Grass and Fodder Crops - dlf-trifolium

Grass and Fodder Crops 

I N T R O D U C T I O N 

Although HF Seeds can trace its roots back for over 

a century, the actual HF brand was first introduced 

to Scottish farmers in the 1960’s. Originally 

launched as ‘Hi-Farming’ and abbreviated over the 

years, HF has earned its rightful place as one of the 

UK’s leading seed brands and is synonymous with 

the highest seed quality, the very best varieties and 

unrivalled performance in terms of productive and 

palatable grass swards. 

This strong position and technical approach transfers 

directly to HF Seeds and throughout its long history 

the HF brand has always been at the forefront of 

developments in grass seed technology. Whether it is 

the introduction of a new and improved variety, the 

development of a new mixture to meet a specific 

need or simply widening the availability of organic 

grass seed, HF’s reputation for turning innovation into 

sound agricultural practice is second to none. 

The HF total quality philosophy goes much further than just varieties 

and mixture trials however, and extends as far as the farm gate and 

the end user. All HF products are backed by a country-wide 

network of in-house seed specialists and experienced distributors 

who are capable of offering technical help and advice on all aspects 

of mixture selection and establishment. 

HF mixtures transformed grass yields when first introduced in the late 1960’s and are 

still amongst the highest yielding grass mixtures available today. 

Now part of DLF Trifolium, one of the world’s largest grass seed 

companies, HF Seeds has access to greater technical and commercial 

resources than ever before. Based in Denmark, where the coastal 

climate is particularly well suited to producing grass seed, DLF 

Trifolium has over 100 years experience in plant breeding and seed 

production and currently has Europe’s largest research and 

development programme to breed new and improved grass and 

clover varieties. This commitment to producing new genetic 

material to meet the challenges of modern agriculture has resulted 

in DLF Trifolium having significantly more grass and clover varieties 

on UK Recommended Lists than any of its competitors. 

Modern trialling techniques and hi-tech machinery ensure that both yield and forage 

quality are maintained in HF mixtures. 

Contents 

3 The Case for Grass 

4 Mixture Design 

5 Forage Quality 

6 The Clover Story 

7 White Clover 

8 Red Clover 

9-10 HF Varieties 

11 Mixture Selector 

12-18 The Mixtures 

19-21 Overseeding 

22-23 Organics 

24 Forage Herbs 

25 Stewardship Mixtures 

26 Other Crops 

27-28 Root and Fodder Crops 

29-31 Game Crops 

2


T H E C A S E F O R G R A S S 

Once again the whole agricultural scene has changed dramatically 

and certainly over the last two or three years it would seem that the 

‘corn’ versus ‘horn’ see-saw has developed a pattern of swinging 

from one to the other on an annual basis.The buoyancy of the 2007 

cereal market has long since disappeared and following a very 

difficult harvest cereals have definitely not delivered all that they 

promised a year ago. Against this background, and with arable input 

prices still at record levels, grass and livestock have suddenly become 

attractive again relative to other cropping options. 

Clover is another and often untapped resource which can offer the 

livestock farmer huge advantages and cost savings. Unlocking the 

benefits of Clover are examined in much greater detail on pages 6 

and 7 of this catalogue but a good level of Clover in the sward not 

only offers a substantial improvement in feed value and forage 

quality but it will also contribute up to 160 units of nitrogen per acre 

annually completely free of charge. 

In the current financial climate there is no doubt that the main 

influence affecting margins in all sectors of the agricultural industry is 

the rapidly rising cost of inputs which continues to erode any gains 

in end product prices. Fortunately although the livestock sector is 

not immune from escalating input prices, it is potentially less 

dependent on purchased inputs than the arable sector and has the 

ability to reduce costs through greater self-sufficiency and more 

production from forage. 

As always greater self-sufficiency on the livestock farm begins with 

better grass leading to increased stocking rates and the possibility of 

freeing acres for other forage or even arable crops. It also means 

exploiting the benefits of clover to reduce fertiliser bills. These 

messages have not changed over the years but have simply been 

brought into sharper focus by escalating nitrogen and other input 

costs. 

Maximising the potential from grass means maintaining a high 

proportion of productive species within the sward and 

unfortunately all too often because natural grasses are also green, 

falls in the percentage of sown species go unnoticed with a dramatic 

effect on production levels. The graph below shows the typical 

decline in sown grasses with age which, if left unchecked, can easily 

transfer into a 50% yield reduction by the time a sward is 7 or 8 

years old. 

Natural 

Sown 

Both increased Clover levels and a high proportion of sown grasses 

can be achieved by the obvious method of starting again with a full 

reseed but also by overseeding existing pastures (see pages 19 – 

21). The chosen method however will depend on the condition of 

the existing grass as some swards may have deteriorated to the 

point where they are beyond the stage of rejuvenation by 

overseeding. 

Whether contemplating a full reseed or overseeding existing 

pastures in 2009, the key to successful establishment and subsequent 

production lies in ensuring that the mixture is designed to meet the 

required objective. This begins with seed quality in terms of purity 

and germination and extends as far as the mixture design and the 

selection of individual varieties which will perform at the highest 

level. All HF mixtures are formulated using the very best varieties 

sourced at the highest quality standards and are designed to ensure 

that the investment in quality is repaid many times over the life of 

the sward. 

% 

100 

80 

60 

40 

20 

‘We have made a determined effort to 

increase clover levels in our grass over the last 

few years and the results we have been 

getting with HF mixtures have been 

tremendous. They always establish well with 

masses of clover and despite cutting back on 

fertiliser we still have a job to keep on top of 

the amount of grass they produce.’ 

Graham and Jimmy Sinclair, Crookston Farm, 

Heriot, Midlothian (Seed supplied by R H Miller 

(Agricultural) Ltd) 

0 

1 2 3 4 5 to 10 10 to 20 20 + 

The percentage of sown species in a sward typically declines with age which 

if left unchecked can easily result in a 50% yield reduction within 7 – 8 years 

3


V A R I E T Y S U P P L Y 

M I X T U R E D E S I G N 

Good grass mixture design begins with the assessment of individual 

variety characteristics and then uses this information to combine the 

mixture components in different proportions to produce the best 

possible mixture for the intended purpose of the final sward. 

The characteristics required in a sward and the emphasis placed 

upon them, depend entirely on the use to which the sward will be 

put. For example the early bite required for an early lambing flock 

will be a positive disadvantage for dairy turnout in late April and the 

open sward the organic farmer needs for clover survival will not suit 

intensive grazing on wet, heavy land. Many of the different sward 

characteristics included in HF design are listed below 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

Total annual and seasonal yield 

Maturity and heading date 

Sward purpose and management regime 

The need for early spring growth 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

Overall sugar yield 

Forage quality and digestibility 

Animal intake factors including sward structure 

and palatability 

Clover content 

Disease resistance 

Sward density 

Persistency 

Winter hardiness 

Although many of the above criteria are included to meet specific 

farm enterprises or circumstances and are not applicable in every 

case, there is little doubt that with escalating input prices creating the 

need for even greater self-sufficiency, total yield will be of paramount 

importance on almost every farm. Maximising grass yields always has 

been and continues to be, a mainstay of HF mixture design as can be 

seen in the table below which shows the latest yield figures of six HF 

varieties expressed as a percentage of control on both the 2008/09 

SAC Scottish Recommended List and the BSPB 2008/09 

Recommended List for England and Wales. 

This independent assessment of the annual yields of six HF varieties 

clearly shows that yield benefits of around 5% are perfectly 

achievable by using the best varieties. Simple arithmetic using 2009 

prices can convert this yield benefit into a clear and substantial 

financial gain of at least £6 per acre per year for each 1% of 

additional yield.Thus the 5% yield benefit shown by HF varieties over 

other lower yielding varieties, translates into a financial gain of around 

£30 per acre per year or £150 over the life of a five year ley. 

This calculation of course, only reflects the additional yield potential 

of an HF mixture relative to many of its competitors and the financial 

benefit of replacing a tired worn-out sward containing a low 

proportion of sown species with an HF mixture is enormous. A 

sward containing only 50% Perennial Ryegrass will produce 8 - 10 

tonnes of silage per acre less each year than a reseed containing a 

high proportion of sown species. 

SAC Scottish BSPB Recommended 

Recommended List List for England 

& Wales 

Cutting 

Yield 

% of 

control 

Grazing 

Yield 

% of 

control 

Cutting 

Yield 

% of 

control 

Grazing 

Yield 

% of 

control 

MAGICIAN 

103 

103 

106 

105 

GREENGOLD 

98 

105 

103 

107 

GLENSTAL 

102 

103 

107 

109 

FOXTROT 

PASTOUR 

102 

104 

108 

109 

101 

101 

105 

104 

The difference between an old sward with a low proportion of sown grasses on the right 

and a new reseed on the left can be as much as 10 tonnes of silage per acre each year 

4 

GLENCAR 

108 

101 

107 

103


V A R I E T Y S U P P L Y 

F O R A G E Q U A L I T Y 

The achievement of top quality and palatable forage whether for 

cutting or grazing makes a huge difference to animal performance 

and therefore HF variety evaluation and mixture design must also 

take into account the many factors which ultimately affect forage 

quality ranging from D-value and growth habit right through to sugar 

content and disease resistance. 

The benefit of high D-value forage is clearly recognised by most 

farmers and independent trials have shown that on average, each 

additional unit of D-value produces an extra 1.5% more milk, 5% 

extra LWG in beef cattle and up to 10% extra LWG in sheep. In 

financial terms these benefits translate into each additional unit of 

D-value being worth £9 per acre per year in terms of the additional 

meat or milk produced. HF’s emphasis on quality and the use of 

high D-value varieties like Bree, Orantas, Calibra, Pastour, Romark 

and Meba ensures good digestibility in the final sward and improved 

animal performance and profitability as a result. 

Other factors which must be included in the assessment of overall 

forage quality are sugar content and palatability. Both HF trials and 

other independent research work have shown that some grass 

varieties yield higher levels of sugar than others leading to greater 

palatability, improved animal intake and faster, more efficient 

conversion of food into meat or milk. Higher sugar levels in grass also 

allow rapid fermentation in the silage pit enhancing the quality and 

feeding value of the conserved crop. 

The results of this trial work have clearly shown that it is the total 

quantity of sugar produced per acre and its availability to the animal 

which is important and that this is influenced by many different 

factors including the total dry matter yield, the digestibility of that dry 

matter and how the sward is presented to the grazing animal. 

The principles established in these trials have allowed HF Seeds to 

introduce the concept of SugarMax, an approved standard for 

sugar production. Mixtures endorsed with the SugarMax stamp 

have been specially designed to maximise both the amount of sugar 

produced per acre and its availability to the animal leading to 

improved livestock performance as a result. 

‘We’ve been using HF mixtures for many years 

and are always delighted at the rate of 

establishment and the consistently high 

production they give us. It is critical that there 

is a good thick sward as we have a lot of ewes 

and are now keeping the spring calving cows 

outside as well. HF grass seed doesn’t let us 

down.’ Cameron McIver, Wester Coltfield Farm, 

Alves, Forres, Morayshire (Seed supplied by 

Scotgrain Agriculture Ltd) 

A third and often ignored variety characteristic which can have a 

huge effect on forage quality is disease resistance. Grass foliar 

diseases can seriously reduce both yield and palatability and diseases 

like Mildew and Crown Rust are increasingly becoming a major 

problem in grass crops throughout the country. Crown Rust is a very 

serious grass disease and is particularly damaging in organic and 

other low input situations where clover acts as the main source of 

nitrogen. 

As chemical fungicides are generally not cost effective on grass and 

are obviously not even an option to organic farmers, the only 

solution to potentially damaging foliar diseases is to incorporate 

disease resistance into the sward. Recognising the importance of 

grass diseases, HF variety evaluation includes an assessment of 

disease resistance and in particular to Crown Rust, with resistant 

varieties like Pastour, Romark, Foxtrot, Delphin and Polim helping to 

maintain both yield and forage quality. 

Crown Rust is increasingly becoming a major problem in grass crops 

5

Grass and Fodder Crops T H E C L O V E R S T O R Y 

Clover and particularly White Clover, has always been an important component in UK grass mixtures but there is little 

doubt that with current fertiliser prices, increasing clover levels in grass swards will be one of the main talking points 

on livestock farms in 2009. 

Although there are many clover species available including Alsike, Crimson and Yellow Blossom Clover, these tend to have niche uses and 

the two species in greatest use on UK farms are White Clover (Trifolium repens) and Red Clover (Trifolium pratense).Although both species 

share the same name, each has very different characteristics, uses and production potential. Despite these differences however, they both 

offer similar benefits to the farmer by providing high quality, protein rich forage and a means of reducing or even completely eliminating the 

need for nitrogen fertiliser through a process unique to clover plants called nitrogen fixation. 

K E Y B E N E F I T S O F C L O V E R 

Nitrogen Fixation 

Both Red and White Clover form a mutually beneficial relationship 

with a naturally occurring soil bacterium called Rhizobium which 

colonises the roots of the clover plant in small growths or nodules. 

The Rhizobium bacteria in these nodules have the ability to take in 

or ‘fix’ nitrogen from the air and to convert into a form which can 

then be utilised for plant growth. 

As a rough guide, although the amount of nitrogen fixed is directly 

proportional to the level of clover in the sward, a good clover and 

grass sward has the ability to produce the equivalent of up to 160 

units N/acre/year (200 kgs N/ha/year). 

Increased Intake 

Clover is very palatable and animals will eat more of a grass and 

clover sward than they will of a grass only sward. 

Better Livestock Performance 

The combination of clover’s higher feed value and increased intake 

ensures substantial improvements in animal performance when 

compared to grass only swards. 

Forage Quality 

Although the immediate attraction of clover to most farmers lies in 

its nitrogen fixing ability, the inclusion of clover in a sward also 

substantially improves forage quality and consequently animal 

performance. 

