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High Sugar Grass (HSG) is the term given to new
ryegrass varieties that have been developed specifically to
contain very high levels of water soluble carbohydrates (sugar).
It was discovered over 20 years ago that livestock grazing on
grass with higher sugar content could produce more meat and
milk. Since then, grass breeders have worked to develop new
grasses that incorporate this valuable trait with other important
characteristics, such as high yields, persistency and disease
resistance.
High Sugar Grasses contain high amounts of water
soluble carbohydrates (WSC). WSCs are the sugars found inside
the plant cells themselves (rather than in the cell walls) and
are a readily available source of energy soon after the forage
enters the rumen. The increased WSCs in HSG varieties (up to
50% more than in traditional grass) allow microbes in the rumen
to process grass protein more efficiently. This protein can
then be utilized to increase meat and milk production while
also reducing the amount of nitrogen lost through feces and
urine.
Extensive research has shown that High Sugar
Grass varieties produce measurable performance benefits for
dairy, beef and lamb producers, including: Improved milk yield
in dairy cows (up to 6% more milk over the grazing season) and
improved live weight gains in lambs and beef cattle (up to 20%)
Higher dry matter intakes (up to 4.41 lbs/head per day)
There are significant environmental benefits.
HSG allows for more efficient use of feed nitrogen and reduces
the amount of nitrogen (up to 24%) excreted as waste into the
environment. This is of great importance in the context of future
farming practices; because nitrogen emissions by ruminant livestock
are considerable, any technology that reduces overall levels
is increasingly valuable.
When grazed on ordinary grass, livestock cattle,
dairy cows and sheep convert only about 20% of the available
grass protein into milk and meat. The rest passes unused (along
with nitrogen) in feces and urine. This low conversion rate
is both inefficient and detrimental to the environment.
SucraSEED improves the conversion rate of grass
proteins, allowing cattle, cows and sheep to add greater body
mass and produce more milk while reducing the amount of waste
nitrogen passed into the land (up to 24%). The secret of SucraSEED's
success lies in the quantity of water soluble carbohydrates
(sugars) in the grass.
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