Ten reasons to reseed this autumn

Improving pastures to become more productive is a vital part of livestock farming but are there benefits to reseeding in the autumn rather than the spring?

A new, productive sward can easily double production over an old, worn out one. The quality of the grass also improves, helping to sustain good levels of milk and liveweight gain thanks to the new, more nutritious sward. 

Regular reseeding helps swards produce at their best, allowing grass to be used as a highly cost-effective and nutritious ruminant feed.  But when is the best time? 

The 10 key benefits of autumn reseeding:

Cheaper: Reseeding in the autumn means there is less pressure on grass availability and less demand on forage supplies when the field is taken out of production. When loss of production      in the first season is considered, autumn reseeds are about £100 an acre cheaper than spring reseeds.

Better conditions: Soil is much warmer in the autumn. For successful establishment soil temperatures should be at least 8 to 10°C, a temperature parts of the South East can see in November. Generally in the UK, conditions are ideal from the second half of August to the end of September for grass and up to mid-September for clovers. There is also usually a generous sprinkling of rain to help establishment.

Fewer weeds: Weed seedlings are more rampant in the spring, so an autumn sown reseed will have less competition as it establishes. Careful monitoring of the sward and using a specialist selective herbicide in the autumn is recommended for problem weeds like chickweed and seedling docks.

Be ahead of the game: There is no need to reseed in the spring as you have already established a new ley, which will start growing up to a month earlier than old worn out swards and respond better to early nitrogen next spring. This will help to reduce the high costs of wintering stock inside and allow early turnout.

Ready for 2025: Sowing in the autumn means your sward will develop over the winter when most of your stock are housed. The investment in reseeding this autumn will put your farm in
a better position to make the most of the grass next year - and reduce your feeding costs.

Fewer winter worries: Spring sowing means there is a worry about lack of rain to establish the grass and concern over a hot spell adversely affecting establishment. Autumn sown reseeds will be much more resilient and productive in hot spells the following year.

Stronger more established leys by spring 2025:Young vigorous grass plants will be healthy and strong by next year’s spring flush and will grow well all summer. A well established, predominately perennial ryegrass mixture can be productive for five to seven years, depending on management.

Rest period over the winter: Autumn reseeding gives the soil a chance to rest and settle ahead of grazing in the spring. Before reseeding at any time of the year its important soil tests are carried out to check soil pH, phosphate and potash levels and any deficiencies are corrected before sowing.

Choice of seed mixture this autumn: Our Premier Ley Seed Catalogue contains the widest possible choice of NIAB rated varieties in well formulated mixtures for all systems.

This autumn: Our popular mixtures like Milk & Meat and New Gold Multi continue to be bestsellers. Farmers signed up for the Sustainable Farming Incentive are opting for our SAM3 High Energy or SAM3 High Digestibility mixes.

For more information contact the Grassland & Forage Line on 01769 576232 or email grassland.forage@molevalleyfarmers.