Germinal varieties once again feature highly on the newly published 2022 Recommended List and Pasture Profit Index. Demonstrating the economic value of grass varieties, the index from Teagasc and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) helps farmers make the right variety selections when preparing to reseed.
Performance trials
Varieties published on the Recommended List and PPI have undergone performance trials for at least four years. They are assessed over a minimum of two sowing years and two harvest years per sowing year at each of five trial sites stretching across the country. Varieties must perform above average to be included on the annual list.
The model determining the values listed in the PPI include the most important traits for grass production. These include spring, summer and autumn dry matter (DM) yield, quality, silage DM production (based on 1st and 2nd cut yields) and persistency.
Germinal varieties’ 2022 performance
Germinal varieties secure the top two spots in all four categories, with AberBann and Barwave new to this year’s listings.
AberBann sits just behind AberChoice, highest ranked in the late diploid category for the ninth successive year. Highly palatable and well-performing varieties, both with a total PPI of €190, there’s little to choose between them. Ballyvoy is in third position, increasing its total PPI to €186 this year and continuing to offer good spring growth. All three varieties are found in our grazing mixtures, Top 5 Grazing and Top 5 Extend.
Among the intermediate diploids, AberMagic has also retained top spot in its category at €215, with AberWolf moving up two places this year into second place. With heading dates at the end of May, both contribute to a superior quality silage and are found in our Top 5 Silage specialist mixture.
Also found in our silage mixtures is the intermediate tetraploid, AberClyde, an exceptional variety retaining its 2021 top spot, increasing its total PPI value to €253. The other newcomer, Barwave, is ranked second in this category, performing particularly well in spring, showing outstanding growth.
Among the leaders for quality across all categories at €47 is the late tetraploid AberGain and the intermediate tetraploid AberClyde at €44. This important trait offers farmers large financial benefits when rated highly. Another late tetraploid, Gracehill, equals AberGain’s total PPI of €241 and, like the quality leader, is found in Top 5 Extend.
Top 2022 PPI varieties
| Category | Variety | Mixture |
| Best overall | AberClyde | Top 5 Silage; Red Clover Silage; Organic mixtures |
| Best late tetraploids | AberGain Gracehill | Top 5 Extend Top 5 Extend |
| Best intermediate diploid | AberMagic | Top 5 Silage |
| Best late diploid | AberChoice AberBann | Top 5 Extend; Organic mixtures; Top 5 Grazing |