Activities

(see additional information field)

Additional information

The SWEETGRASS project conducted research on sugar content in AberDart (NIAB-certified) ryegrass and its effect on ruminant assimilation of nitrogen, testing if high sugar content forage assisted the animals in turning it into protein, decreasing nitrogen loss through urine and faeces. The project also tested the capacity of the improved ryegrass to accumulate sugar when grown in experimental and farmers’ fields, and to produce high quality silage. The project tested and formulated recommendations for techniques to increase silage quality.

Tests showed that the improved ryegrass which had higher soluble sugar content helped animals to transform nitrogen into protein and reduce the nitrogen excreted in urine and faeces. However improved ryegrass only showed higher sugar contents in test fields; tests in farmers’ fields did not show a clear evidence on higher sugar content.

A higher soluble sugar content leads to quicker silage fermentation which reduces nutrients loss and pathogens while increasing the time it can be preserved. In order to achieve this, grass has to be wilted quickly. In wet climates where this is not possible it is recommended to use additives to increase silage acidity or fight (clostridia) bacteria . Adding up to a 50% of Leguminosae to silage mixtures (red clover and lucerne were used in the study) enhanced silage quality and stability while reducing nutrient losses.

Additional information: http://cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/58803_en.html