The digestibility of clover is considerably higher than grass and its D- 

value declines at a much slower rate than Ryegrass as the season 

progresses. In addition the crude protein level in clover is 

approximately 50% higher than grass of equivalent digestibility and 

clovers generally have significantly higher contents of many of the 

major and minor minerals. 

6


W H I T E C L O V E R 

White Clover is less productive then Red but it is much 

more persistent and is therefore used in medium to long 

term mixtures. Its leaves and flowers originate from 

creeping stems called stolons which grow very close to the 

ground giving them protection from even hard grazing. 

These stolons play a vitally important part in both clover 

production and persistence. 

The ideal grass and White Clover sward is one where the clover 

content is sufficiently large to optimise both its nutritional and nitrogen 

fixing abilities but which at the same time allows a high yield from the 

companion grasses.Typically this would average at around 30% of the 

annual sward yield but the clover content will vary seasonally from as 

little as 5% in the spring to as much as 60% in mid and late summer. 

Vigorous stolon growth is essential for good clover production and persistence 

The following table shows the typical quality characteristics of White Clover compared to Perennial Ryegrass 

White Clover 

Perennial Ryegrass 

Digestibility (D-value) 75 – 85 65 – 75 

Crude Protein (%) 25 – 28 16 – 18 

Dry Matter intake by sheep (kg DM / day) 1.9 1.4 

Calcium content (%) 1.6 0.6 

Phosphorous content (%) 0.18 0.16 

Copper (parts per million) 10.0 6.5 

Selenium (parts per 100 million) 0.6 0.2 

The three most important factors in achieving the optimum clover content in a sward are as follows: 

Good Establishment 

Whether White Clover is being sown as part of a new reseed or 

overseeded into an existing pasture, the key to unlocking its full benefits 

begins with successful establishment.The optimum soil pH is 5.8 – 6.5 

and clover has a relatively high demand for phosphate and potash. 

Sowing rates should be around 1.0 – 1.5 kgs/acre (7% - 10% of the 

mixture by weight) and it should be sown shallowly into a firm, fine 

seedbed. Mixtures containing White Clover can be sown throughout 

the year but summer reseeds should be completed in time to allow 

stolons to develop before the onset of winter. 

Selection of the Correct Companion Grasses 

White Clover is essentially a poor competitor with grass and as the 

stolons are very dependent on light for their growth and development, 

tall open grasses are much more suitable as companion grasses than 

denser varieties. Thus the Tetraploid Perennials with their tall open 

growth habit and high yields are the ideal companion grasses to allow 

White Clover to thrive. In addition the high sugar content of Tetraploid 

grasses provides the ideal balance to the forage analysis of clover. 

Matching Clover Types and Varieties to Sward Use 

White Clovers are classified into three groups according to their leaf 

size and to ensure long term clover survival, it is essential to match leaf 

size with the intended sward use. 

Small Leaved 

Small leaved White Clover varieties have a prostrate growth habit and 

are slow to establish but very persistent.They are ideal for close sheep 

grazing and will tolerate the poorer climatic and fertility conditions 

typical of upland areas. 

Medium Leaved 

Medium leaved varieties have a taller 

growth habit and are best suited to 

dual purpose management and 

mixed or cattle grazing. They are 

extensively used in dual purpose and 

long term leys. Performance in terms 

of yield and persistency varies widely 

between varieties. 

Large Leaved 

Large leaved varieties exhibit a tall erect growth habit and as a result are 

generally less suited to grazing and more suited to cutting. Their 

aggressive growth helps them to compete successfully with grass in high 

input situations and they are ideal for medium term cutting mixtures. 

There are many different White Clover varieties available within each 

leaf size group and their performance varies enormously in terms of 

yield, seasonality and persistency under different management regimes. 

It is important to choose a high yielding variety for the obvious benefit 

of increased forage production but also because the highest yielding 

varieties have the ability to fix the greatest amount of nitrogen. Early 

spring growth is also important as slow growth means lower yields and 

less nitrogen fixation in the early part of the season. Lastly good 

persistency under different management regimes is essential as the 

contribution from clover is dramatically reduced if the clover content is 

not maintained at the optimum level. 

All the clover types used in HF mixtures are matched to sward use and 

the individual varieties are selected on the basis of these important 

criteria. In particular Avoca, HF’s main clover variety shows outstanding 

performance in all these important characteristics. 

7


R E D C L O V E R 

Red Clover is one of the highest yielding forage species 

available and in recent years it has undergone a massive 

resurgence in popularity largely due to better varieties, 

improved ensiling techniques and equipment, increased 

demand for greater protein self-sufficiency and reduced 

dependence on purchased nitrogen fertiliser. 

Red Clover is a short-lived perennial plant with a normal lifespan of two 

to four years. It has a tufted, upright growth habit from the crown of the 

plant which lies at ground level and it has a deep tap root. Consequently, 

as it does not have the creeping growth habit of White Clover, Red 

Clover is unable to spread and fill open areas in the sward. Its upright 

growth habit from the central crown restricts its use for grazing and it is 

essentially a crop for silage production which can be cut 3 to 4 times a 

year over its life expectancy of 3 full production years. 

Red Clover can be grown on its own or in a mixture with suitable 

companion grasses.The advantage of using Red Clover in a mixture with 

grass rather than on its own, is that the companion grasses provide 

protection from damage and poaching and if high sugar grasses are used, 

the nutritional balance and ensiling process is much improved.The ideal 

companion grasses for Red Clover are the modern Tetraploid Hybrid 

Ryegrasses which have a similar lifespan and are aggressive enough to 

compete in a sward containing a high percentage of Red Clover. 

Red Clover Silage Facts 

Digestibility 60 – 70% 

Dry Matter Yield 

10 – 15 t DM/ha (4 – 6 t DM/acre) 

Dry Matter Content 25 – 30% 

Energy (ME) 

10.0 – 11.5 MJ/kg DM 

Crude Protein 15 – 20% 

Although Red Clover is primarily a cutting species and lacks persistency 

under grazing, aftermaths can be grazed in the autumn by beef cattle or 

fattening lambs, however due to the high oestrogen content of some 

varieties, grazing with breeding animals should be avoided. 

Red Clover should be sown at 6 – 7 kgs /acre on its own or at 3.5 – 4 

kgs/acre when sown with Hybrid Ryegrass (25% of the mixture by 

weight). 

‘I have been using HF mixtures for as 

long as I can remember and have never 

had any reason to change. They always 

establish well and produce a great 

sward with plenty bulk for cutting or 

grazing. With current fertiliser prices I 

intend to increase my clover levels and I 

know HF will be happy to make up a 

mix to suit.’ James French, Pitgair Farm, 

King Edward,Turriff, Aberdeenshire (Seed 

supplied by UAP Ltd) 

Red Clover silage is high in protein and can significantly reduce the total cost 

of protein in animal diets 

8


H F V A R I E T I E S 

All the varieties used in HF mixtures have been 

selected on the basis of their performance in trials 

throughout the UK. In particular HF Seeds is a 

major participant in the schemes to finance the 

production of the various UK Recommended Lists 

of Grass and Clover varieties. This participation 

ensures that HF mixtures benefit from detailed 

up-to-date information on the latest varieties. 

PERENNIAL RYEGRASS 

Perennial Ryegrass is the most widely sown 

species in the UK. It forms the basis of most 

mixtures because of its combination of useful 

characteristics. Perennial Ryegrasses are 

grouped together according to their maturity 

or heading date. 

Early Maturing Varieties 

Early Perennial Ryegrass will start to grow up 

to two weeks earlier in the spring than later 

varieties. They are particularly useful for early 

growth for sheep grazing or in specialist silage 

mixtures being cut in early to mid May. 

DONARD 

Donard is an excellent Early Perennial Ryegrass with 

very high yields under both cutting and grazing. It has 

very good early spring growth and exceptionally 

good autumn production as well as the highest 

midseason digestibility of all the Early Perennials. 

Good ground cover and resistance to Mildew. 

KIMBER 

A relatively late heading Early Perennial Ryegrass, 

Kimber is high yielding under both managements 

combined with good early spring growth and 

excellent forage quality. The main advantage of 

Kimber is its late heading date bringing all the benefits 

of Early Perennial Ryegrass to later areas where 

earlier heading varieties would be unsuitable. 

Intermediate Maturing Varieties 

Intermediate Perennial Ryegrass varieties will 

head on average 7 to 10 days later than Early 

Perennials. They are high yielding and with 

their later heading offer greater flexibility of 

use making them well suited to a wide range 

of grassland enterprises. 

BREE 

(also available as organic) 

Used extensively in HF mixtures, Bree is high yielding 

and particularly suited to grazing management. It has 

excellent mid and late season growth and 

exceptionally good mid-season D-value. 

ORANTAS 

An outstanding variety with one of the highest 

combined cutting and grazing yields of all the 

Intermediate Diploid Perennials on UK 

Recommended Lists. Orantas also has good 

seasonal growth distribution, excellent sward 

density and very good first cut D-value. 

PREMIUM 


Premium is a high yielding variety under both 

cutting and grazing with very good mid-season 

forage quality. Very good ground cover and 

excellent disease resistance. 

GREENGOLD (T) 

Recommended for use throughout 

the UK, Greengold is a high sugar 

variety and produces very high yields particularly 

under grazing. It has very good forage quality and 

grows well throughout the year producing 

excellent mid and late season yields. 

CALIBRA (T) 


Calibra is a high sugar variety showing 

very high levels of water soluble carbohydrate per 

kg of dry matter produced. It performs equally 

well under both cutting and grazing producing 

some of the highest yields in its class. Calibra also 

has excellent spring growth, very good forage 

quality and good general disease resistance. An 

excellent variety in all the important characters. 

MAGICIAN (T) 

Magician produces very high yields under both 

cutting and grazing.With exceptionally good early 

spring growth Magician produces very high 

grazing yields right though from spring to late 

summer and is high yielding for both first and 

second cut silage. An excellent dual purpose 

variety which makes a valuable contribution to HF 

mixture performance. 

GLENSTAL (T) New for 2005 

Recommended for use throughout the UK, 

Glenstal is extremely high yielding under both 

cutting and grazing with very good spring and 

mid-season growth. 

Late Maturing Varieties 

On average Late Perennial Ryegrass varieties 

head 10 - 14 days later than Intermediate 

Perennials. They are characterised by their 

more prostrate growth habit and provide very 

good density in the sward. They are high 

yielding with good persistence and will last for 

many years. 

FOXTROT 


An excellent variety with very 

high yields of high sugar forage under both cutting 

and particularly under grazing. Foxtrot also has 

very good seasonal growth distribution producing 

high mid-season yields with very good D-value. 

PASTOUR 


Recommended for use throughout the UK, 

Pastour has very high yields under both 

managements. It has good spring growth and is 

particularly high yielding in mid and late summer. 

Very good resistance to Crown Rust. 

ROMARK 


Romark is particularly suited to grazing where it 

produces very high yields.Very good ground cover 

and excellent mid-season forage quality and 

digestibility. Romark is also very resistant to Crown 

Rust. 

TIVOLI (T) 

(only available as organic) 

Tivoli is high yielding under both cutting and 

grazing. It produces good yields of high D-value 

forage over 2 cuts and maintains grazing quality 

throughout the year. 

MEBA (T) 

A long standing HF variety included for its unique 

quality characteristics, Meba is high yielding with 

good early season production, however its main 

advantage is excellent forage quality and very high 

D-value. 

GLENCAR (T) 

Glencar is recommended for use throughout the 

UK and is the highest yielding Late Perennial 

Ryegrass under conservation on all three 

Recommended Lists. It has exceptionally good 

early spring growth producing massive first cut 

yields at 67D. 

DELPHIN (T) 

Recommended by all three testing authorities, 

Delphin has exceptional early spring growth and 

shows good yields under grazing but is very high 

yielding under conservation particularly at first 

cut. In addition to its yield benefit, Delphin has 

excellent general disease resistance and in 

particular to Crown Rust receiving one of the 

highest ratings in NIAB trials. 

POLIM (T) 


A relatively new variety, Polim is very high yielding 

under grazing with very good early spring growth. 

It also shows high yields under conservation with 

a very high yield at first cut at 67D. Exceptionally 

good resistance to Crown Rust. 

MAURICE (T) 


A very late heading Tetraploid Perennial with good 

ground cover especially suited to long term 

mixtures. Good yields under both cutting and 

grazing which improve over the first three years. 

9


H F V A R I E T I E S 

10 

ITALIAN RYEGRASS 

Italian Ryegrass is relatively short lived and is 

therefore only used in one to three year leys. 

It has a long growing season and produces 

heavy crops of hay or silage. Italian has very 

good early spring growth and combined with 

its relatively late heading date, it will 

produce a leafy silage cut after early 

grazing. 

ALAMO 


Alamo is one of the highest yielding Italians on UK 

Recommended Lists and has good forage quality 

relative to other Italian Ryegrass varieties. 

MERIBEL 

Recommended throughout the UK, Meribel 

produces high yields of good quality forage and 

has very good late summer and autumn growth. 

GEMINI (T) 


Gemini is high yielding with excellent seasonal 

growth combining high yields with good forage 

quality particularly at first cut. 

DANERGO (T) 

The latest heading of all the Tetraploid Italians, 

Danergo consequently produces very high yields 

at first cut at 67D. 

HYBRID RYEGRASS 

Hybrid Ryegrasses are bred from a cross 

between Italian and Perennial Ryegrass 

parents. The objective is to combine the 

production of Italian Ryegrass with the 

persistency and forage quality of Perennial 

Ryegrass and recent breeding advances have 

produced new varieties with these 

characteristics making them an ideal 

constituent in leys of up to five years duration. 

LIGUNDA 


Ligunda is very high yielding with outstanding 

spring and late summer growth. 

