Sowing the seeds for a productive pasture
Graham Ragg, Mole Valley Farmers Senior Agronomist
Quality forage and good livestock performance go hand in hand and over my career I have spent 45 years helping farmers grow the best.
And I have noticed the farmers who pay the closest attention to improving forage on their farms are invariably the most profitable.
Whether on a low yielding spring calving dairy unit or an ultra-high yielding indoor system, forage quantity and quality is key.
In the UK, annual reseeding rates are only about 5% a year, meaning improved grassland is only reseeded on average every 20 years.
After 20 years the percentage of sown species may be down to around 10% with the other 90% made up of poorer quality indigenous grass species with low yields, meaning a steady decline in performance, limiting a farm’s potential.
The chart below shows the loss in production of swards as young as three to five years old and those over five years old.
Lost production potential of older swards
Buying in extra supplementary feed to make up the shortfall from low forage quality is expensive and the performance loss is staggering.
However, reseeding is also an opportunity to improve your farm’s profitability.
Improved yield and quality
Yield is almost double compared to a ley over five years old. Energy and protein levels will also be much higher.
Enhanced performance and profitability
A farm can lose 15,000 litres of milk and over 900kg liveweight gain per hectare from swards over five years old.
Better resource efficiency
New seeds respond much earlier in the season and give a higher response to nitrogen, which is going to be important in 2026 as farmers try to replenish forage stocks.
Better use of water and increased resilience to drought
New seeds have better, more vigorous ground cover and are generally deeper rooting.
Weed and disease control
Poor yielding grass species and broad-leaved weeds are replaced by the latest high yielding varieties of grass and clover. The newer varieties are also tested for disease resistance.
Soil and environmental benefits
The opportunity of reseeding means pH, phosphate or potash shortages can be corrected. The incorporation of clovers and herbs can also encourage stronger rooting systems in the sward.
Durability and longevity
New seeds will help to make the farm more sustainable by reducing the reliance on bought in inputs and maximising forages produced on farm.
So, now is the time to assess your forage production and decide what fields to reseed this spring to improve your bottom line.
For more information or help with your reseeding plans call the Grassland & Forage line on 01769 576232.
