Targeting paddocks that have fallen behind for a summer or autumn reseed will lift farm performance, but choosing the right mixtures with varieties that are high in yield and quality will bring the greatest return. Where yield gives you quantity, it is quality that helps your stock digest metabolisable energy (ME) and hit your production targets.

Teagasc research tells us that homegrown grass is more cost-effective than buying feed. Further research from the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS) at Aberystwyth University shows that swards with both yield and quality will give your farm an edge:

A 95% perennial ryegrass sward produces around 6t/ha greater yield than an older sward with only 50% perennial ryegrass;
The older sward also produces less ME – 10.5 compared to 12.0;
The 50% ryegrass sward can result in a loss of 15,200L less milk or 916kg less meat per hectare.

Capture lost protein and see the production benefits

Ruminant livestock only utilise around 25% of available crude protein when grazing perennial ryegrass swards. To utilise more protein, rumen microbes need a matching supply of readily available energy.

Without additional energy, grazing livestock cannot use the excess protein, which is excreted as urea and broken down by bacteria in the environment into ammonia and nitrous oxide emissions.

The solution is to choose Aber High Sugar Grasses (Aber HSG) when reseeding. Aber HSG varieties are bred with higher water-soluble carbohydrates. These unique grasses provide more energy in the rumen to help stock utilise more protein.

While reducing emissions, your livestock production will also benefit from grazing Aber HSG:

Increasing milk yield by up to 6% per cow;
Increasing daily liveweight gain by up to 20% per animal.

Aber HSG varieties lead the PPI on quality

Award-winning¹ and high yielding, Aber HSG varieties lead the 2026 PPI for quality:

AberDon is the best diploid for quality at €78/ha/year;
AberClyde is the best tetraploid for quality at €71/ha/year.

Why farmers reseed with Aber HSG

Find out how Aber HSG varieties are delivering real results for Irish livestock farmers.

- Michael Doran, dairy farmer, Co. Wexford

- James Henderson, mixed farmer, Co. Down

Performance and sustainability without compromising output

Germinal’s Climate Smart mixture ranges are all formulated with high-energy Aber HSG varieties to improve meat and milk production alongside key environmental benefits:

Climate Smart Clean drives grass production while reducing emissions;
Climate Smart Capture uses clovers to reduce fertiliser inputs and lower production costs without compromising output;
Climate Smart Thrive combines diverse species with varied rooting structures to support soil health and sustain long-term yields;
Climate Smart Adapt contains deep-rooting varieties that build resilience and reduce risk in challenging weather conditions.

You can also consider our widely popular Top 5 range of grass seed mixtures that continue to provide access to tried and trusted Aber HSG varieties which Irish farmers have relied on to deliver top performance for many years.

Get expert grassland support

Whether your system is dairy, beef or sheep and you need a mixture for cutting, grazing or dual purpose, we have options to drive your farm’s production.

1. National Institute of Agricultural Botany (NIAB) Variety Cup: 2003, 2015 ↩︎