For many, autumn reseeding is the preferred option, due to reduced pressure on grass availability, increased availability of grazing ground after second cut silage, and the threat of drought has subsided.

As autumn progresses, the weather can change quickly so timing is critical; earlier reseeding allows for more flexibility with grazing and weed control. Remember, an unproductive sward could be losing you 3t of dry matter/ha/year. Swards with a low percentage of perennial ryegrass, that are not producing sufficient levels of grass in the shoulders of the year and have a poor response to N, shouldn’t be tolerated on the grazing platform.

Reseeding Management 

As ever, the target turnaround should be 50-60 days with a reseed. Therefore, complete spray-off by mid-august, target first grazing should be approximately the same date in October. Ideally, aim to graze at least once before closing for the winter to create a more established sward for the following spring.

With late autumn reseeds, avoid jeopardising your investment in reseeding by skimping on weed control or missing the window of opportunity. Post-emergence spraying is always your best chance to control weeds, typically applied approximately 5-6 weeks after sowing. When using a clover safe spray, keep in mind these can only be used until the end of September 2022.

Get the seedbed right

One of the most common issues seen this summer has been the inadequate rolling of new reseeds. Rolling is essential to create good soil-to-seed contact and it also helps maintain moisture within the seedbed.

Often new plants emerge quickly where the tractor tyre marks are, or in the headlands due to greater contact; this is a sign the field has been inadequately rolled. Ensure the seed bed is firm, not fluffy – roll prior to sowing if necessary to firm it up.

For further autumn reseeding advice or to find out more about our Tipperary Grass Seed Range, contact your local Agritech Sales Advisor. 

Due to the inclement weather conditions across many regions in May and dry conditions in June, spring reseeding plans in some cases were postponed. However, it is imperative to proceed with reseeding plans as soon as the opportunity arises this autumn.

Recent research on commercial farm trials has indicated that early sown autumn reseeds have resulted in greater grass availability the following spring.

• New leys that were sown prior to September 1st (mid-August – September 1st) yielded an extra tonne of grass dry matter (DM) per hectare compared to those sown after September 15th.
• The results highlighted that the earlier sown leys yielded 3.1 tonnes of grass DM/ha relative to 1.9 tonne DM/ha in later sown leys the following spring (up until mid-April).
• Alongside this, early autumn reseeding also allows for greater flexibility around post-emergence spraying. Post-emergence weed control is vital and the most cost-effective opportunity you will have to control weeds in your new sward.
• Grazing, once ground conditions allow, will also ensure you have a denser and more established sward by the following spring.
• Weather conditions and timing of the reseed will be pivotal to achieving desired milestones before ground conditions deteriorate.

6 steps to autumn reseeding success 

1. Choosing a grass seed mixture

Once you have identified the poorest-performing paddocks, the next step is to choose a grass seed mixture that will best suit the system on the farm. Soil type and climate will influence your choice; however, is it going to be used for grazing, silage, or perhaps a dual-purpose sward? Only use varieties on the Irish Recommended List and the Pasture Profit Index (PPI) is essential to reference specific characteristics and values within the pasture. Choosing varieties with positive values for spring growth and grazing utilisation will help increase grass availability at the key points in your grazing season.

The inclusion of clover in your mixture will also give many additional benefits including increased grass production and animal performance. For farmers in derogation, it is now compulsory to include a minimum of 0.6kg of clover per acre.

Learn more about the Tipperary Grass Seed Range below:

2. Soil Fertility 

To achieve maximum results from your new reseed and to improve the productivity of a sward, soil fertility must be correct. Prior to reseeding, it is crucial to carry out soil tests for Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K) and pH, testing to a minimum of 10cm soil depth.

Your fertiliser plan is crucial as this will address any soil fertility issues. Ideally, fertility status should be in Index 3, with a target pH of 6.3 or above. Where soil fertility is below this recommended rate, it will require 2 to 3 bags of 10-10-20 to provide enough P to feed the sward, kick start early growth and allow the sward to reach its full potential. Lime should also be applied pre-sowing to improve soil structure and seed-soil contact.