CITELIAC (T) 

Citeliac has very high annual yields under both 

conservation and grazing. It has excellent early 

spring growth leading to a very high yield at first 

cut at 67D. Good resistance to both Crown Rust 

and Mildew. 

SOLID (T) 


Solid is a true Perennial type Hybrid producing 

high yields with exceptionally good mid-season 

digestibility and forage quality. Its Perennial 

characteristics ensure outstanding persistence and 

sward density. Solid also has excellent general 

disease resistance with excellent resistance to 

Crown Rust. 

STORM (T) 


Storm produces very high yields under 

conservation and high yields under grazing. It has 

very good early spring growth and good all round 

disease resistance. Storm is specially recommended 

for situations where yield is the top priority. 

TIMOTHY 

Timothy is an under-rated species as it brings 

many desirable features to a grass mixture. It 

has excellent early spring growth and is late 

heading producing a large bulk of forage at 

first cut. It is very palatable, extremely winter 

hardy and thrives under cool wet conditions. 

Timothy is generally better suited to cutting, 

however its early spring growth can be very 

useful for early bite. 

DOLINA 



Dolina is one of the highest yielding Timothies on 

UK Recommended Lists. It performs particularly 

well under grazing and has excellent early spring 

growth and very good yield distribution 

throughout the growing season. 

PROMESSE 

Promesse is an excellent Timothy variety with high 

yields under both cutting and grazing. However its 

main benefits are very good forage quality and 

exceptionally good sward density and ground 

cover. 

COCKSFOOT 

Cocksfoot is very persistent and deep-rooting 

and is therefore suited to light gravelly soils 

where mid-summer drought may reduce 

yields. It is extremely winter hardy with good 

early spring growth and it also yields well in 

late summer and autumn. Cocksfoot needs to 

be managed tightly in mid-season as it can 

become stemmy and unpalatable. 

SPARTA 

A later heading Cocksfoot, Sparta has good 

ground cover and produces high yields under 

grazing. It has good early spring growth and has 

the highest mid-season digestibility of all the 

Cocksfoot varieties. 

WHITE CLOVER 

White Clover varieties are classified by leaf size. 

The smaller leaved varieties have a prostrate 

creeping growth habit and persist well under 

grazing whereas the larger leaved varieties are 

more erect and better suited to cutting. 

RIESLING 

A large leaved high yielding variety well suited to 

cutting. Riesling has good persistence and 

maintains high yields and good ground cover 

under cutting management. 

AVOCA 

Avoca is an outstanding medium leaved variety 

recommended by all three testing authorities. It is 

extremely high yielding with excellent seasonal 

yield distribution and particularly good early 

spring growth compared to many other clover 

varieties. It is also very persistent under both 

cutting and grazing. 

CHIEFTAIN 

At the large end of the medium leaved category, 

Chieftain is a high yielding variety recommended 

for use throughout the UK which performs 

particularly well in spring and late summer. 

With its high yield and relatively large leaf size 

Chieftain is an excellent dual purpose variety. 

ALBERTA 

With a leaf size on the borderline between 

medium and small leaved clovers, Alberta 

produces good yields relative to its leaf size. An 

excellent general purpose variety with good 

ground cover and persistency. 

RONNY 

Ronny is a new small leaved clover variety 

producing high yields of clover with good early 

spring and excellent mid-season growth. Very 

persistent under hard grazing. 

RED CLOVER 

Red Clover is an aggressive and very high 

yielding but relatively short-lived species with 

a maximum life expectancy of around 3 

years. It is primarily used in short term 

conservation mixtures. Resistance to the 

Sclerotinia and Stem Eelworm both of which 

are very damaging to the persistency 

of Red Clover and are important factors to 

consider in the evaluation of varieties. 

RAJAH 

(only available as organic) 

An intermediate to late flowering variety, Rajah is 

a Diploid variety with high yields with good 

persistency and general disease resistance. Rajah 

also shows good resistance to both Sclerotinia 

and Stem Eelworm. 

AMOS 

A very high yielding Tetraploid variety with 

intermediate earliness. Amos has good general 

disease resistance relative to other varieties but 

has much better persistency and maintains high 

yields over a longer period. 

MILVUS 

High annual yields with good ground cover and 

persistency over three harvest years. 

CORVUS 

Corvus is a very high yielding and later flowering 

variety with very good persistence resulting in 

better third year yields than many other varieties.


M I X T U R E S E L E C T O R 

HF mixtures are designed and formulated to meet specific sward uses. Significant differences between mixtures are not always obvious but 

even small differences can change the way in which the final sward behaves. Selection of the wrong mixture will inevitably mean that the 

sward will not perform up to expectations simply because it is the wrong mix for the job. 

The HF mixture selector is designed to help answer many of the common questions in mixture selection, however it is not possible to cater 

for every situation and if in doubt contact HF Seeds for further advice. 

Type of Reseed 

Organic Conventional Overseeding 

New Reseed 

Grass 

Rejuvenation 

New Reseed 

HF Organics 

Pages 22-23 

HF Organic 

Rejuvenator 

Page 23 

How long 

will the mix be down 

HF 

GrassMax 

Page 19-21 

One to 

Two Years 

Two to 

Four Years 

Four to 

Eight Years 

As long 

as possible 

HF Bonus 

Page 12 

HF Surecrop 

Page 12 

How will it 

be used 

Height above 

Sea Level 

Mainly Cutting 

Cattle Grazing 

Cutting & 

Grazing 

Hay 

Up to 

1,000 feet 

Over 

1,000 feet 

HF 

Super Graze 

Page 15 

HF 

Scotshay 

Page 17 

HF PD 

Page 15 

HF 

High Hill 

Page 16 

First Cut 

in May 

First Cut 

in June 

Early Bite 

for Sheep 

Required 

No 

Early Bite 

Required 

HF 

Super Silage 

Page 14 

HF 

Cutsward 

Page 14 

HF 

Prospect 

Page 13 

HF 11 

Page 13 

For specialist mixtures such as 

Horse Paddock and Dry Land see pages 17 - 18 

11


T H E M I X T U R E S 

ONE TO TWO YEAR MIXTURE 

HF 

B●NUS 

A mixture designed for intensive use and maximum yield over two 

full production years. Suitable for intensive cutting and/or grazing 

and the standard mix can be undersown or direct seeded. A Red 

Clover inclusion option is available if required but this mix is not 

suitable for undersowing. 

ALAMO 

Italian Ryegrass 

LIGUNDA 

Hybrid Ryegrass 

CITELIAC 

Tetraploid Hybrid Ryegrass 

SOLID 


GLENSTAL 

Tetraploid Intermediate Perennial Ryegrass 

GREENGOLD 


RECOMMENDED SOWING RATE 

13 - 14 KG/ACRE (32 - 35 KG/HECTARE) 

❚ Optimum cutting date - first week in June 

❚ Massive yield potential from the combination of highest 

yielding grasses on UK Recommended Lists 

❚ Includes the new Hybrid Ryegrasses, Citeliac and 

Ligunda, both of which bring exceptionally high yields 

and very good forage quality 

❚ Specially formulated with the correct proportions of the 

highest yielding varieties for maximum yield and 

persistency over two full production years 

❚ Only contains aggressive grass species capable of 

establishment and survival in a very competitive and 

productive sward. HF trials have shown that slower 

growing and less aggressive grasses such as 

Intermediate Diploid Perennials and all types of Late 

Perennial will not survive in such a competitive 

environment 

❚ Exceptional early spring growth from the Italian 

and Hybrid Ryegrasses particularly Ligunda which 

has outstanding early spring growth 

❚ Varieties specially selected for forage quality, 

palatability and mid-season digestibility 

❚ Suitable for early bite followed by first cut silage as 

relatively late heading and good D-values allow delayed 

cutting and high silage yields at 67D 

❚ High Tetraploid content for grazing palatability and high 

sugar levels for rapid silage fermentation 

❚ Red Clover option where the mix is intended primarily 

for cutting 

HF BONUS - RELIABLE BULK AND QUALITY OVER TWO 

YEARS 

OVERSEED WITH 

THREE YEAR MIXTURE 

HF 

A high performance three year mixture including Hybrid and 

Perennial Ryegrasses and White Clover. HF Surecrop is suitable for 

intensive cutting and/or grazing and can be either undersown or 

direct seeded. A Red Clover inclusion option which is unsuitable for 

undersowing is available if required. For optimum performance HF 

Surecrop is best grazed in its first year. 

LIGUNDA 

Hybrid Ryegrass 

SOLID 


CITELIAC 


ORANTAS 

Intermediate Perennial Ryegrass 

GLENSTAL 


MAGICIAN 


HF INTENSIVE CLOVER BLEND 

White Clover 




❚ Varieties chosen for their high yields particularly 

Ligunda, Citeliac, Orantas, Glenstal and Magician all of 

which are exceptionally high yielding under both cutting 

and grazing 

❚ Contains Ligunda, a new Hybrid Ryegrass included for 

its total yield and massive spring growth 

❚ Hybrid content gives the production of Italian Ryegrass 

and the persistency of Perennial 

❚ Excellent winter hardiness ensures reliable production 

for three full years 

❚ Very good early spring growth for high yields at first cut 

❚ High Tetraploid content ensures high sugar levels for 

rapid silage fermentation and grazing palatability 

❚ Only contains varieties capable of establishment, 

survival and high yields in a very productive sward 

❚ Good disease resistance improves yield potential 

❚ Unique blend of highly productive White Clover varieties 

designed to maximise production, herbage quality and 

livestock performance and to achieve clover persistence 

under intensive management 

❚ Red Clover option where the mix is intended primarily 

for cutting 

HF SURECROP - CONSISTENT HIGH YIELDS FOR CUTTING 

OR GRAZING OVER THREE YEARS 

OVERSEED WITH 

‘Although I have several 

different HF mixtures 

in the ground and am 

very pleased with 

them, occasionally I 

have been tempted to 

try something else but I 

have always found that 

nothing does as well as 

HF. In particular my HF 11 is outstanding and 

performs much better than other mixtures I 

have tried and it seems that the harder I am 

on it the better it does.’ Jake Anderson, 

Boginduie Farming Company Ltd, Boginduie, 

Aberlour, Banffshire (Seed supplied by Scotgrain 

Agriculture Ltd) 

HF Prospect being cut by Frank Chester at Bouch House 

Farm, Embleton, Cockermouth, Cumbria. 

(Seed supplied by Carrs Billington Agriculture Ltd.) 

‘I can’t see past HF11 

because it is so 

versatile and it cuts or 

grazes equally well. 

Recently I have been 

getting extra clover 

added which not only 

helps cut fertiliser costs 

but it also dramatically 

increases the feed value of the grass crop and 

I have noticed quite a difference both in cattle 

health and live weight gain throughout the 

growing season.’ John Mathieson, Farm Manager, 

Dinnet Farms, Aboyne, Aberdeenshire (Seed 

supplied by UAP Ltd) 

12



‘The consistent 

quality and 

performance of HF 

forage seeds over the 

years makes them my 

first choice every 

time. Sound advice, 

high yielding varieties 

and a professional 

approach makes HF a winning mix in more 

ways than one.’ Mike Cumming, Lour Farms, 

Forfar, Angus (Seed supplied by Frontier 

Agriculture Ltd) 

‘The establishment of 

my HF mixture was 

one of the few cheery 

things that happened 

on our farm in 2008. 

Most of the farm is 

now down to HF and I 

can be confident that 

no matter how 

difficult the conditions are at the time HF 

mixtures always establish really well with a 

tremendous amount of clover.’ 

Alistair McAully, Easter Fodderlie & Wauchope, 

Bonchester Bridge, Hawick, Roxburghshire 

(Seed supplied by Clark & Weir Ltd) 

DUAL PURPOSE MIXTURES 

HF 

Scotland’s best selling dual purpose mixture, tried and 

tested across the country and renowned for its yield and 

performance under different management regimes. HF 11 is a 

flexible, rotational mixture suitable for both cutting and grazing 

and will last from five to eight years. 

BREE 


ORANTAS 


MAGICIAN 


GREENGOLD 


FOXTROT 

Late Perennial Ryegrass 

PASTOUR 


MEBA 

Tetraploid Late Perennial Ryegrass 

DOLINA 

Timothy 

HF DUAL PURPOSE CLOVER BLEND 

White Clover 



❚ Optimum cutting date - end of first week in June 

❚ Achieves SugarMax status with high proportions of the top 

sugar yielding varieties Greengold and Foxtrot 

❚ High sugar yield per acre ensures maximum feeding value, 

excellent palatability and rapid silage fermentation 

❚ Includes a high proportion of Orantas, the highest yielding 

Diploid Perennial Ryegrass under both cutting and grazing 

on the 2009 SAC Recommended List 

❚ Very good spring growth but with later heading ensuring high 

yields of quality forage at first cut 

❚ Varieties specially selected for top forage quality and high 

D-value 

❚ A superbly dense sward able to withstand hard grazing 

incorporating the top grazing varieties Orantas, Bree, 

Greengold and Pastour 

❚ Clover level increased for 2009 

❚ Contains HF’s unique Dual Purpose White Clover blend 

designed to achieve maximum clover content and persistency 

under both cutting and grazing 

❚ Clover blend based on the most productive clover varieties 

including Avoca the highest yielding and most persistent 

variety on the SAC Recommended List 

HF 11 - THE HIGH PERFORMANCE FLEXIBLE DUAL PURPOSE 

MIXTURE 

OVERSEED WITH 

HF 

A dual purpose rotational mixture, similar to HF 11 in many ways, 

but containing Early Perennial Ryegrass to give early spring growth 

for early bite for ewes and lambs. In a cutting situation HF Prospect 

is earlier heading than HF 11 but with its better early season growth 

it is the ideal mix on beef and sheep farms where early bite is 

required before first cut silage. 

