Evaluation of New Herbage Cultivars

Abstract

Some basic principles of herbage cultivar evaluation are outlined. Particular emphasis is placed on the development of procedures which are realistic and relevant to New Zealand farming systems. The importance of regional differences, the zrazing animal; level of soil fertility, management factors, compatibility in mixtures and feeding value are illustrated by examples from different sites within New Zealand and overseas. The high cost involved in the detailed evaluation of the large number of new cultivars now being developed illustrates the need for a continual review oE the effectiveness of current procedures. Suggestions for improvements are made