Ultra tops trials by NZ Plant Breeders Association

MEDIA RELEASE 10th May 2012

Ultra tops trials by NZ Plant Breeders Association

Ultra Enhanced® perennial ryegrass has topped the total yield of the latest National Forage Variety Trial (NFVT®) Summary which was published this week.

These latest results from the New Zealand Plant Breeders and Research Association showed Cropmark’s Ultra Ryegrass delivered highest total annual yield and topped each of the four seasons as well.

The latest perennial to emerge from Cropmark’s plant breeding programme, based on the NFVT® data, Ultra could provide as much as two tonnes DM/ha more than some other commercially available varieties.

“Since our strategic partnership with Cropmark, Ravensdown shareholders have seen the convenience of ordering cultivars such as Ultra directly from the customer centre. Results like this reinforce that this brand has the performance to deliver best-in-class dry matter production,” said Mike Whitty, General Manager Marketing.

According to Cropmark’s Chief Executive Officer Brian Patchett, “the winter result is important as any dry matter advantage at this important time of year can make all the difference. For Ultra to be unbeaten in every season within the NFVT® national summary however is quite special. To our knowledge, no other variety has done this before in the trials.”

Nick Cameron, the company’s head plant breeder comments, “the high yield is just one part of the equation for Ultra. Our programme focuses on inter-species crossing to improve attributes such as pasture quality, palatability and disease resistance, using mainly meadow fescue x perennial ryegrasses to do this. Meadow fescue, which should not be confused with tall fescue, is a highly palatable and high quality perennial species. Ultra is such an inter-species cross. Being late heading, it also has the advantage of carrying its pasture quality longer into the spring, and this is a big advantage when it comes to fattening lambs or maintaining peak milk yields.”

Ravensdown shareholder Tony Luckin, a dairy farmer from Okato in Coastal Taranaki sowed six hectares of Ultra, Chico chicory and Demand white clover mix in autumn 2009. Tony said “I find that by using a high tillering ryegrass such as Ultra, my pastures are tolerating the insect attack better. Ultra appears to be an all-round performer, including during summer when feed can be short in our region. My milk production goes up when the cows graze the Ultra.”

Tests show Ultra could provide as much as two tonnes DM/ha more than some other commercially available varieties. Summaries for Ultra’s performance in all individual seasons are available.

ENDS

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