DONARD 

Early Perennial Ryegrass 

GLENSTAL 


BREE 


ORANTAS 


GREENGOLD 


ROMARK 


PASTOUR 


MEBA 


DOLINA 

Timothy 

PROMESSE 

Timothy 


White Clover 



❚ Optimum cutting date - last week in May 

❚ Specially formulated for high sugar forage 

❚ Includes a high proportion of Orantas, the highest yielding 

Diploid Perennial Ryegrass under both cutting and grazing on 

the 2009 SAC Recommended List 

❚ Exceptional early spring growth for early bite from 

Donard,Glenstal and the Timothy content 

❚ Superb grazing performance from Donard, Bree, Orantas, 

Glenstal and Greengold 

❚ Good Timothy content provides early bite and maintains 

production under cold and wet conditions 

❚ Mid-season forage quality is improved with the use of Donard 

which demonstrates substantially reduced mid-season 

heading relative to other Early Perennials 

❚ Contains an increased level for 2009 of HF’s unique Dual 

Purpose White Clover blend designed to achieve maximum 

clover content and production in a sward which is likely to be 

grazed in early spring and late summer in addition to being 

cut for silage 

HF PROSPECT - THE DUAL PURPOSE MIXTURE WITH 

OUTSTANDING EARLINESS 

OVERSEED WITH 

13



INTENSIVE CUTTING MIXTURES 

HF 

HF 

HF 

14 

A specialist high yielding silage mixture of medium term duration 

with delayed heading for late areas or where first cut is taken in 

early June. 

ORANTAS 


MAGICIAN 


FOXTROT 


PASTOUR 


DELPHIN 


GLENCAR 


DOLINA 

Timothy 

HF CUTTING CLOVER BLEND 

White Clover 



❚ Optimum cutting date - end of first week in June 


❚ Includes a high proportion of Orantas which is very high 

yielding under cutting and has excellent forage quality 

❚ Contains later heading varieties like Glencar, Foxtrot 

and Pastour which have the highest conservation yields 

on the 2009 SAC Recommended List and which have 

been specially selected to maximise silage yields at 

later cutting dates 

❚ Superb forage quality and D-value 

❚ Good spring growth with later heading ensures high 


❚ Not just a first cut mixture with varieties chosen for 

rapid regrowth and high second cut yields 

❚ The relatively high Timothy content makes the mixture 

an ideal choice for conservation on colder sites and in 

later areas 

❚ Excellent winter hardiness 

❚ Clover content based entirely on HF’s unique Cutting 

Clover blend to ensure good clover production and 

survival under intensive silage management 

HF CUTSWARD - THE SPECIALIST MEDIUM TERM CUTTING 

MIXTURE FOR LATER AREAS 

OVERSEED WITH 

A medium term silage mixture specifically designed for three cut 

systems. The mixture recipe and variety split ensures the very good 

early spring growth which is necessary to produce high yields at 

early first cut dates. 

CITELIAC 


ORANTAS 


MAGICIAN 


GLENSTAL 


FOXTROT 


PASTOUR 


GLENCAR 



White Clover 



❚ Optimum cutting date - last week in May 

❚ Formulated with varieties specially chosen to provide 

maximum bulk of high quality silage at earlier cutting 

dates 


❚ High sugar yield per acre ensures maximum feeding 

value, excellent palatability and rapid silage 

fermentation 

❚ Contains Magician, Glenstal, Pastour and Glencar, 

the highest yielding Perennial Ryegrasses under 

conservation on the 2009 SAC Recommended List 

❚ Based on varieties which have shown good persistence 

under intensive cutting 

❚ Good mid-season growth and digestibility for second 

and subsequent cuts 

❚ Varieties selected for their forage quality and D-value 

at first cut 

❚ Clover content based entirely on HF’s unique Cutting 



HF SUPER SILAGE - THE SPECIALIST MIXTURE FOR 

INTENSIVE SILAGE PRODUCTION 

OVERSEED WITH 

An HF mixture being cut at Lour Farms, Forfar, Angus 

(Seed supplied by Frontier Agriculture Ltd.) 

‘Our ground is very soft 

and mossy and with our 

relatively high rainfall 

poaching can be a 

major problem. HF 

Supergraze is a great 

grazing mix with a 

fantastic bottom and 

even swards sown 5 or 

6 years ago are still excellent. Grazed grass is 

by far the cheapest source of feed and I am 

very keen on extending the grazing season as 

long as possible. Supergraze lets me get the 

cows out early, its leafy growth is easily 

managed and it recovers very quickly even 

after hard grazing and the dense sward will 

hold cows well into October.’ Declan McMullan, 

Drumack Lane, Rasharkin, Co Antrim (Seed 

supplied by Northern Counties Co-op Ltd)



‘In 2008 my field of 

HF PD went in much 

later than I would 

have liked but it 

established quickly 

and has filled in 

unbelievably well. I 

am really happy with 

my HF mixtures, they 

seem to suit the Teviotdale Valley well and 

more importantly they suit my system of 

both cutting and grazing.’ Sandy Fleming, 

Falnash,Teviothead, Hawick, Roxburghshire 

(Seed supplied by Clark & Weir Ltd) 

INTENSIVE GRAZING MIXTURE 

HF 

Specially designed for intensive cattle grazing. Based on short 

growing, high tillering and long lived grasses and producing a very 

dense, highly productive sward of great persistence. Suitable for 

medium to long term use. 

BREE 


ORANTAS 


GREENGOLD 


FOXTROT 


ROMARK 


PASTOUR 


MEBA 


HF GRAZING CLOVER BLEND 

White Clover 



❚ Achieves SugarMax status with high proportions 

of the top sugar yielding varieties Greengold and Foxtrot 

❚ High sugar yields ensure excellent palatability and 

improved animal performance 

❚ Contains a high proportion of Orantas included for 

its high grazing yield, very good sward density and 

excellent full season D-value 

❚ All varieties selected on the basis of their grazing yields 

in SAC trials 

❚ Extreme sward density able to withstand heavy grazing 

and poaching in high rainfall areas 

❚ Based on a unique blend of Perennial Ryegrass varieties 

designed to provide predictable grazing yield and 

quality throughout the entire season 

❚ Formulated to have grass at the right stage for grazing 

at cattle turnout 

❚ Even grass growth throughout the season allows ease of 

grazing management 

❚ Contains the best possible White Clover varieties for 

production and persistence under intensive cattle 

grazing including Avoca, the highest yielding and most 

persistent variety on the SAC Recommended List 

HF SUPER GRAZE - THE SPECIALIST MIXTURE FOR 

INTENSIVE GRAZING 

OVERSEED WITH 

PERMANENT MIXTURE 

HF 

PD 

A versatile permanent mixture with extreme sward density 

consisting of a blend of grasses and clovers that will produce a well 

balanced sward giving even growth of quality herbage for many 

years. 

DONARD 


GLENSTAL 


ORANTAS 


GREENGOLD 


FOXTROT 


ROMARK 


MEBA 


DOLINA 

Timothy 

PROMESSE 

Timothy 

MAXIMA 

Creeping Red Fescue 


White Clover 



❚ Broad spread of varieties provides a versatile mixture 

suitable for grazing and/or cutting 

❚ Includes Orantas, which has excellent sward density and 

is very high yielding under both cutting and grazing 

❚ Superb early spring growth from Donard and later 

heading varieties like Glenstal and Dolina, ensures early 

bite for ewes and lambs but also high yields of quality 

fodder at first cut 

❚ Very persistent and winter hardy varieties for longevity 

of the sward 

❚ Extreme sward density from a high proportion of Late 

Perennial Ryegrass and also from a low inclusion of 


❚ Excellent mid and late season growth maintains summer 

production and extends the grazing season 

❚ High inclusion of HF’s unique Dual Purpose Clover blend 

designed to maximise the clover content for production, 

palatability and livestock performance 

❚ Clover blend contains the best possible White Clover 

varieties for production and persistency in a permanent 

mixture including a high proportion of Avoca, the highest 

yielding and most persistent clover variety on the SAC 

Recommended List 

HF PD - SIMPLY THE BEST LONG TERM MIXTURE 

AVAILABLE TODAY 

OVERSEED WITH 

15



PERMANENT MIXTURE 

HF 

SPECIALIST MIXTURES 

HF 

A long term traditional mixture containing Cocksfoot designed for 

more extensive use and to improve production on land which is 

prone to drought. 

DONARD 


GLENSTAL 


ORANTAS 


GREENGOLD 


FOXTROT 


ROMARK 


MEBA 


PROMESSE 

Timothy 

DOLINA 

Timothy 

SPARTA 

Cocksfoot 

MAXIMA 



White Clover 



❚ Contains Cocksfoot for early spring growth and drought 

tolerance 

❚ Excellent early bite for ewes and lambs from Donard, 

Glenstal, Timothy and Cocksfoot 

❚ Blend of grasses formulated to provide consistent 

production from early spring to late autumn 

❚ Good sward density 

❚ Will perform equally well under cutting or grazing 

❚ Creeping Red Fescue with its creeping growth habit 

binds the sward together and aids recovery after 

poaching or over-grazing 

❚ Contains HF’s highly productive Grazing Clover blend to 

maximise production, herbage quality and livestock 

performance 

HF RELIANT - A TRADITIONAL LONG TERM MIXTURE FOR 

DRIER CONDITIONS 

OVERSEED WITH 

A long term hill mixture specially designed for sheep grazing and to 

suit the harsher conditions of upland pastures. Ideal for reseeding 

hills or reclaiming marginal land. Contains grasses suited to the 

poorer soils and shorter growing season typical of hill ground. 

ORANTAS 


PREMIUM 


ROMARK 


FOXTROT 


MAURICE 


PROMESSE 

Timothy 

DOLINA 

Timothy 

MAXIMA 



White Clover 



❚ Based on later heading varieties to ensure good 

growth in later areas before the production of seed 

heads 

❚ Early bite provided by a high Timothy content and a 

high proportion of grazing tolerant Perennial Ryegrass 

varieties 

❚ Very good winter hardiness for longevity under harsher 

upland conditions 

❚ Varieties selected for sward density to resist poaching 

❚ A high proportion of persistent Late Perennials ensures 

good production over many years 

❚ The unique combination of grazing Perennial 

Ryegrasses produces short dense growth ideal for 

grazing 

❚ Will also provide a cut of hay or silage if required 


binds the sward together and aids recovery after 

poaching or over-grazing 

❚ All ingredients selected for cold and snow tolerance 

❚ High content of HF’s unique Grazing Clover blend 

specially designed for production and persistency in 

an upland situation 

HF HIGH HILL - THE PERFECT MIXTURE FOR HILL LAND 

OVERSEED WITH 

‘I am milking cows on 

very heavy ground and 

in a high rainfall area 

and I am delighted 

with the way HF 

Supergraze copes with 

these challenging 

conditions. It 

establishes well in both 

spring and autumn 

sowings and it 

16




provides consistently good leafy growth 

throughout the season which is easy to 

manage in a grazing situation. In addition its 

spring growth means grass at exactly the 

right stage for turnout. The main benefit of 

Supergraze however is undoubtedly its sward 

density which is superb and we suffer 

virtually no sward damage despite our 

difficult conditions.’ Wilson McMaster, 17 

Roughan Road, Broughshane, Co Antrim (Seed 

supplied by Logan McMaster Engineering) 

HF 

A modern mixture for traditional hay making, specially designed 

with varieties to produce a large bulk of the type of forage typically 

required for hay. 

KIMBER 


ORANTAS 


BREE 


FOXTROT 


PASTOUR 


MAXIMA 


PROMESSE 

Timothy 

DOLINA 

Timothy 


White Clover 



❚ Specially designed to produce top yields of easily 

made hay 

❚ Contains the new Early Perennial Ryegrass variety, 

Kimber, which with its later heading date, is much better 

suited to a hay mixture than earlier heading varieties 

❚ Contains a high percentage of Pastour the highest 

yielding late Perennial Ryegrass on the 2009 SAC 

Recommended List 

❚ High Timothy content ideal for hay mixtures 

❚ Varieties selected on the basis of their growth pattern 

and maturity to provide the right sward characteristics 

for quality hay production 

❚ Very good sward density despite a high Timothy 

content 

❚ Contains leafy albeit relatively stemmy varieties and no 

Tetraploids for ease of hay-making 

❚ Good winter hardiness and persistency ensures 

consistent bulk over many years 

HF SCOTSHAY - THE PURPOSE BUILT MIXTURE FOR 

QUALITY HAY 

HF 

HORSE 

Paddock 

A custom built mix using species and varieties specially selected 

to produce a very dense and hard wearing sward suitable for 

horses and ponies. Designed to provide palatable grazing 

throughout the growing season but also suitable for hay 

production. 

PREMIUM 


PASTOUR 


ROMARK 


PROMESSE 

Timothy 

MAXIMA 



15 KG/ACRE (37 KG/HECTARE) 

❚ Based on the densest Perennial Ryegrass and Timothy 

varieties for an exceptionally dense damage resistant 

sward 

❚ High Timothy content ideal for horses and ponies 

❚ Formulated with varieties which will provide attractive 

but low sugar forage to help minimise the risk of 

laminitis 

❚ Designed to produce palatable grazing throughout the 

entire season 


binds the sward together and quickly repairs sward 

damage caused by hooves 

❚ Offers the option of horse hay production if required 

HF HORSE PADDOCK - THE SPECIALIST MIXTURE FOR 

HORSES AND PONIES 

‘With 2800 pure bred 

Blackface ewes at 

heights of anything 

between 1000 and 

3000 feet we need a 

good, dense, winter 

hardy sward which 

will produce plenty 

grass particularly 

when the ewes are brought off the hill for 

lambing in the spring and weaning in the 

autumn. With the current price of nitrogen 

I am also trying to make the most of clover. 

