Festulolium is a collective term for grass varieties obtained from crossbreeding perennial or Italian ryegrass with either tall or meadow fescue. Preliminary results from an ongoing trial in Athenry, Co Galway, show they are capable of producing silage yields and quality at least as good as existing ryegrasses in Irish conditions.

Originally bred to cope with drought-prevalent areas in the Mediterranean, an eight-country European project under the guideance of Eucarpia is ongoing to determine their potential in other places. The Irish trial is co-run by the Department of Agriculture and Teagasc.

Results

Figures from the first three years show an average yield of 15.5t/ha, 72 DMD and 9.5% CP. These were obtained under a silage harvesting protocol of two silage cuts, followed by three aftergrass cuts.

Dermot Grogan, a researcher for the Department of Agriculture, explained that festuloliums have the most potential on wetter lands in Ireland. He outlined that their more fibrous and deep-rooting systems created large pores that aerated soils. This resulted in a better growth environment for plants. Research from the UK has also shown that they can reduce surface water runoff by 51% in the event of floods.

While perennial ryegrass cut under the right conditions remains the gold standard, these grasses under bad conditions have a much better yield guarantee

Susanne Barth, researcher for Teagasc, explained: “While they did have a distinct advantage during the dry conditions, due to their deeper roots and drought tolerance, eventually I think their niche market will be found in more marginal land.”

At present, 10% (8,000ha) of all reseeded land is sown with a wetland mixture. It is anticipated that this area will continue to rise as more marginal and wet grasslands are reseeded for intensive fodder production. It is inclusion in these mixes where the researchers see festuloliums greatest potential.

This year’s trial has yielded much lower amounts and Susanne believes this is because the varieties have reached the boundary of their persistency.

“They would be in the same class as Westerwolds or Italian ryegrasses, in that they’re ideal for short-term leys.”

Susanne concluded by saying: “While perennial ryegrass cut under the right conditions remains the gold standard, these grasses under bad conditions have a much better yield guarantee. The challenge is to have commercial varieties available from seed merchants”