Autumn reseeding - the best investment you can make on a livestock farm

With the rampant cost inflation of fertiliser, feed, power and fuel, one cost that has not increased significantly is grass seed.

Senior Agronomist Graham Ragg believes autumn grass reseeding is probably the best investment a livestock farmer can make. Grass is by far the largest and most important crop in the UK, covering more than 60% of the land.

Grass needs to be treated and valued as a key asset on farm which when growing well is the main driver to overall farm performance and profitability.

Sadly, most grass in the UK is not performing to its full potential. Problems start with the soil. Is it at the correct pH level? Is it free draining? Is it well-structured and biologically healthy?

Is the grass regularly reseeded or does it contain species of grass that ‘are green’ but low performing, like annual meadow grass, bent grasses or couch?

Have your swards any clover content? Swards with about 20% to 25% ground cover can fix up to 150 units of nitrogen an acre, worth about £180/acre at today’s fertiliser prices.

Grass and clover mixed swards have varying rooting depths which encourage soil microbes, fungi and roots to thrive and contribute towards regenerative agriculture, delivering reliable and plentiful production.

The table below shows the potential losses incurred by not reseeding regularly.

Yield, digestibility and energy all decline markedly over 5 to 10years. The increase in production gained by reseeding means the investment is normally paid back in the first year. For leys that are productive and well managed for 5 to 10 years after reseeding the returns are substantial.

Reseeding also improves nitrogen efficiency. The nitrogen can come from soil reserves, FYM, slurry, clovers or through the bag. Perennial ryegrass-based mixtures respond more than five times more than rough stalked meadow grass (see chart below).

So, it makes good financial and environmental sense to select a Mole Valley Farmers Premier ley for mid or long-term duration that contains the best varieties of perennial rye grass and white clover. Shorter term options and overseeding mixtures are also included in our extensive range.

Dock control in grassland between silage cuts

Tackling docks between silage cuts is a good time to control this persistent problem faced on most grassland farms. Ten percent dock infestation results in 10% less grass growth. The problem normally gets worse year on year unless action is taken. Leave two to three weeks after cutting for regrowth of the docks and apply Doxstar Pro to the sward.

As well as controlling docks, Doxstar Pro will knock any clover out of the sward as, unfortunately, there are no effective clover safe dock killers on the market. Six weeks after dock control white clover seed, either natural or pelleted, can be overseeded in the sward to achieve the ideal 20 to 25% clover content.