We have found that HF High Hill with extra 

white clover meets all these requirements 

and I am absolutely delighted with the 

results.’ Murray McTeir, Invergeldie Estate, 

Comrie, Perthshire (Seed supplied by Bremner 

Black & Co Ltd) 

17




HF 

DryLAND 

A specialist mixture for very dry conditions using deep rooted grasses 

with excellent resistance to drought. Formulated using species not 

commonly found in UK agricultural mixtures, HF Dry Land is 

designed to produce fodder in extremely dry situations where 

conventional mixtures are likely to fail. 

KORA 

Tall Fescue 

HYKOR 

Festulolium 

SPARTA 

Cocksfoot 

DELPHIN 


POLIM 




❚ A unique solution to fodder production in very dry 

conditions 

❚ Contains Tall Fescue and Festulolium, two species used 

for forage production in hot, dry counties specifically for 

their drought resistance 

❚ All components selected for their deep rooting ability 

❚ Suitable for cutting or grazing 

❚ The high sugar content of the Tetraploid Perennials and 

Hykor balance the lower sugar levels in Cocksfoot 

❚ Good palatability and digestibility 

❚ Excellent disease resistance particularly to Crown Rust 

which can be a major problem in dry areas and which 

can seriously affect both yield and palatability 

HF DRY LAND - A UNIQUE SOLUTION TO FODDER 

PRODUCTION IN DROUGHT CONDITIONS 

SET-ASIDE MIXTURE 

HF 

LONGTERM 

GREEN COVER 

The high cost of growing cereals relative to their sale value may 

mean that poorer land on some farms is returned to Set-Aside in 

2009. HF Long Term Green Cover is a specialist mixture for Set- 

Aside and other low maintenance situations providing both cover to 

compete against weeds and the opportunity for fertility building. 

CANCAN 


MAXIMA 


RIVENDEL 

White Clover 


12 – 14 KG/ACRE (30 – 35 KG/HECTARE) 

❚ Suitable for all low maintenance situations where grass 

production is not required 

❚ Based on very late heading Perennial Ryegrass with poor 

spring growth to minimise maintenance during the 

spring months when conventional grass production is at 

its highest level 

❚ Uses very dense varieties to ensure good ground cover 

and effective competition against weeds at relatively low 

sowing rates 

❚ Clover content set to achieve the correct balance of grass 

and clover in a Set-Aside or low maintenance situation 

❚ Can be extensively grazed throughout the season or from 

1 September after the Set-Aside period 

❚ Suitable for low maintenance fertility building 

HF LONG TERM GREEN COVER – THE MIXTURE FOR SET- 

ASIDE AND ALL LOW MAINTENANCE SITUATIONS 

SHEEP FEED MIXTURES 

HF 

CC 

A highly productive catch cropping mix including white turnips 

designed to produce autumn grazing for sheep and fattening 

lambs. 

ALAMO 


HOBSON 

Forage Rape 

GREEN GLOBE 

White Turnip 



HF 

CD 

A highly productive catch cropping mix similar to HF CC but without 

white turnips. 

ALAMO 


HOBSON 

Forage Rape 



HF CC and CD are balanced mixtures 

designed to produce an Italian Ryegrass 

sward with a brassica cover crop thereby 

providing both autumn grazing from the 

combination of species and winter and early 

spring grazing from the Italian Ryegrass. 

Inevitably this compromise will not produce 

the short term bulk of a single brassica but 

will provide a lower level of keep for a 

longer period of time. In the management of 

these mixtures it should be remembered 

that both rape and turnips are aggressive 

species and if allowed to grow too tall they 

can smother the Italian Ryegrass. These 

mixtures should therefore be grazed early 

to allow the Italian to thrive. 

18


O V E R S E E D I N G 

Every grassland farmer is well aware of the vigour and high level of production that can be achieved from a new reseed 

and also that inevitably through time, the sown grasses begin to disappear and the sward thins out and production 

suffers.The decline of sown species is influenced by many different factors but on average by the time grass reaches 7 

or 8 years old, only around 60% of the sown species remain and 40% of the sward is either bare ground or occupied by 

weed grasses. This deterioration not only affects yield but also has a significant effect on palatability, forage quality, 

spring growth and the overall response to fertiliser inputs.When these are added together, the effect on both animal 

performance and the overall financial return is substantial and a sward with 40 – 50% bare ground or weed grass 

content can mean a loss of up to £300 per acre per year in feed value. 

Recognising the need to maintain a high proportion of sown species in older grass and that a full reseed is not always practical, HF Seeds 

has developed the GrassMax system of overseeding which presents a real opportunity to restore production in tired or damaged swards 

to newly sown levels without the expense or disruption of a full reseed.The GrassMax system of overseeding can also be used to introduce 

or increase clover levels in existing swards. 

The key to successful overseeding lies in ensuring that the newly sown plants are capable of competing with the existing grass and that the 

germinating seedlings have sufficient vigour to establish successfully in what can be a very competitive environment. Increasing the 

competitiveness of the establishing plants can be achieved in three ways each of which has a cumulative effect in ensuring success. 

Minimise Competition from the Existing Sward 

When the existing sward is growing strongly there is obviously more 

competition for the establishing seedlings. Consequently the timing of 

the actual overseeding operation and the subsequent fertiliser treatment 

are important factors to consider. The objective should be to find a 

window during the season when the existing sward is short and is not 

growing strongly. Ideal conditions are provided after a hard graze or 

immediately after the last silage cut of the season. No fertiliser should be 

applied for at least 15 days after the overseeding operation. 

Use a Mixture Designed for Overseeding 

Large seeded grasses are more competitive in their establishment and 

all the HF GrassMax mixtures are comprised of Tetraploid Hybrid and 

Perennial Ryegrasses specially selected for their establishment vigour.The 

use of these large seeded, aggressively establishing grasses significantly 

increases their ability to compete with the existing sward. 

Use Mixtures Treated with iSeed® 

Although conventional fertiliser application will 

increase the establishment vigour of the new 

seedlings, its growth promotion effect on the 

existing sward is greater and competition is 

increased to a level which often overwhelms the 

establishing plants. For 2009, all HF GrassMax 

mixtures are available with the brand new and 

revolutionary iSeed® treatment where every individual seed is coated 

with both nitrogen and phosphate. This unique targeted fertiliser 

concept feeds the sown seeds and not the surrounding sward and 

dramatically improves establishment vigour at the most crucial stage in 

the overseeding process. Extensive trials have shown that the uptake of 

iSeed® fertiliser is four times more effective than conventional 

applications and have demonstrated establishment gains of over 30% 

and substantial benefits to both root and shoot development. 

The benefit of iSeed® 30 days 

after sowing is clear to see 

UNTREATED 

iSeed ® TREATED 

19



OVERSEEDING MIXTURES 

HF 

HF 

A mixture specially designed for overseeding fields which will be 

mainly cut for silage. 

SOLID 


CITELIAC 


MAGICIAN 



White Clover 



❚ 100% Tetraploid grasses which are ideal for overseeding 

as they have the largest seeds and are aggressive 

establishers 

❚ Grasses based entirely on Hybrid and Perennial 

Ryegrasses with the highest conservation yields on 

UK recommended lists 

❚ Very good forage quality from Solid and Citeliac 

❚ Varieties chosen for good spring growth to ensure high 

yields at first cut 

❚ Contains a high proportion of HF’s unique Cutting 



❚ No Clover option available on request 

HF GRASSMAX CUT - THE SPECIALIST MIX FOR 

OVERSEEDING SILAGE FIELDS 

33% Yield Increase from GrassMax Dual Purpose 

30% Yield Increase from GrassMax Graze 

Control 

44% Yield Increase from GrassMax Cut + Red Clover 

WITH RED CLOVER 

A specialist overseeding mixture containing a high level of Red 

Clover designed to introduce both new grass and Red Clover into 

silage swards. This mix can also be used to prolong the life of 

existing Red Clover swards provided Eelworm is not a problem 

SOLID 


CITELIAC 


CORVUS 

Red Clover 



❚ All ingredients have large seeds and are capable of 

establishing in an existing sward 

❚ Grass component is 100% Tetraploid Hybrid Ryegrass 

which is sufficiently aggressive to compete and survive 

in a Red Clover sward 

❚ 30% Red Clover content to ensure a good plant 

population in the overseeded sward 

❚ Excellent forage quality from both Solid and Citeliac 

HF GRASSMAX CUT + RED CLOVER - THE SPECIALIST MIX 

FOR OVERSEEDING BOTH GRASS AND RED CLOVER INTO 

SILAGE SWARDS 

Guidelines for Successful Overseeding 

Field Preparation 

• Remove all surplus grass growth by cutting or 

hard grazing 

• Scarify the area in opposite directions using a 

wire tine grass scarifying harrow 

Sowing 

• Sow at the same time as scarifying with up to 

10 kg/acre (25 kg/hectare) of the appropriate 

mixture 

• Where iSeed® treatment is used, as the 

fertiliser effectively doubles the weight of the 

seed, the sowing rate is double that of 

untreated seed 

• Roll immediately after sowing 

to consolidate the ground, conserve moisture 

and ensure good seed to soil contact 

Timing 

• With untreated seed, to ensure that 

competition from the existing sward is 

minimised, the optimum overseeding window 

is immediately after the last silage cut of the 

season or after a hard graze in the spring or 

autumn 

90 

100 110 120 130 140 150 

DM Yield/ha Relative to Control 

HF trial results have shown an average of 30 – 35% yield improvement from overseeding 

with a massive 44% yield from GrassMax Cut + Red Clover. In addition to these huge yield 

increases, the trials also showed substantial gains over control in both forage quality and 

feeding value particularly in terms of digestibility and the sugar content of the forage. 

BEFORE 

A typical sward before overseeding 

20



OVERSEEDING MIXTURES 

HF 

HF 


predominantly grazed. 


both cut and grazed. 

Timing (continued) 

• Although the benefit of minimising 

competition from the existing sward also 

applies to iSeed®, the increased 

competitiveness of iSeed reduces the 

dependence on timing and may offer the 

opportunity of a much wider sowing window 

Fertiliser 

• When clover is included wait until at least 30 

days after sowing before applying any nitrogen 

fertiliser to minimise competition from the 

existing sward. If clover is not included this 

period can be reduced to 15 days 

MAGICIAN 


CALIBRA 


DELPHIN 


POLIM 



White Clover 



❚ Achieves SugarMax status with a high proportion of 

the top sugar yielding variety Calibra 

❚ High sugar yields ensure excellent palatability and 

improved animal performance 


as they have large seeds and are aggressive establishers 

❚ Based entirely on Perennial Ryegrass varieties with the 

highest grazing yields on UK Recommended Lists 

❚ Very good Crown Rust resistance from both Polim and 

Delphin both of which receive very high resistance 

ratings in NIAB trials 

❚ Contains a high proportion of HF Grazing Clover blend 

containing varieties specially selected for their 

production and persistence under grazing 


HF GRASSMAX GRAZE – THE SPECIALIST MIX FOR 

OVERSEEDING GRAZING FIELDS 

SOLID 


GLENSTAL 


POLIM 


GLENCAR 



White Clover 




as they have the largest seeds and are aggressive 

establishers 

❚ Based on Hybrid and Perennial Ryegrass varieties with 

high yields under both cutting and grazing 

❚ Exceptionally good Crown Rust resistance from Polim 

which receives a very high resistance rating in NIAB 

trials 

❚ Contains a high proportion of HF’s unique Dual Purpose 

Clover blend designed to achieve maximum clover 

content and persistency under both cutting and grazing 

❚ Clover blend based on the most productive clover 

varieties including Avoca one of the highest yielding and 

most persistent varieties available today 


HF GRASSMAX DUAL PURPOSE – THE SPECIALIST MIX FOR 

OVERSEEDING FIELDS THAT WILL BE BOTH CUT AND GRAZED 

Livestock Re-introduction 

• After cutting wait until aftermaths have fully 

recovered 

• After grazing leave stock on for 10 days then 

remove and allow sward to recover 

AFTER 

Oveseeding can dramatically 

improve sward performance 

All HF GrassMax mixtures 

are now available with 

‘With current 

fertiliser prices the 

idea behind iSeed ® 

was attractive in so 

much that we could 

both save on input 

price and expect a 

better take and 

higher plant 

population. The ‘feed the seed not the weed’ 

idea makes sense and to see the grass and 

clover seedlings filling the gaps is very 

encouraging. We have overseeded with HF 

GrassMax mixtures for some time now with 

great success and with iSeed ® we are fine 

tuning the job. We will use iSeed ® again for 

sure. Once again HF Seeds innovation has 

benefited our grass production.’ Mervyn 

Roberts, Hendy Farm, Pontllyfni, Caernarfon 

(Seed supplied by David Edwards) 

21


O R G A N I C S 

HF 65% 

ORGANIC 

SHORT TERM 

A highly productive two to three year mixture based primarily on 

high yielding Hybrid Ryegrasses and containing a high proportion 

of Red Clover designed for two cuts per year followed by aftermath 

grazing. 

STORM 


SOLID 


CITELIAC 


CALIBRA 


AMOS 

Red Clover 

RAJAH 

Red Clover 



❚ Contains 65% organically produced seed to meet 

2009 organic certification regulations 


❚ Specially formulated for high sugar forage including 

Calibra the highest yielding SugarMax variety 

❚ Contains Citeliac a new Hybrid variety which is very 

high yielding under both cutting and grazing with good 

forage quality and excellent disease resistance 

❚ Contains a high proportion of Hybrid Ryegrass varieties 

for their yield potential over two to three years 

❚ Very good spring growth and late heading ensures high 


❚ Companion grasses chosen for their open growth habit 

allowing clover to thrive 

❚ Organic content from four different varieties 

❚ 25% Red Clover content established as the optimum level 

in extensive HF trials 

❚ Strong vigorous regrowth for second cut and aftermath 

grazing 

❚ Excellent disease resistance 

HF ORGANIC SHORT TERM - THE SHORT TERM ROTATIONAL 

MIX FOR ORGANIC SILAGE PRODUCTION 

HF 65% 

ORGANIC 

DUAL PURPOSE 

A high sugar mixture specially designed for a dual purpose medium 

term cutting and/or grazing ley for organic management. 

