suggested Use Graze Cut/Graze Graze Cut/Graze BLUE CIRCLE Blue Circle is a multi-purpose, long term mixture designed for the farmer who wants exceptional all-round performance from his grass. Excellent big bale silage Blue Circle achieves this by having a selected range of ryegrasses of different heading dates and growth habits. Silage with a high dry matter is readily achieved with Blue Circle. Top class grazing Blue Circle is ideal for long term grazing of sheep and suckler cows. By using a carefully selected blend of Ryegrasses, Clover and Timothy, grass with high digestibility, sugar and protein content is produced. Additional benefits Very early bite and silage Superb hay Responds well to high and low inputs Rapid establishment Very high yielding Quick recovery from cutting Winter hardy and drought tolerant Excellent ground cover Resistant to poaching Blue Circle Constituent Graph White Clover 290 seeds/m Timothy 570 seeds/m 2 2 Early Perennial Ryegrass 290 seeds/m 2 Intermediate Perennial Ryegrass 650 seeds/m 2 Hybrid Ryegrass 70 seeds/m 2 Intermediate Perennial Late Perennial Ryegrass Ryegrass (tet) 125 seeds/m 430 seeds/m 2 2 Grazing Silage Hay Early Spring Growth Persistency 5-8 years Pack Size 14kg Blue Circle is available without clover, or with organically produced constituents. Page 12

9 GREEN CIRCLE Suggested Use Cut/Graze Cut Cut Cut/Graze Green Circle is a 2 year intensive silage/grazing mixture. Green Circle is also excellent for zero grazing, aftermath grazing and flushing ewes. Early bite Green Circle gives grazing or zero grazing up to 3 weeks earlier than other leys. This means big savings in feed bills at a time of high milk and meat prices. Very high yields Green Circle contains the highest yielding varieties which can produce well in excess of 20 tonnes of silage per acre, per season. Two full years of production Because Green Circle contains Perennial Ryegrasses it will not thin out in the second year like many straight Italian Ryegrass Leys. High palatability Green Circle contains Tetraploid varieties which are extremely palatable. Maximum intake means maximum production of meat and milk. GREEN CIRCLE Resistance to disease A mixture of varieties with good resistance to Rhynchosporium, Mildew and Ryegrass Mosaic Virus helps to ensure disease-free swards. Zero grazing High yielding, early, erect varieties make Green Circle very suitable for this purpose. Resistant to poaching Perennial ryegrass varieties provide a more dense bottom which gives better resistance to poaching than Italian Ryegrass on its own and helps keep out invasive weeds. Rapid establishment A high seed rate ensures good ground-cover and hence good control of weeds. Green Circle contains aggressive varieties, enabling a quick return to production. This is enhanced by using high germination seed that is treated with fungicide and GPA. Green Circle Constituent Graph Italian Ryegrass 600 seeds/m 2 Italian Ryegrass (tet) 260 seeds/m 2 GREEN CIRCLE Easy to ensile The use of Italian Ryegrass and Tetraploids, which are naturally high in sugar, ensures rapid fermentation. Easy to manage Varieties with a narrow band of heading dates are chosen which ensures all constituents in Green Circle head and reach 70 D-value at the same time. Extensive use Green Circle can also produce high quality hay and big bale silage and as a clamped product it is ideally suited to Anaerobic Digestion systems. It is also a mixture well suited to help with the control of blackgrass in arable situations. Intermediate Perennial Ryegrass (tet) 290 seeds/m 2 Grazing Silage Hay Early Spring Growth Persistency Pack Size Intermediate Perennial Ryegrass 215 seeds/m 2 2 years 14kg GREEN CIRCLE Page 14 Page 15

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11 PRO PLUS Suggested Use Graze/Cut Cut Cut Graze/Cut Pro Plus Circle is a combination of Red and White Clover, Italian and Perennial Ryegrasses, for 1 or 2 years of production. Traditionally used to produce high quality hay, but equally suitable for silage, aftermath grazing and restoration of soil structure (green manuring). Additional benefits High protein forage High quality fibre source High yield mixture Fertility building mixture Ideally suited for both conventional and organic systems Pro Plus Constituent Graph Hybrid Ryegrass 660 seeds/m 2 Italian Ryegrass 214 seeds/m 2 Red Clover 970 seeds/m 2 Intermediate Perennial Ryegrass 214 seeds/m 2 White Clover 290 seeds/m 2 Grazing Silage Hay Persistency 1-2 years Pack Size 12kg Pro Plus Circle is available with organically produced constituents for organic units. Page 19 PRO PLUS

12 GOLD CIRCLE GOLD CIRCLE Suggested Use Cut/Graze Cut/Graze Cut/Graze Graze GOLD Circle is a 4-6 year cutting ley that produces high yields of quality silage with good grazing potential. Very high yields Gold Circle contains varieties that are high yielding on the NIAB, SAC and DARD Recommended Lists and are proven in Nickerson mixture trials. Top quality silage and hay Achieved by selecting varieties and species with high D-value, high levels of sugar, minerals and protein content. Good early spring growth Modern Intermediate and Late Perennials start growth much earlier than older varieties, providing a good quality early bite or an early silage cut. Reliable and durable The use of prolific tillering varieties, high seed rate and top quality seed gives a dense bottom which is resistant to poaching and weed invasion. It also aids moisture retention, reduces soil contamination in silage, and aids rapid recovery after cutting. The inclusion of Timothy and Tetraploid Ryegrasses improves winter hardiness and drought tolerance. Excellent animal performance High yields of palatable, high quality grass, result in high levels of milk and meat production. Extended grazing Late Perennial Ryegrasses start growth early and finish late, giving 3 weeks more leafy grazing. They also grow well in summer when other species slow down production. Easy to establish and high seed rate A high seed rate and the inclusion of vigorous tetraploids ensures good ground-cover, and hence good control of weeds and maximum yields. Page 20 Management Gold Circle has erect growth for easy cutting and wilting. It can be managed to utilise Clover content for optimum grazing output. Intermediate Perennial Ryegrass (tet) 250 seeds/m 2 Gold Circle Constituent Graph Timothy 570 seeds/m 2 Intermediate Perennial Ryegrass (tet) 575 seeds/m 2 Grazing Silage Hay Early Spring Growth Persistency Pack Size Page 21 GOLD CIRCLE White Clover 290 seeds/m 2 Late Perennial Ryegrass 430 seeds/m 2 Late Perennial Ryegrass (tet) 85 seeds/m years 14kg Gold Circle is also available without Clover as Bronze Circle and is available without Timothy as Northern Gold. Organic Gold Circle is available without seed treatments and with organically produced constituents. GOLD CIRCLE

