Farmer's experiences

Zoltàn Pethó (crop management director) Pápa, Western Hungary

 

„High grassland yields are vital to our farm with more than 3,000 dairy cows. In the past grass silage was underestimated on our farm, but if you want increase milk production you have to look at each possibility to do so. And we think with the investment in grass we did one big step further.

 

We secure our grass supply in two ways. First, we use 600 ha of permanent pasture for grazing and silage production. Additional to the permanent pasture areas we grow short term leys, which are new established each year. Ley farming gives very high matter yields, but there is a greater risk to dry or very wet growing conditions when established. 

 

We chose „COUNTRY F 2050” field forage for our short term leys. The mixture fits to good to medium areas. The Italian ryegrass complements perfectly with the properties of the hybrid ryegrass. Both types have a good yield potential, so high yields over all cuts will be achieved. Due to the good fiber structure grass silage fits good to alfalfa, the main forage plant for dry areas throughout Eastern Europe.”