3. Seedbed Preparation

The target turnaround time to get a reseed back into production should be 60 days.

The time that the sward is out of production can be minimised by cultivating 7-10 days after spraying off the old grass – a major failing at farm level is to wait too long after spray-off. When spraying off paddocks for stitching in, let the grass cover grow to 400-500-600 kg DM/ha before spraying off to avoid old grass coming back into the sward.

To kill off any existing vegetation present, the paddock for reseeding should be sprayed off with high-quality glyphosate. For minimum cultivation, the vegetation needs to be either grazed off or topped to allow for a cleaner surface with little trash as possible.

4. Sowing

Sowing rates should be increased in autumn to help overcome challenges around poorer growth conditions. There are two main methods of reseeding, conventional and minimum cultivation.

Ploughing:

• Once the vegetation has died off about 7-10 days after spraying, the field is ready for ploughing. After ploughing, it is time to spread lime and fertiliser based on the soil sample results.
• The surface is then power harrowed to produce a fine, firm and level seedbed, providing optimal conditions for sowing.
• The field should be rolled before sowing to achieve a firm seedbed.
• Avoid having a fluffy seedbed as this will cause the grass seed to go too deep into the soil and lead to poor germination/establishment.
• Weather permitting, the reseed should be rolled again in an opposite direction to compress the seedbed and increase seed to soil contact.

Direct Drilling:

• Existing sward needs to be sprayed off as well as grazed tightly or mowed after being sprayed off.
• Some direct drills place seeds in a slit 2-5cm apart, others rotavate a 4cm slot and place in both seed and fertiliser. Both work very well but it is recommended to do an additional run over the field in a diagonal direction.

Power Harrow:

• Involves using a power harrow to cultivate soil surface to a depth of 2-3 inches.
• Ideally, the field should be harrowed 3 times in different directions to ensure a fine tilt and to break up old sods sufficiently.
• After harrowing, the field should be rolled before seeding to ensure the seedbed is firm.
• Seeding should then take place with the seed being placed on the soil rather than deep in the soil.
• The field should then be rolled again in the opposite direction to optimise soil/seed contact.

5. Grazing Management

• Grazing, once ground conditions allow, will also ensure you have a denser and more established sward by the following spring.
• Graze the new reseed as soon as the plants do not pull out of the ground (pulling test), at a cover of approximately 700 – 1000 kg DM/ha.
• For the first number of grazings, frequent light grazings (≤1400 kg DM/ha) are advisable.

6. Post-Sowing Management

Post-sowing management is just as important as sowing itself. For best results, walk the reseed once per week to monitor germination, weeds, and pests.

Teagasc research indicates that a paddock capable of producing 10t DM/ha, with a 1t infestation of docks, will reduce yields of grass DM by 10%. Therefore, a typical paddock growing 10t DM/ha/year, with a 40% infestation of docks, will grow 6t DM/ha and 4t DM/ha of docks – resulting in a 40% reduction in grass DM yield potential.

A post-emergence spray should be applied 5-8 weeks after reseeding to eliminate broadleaved weeds that have germinated.

Further Information 

For further autumn reseeding advice or to choose a suitable grass seed mixture, contact your local Agritech Sales Advisor or visit the Tipperary Grass Seed page.

In recent years, multi-species swards have become increasingly popular amongst farmers in Ireland due to their ability to produce high yields of quality forage, with greatly reduced rates of nitrogen fertiliser compared to ryegrass-only swards.

If you are considering a multi-species or looking to find out more, we have put together a list of frequently asked questions and answers below!

Questions & Answers

What are the benefits? 

• Diversification of species in the sward improves intake and animal performance.
• Due to an increased rooting depth, some multi-species swards are much more tolerant of drought than a grass sward.
• Due to the organic matter returns from these different species, soil quality is often improved. Soil structure improvements are also a benefit due to the root systems creating more channels for water and air to pass through the soil.
• A well-managed clover content in the sward can allow you to cut mineral fertiliser application by more than half in summer. Clover content also leads to a higher true protein content in the sward.

