High Sugar Grass

High Sugar Grass

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.

• Forage Planting Guide