Fast Growing Forage Crops To Reduild Feedstocks
Earlier this summer we introduced some forage ideas that could help farmers maintain production during a growth pinch during the summer. Read more
News & Insight
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News archive
Forage Rape is Ideal For Extending The Grazing Season
Forage rape is ideal for extending the grazing season into autumn and winter. It is a winter-hardy brassica with excellent yields and quality. Read more
3 Reasons To Sow A Multi-Species Sward
Multi-species swards offer a practical way for farmers to reduce costs while improving animal and soil performance. They are increasingly recognised as a key tool for sustainable Irish farm systems and are well supported by both research and government schemes. These swards combine grasses, clovers and herbs to produce a wide range of benefits but there are 3 benefits of multi-species swards that will directly benefit your pocket! Read more
How Seed Choice Helps Improve Silage Quality
Producing sufficient quality silage is key to efficient and profitable beef and dairy systems with the quality of silage harvested dictating the amount of meal required for feed during the housed period. Read more
Grass Fed Beef from DLF Performance
With feed and fertiliser accounting for a significant share of costs on beef farms high quality grass and silage carry a premium. Performance is a dual purpose grass mixture from DLF specifically designed to increase grass growth, quality and utilisation in Irish beef systems. In 2023 we established a number of forage rape grazing trials on farms across the country to assess the yield, quality and utilisation of Mainstar compared to the leading varieties on the market. The graph below shows some impressive initial results for Mainstar. The DM yield of Mainstar particularly stands out, producing 1.8t/ha more than the next best variety. Read more
Forage Options For Dry Summers
Unseasonal weather conditions, both wet and dry, are putting Irish grass-based systems under pressure, with recent summers highlighting the vulnerability of perennial ryegrass swards to soil moisture deficits around the country. Read more
Thinking of Oversowing White Clover This Spring?
The use of white clover in grass mixtures has the potential to offset up to 150kg N/ha per year in chemical N fertiliser. With fertiliser prices volatile, the incorporation of white clover into grass swards has the potential to greatly reduce the reliance on inorganic N fertiliser and increase the financial and environmental sustainability of Irish farms. Read more
What Are The Best Grass Mixtures For Irish Dairy Farmers In 2026?
Grass remains the cheapest and most efficient feed available on Irish dairy farms, but not all grass mixtures perform the same. With rising input costs and pressure to reduce environmental impact, choosing the right grass seed mixture is more important than ever. Read more
Spring Reseeding Checklist 2026
Reseeding can seem like a big investment, but if the job is done well you will reap the benefits many years after the initial outlay. Read more
How Clover Can Reduce Your Fertilsier Bill By 30%
Many see the inclusion of white clover in grass mixtures as an unnecessary added cost or a box-ticking exercise for derogation and other schemes. But where clover is sown, established and managed correctly it could reduce chemical nitrogen application by 100-150kg/ha saving farmers up to 30% on fertiliser costs. Read more
How To Improve Spring Grass Growth On Your Farm
Varieties like Nashota, Vast and Silago will boost spring growth. There are many factors that influence spring growth on farm from climate and soil type to soil fertility and farm infrastructure. But the easiest way to increase spring grass growth is to reseed with grass varieties that have the highest spring growth scores on the Pasture Profit Index (PPI). Read more
Want To Improve Grass Quality And Utilisation On Your Farm This Year?
The profitability of Irish grass-based farming systems is not only dependent on how much grass is grown, but how much of that grass is utilised by the animal. Read more