During the summer of 2013-14 the Agricom research and development team conducted an extensive grazing trial near Ballarat comparing the utilisation of Hummer MaxP® tall fescue to Demeter. The objective of the trial was to demonstrate that unlike Demeter tall fescue the utilisation and palatability of Hummer MaxP® does not decline as quickly as Demeter, making grazing management easier.
Quick facts
Trial results
Results of the trial are presented in Chart 1 which displays the percentage of pasture being utilised by stock from week 1 to week 5. The longer the fescue is left ungrazed, palatability declines and animal intake decreases. Chart 1 findings include:
Summary
From the animal system study, Hummer MaxP® has a number of other advantages:
It is important to remember that like all continental tall fescues there is a large flush of growth associated with reproductive growth in early spring and this needs to be managed with heavy stocking rates or mechanically removed and utilised as silage or hay.
For a full detailed report please contact us for more information.