The use of multi-species swards compared to grass only swards can also provide a wide range of environmental and ecological benefits:

• Plantain and chicory act at different levels to avoid losses of nitrogen on the farm: reduced leaching, better N use by livestock, and fewer emissions from urine patches.
• Higher rates of carbon sequestration due to deeper root depths.
• They are also very beneficial for biodiversity and in particular pollinators who feed on the flowering plants in multi-species swards.

Will I need less fertiliser?     

Yes, once the sward is established! The clover content within the sward will reduce mid-season nitrogen requirements once they are established, however, they need to be fed properly to achieve optimum establishment. Lime, Phosphate & Potash requirements remain the same or increase slightly.

Will deeper rooting plants not get more P & K from soil and need less applied as a result?                     

This would be an expected benefit once established properly, however, we recommend waiting until soil tests confirm a rise in fertility before reducing fertiliser inputs.

If I encounter problems with weed control, what are my options?

Research trials clearly show that multi-species mixtures are excellent at resisting weed pressure. Weed control options are very limited and the only option currently available is mechanical. i.e. cutting.

For more information, download our multi-species suitability checklist here. 

Key facts

Optimum soil fertility & pH is required.

• pH: 6.3-6.5.
• P & K indexes: 3-4.

Multi-species don’t tolerate poaching.

The growing point of red clover and plantains are above ground level and over-grazing or poaching can severely damage regrowth.

Weed control is problematic.

Established swards can out-compete weeds but during establishment, weeds can out-compete multi-species swards. Avoiding the problem is the only solution.

Grazing management is different from ryegrass swards.

Longer rotations, bigger pre-grazing covers, and higher residual covers work best for a multi-species sward.

Cutting and ensiling are limited.

Multi-species swards typically have a lower DM content and are harder to preserve.

Therefore, it is recommended that multi-species swards for silage are cut in dry conditions and allowed a sufficient wilt period to improve the chances of successful preservation. Cutting heights also need to be monitored to avoid crown damage.

Choosing the right mixture.

This year, we have added a new multi-species mixture to the Tipperary Grass Seed Range. For more information, view our 2021 Tipperary Grass Seed flyer here. 

Need further help and advice? 

For more information, contact your local Agritech Sales Advisor. 

With grass a key ingredient on livestock farms, reseeding is the most important factor for overall farm profitability as replacing old or rejuvenating existing ones will give one of the best returns on investment. Furthermore, reseeding will ensure a continued supply of high-quality forage throughout the year from both grazed grass and from the production of quality grass silage.

According to John Kenny, Sales Director at Agritech, “With autumn reseeding, timing is critical. On most farms, many fields grow less than 2 tonne DM/ha after the 1st August. At this stage, the key is to figure out which fields need attention most urgently and decide on the method of reseeding that best fits your requirements.”

Soil Fertility

Prior to reseeding, it is crucial to carry out soil tests for Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K) and pH, testing to a minimum of 10cm soil depth. Where soil fertility is at an optimum, it will require two to three bags of 10-10-20, plus 1 tonne of lime minimum, to provide enough P to feed the sward, kick start early growth, and allow the sward to reach its full potential. Too often, reseeding results disappoint solely due to the lack of a simple soil test beforehand.

Grass Seed Mixture

Our Tipperary Grass Seed range has a mixture to suit every requirement. The flagship premium mixture, Tipperary Grass No. 4A is suitable for intensive paddock grazing, whereas Tipperary Grass No.2 can be used for a less intensive grazing and silage systems. Tipperary Grass No.5 is designed to produce up to five cuts of high-quality forage, while the traditional Tipperary Grass No.3 is ideal for two cuts of silage, plus shoulder grazing. 

Agritech have also developed the Renovation Overseeding Mixture which is specifically designed to extend the life of an existing sward.

Every mixture is treated with a unique biological seed stimulant called, GroQuik®, which accelerates germination and especially root growth in both grasses and clover. This will help to produce more grass on the farm, thereby reducing concentrate feed requirements. It is now well established that this production lasts for years following the sowing of the crop.   