13 AMBER CIRCLE Suggested Use Cut/Graze Cut Cut/Graze Graze Amber Circle is a 3-4 year, highly productive, cutting and grazing mixture for the farmer who wants an Italian Ryegrass level of production but does not want to re-seed after 2 years. Very high yields Amber Circle contains varieties that produce very high yields at the first conservation and subsequent cuts. Early silage plus Early bite Perennial Ryegrass varieties are chosen for good early spring growth characteristics. Additional benefits Superb early spring growth Quick recovery from cutting Superb hay Good disease resistance Simplified weed control Reliable and persistent Amber Circle Constituent Graph Early Perennial Ryegrass 430 seeds/m 2 Late Perennial Ryegrass (tet) 85 seeds/m 2 Late Perennial Ryegrass 290 seeds/m 2 Intermediate Perennial Ryegrass 865 seeds/m 2 Intermediate Perennial Ryegrass (tet) 170 seeds/m 2 Grazing Silage Hay Early Spring Growth Persistency 3-4 years Pack Size 14kg Page 23 AMBER CIRCLE

14 SILVER CIRCLE SILVER CIRCLE Suggested Use Cut/Graze Graze Cut/Graze Graze Silver Circle is a 3 year ley ideal for fattening lambs and beef animals. It can also be used to produce heavy cuts of quality silage or hay if required. High stocking rates The inclusion of high yielding Hybrid Italian and Early Perennial Ryegrasses gives bulky early production which allows high stocking rates. Continuous growth throughout the season Silver Circle contains a range of grass species that produce a steady, but increasing amount of growth throughout the season. Good early spring growth Silver Circle contains varieties with excellent early growth which allows for an early turn out of stock and a huge saving in concentrate bills. Additional benefits Palatable grazing Excellent ground-cover Quality hay and silage Good resistance to poaching Silver Circle Constituent Graph Intermediate Perennial Ryegrass (tet) 210 seeds/m 2 Late Perennial Ryegrass 85 seeds/m 2 Hybrid Ryegrass 110 seeds/m 2 White Clover 435 seeds/m 2 Grazing Silage Hay Early Spring Growth Persistency Pack Size Page 24 Intermediate Perennial Ryegrass 865 seeds/m 2 Early Perennial Ryegrass 290 seeds/m 2 3 years 14kg

15 CATCH CROP Catch Crop is a 1 year ley designed to produce large quantities of grass over a short period. Growth pattern The inclusion of Westerwolds means the ley can be sown in the spring and still produce good stemmy growth that year. It produces high yields of forage as silage and is ideal for baling the same year as it is sown. Alternative use The ley can be sown in autumn. Whilst Westerwolds are not known to be winter hardy, the inclusion of Italian Ryegrass and Perennial Ryegrasses mean that it winters well, producing unrivalled early spring growth. Before maize The ley can be sown the previous autumn and a cut taken prior to maize being planted in the spring. It can produce large yields which will be higher in DM and quality than forage rye. Catch Crop Constituent Graph Westerwolds 310 seeds/m 2 Intermediate Perennial Ryegrass (dip) 520 seeds/m 2 Intermediate Ryegrass (tet) 340 seeds/m 2 Intermediate Perennial Ryegrass (tet) 140 seeds/m 2 Grazing Silage Hay Early Spring Growth Persistency Pack Size 1-2 years 13kg CATCH CROP Page 27

16 DIRECT CIRCLE Suggested Use Dependant on the type of sward into which the mixture is seeded Direct Circle is a mixture specifically designed for pasture renovation. It can be established by slot seeding, broadcasting and harrowing into the established sward. Aggressive Growth Direct Circle is a mixture made up predominantly of Hybrids and Tetraploid Ryegrasses. The larger, more aggressive species mean that the mixture will establish well under a dense sward. In addition, it can be slot seeded into a short-term ley to give the ley bottom and also to increase production of the ley for 1 or 2 more years. Options for establishment There are a number of methods of establishing this ley by overseeding; slot seeding using a direct drill, using a grass harrow and seeder and broadcasting the seed and harrowing. Every field situation is different so it is important to seek advice from your Nickerson Seed Specialist prior to sowing. For the seed to be successful, the seeding has to be part of a management package that includes fertiliser, weed and pest control and establishment method. DIRECT CIRCLE Additional benefits Rapid establishment Vigorous species and varieties Hybrid Ryegrass 110 seeds/m 2 Late Perennial Ryegrass (tet) 290 seeds/m 2 Persistent varieties Simplified weed control Direct Circle Constituent Graph Intermediate Perennial Ryegrass (tet) 210 seeds/m 2 Late Perennial Ryegrass (tet) 290 seeds/m 2 Page 28

17 FIT FOR PURPOSE Joseph Nickerson Research Centre Rothwell, Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, LN7 6DT Sales Office: CL/0418