Advantages of Aber® HSG

The AberHSG varieties are the only high sugar grasses available in NZ and are leading the way in high-performance forage technology. These results are taken from trials grazing AberHSG.*

• 6% more milk per cow over grazing season
  In zero-grazing trials with perennial ryegrass, the average milk yield of cattle fed HSG increased by 2.3 kg/day in early lactation and by 2.7 kg/day in late lactation, without detrimental effect on milk quality.
• 20% higher daily live-weight gains for lamb and beef production
  Beef and lamb grazing trails have shown an increase in live-weight gains of 20%. Some NZ farms have consistantly recorded live-weight gains on lambs of 500 gms per head per day.
• Dry matter intakes up by 2 kg/head per day
  Results from zero-grazing trials undertaken by IGER in 2000; particularly important in low input farming systems where animals need to obtain as much of their nutrients as possible from grazing.
• 3% improvement in diet digestibility
  A 3% improvement in diet digestibility was recorded with HSG. The dry matter digestibility of the HSG variety was found to be consistently higher than the recommended control variety throughout spring, summer and autumn.
• 20% higher stocking rates
  In the same grazing trials the stocking rate was 20% higher than the standard ryegrass sward. Some NZ dairy farms have achieved 20% higher carrying capacity on HSG pastures.
• 24% less feed nitrogen lost in urine
  In three zero-grazing trials involving early, mid and late lactation cattle, the amount of feed nitrogen lost in the urine was reduced by up to 24% from cattle fed the HSG variety. This has important implications for the environment in terms of nitrogen pollution. Improving the efficiency of nitrogen utilisation
• Slaughter weights reached more quickly
  The growth rates of HSG fed animals in trials and on NZ farms have been enhanced, so they reach slaughter weights more quickly.
• More seed per bag
  HSG diploid seeds are much smaller than tetraploid seeds. The difference in kg/hectare between tetraploid and AberDart HSG is 25-30 kg/ha to just 16-18 kg/ha. Significantly fewer bags needed, less spreading and subsequently costs reduce.