PREMIUM 


CALIBRA 


PASTOUR 


FOXTROT 


DELPHIN 


POLIM 


DOLINA 

Timothy 

PROMESSE 

Timothy 

AMOS 

Red Clover 


White Clover 



❚ Contains 65% organically produced seed to meet 

2009 organic certification regulations 


❚ Contains Pastour one of the highest yielding Late 

Perennial Ryegrasses on UK Recommended Lists 

❚ Achieves SugarMax status with high proportions of 

the top sugar yielding varieties Calibra and Foxtrot 


value, excellent palatability and rapid silage 

fermentation 

❚ Formulated with Tetraploid and Diploid Perennials and 

Timothy to ensure the correct balance between grass and 

clover 

❚ Excellent Crown Rust Resistance from Foxtrot, Pastour, 

Polim and Delphin all of which receive very high Crown 

Rust resistance ratings on 2009 UK Recommended Lists 

❚ Red Clover inclusion for high clover yields and nitrogen 

fixation in the early stages of establishment 

❚ High White Clover content of HF’s unique Dual Purpose 

Clover blend to ensure the optimum clover content in the 

final sward 

❚ Clover varieties selected for both yield and early spring 

growth to ensure early season nitrogen fixation and 

grass growth 

HF ORGANIC DUAL PURPOSE - A HIGH PERFORMANCE 

FLEXIBLE MIXTURE FOR DUAL PURPOSE ORGANIC 

MANAGEMENT 

As the market for organic produce in the UK 

continues to develop, HF’s commitment to 

developing the very best mixtures for the 

organic farmer remains the top priority in 

2009. HF organic mixtures have been 

formulated following practical experience on 

farm over many years and are specially 

designed to meet the challenges of organic 

farming.The use of the best grass and clover 

varieties for organic systems ensures that both 

yield and forage quality are maintained under 

the pressures of organic management. 

Following a reduction in the supply of 

organically produced seed from 2008 harvest, 

the UK organic certification authorities have 

maintained the organic percentage for 2009 

at 65% to ensure continuity of supply 

throughout the year. 

22


O R G A N I C S 

For 2009 all 65% organic mixtures have been 

designed on the basis of their technical 

performance under organic conditions to 

meet the following key criteria: 

• The optimum clover content of varieties 

best suited for organic production 

• Companion grasses which allow clover to 

thrive but at the same time maintain total 

forage yields 

• The achievement of high sugar yields and 

maximum feeding value from the inclusion 

of SugarMax varieties 

• The production of top quality high D- 

value and palatable forage 

• Seasonal growth patterns suited to 

organic management, particularly good 

early spring growth with late heading 

• Appropriate disease resistance, in 

particular against Crown Rust which can 

be a major problem in organically 

managed swards affecting production, 

palatability and forage quality 

HF 65% 

ORGANIC 

•GRAZE• 

A medium to long term grazing mixture produced from persistent 

grazing varieties of both grass and clover and specially formulated 

to ensure good clover development and survival under organic 

grazing management. 

CALIBRA 


BREE 


FOXTROT 


PASTOUR 


POLIM 


DELPHIN 



White Clover 



❚ Contains 65% organically produced seed to meet 2009 

organic certification regulations 

❚ Specially formulated for high sugar forage status with 

high proportions of the SugarMax varieties Calibra 

and Foxtrot 


value and excellent grazing palatability 

❚ Based on late heading Pasture Perennial Ryegrass 

varieties which are ideal for grazing 

❚ Varieties chosen for their high grazing yields particularly 

Bree, Foxtrot, Pastour and Polim 

❚ Excellent Crown Rust Resistance from Foxtrot, Pastour, 

Polim and Delphin all of which receive very high Crown 

Rust Resistance ratings on 2009 Recommended Lists 

❚ Formulated with Diploid and Tetraploid varieties to 

ensure the correct balance between grass and clover in a 

grazing situation 

❚ Very persistent varieties capable of withstanding heavy 

grazing pressure 

❚ Clover varieties chosen for maximum spring growth to 

ensure early Nitrogen fixation and grass growth 

❚ High White Clover content of grazing tolerant including 

a high proportion of Avoca, simply the best and most 

persistent White Clover available 

HF ORGANIC GRAZE - THE LONG TERM MIXTURE FOR 

ORGANIC GRAZING 

HF 65% 

ORGANIC 

_____________ 

REJUVENATOR 

Specially formulated to meet demand for a mixture to rejuvenate 

grass and establish clover in pastures intended for organic 

production. This practice is no substitute for a full reseed but with 

the right mix and attention to detail, it can increase clover levels 

and breathe new life into tired swards. The key to success lies in 

the correct sward preparation before over-sowing and selecting a 

mixture containing varieties with the best possible establishment 

vigour. 

CALIBRA 


DELPHIN 


POLIM 


TIVOLI 


RAJAH 

Red Clover 


White Clover 


10 - 12 KG/ACRE (25 - 30KG/HECTARE) 

❚ Contains 65% organically produced seed to meet 2009 

organic certification regulations 

❚ 100% Tetraploid grasses for high sugar forage 

including the top SugarMax variety Calibra 

❚ The most effective way to introduce both new grass and 

high sugar into existing pastures 

❚ Grasses based entirely on Tetraploids which have the 

largest seeds and greatest establishment vigour 

❚ Spread of varieties for early, mid and late season growth 

❚ Includes Delphin and Polim for their excellent Crown 

Rust Resistance 

❚ Small inclusion of Red Clover for rapid clover 

establishment 

❚ Clover varieties chosen for maximum spring growth to 

ensure early spring nitrogen fixation and grass growth 

❚ Contains a high proportion of persistent and flexible 

White Clover varieties 

HF ORGANIC REJUVENATOR – THE SOLUTION TO 

INCREASING CLOVER LEVELS AND TO BREATHING NEW 

LIFE INTO EXISTING SWARDS 

‘The rise in concentrate prices coupled with the difficulty in growing 

a suitable cereal replacement on our organic dairy farm means that 

we need the best varieties and mixtures to produce high quality grass 

leys for cutting and grazing throughout the growing season. With only 

550 mm rainfall we also need swards than can perform and yield in 

dry conditions and HF’s organic mixtures seem to be able to deliver 

on all counts. I am also starting to introduce overseeding with HF 

grass and clover mixtures to ensure that we maintain maximum 

productivity from grass.’ Miles Saunders, Step Farm, Faringdon, Oxon 

23


F O R A G E H E R B S 

FORAGE HERBS 

With greater emphasis on the environment in recent years and a return to more traditional methods of animal production, there has been 

increasing interest in the use of herbs to improve animal performance and to add greater botanical diversity to the sward. Although much 

of the benefit of herbs is anecdotal and there is limited scientific evidence of their benefits for the grazing animal, it is accepted that they are 

very palatable and contain high proportions of essential minerals particularly Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Cobalt and Selenium.They are 

also generally very deep-rooted and as a result are very drought resistant and can improve both soil structure and drainage. 

CHICORY 

Chicory is a deep-rooted plant which grows 

best on fertile well drained soils. It provides 

leafy spring and summer growth which is 

higher in digestibility, nutritive value and 

mineral content than grass. It can be sown 

on its own, overseeded into existing 

pastures or included in a mixture for a new 

reseed. 

RIBGRASS 

Ribgrass or Ribwort Plantain is known to 

contain a range of chemical compounds 

which reduce stress in ruminants and 

consequently may influence performance. 

It is very persistent and as it grows from the 

bottom of the plant it will survive heavy 

grazing. 

SHEEP’S BURNETT 

Sheep’s Burnett is a hardy long lived 

evergreen plant which does best on well 

drained soils and which has traditionally 

been used for its high mineral content. 

SAINFOIN 

The name Sainfoin comes from French,‘sain’ 

meaning wholesome and ‘foin’ meaning hay. 

It is extremely palatable and has been used 

for centuries as a fodder for cattle. It is rich 

in tannins which protect proteins in the 

rumen leading to better utilisation and it 

may also have a limited anthelmintic action. 

YARROW 

Yarrow is a very common herb found 

throughout the UK and with its deep taproot 

it is very persistent and performs well 

in dry conditions. It is high in minerals and 

there is evidence to suggest that it is high in 

fatty acids with a resultant benefit in animal 

performance. 

SHEEP’S PARSLEY 

Sheep’s Parsley is very palatable to livestock 

and is a rich source of minerals but can lack 

persistency under heavy grazing. 

The above herbs are available as single species for inclusion in grass mixtures or alternatively HF Summer Herb is a 100% herb mix 

containing balanced proportions of the above six herbs for both direct sowing at 1 – 2 kgs/acre or inclusion in a grass mixture. 

24


S T E W A R D S H I P M I X T U R E S 

The Stewardship Schemes of Scotland continue to evolve with funding now being delivered to farmers via Rural Development Contracts 

under either the non-competitive but limited Land Managers Options Scheme or the competitive Rural Priorities Scheme. Although the 

funding mechanisms are different, the same seed mixtures apply to both these and the previous schemes, albeit a new development for 2009 

is the inclusion of a nectar producing species in Grass Margin mixtures. 

Three HF Grass Margin mixtures are 

available with different ingredients please 

order by the mixture reference code 

HF 

Mixture ref : HF BGM 1 RC 

Grass Margin 

With Cocksfoot 

This mixture contains cocksfoot and Red Clover and is suitable for 

all the grass margin options but will form a very tussocky sward. 

Crested Dogstail 


Timothy 

Tall Fescue 

Cocksfoot 

Red Clover 



This mixture is available without the Red Clover as BGM 1 

HF 

Mixture Ref : HF BGM 2 RC 


No Cocksfoot 

This mixture is suitable for all grass margin options and will 

provide a more open sward with fewer tussocks. 



Timothy 

Sheep’s Fescue 

Chewings Fescue 

Red Clover 



This mixture is available without the Red Clover as BGM 2 

HF 

Mixture Ref : HF BGM 3 RC 


With Cocksfoot & 

White Clover 

This mixture is suitable for all grass margin options and will 

provide a more open sward with fewer tussocks. 



Timothy 

Cocksfoot 

Tall Fescue 

Bird’s Foot Trefoil 

White Clover 



Two Wild Bird Seed / Unharvested Crop 

mixtures are available to provide the 

option of both one and two years duration 

HF Mixture Ref : HF WBS 1 

Annual Wild 

Bird Cover 

This mixture is designed to meet the annual unharvested crops 

option and will provide both cover and a food source for wild 

birds over a one year period. 

Spring Cereal 

Linseed 

Millet 

Mustard 



HF Mixture Ref : HF WBS 2 

Two Year Wild 

Bird Cover 

This mixture is designed to meet the unharvested crops option and 

will provide a continuing and varied source of food for seed eating 

birds over a two year period. 

Spring Cereal 

Kale 

Quinoa 

Yellow Blossom Clover 



HF 

SpeciesRich 

Mixtures for this option should comprise 80-85% non-aggressive 

grasses and 15-20% native wild flowers. To allow flexibility the 

grass and wild flower mixtures are detailed separately and can be 

combined together in any proportion to suit different needs and 

requirements. 

GRASS COMPONENT (80-85%) 

Sheep’s Fescue 

Red Fescue 

Meadow Fescue 

Smooth Stalked Meadow Grass 


Common Bent 

WILD FLOWER COMPONENT (15-20%) 

Ribwort Plantain 

Meadow Buttercup 

Black Knapweed 

Common Sorrel 

Oxeye Daisy 

Self Heal 

Yarrow 

Yellow Rattle 

Black Medick 

RECOMMENDED SOWING RATE OF 

COMBINED GRASS AND WILD FLOWER MIXTURE 


25


O T H E R C R O P S 

As farmers strive for greater self-sufficiency in all aspect of their business, crops which offer the potential to reduce purchased feed and 

fertiliser costs are increasing in popularity. Sales of wholecrop mixtures, particularly those offering a source of home grown protein, have 

increased dramatically in recent years and there is rapidly developing interest in both green manuring and crops such as rye, which can 

be used to reduce the expensive winter months by extending the grazing season. 

HF 

Wholecrop 

HF Seeds offers a wide range of both standard and custom wholecrop 

mixtures including barley, oats, wheat, triticale, peas, lupins and 

vetches. All HF wholecrop options are available with a 65% 

organically produced content for organic farmers. 

One relatively new development in the area of wholecropping is the 

use of lupins as a protein source. Grown as an integral mix with 

Triticale, both Yellow and White Lupins are suitable for this purpose. 

White Lupins will produce a greater bulk of green forage due to their 

increased branching habit whereas Yellow Lupins are lower yielding 

in terms of pure bulk but produce a higher gross output of high 

quality protein. 

HF 

GREEN 

MANURING 

Green manure crops are used to improve soil structure, to 

accumulate organic matter, to break pest and disease cycles and to 

manage soil nitrogen levels. They can be categorised into nitrogen 

removers (non legumes) which act as a break crop, add organic 

matter and mop up surplus soil nitrogen and nitrogen fixers 

(legumes) which offer similar soil structure and break crop benefits 

as nitrogen lifters but which add to rather than reduce soil nitrogen 

levels. 

MUSTARD 

Mustard is easy to establish, and grows 

very rapidly producing a large bulk of green 

material in 8 – 10 weeks. It is a nitrogen 

remover and is used to produce organic 

matter but should be ploughed in before 

becoming too mature. Sowing rate 8 – 10 

kgs/acre. 

HF 

EXTENDED 

grazing 

Grazing rye is one way to reduce the long winter months by providing 

early bite from late February onwards. Most of the varieties being 

sold for this purpose have been bred for grain production but 

PROTECTOR is a true forage rye which has been bred specifically for 

its rapid establishment, early growth and its ability to produce large 

bulks of green material for early grazing. PROTECTOR is sown in 

early autumn at 60 – 70 kgs/acre for grazing from late February 

onwards. 