Post Management

All the benefits of reseeding can be lost after sowing if attention is not paid to weed and pest control. It is essential that post-emergence control of weeds such as docks and chickweed is carried out 4-6 weeks after emergence and not before the clover is well developed at the 3 leaf stage. It is also essential to watch out for the three most significant pests of reseeds, Frit Fly, Leatherjackets and Slugs, and treat accordingly.

For further advice on autumn reseeding or to choose a suitable grass mixture from the Tipperary Grass Seed range, click here.

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Grass is still the easiest crop to grow in Ireland and gives substantial benefits year after year in Irish conditions, with yields of 20 tonne DM/ha possible. Knowing how this crop is performing on your farm is very important, as once performance starts to reduce, it is unlikely to recover without new seed being sown.

After the start of August, most farms have paddocks that grow less than 2 tonne DM/ha. If you want to drive production, these fields need to be improved, and reseeding is a big part of this process.

Reseeding in autumn will mean that fields will be in full production next spring, producing both quantity and quality grass. This is in contrast to old swards producing poor spring growth and poor quality feed.

At this stage, the key is to figure out which fields need attention most urgently and decide on the method that best fits your requirements. Plans need to be put in place and acted upon now as the quicker you start, the quicker you will have grass ready to graze.

Soil Fertility

Prior to reseeding, it is crucial to carry out soil tests for Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K) and pH, testing to a minimum of 10cm soil depth. Where soil fertility is at an optimum, it will require two to three bags of 10-10-20, plus 1 tonne of lime minimum, to provide enough P to feed the sward, kick start early growth, and allow the sward to reach its full potential.

Grass Seed Mixture

A grass sward containing 100% perennial ryegrass will grow up to 3 tonne DM/ha more than a sward containing 15% perennial ryegrass and it also produces a higher feed quality, thereby increasing animal performance, i.e. milk output and daily live-weight gain

Our Tipperary Grass Seed range has a mixture to suit every requirement. Every mixture is treated with a unique biological seed stimulant called, GroQuik®, which accelerates germination and especially root growth in both grasses and clover. This will help to produce more grass on the farm, thereby reducing the requirement on concentrate feed. 

Post Management

All the benefits of reseeding can be lost after sowing if attention is not paid to weed and pest control. It is essential that post-emergence control of weeds such as docks and chickweed are carried out 4-6 weeks after emergence, when the grass is at the 2-3 leaf stage. High populations of weeds such as fat hen and redshank can be problematic also.

It is also essential to watch out for the three most significant pests of reseeds, Frit Fly, Leatherjackets and Slugs, and treat accordingly.

WATCH OUR TOP TIPS FOR ACHIEVING A SUCCESSFUL RESEED BELOW:

For further advice on autumn reseeding or to choose a suitable grass mixture from the Tipperary Grass Seed range, contact your local Agritech distributor or click here

Increased stocking rates particularly on dairy farms has meant that herbage output is more critical now than ever before. The recent Teagasc Moorepark Open Day highlighted that the anticipated further growth of the national dairy herd must be achieved in an environmentally sustainable way .

The application of biological seed stimulants is a key step in exploiting the potential of grass; something which has been adopted by Agritech from early on. Every grass seed mixture in the Tipperary Grass Seed Range is treated with a unique germination dressing called GroQuik®.

GroQuik® is a biological seed stimulant which accelerates germination and especially root growth in both grasses and clover. Environmental sustainability is very much at the forefront as the ingredients used in its manufacturing are 100% non-chemical and they even qualify for inclusion in grass seed mixtures for use on organic farms.

The application of GroQuik® is especially beneficial to clover establishment as it has a more extensive and complicated root structure. This is critical for Irish farmers, with research by Teagasc continuing to highlight that clover has a central role to play on all farms, whether the farming system is intensive or extensive.

Improved root structure

The benefit of an enhanced and more developed root structure helps to ensure that the grass plant has access to more nutrients from the soil, thereby ensuring improved efficiency and extra herbage yield.

Recent on farm experiments have highlighted the benefits of an improved root structure by comparing dressed and non-dressed grass mixture plots. Despite both plots receiving the same management in the same field at the same time, it was found that dressed plots showed a significant increase in herbage yield compared to the non-dressed plots.

