Yara's Grass Prix Competition

Yara Grass Prix 2016 Winner

The winners of the 2016 Yara Grass Prix are Margaret and Drew Wilson from Greenhead Farm, Forfar, Angus who achieved a cumulative yield over the first two silage cuts of just over 62 T FW /ha and with dry matter averaging 33% this is equivalent to 21 T DM /ha. The quality is good too with ME averaging 10.4 MJ/kg and CP 16.1% this gives a cumulative energy yield of 218,699 MJ/ha and a protein yield of 3,385 kg/ha. Together the energy and protein are worth €3,029/ha compared to standard concentrate feeds. 

This is the second year Mr Wilson has taken part in the Grass Prix, coming sixth in 2015 with a respectable yield of 13.4 T DM/ha but nowhere near as good as this years result, which smashes all previous records. 

Running-up in a very close second place is the leading Irishman as Colm Diggins from Tralee, County Kerry with a yield of 20.6 T DM/ha with a value of €2,971 just €58 behind Mr Wilson, a result which would have won in any of the previous years of the Grass Prix competition. 

Third place goes to Willie Watson from Mauchline, Ayrshire who previously won the 2014 Grass Prix and came second in 2015. Mr Watson achieved a yield of 18.5 T DM with a value of €2,443, which ironically is his highest yield over the three years.

Leaderboard - The Top Five

These are the cumulative results based of the value of the grass calculated from the energy and protein content, compared to standard concentrate feeds which might otherwise be used to substitute for low silage yield or quality.

First Cut Results

Second Cut Results

Has sulphur made the difference?

Looking at the results of the nutrient analysis conducted on the grass the answer could very well be sulphur. The grass samples taken from Greenhead farm in 2015 had an average N content of 2.8% and an S content of only 0.18% giving an N:S ratio of 16:1 which indicates a sulphur deficiency Whereas the samples taken this year had similar average levels of N at 2.6% but double the S content of 0.36% giving an N:S ratio of 7:1. This corresponds with the application records as this season Yara Extran S (29%N + 6%S) was applied supplying a total of 40kg S split over two applications, whereas in 2015 only 16kg S was applied over the whole season. It may be that this is one of the factors which made the difference this year. 

"Certainly the weather was a lot better this year" said Mr Wilson "with the first cut coming off earlier so the second cut could take advantage of the longer day length and all the ducks just lined up for once." 

Sulphur is essential for nitrogen to be used efficiently and if this is deficient will be reducing both yield and quality of all crops. Yara recommends you apply 20 kg S/ha with each cut.

In addition to the sulphur, the other noticeable difference is that this year Drew applied closer to the optimum rate of nitrogen for the second cut.

Greenhead farm: a winning formula 

1. Soil testing - Routine soil test, to identify nutrient requirements.
2. Re-seeding - Grass is all regularly re-seeded typically every 2-6 years, always sown into a soil of pH 6.2 to 6.3.
3. Timing and variety - Plough and sow, direct reseeds after barley in the autumn with preferred variety mix, Watson Seeds Saltire 6.
4. Field management - keeping the drainage right, monitoring compaction, grazing hard with sheep before getting them off early so the sward can increase cover again to protect it going into the winter.

Securing a good return on investment 

This year, Drew reprioritised his fertilizer nutrient spend to focus on sulphur and to achieve the optimum nitrogen application in his second cut. He spent an additional €40/ha over 2015, but managed to achieve an extra 7.6 T DM/ha over the two cuts, worth an extra €1,960. These fantastic results are further evidence that taking a measured approach to growing grass can really pay off.