In certain very special situations where particular enterprises or very difficult growing conditions do not favour these popular species then the use of alternatives may be preferable. Although the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) does not routinely test varieties of these species, the general attributes and the names of the most well known varieties are as follows:

A fast establishing, fast growing annual with an open sward structure and very poor winterhardiness. Sown in Spring, it will produce seed-heads and high first cut silage yields in the summer. It will then continue growing to give further silage harvests until winter, when it will normally die out. There are no UK registered varieties but EU listings include Avance(T), Elunaria(T), Glds Bill (T), Lifloria, Topspeed and Weldra.

Produces similar yields in N. Ireland to Timothy and develops seed-heads in early May. It is very persistent and deep rooted and so is suited to light or gravely soil where mid-summer drought may cause problems. Its relatively poor palatability means that it is best, sown on its own, for hay or silage use. AberTop, Ludovic, Prairial and Sparta are UK registered varieties and Aramis, Athos, Cambria, Dactus, Jana, Lada, Lidacta, Lustica and Segaly are EU available varieties.

A productive, persistent and nutritive grass that is tolerant of heavy moist soils and low fertility. It tends to be competed out of swards by ryegrass and so is best used combined with Timothy and white clover to produce palatable grazing swards. No varieties are registered in the UK, but varieties likely to be commercially available include Bundy, Darimo, Merifest, Mimer, Rossa, Senu and Stella.

A particularly high yielding, persistent grass which is cold tolerant and productive during the winter and in early Spring when it can provide useful herbage. Its value is rather limited by its slow establishment and low palatability and is probably easier utilized for cutting than for grazing. Proper and Lexington are the only UK registered varieties.

A low yielding but palatable, persistent and dense, creeping grass that is tolerant of low fertility and cold. Mainly used to improve sward density under very severe conditions. Most varieties are amenity types but some can be used agronomically. The UK registered varieties are AberCharm, AberVelvet, Barcrown, Boreal, Cascade, Count, Equator, Greenvie, Javelin, King James, Kristina, Lovisa, Oriflamme, Silhouette, Twysport and Wilma.

In addition to white clover there are several other pasture legumes that may be of value in exceptional circumstances or in some organic systems. Red Clover is grown mainly for conservation and divides into early varieties that have high spring growth, a large first cut and smaller subsequent cuts (available varieties include Essex Broad Red, Mercury, Merviot, and the tetraploids, Maro and Sara). Late varieties are two weeks later flowering, are slower in spring, give their main yield at the first cut and are more persistent and suited to medium-term use (available varieties are Altaswede, Lemmon and the tetraploid, Rotra). Lucerne is best cut for conservation on approximately a 40 day rotation, giving 3-4 cuts per year. (Currently there are no UK registered varieties but Capri, Daisy, Diane, Europe, Euver, Marshal, Mercedes, Pondus and Vela may be available). Alsike clover is an alternative to red clover but is much lower yielding. Sainfoin is a much lower yielding alternative to Lucerne and is for specialist use particularly on chalk or limestone soils. EU varieties include Ambra, Lea, Reina,  Simpro, Vala and Zeus.

Note: Seed of other varieties may become available during the year. For up-to-date information contact the Plant Testing Station, AFBI, Crossnacreevy.