Yellow Lupins 

For further information on 

availability of lupins and other 

wholecrop mixtures contact your 

HF distributor or telephone 

HF Seeds direct on 0131 555 4044. 

PHACELIA 

Phacelia is very quick to establish and 

matures in 10 – 12 weeks. It produces 

organic matter for ploughing in and its 

attractive flowers are beneficial to insects 

but it must be incorporated before 

producing seed or it may reappear as a 

weed. Sowing rate 4 kgs/acre. 

VETCH 

Available in both winter and spring forms, 

vetches are capable of fixing high levels of 

nitrogen for subsequent crops. Sowing rate 

30 - 40 kgs/acre. 

YELLOW BLOSSOM CLOVER 

An excellent nitrogen fixer, Yellow Blossom 

or Sweet Clover is deep rooted and 

produces large amounts of organic matter 

for incorporation. Sowing rate 6 kgs/acre. 

RED CLOVER 

A prolific nitrogen fixer, Red Clover, has 

deep tap roots and is ideal for adding 

nitrogen and improving soil structure. 

Sowing rate 6 kgs/acre. 

Strip grazing with rye or other forage crops can reduce 

the long winter feeding period 

HF 

SOIL 

Fumigant 

On both organic and conventional farms there is increasing interest 

in crops which have a natural bio-fumigant action and which can 

both suppress nematodes and soil borne diseases and act as a green 

manure crop at the same time. 

VITTASSO BROWN MUSTARD 

Vittasso Brown Mustard contains very high 

levels of glucosinolate and when the crop is 

finely chopped and incorporated into the 

soil this is released and reacts with other 

compounds to create the bio-fumigant 

Isothiocyanate. 

VITTASSO is sown at 5 kgs/ha (2 kgs/acre) 

and successful bio-fumigation depends on: 

• Establishing and growing a high yielding 

crop 

• Finely chopping the crop at flowering 

approximately 50 – 75 days after sowing 

to maximise the glucosinolate content 

and creating rapid fumigation 

• Thorough incorporation of the chopped 

material into moist soil. Water is 

essential for the necessary chemical 

reaction to take place. 

26


R O O T A N D F O D D E R C R O P S 

SOWING RATES, RELATIVE YIELD AND ENERGY LEVELS OF FODDER CROPS 

Crop Sowing Rate Sowing Utilisation Fresh Yield Dry Matter DM Yield DM Energy Energy Yield 

per acre period period tonnes/acre content % tonnes/acre content MJ/kg per acre ‘000MJ 

Fodder Beet 50,000 seeds March - April Harvested 25 - 35 17 4.2 - 6.0 12.5 52 - 75 

and clamped 

October onwards 

Swedes Graded seed May October - March 28 - 35 11 3.0 - 3.8 12.9 35 - 49 

Approx 250 gms 

see varieties 

Turnips Graded seed May - June October - January 24 - 30 9 2.2 - 2.7 11.2 25 - 30 

Approx 250 gms 

Kale 3 kg broadcast May - June October - February 20 - 30 14 2.8 - 4.2 11.0 31 - 46 

2 kg drilled 

Forage Rape 4 - 5 kg broadcast June - August Sept - December 12 - 15 12 1.5 - 1.8 10.5 16 - 19 

3 - 4 kg drilled 

Stubble Turnips 3 kg broadcast May - August 12 weeks after 15 - 18 9.5 1.5 - 1.8 11.6 17 - 21 

2 kg drilled sowing 

FODDER BEET 

Fodder beet has the capacity to produce 

high fresh and dry matter yields and is best 

grown in early districts on well drained 

soils. It has a high energy content but 

relatively low protein content. Medium dry 

matter varieties have a greater percentage 

of root above the ground and consequently 

are easier to lift and have a lower dirt tare. 

Higher dry matter varieties tend to sit 

further into the ground and have a higher 

dirt tare. 

ALPES 

Alpes has exceptional all round 

characteristics and is the highest yielding, 

cleanest fodder beet available. It produces 

yellow roots of medium dry matter content 

and has 33% of its root above the ground 

allowing easy lifting. 

MAGNUM 

Magnum has a consistent root size and 

produces reliable high dry matter yields of 

white fleshed roots. Better frost resistance 

than other varieties due to its high dry 

matter content. 

TINTIN 

Higher yielding than Kyros, Tintin has 

uniform, easily lifted, clean orange roots of 

medium dry matter content. 

KYROS 

Kyros is a well established and consistently 

high yielding variety producing very palatable 

and easily digested roots of medium dry 

matter content and produces clean roots at 

harvest. 

SWEDES 

Swedes grow on a wide range of soil types 

and can be grazed in situ or lifted for 

stockfeed or as a cash crop. Whatever the 

intended use, the dry matter content is one 

of the most important characters to 

consider. Low dry matter types are softer 

and are more suitable for early use 

whereas the high dry matter types are 

more winter hardy and therefore better 

suited to later utilisation. For cash cropping 

fresh yield, shape and colour are important 

considerations with purple skinned, globe 

shaped roots generally considered the 

most marketable type. 

For 2009 all graded swede seed is available 

with flea beetle treatment 

AIRLIE 

For early to intermediate use Airlie 

produces high fresh yields of uniform globe 

shaped roots with purple skin and creamy 

white flesh. Good general disease resistance. 

RUTA OTOFTE 

A very popular purple skinned variety with 

cream coloured flesh suitable for both 

fodder use and shopping. A medium dry 

matter variety with good winter hardiness 

and Mildew resistance. 

MARIAN 

A good shopping variety with an attractive 

purple globe and cream coloured flesh. 

With its medium dry matter content Marian 

is suitable for intermediate use but has 

slightly lower yield potential than other 

varieties. 

LOMOND 

A new and extremely high yielding variety 

bred by SCRI, Lomond has purple skin and 

yellow flesh and has good Club Root and 

Powdery Mildew resistance. Lomond is 

slightly less uniform than Gowrie and 

consequently is the better stock feed variety. 

GOWRIE 

A new high yielding variety bred by SCRI, 

Gowrie produces very uniform roots with 

purple skin and yellow flesh making it ideal 

for the culinary market. Good Club Root 

and Powdery Mildew resistance. 

KENMORE 

A bronze skinned, white fleshed variety with 

very high fresh yields best suited as stock 

feed. Kenmore is early maturing and with its 

medium dry matter content and very good 

winter hardiness, it allows for a very wide 

window of utilisation. 

INVITATION 

A high yielding purple/bronze skinned 

variety with a high dry matter content and 

very good winter hardiness making it 

suitable for late use. Invitation has excellent 

resistance to both Club Root and Mildew 

and it also produces large leaves for extra 

grazing potential. 

27


R O O T A N D F O D D E R C R O P S 

TURNIPS 

Turnips differ from swedes due to their 

lower dry matter content. They are faster 

growing but lack winter hardiness and 

keeping quality and are therefore best 

suited for early use. 

GREEN GLOBE 

A quick growing variety for utilisation 12 - 

15 weeks after sowing, Green Globe 

produces white fleshed, soft, easily eaten, 

globe shaped roots with good anchorage 

suitable for grazing by all types of livestock. 

Its relatively low dry matter and consequent 

poor winter hardiness means that Green 

Globe is best utilised before Christmas. 

KALE 

Kale is the highest yielding of all the leafy 

forage brassicas and has excellent feeding 

value and a high crude protein content. It 

can provide a long and flexible period of 

utilisation and can be grazed in situ, cut 

and carted to housed livestock or ensiled 

as big bale kaleage. There are however big 

differences in terms of winter hardiness 

(traditional marrowstem varieties tend to 

have poorer winter hardiness) and 

varieties should be chosen to suit the 

utilisation period. For maximum yields kale 

requires good fertility and a pH of at least 

6.0. 

CALEDONIAN 

Caledonian is a very high yielding 

marrowstem type with good winter 

hardiness and excellent club root resistance. 

Its high yield and good lodging resistance 

makes it ideal for utilisation by dairy or beef 

cattle from September to February and it 

can be strip or zero grazed. 

BITTERN 

A very leafy, high yielding hybrid variety with 

good digestibility and palatability due to its 

high sugar content. Bittern can be used 

throughout the autumn and winter but its 

outstanding winter hardiness makes it an 

ideal choice for late use. 

MARIS KESTREL 

A short, leafy, hybrid variety that is high in 

digestible dry matter particularly in the stem. 

Maris Kestrel has good frost resistance, 

excellent leaf retention and is not susceptible 

to lodging. 

KEEPER 

Keeper is a short variety ideal for sheep 

grazing. It is very palatable and stands well 

and its excellent winter hardiness makes it 

ideal for late use. 

GRÜNER ANGELITER 

A very high yielding marrowstem type 

producing higher fresh yields than either 

Caledonian or Bittern. With its high yield 

good winter hardiness and excellent feeding 

quality, Grüner Angeliter is well suited for 

stock feed use, but with its tall growth and 

high leaf canopy it is also ideal for game 

cover. 

FORAGE RAPE 

Rape is fast growing and will tolerate 

poorer fertility conditions than Kale. When 

sown as a catch crop between June and 

August it will provide valuable autumn and 

winter grazing. It has a wide sowing 

window and utilisation period and 

produces a digestible and high energy crop 

ideal for finishing lambs. 

HOBSON 

A very leafy and high yielding variety with 

good digestibility. Hobson has excellent 

resistance to mildew which can often 

seriously reduce yield and affect palatability. 

EMERALD 

A rapidly establishing, medium to tall, 

palatable variety with above average dry 

matter yields and good general disease 

resistance. 

STUBBLE TURNIPS 

Stubble Turnips provide palatable and 

digestible fodder for grazing 10 – 12 weeks 

after sowing. They can be sown at any 

time with the required utilisation period 

determining the sowing date. Stubble 

Turnips are less winter hardy than other 

brassicas and should be used before 

Christmas. Varieties differ in their leaf to 

root ratio with leafy types providing better 

anchorage and winter hardiness than bulb 

types which produce larger but relatively 

low dry matter roots 

TYFON 

A fast growing leafy type with some 

regrowth potential but it can be susceptible 

to bolting when sown too early. Tyfon has 

small bulbs and produces approximately 

80% of its yield from leaf. Good root 

anchorage and reasonable frost tolerance. 

RONDO 

A high yielding leafy type but with a higher 

proportion of root and larger bulbs than 

Tyfon. Rondo has good disease resistance, 

excellent root anchorage, and above average 

winter hardiness for a stubble turnip. 

PASJA 

Pasja is a new highly productive turnip rape 

hybrid which produces a large amount of 

leaf and small bulb. It is very fast growing 

and can be grazed 6 – 8 weeks after sowing. 

The bulb is well anchored in the soil and has 

a crown which enables the plant to regrow 

after defoliation provided it is not 

overgrazed. 

SAMSON 

Samson is a high yielding, bulbing variety with 

a high proportion of its total yield produced 

by large, purple topped, palatable roots 

which grow well out of the ground for 

better utilisation. 

VOLLENDA 

A highly digestible, late tetraploid variety 

noted for its speed of growth, overall yield 

and resistance to bolting. Vollenda is a 

bulbing type with a leaf to bulb ratio in the 

region 30 : 70. 

BARKANT 

Producing slightly smaller roots than 

Vollenda, Barkant is a bulbing variety 

producing very high yields of digestible dry 

matter. Reasonably winter hardy for a 

stubble turnip. 

28


G A M E C R O P S 

The single most important factor in selecting a game crop is the location in which it is to be sown. Almost by definition, game crops 

are usually required in less fertile, exposed and often shady areas which are unsuitable for many of the more exotic game crop species. 

Other factors which need to be considered are the purpose of the crop (cover only, cover and food, brood rearing etc), the time of sowing 

and the intended duration of the crop, the climatic conditions it will be subjected to and lastly, whether the area to be sown is included in 

any government schemes as the scheme regulations may have an impact on crop choice. 

As a general principle game crops are best sown as individual species thereby allowing the most appropriate management in terms of sowing 

depth, fertiliser and weed control, however it is possible to sow combinations of some crop groups to achieve diversity in the final stand. 

KALE 

Kale can provide excellent cover although it is very sensitive to 

adverse conditions. The varieties Bittern and Keeper are the most 

suitable as they both have outstanding winter hardiness and allow 

game to move freely under the leaf canopy. The variety Caledonian 

will provide some Club Root resistance where brassicas are being 

grown repeatedly but continuous brassicas over many years should 

be avoided where possible. Lower than normal sowing rates should 

be used to avoid thick crops which restrict game movement and 

drilling is preferable to broadcasting as rows allow both easy access 

for game and the opportunity to control birds on a shoot day. 

QUINOA 

Quinoa is an excellent break crop from brassicas and can provide 

both good cover and a very palatable and nutritious food source as 

it is a prolific seed producer capable of shedding over 1 tonne of 

seed per acre during the shooting season. For successful 

establishment Quinoa requires a minimum pH in the range 6.0 to 

6.5. An excellent combination of both cover and game food can be 

achieved by sowing alternate strips of Quinoa and Kale or by 

combining them together in a single mixture. 

In fertile conditions Kale can provide excellent cover 

FORAGE RAPE 

Forage Rape is a versatile, easy to grow cover crop and is a good 

alternative where Kale has been unsuccessful or for sowing later in 

the season. Although it still needs a reasonable pH, it will grow on 

more acidic soils than Kale and with its rapid growth, it is better 

equipped to withstand rabbit and pigeon damage. 

TEXSEL GREENS 

Texsel Greens is similar to mustard but has much better frost 

tolerance and will last considerably longer for winter holding and 

driving. It produces a canopy on sturdy stems up to 5 feet tall but 

although it shows some frost hardiness it is not suited to harsher, 

more northern climates. 

