Forage Value Index

The Forage Value Index (FVI) helps dairy farmers make informed decisions when selecting ryegrass cultivars via an accurate assessment of the potential economic value of perennial, annual and italian ryegrass cultivars across several regions. 

FVI 2023

Now updated for the 2023 season, FVI includes new ryegrass lists and new trial sites. When choosing varieties for sowing in 2023, use the FVI lists for your local region to help choose the most profitable cultivar. Farmers and service providers are encouraged to refer to the following factsheet for further information on 2023 updates. 

About the FVI

Every year, the FVI is updated with new trial data to ensure the rankings are as accurate as possible and that any new commercially available cultivars are represented. The FVI is based on independently-calculated performance values for seasonal dry matter production and economic values. Performance values are determined by trial data from the Pasture Trial Network, while economic values are determined by economic analysis of case study farms in different dairying regions in south-eastern Australia.

The FVI for each cultivar is expressed using a colour coding system, with the green colour representing the best performing cultivars in each region. The FVI ranks cultivars according to their colour coding and user-nominated attributes, such as seasonal production, ploidy, heading date and endophyte. Only cultivars listed in the Pasture Seed Database and confirmed as a cultivar by the Australian Seed Federation are used in the FVI.

Farmers with a particular interest in how a cultivar performs at a specific time of the year relative to other cultivars can use the FVI seasonal performance tables for the relevant FVI season. For example, if winter pasture growth is of greater importance on a farm due to its calving pattern, then the FVI table on winter seasonal performance will be important to consider when selecting the most suitable cultivar. 

The FVI has been a collaborative effort between Dairy Australia, Agriculture Victoria, Australian Seed Federation, Meat and Livestock Australia and DairyNZ. Meat and Livestock Australia’s Pasture Trial Network (PTN) is a key partner in the FVI and is the primary data source for the index. Individual trial data at a cultivar level of the trials used in the FVI’s multi environment, multi harvest index are also available for farmers and producers to access. We encourage FVI users also to look at the individual trial results of several species from sites that may be of relevance to your farm or situation.

For more information on how to use the FVI, download the FAQs fact sheet. Please note that usage of the FVI tables is subject to the Terms and Conditions. 

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