JONTY 

Jonty is a rapidly bolting brassica providing rapid cover within 6 to 8 

weeks of sowing and is therefore ideal for late sowings. It will produce 

a canopy approximately 3 feet high with an open bottom allowing 

easy movement of game, however, it is not particularly frost hardy and 

should not be relied on to provide cover beyond New Year. 

TRITICALE 

Cereals are a valuable food source in game mixtures but Triticale is 

particularly useful as it will tolerate poorer fertility and can survive 

where other cereals will not. It is also the most suitable cereal where 

rabbits are a problem as due to its early prostrate growth it grows 

unnoticed by rabbits and once established and growing strongly, it can 

often outpace rabbit damage. No game crop will survive a heavy 

rabbit burden however and in these cases netting may be the only 

practical solution.Triticale is available in both winter and spring forms. 

Winter varieties which are more commonly available, need to 

vernalise after sowing or they will not produce seed heads. Winter 

varieties are therefore only suitable for more northern climates and 

should be sown by the end of February. In southern climates or for 

later sowing dates only spring varieties should be considered. Like 

Quinoa, the role of Triticale is best as a food crop in a strip adjacent 

to a cover crop such as Kale or Rape but the difference in sowing 

dates and fertility tolerance may make this impractical. In this case 

Triticale alone can provide adequate cover to hold pheasants and 

partridges until Christmas. 

29



SORGHUM 

MILLET 

Available in dwarf and giant forms growing to 2 and 3 metres tall 

respectively, both types of Sorghum are used to provide a warm 

holding area for birds adjacent to food crops like maize. Giant 

Sorghum is particularly useful in dry areas as it is very deep rooting. 

CANARY GRASS 

Holdfast Canary Grass (Phalaris Aquatica) and its native version 

Reed Canary Grass (Phalaris Arundinacia) are strong growing hardy 

perennials with vigorous creeping rhizomes. The native Reed Canary 

Grass is better suited to harsher climates. Both are deep rooting 

and capable of withstanding a wide range of conditions and once 

established can provide long term game cover for up to 10 years. 

Both types of Canary Grass are slow in establishment particularly in 

cold conditions and can suffer badly in their first year from 

competition from weeds and weed grasses. As a result both types 

should be sown in 30 to 36 inch rows allowing inter-row weed 

control. Once established topping will encourage vigorous tillering. 

Millet has long been recognised as a valuable game food crop and is 

available in three different forms:White, Red and Strong Reed Millet. 

Each has different characteristics in terms of maturity, growth habit, 

winter hardiness and seed production. White Millet is the most 

prolific seed producer but has relatively poor winter hardiness 

whereas Reed Millet has poor seed production but is very winter 

hardy with Red Millet falling somewhere between the two. To 

exploit the benefits of the different types, game millet is supplied in 

three different forms: White Millet on its own for seed production 

in warm southern climates, a Red and White Millet Blend for general 

purpose use and a White and Reed Millet blend for seed production 

and good winter hardiness in colder areas. 

BUCKWHEAT 

Buckwheat is a thick, bushy, seed producing plant often sown in 

conjunction with other crops to provide both food and cover. It is 

particularly appealing to deer, pheasants, partridges and bees and 

other insects and grows best in warm, sunny, south facing conditions. 

It should not be sown until all risk of frost has passed. Maturity is 

reached in around three months and seed will be shed over a period 

of several weeks with the remaining stubble capable of holding birds 

until well into January. 

YELLOW BLOSSOM CLOVER 

MAIZE 

Maize is an excellent cover and food crop with a good canopy and 

open area underneath. It is also ideal for rotating with brassicas to 

reduce the build up of Club Root and it will thrive throughout most 

of England and Wales although it should not be sown over 350 

metres above sea level. Game Maize is supplied as a blend of three 

varieties to provide good standing power, low cob carriage allowing 

easy access by birds and a spread of maturity, ensuring cob availability 

throughout the season. Additional appeal can be added by sowing 

an adjacent crop of Millet counteracting draughtiness later in the 

season and also providing an additional food source. 

Yellow Blossom Clover is a self-generating legume that will last up to 

three years and as such can be sown on its own or included as a 

very useful component in Wild Bird Cover mixtures which are 

intended for two years duration. It has excellent early vigour with 

good seed production and can reach heights of up to 6 feet with stiff 

woody stems which allow easy bird movement below its dense 

canopy. 

30



CATCH CROPS FOR LATE SOWING 

Late sowings of game crops severely restrict crop choice and are only suitable for cover as there is insufficient time for seed production 

before the onset of winter. Fast growing crops such as Mustard, Stubble Turnips and Fodder Radish can be sown as late as September and 

will provide cover within 8 weeks.These crops however are generally not winter hardy and should not be relied on to provide cover beyond 

Christmas.The suitability of each of these crops varies for different situations and advice should be sought on the most appropriate choice. 

GAME COVER MIXTURES 

Whilst the above species have been considered individually, it is 

possible to mix different combinations together to provide both 

cover and an attractive food source in one game crop. As with the 

single species the choice of mixture components will depend entirely 

on location, climate and soil fertility and where there is any doubt, a 

mixture which is tolerant of a wide range of growing conditions 

should be selected. 

Crop Optimum Sowing Rate (kgs/acre) Comments 

Sowing Period Drilled Broadcast 

Kale May / June 1.5 2.0 Requires good fertility and high pH 

Forage Rape July / September 2.5 3.5 More tolerant of poorer fertility than kale 

Texsel Greens May - July 2.5 - Not suitable for northern climates 

Jonty August / September 1.5 2.5 Fast growing but not winter hardy 

Quinoa May / June 2.0 - Requires minimum pH of 6.0 

Quinoa + Kale May /June 2.5 - Requires good fertility and high pH 

Winter Triticale Before end February 75 - Only suitable for early sowing in more northern climates where 

seed will vernalise 

Spring Triticale March / April 75 - Use in milder climates or for later sowing to ensure seed 

production 

Holdfast Canary Grass April / May 2.5 - Very slow establishment 

Reed Canary Grass April / May 2.5 - Suited to more northern climates 

Triple Maize Blend April 45,000 seeds per acre Not suited for Scotland or over 350 metres above sea level 

White Millet April / May 10 - Most suited to warm southern climates 

Millgame Millet Mix 

(White + Red Millet) 

April / May 10 - General purpose throughout England & Wales 

Ambush Millet Mix 

(White + Reed Millet) 

April / May 5 - Good winter hardiness and better suited to northern areas 

Buckwheat May 20 50 Requires warm and sunny growing conditions 

Giant Sorghum April / May 12 - Useful cover and shelter crop in warm, dry areas 

Dwarf Sorghum April / May 8 - Used as shelter crop 

Yellow Blossom Clover April to July 4 - Useful on its own or in mixtures for 2 years or more 

Mustard August / September 3 5 Not winter hardy, for late sowing or emergency use 

Stubble Turnips August / September 2 3 Not winter hardy, for late sowing or emergency use 

Fodder Radish August / September 3 - Not winter hardy, for late sowing or emergency use 

31

DISTRIBUTORS OF HF SEED MIXTURES 

1 ORKNEY AND SHETLAND 

KEVIN GROUNDWATER 

TELEPHONE 07887 540547 

Towerhill Farm, St Ola, Orkney, KW15 1SR 

2 CAITHNESS AND SUTHERLAND 

W & A GEDDES LTD 

TELEPHONE 01955 602207 

7 River Street, Wick, Caithness, KW1 5EB 

AND 

TELEPHONE 01408 621220 

Victoria Road, Brora, Sutherland, KW9 6LN 

3 MORAY, INVERNESS AND 

BLACK ISLE 

SCOTGRAIN AGRICULTURE LTD 

TELEPHONE 01343 543281 

Pentland House, Grampian Road, Elgin, 

Moray, IV30 1XJ 

4 NORTH EAST SCOTLAND 

SCOTGRAIN AGRICULTURE LTD 

TELEPHONE 01241 870341 

Elliot Industrial Estate, Arbroath, 

Angus, DD11 2NJ 

OPENFIELDS & UAP 

TELEPHONE 01975 563200 

Prospect Building, Montgarrie, Alford, 

Aberdeenshire, AB33 8BA 

5 EASTERN CENTRAL SCOTLAND 

FRONTIER AGRICULTURE LTD 

TELEPHONE 01289 330303 

Windmill Way West, Ramparts Park, 

Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland, 

TD15 1TB 

6 LOTHIANS, PEEBLES-SHIRE, 

BORDERS AND NORTHUMBERLAND 

R H MILLER (AGRICULTURAL) LTD 

TELEPHONE 0131 660 3921 

Fordel, Lauder Road, Dalkeith, Midlothian, 

EH22 2PH 

AND 

TELEPHONE 01721 720711 

Tweedview, South Park Estate, Peebles, 

Peebles-shire, EH45 9ED 

AND 

TELEPHONE 01450 370050 

10 Commercial Road, Hawick, Roxburghshire, 

TD9 7AQ 

FRONTIER AGRICULTURE LTD 

TELEPHONE 01289 330303 

Windmill Way West, Ramparts Park, Berwickupon-Tweed, 

Northumberland,TD15 1TB 

CLARK & WEIR LTD 

TELEPHONE 01899 220096 

Glengonnar, Coulter, Biggar, 

Lanarkshire, ML12 6PZ 

7 CENTRAL, WEST AND SOUTH 

WEST SCOTLAND AND CUMBRIA 

CARRS BILLINGTON AGRICULTURE LTD 

TELEPHONE 01577 862381 

Stirling Road, Milnathort, Kinross, 

Kinross-shire, KY13 9UZ 

AND 

TELEPHONE 01768 862160 

Haweswater Road, Penrith Industrial Estate, 

Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 9EH 

AND 

TELEPHONE 01900 824105 

Lakeland Agricultural Centre, Cockermouth, 

Cumbria, CA13 0QQ 

BREMNER BLACK & CO LTD 

TELEPHONE 01786 860522 

34 Drummond Place, Gargunnock, 

Stirling, Stirlingshire, FK8 3BZ 

SOUTH WEST SEEDS LTD 

TELEPHONE 01848 331416 

Kilfaddoch, Closeburn,Thornhill, 

Dumfriesshire, DG3 5HW 

NUTRISCOT LTD 

TELEPHONE 01292 521123 

Scottish Agricultural College, Donald Hendrie 

Building, Auchincruive, Ayr, KA6 5HW 

SOLWAY AGRICULTURE LTD 

TELEPHONE 01576 204124 

Glasgow Road, Lockerbie, Dumfriesshire, 

DG11 2SE 

8 NORTHERN IRELAND 

NORTH DOWN GRAIN LTD 

TELEPHONE 028 4275 8284 

16 Tullykevin Road, Ballywalter, Co. Down, 

BT22 2NB 

NORTHERN COUNTIES COOP LTD 

TELEPHONE 028 7940 1246 

Garvagh Road, Swatragh, Maghera, 

Co. Derry, BT46 5QE 

WM A PALMER 

TELEPHONE 028 7082 2529 

11 Magherabuoy Road, Portrush, 

Co. Antrim, BT56 8NU 

TAGGART JACK 

TELEPHONE 028 8166 1271 

Ardstraw, Omagh, Co.Tyrone, BT78 4LN 

TREVOR NEVILLE 

TELEPHONE 028 3888 2120 

16A Clanconnel Gardens, Waringstown, 

Co. Armagh, BT66 7RP 

S MCCONNELL & SONS 

TELEPHONE 028 4176 3717 

184 Carginagh Road, Kilkeel, 

Co. Down, BT34 4QA 

9 

8 

SCOTTS FEEDS LTD 

TELEPHONE 028 8224 3221 

Mountjoy Road, Omagh, Co.Tyrone, BT79 7AG 

MONTGOMERYS 

TELEPHONE 028 2588 1022 

Cullybackey Livestock Market, 

Cullybackey, Co. Antrim, BT43 7AA 

C R SUPPLIES 

TELEPHONE 028 2827 8800 

143 Ballysnod Road, Larne, 

Co. Antrim, BT40 3NP 

ULSTER LIVESTOCK CARE 

TELEPHONE 028 8673 6303 

11 Ballygoney Road West, Coagh, 

Co Derry, BT45 7NS 

MASONS ANIMAL FEEDS 

TELEPHONE 028 3887 1415 

122 Marlacoo Road, Portadown, 

Co Armagh, BT62 3TB 

LOGAN McMASTER ENGINEERING 

TELEPHONE 028 2586 1300 

20 Roughan Road, Broughshane, Ballymena, 

Co Antrim, BT42 4QX 

9 EIRE 

CLONLEIGH CO-OP SOCIETY LTD 

TELEPHONE 074 9146 151 

Castlefinn, Co Donegal 

AND 

TELEPHONE 074 9156 184 

Newton Stores, Newton Cunningham 

Co. Donegal 

PAUL MURRAY AGRI LTD 

TELEPHONE 042 9661543 

Rahans, Coolderry, 

Carrickmacross, 

Co Monaghan 

3 

2 

7 

5 

1 

4 

6 

1 

Marketed by: 

Imperial Dock 

Thorn Farm 

Leith Docks 

Inkberrow 

Edinburgh 

Worcestershire 

EH6 7DR 

WR7 4LJ 

Tel: 0131 555 4044 Tel: 01386 791101 

Cert no. TT-COC-002496 

Fax: 0131 555 4035 Fax: 01386 792216 www.dlf.co.uk 

CONTACT HF SEEDS ON 0131 555 4044 FOR ALL YOUR FORAGE SOLUTIONS 

DLF Trifolium Ltd V.A.T. Registration No 650 3086 60 Registered in England & Wales Company Registration No. 2971802 

Registered Office Thorn Farm Inkberrow Worcestershire WR7 4LJ

Grass and Fodder Crops - dlf-trifolium

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