Initially, it was thought that this benefit would last for a few months post sowing, however it is now very clear that the benefits last for years. Commenting on this, Agritech Sales Director, John Kenny states, “Going forward, stimulants such as GroQuik® will play a vital role in Irish Agriculture by increasing herbage output in an environmentally sustainable way. The benefits of the technology can be seen by farmers long after sowing by facilitating healthier plants and improved yields.”

For any further advice on autumn reseeding or to choose a suitable grass mixture from the Tipperary Grass Seed Range, contact your local Agritech distributor or click here.

1. Sowing arable silage or whole-crop silage and under sowing the grass seed
2. Sowing a nurse crop of cereal (reduced rate) along with the grass
3. Sowing fodder rape or Typhon along with the grass
4. Sowing Westerwold grass with perennial ryegrass, to achieve early yields in the first season

While all the above options will give extra yield in the year sown, there are many associated pitfalls which will need to be considered:

1. Whole-crop will be cut first, therefore you cannot early graze to promote tillering.
2. Heavy whole-crop can smother young grass and block out light required to grow properly. This will result in very disappointing crops of grass.
3. Post-emergence weed control is not possible on reseeds without killing all brassicas (kale, rape, Typhon and turnips). The same will apply to whole-crop containing peas in the mix. Heavy crops may help to discourage annual weeds, however docks are very resilient.
4. If Westerwold is being added to the mix, while it is not persistent, it has the capacity to reseed itself from dropped seeds and heading will be earlier than with perennial ryegrass. If these seeds mature and drop off, a new crop of Westerwold can grow, which can be worse than weeds. To avoid this, seed heads must be cut or topped before they mature.

Before making any decisions, it is important to weigh up the pitfalls based on your own situation and see if you can manage them. Always bear in mind that you are sowing a crop of grass for 6 to 8 years, therefore do not take too much risk.

The most important thing is to establish the grass properly. Always pay attention to the detail around achieving a good reseed:

1. Soil test and use results to develop a fertiliser program.
2. Apply required lime. Min-till requires lime in every situation and follow the soil test recommendations otherwise.
3. Apply 3 bags of 10-10-20 per acre or follow soil test recommendations.
4. Make sure post-emergence weed control is carried out 4-6 weeks after emergence. (Clover leaf needs to be unfolded). Use Legumex DB and add Triade if chickweed is a problem.
5. Watch out for slug and insect damage and treat accordingly.
6. If possible, graze lightly to promote tillering when grass is ready.

Tipperary Grass Seed in conjunction with good decisions will give excellent results. For any further advice on reseeding or to choose a suitable grass mixture from the Tipperary Grass Seed Range, click here or contact your local Agritech distributor. 

Now is an appropriate time to put a plan in place and identify fields that should be targeted for reseeding. Grass is the cheapest way to feed ruminant livestock, therefore achieving maximum growth from it is the most profitable way forward on any livestock farm.

A high level of management is required to ensure that the reseeding process is carried out properly, as too often, the return on investment is restricted due to poor sward establishment. The two most important things to focus on are; the quality of the swards and the fertility of the soil.

Like any investment, grassland reseeding should be carefully planned to minimise the cost and maximise the return.

1. Identify the lowest performing areas, i.e. below farm average grass growth/ha or a noticeable drop in animal performance.
2. Identify the resources behind this drop in performance. For example, does the sward contain less than 40% perennial ryegrass?
3. Has the soil received adequate Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K) and Lime? Carry out a soil sample if required.

Soil Testing 

To achieve maximum results from your new reseed and to improve the productivity of the sward, soil fertility must be correct. Prior to reseeding, it is crucial to carry out soil tests for Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K) and pH, testing to a minimum of 10 cm soil depth.

Fertiliser Plan 

Your fertiliser plan is crucial, as this will address any soil fertility issues. Where soil fertility is below the recommended rate, it will require 2 to 3 bags of 10-10-20 to provide enough P to feed the sward, kick start early growth and allow the sward to reach its full potential. Early P is essential for root development, as it feeds the roots and the roots feed the leaf. Nitrogen (N) without P, only feeds the leaf and does not achieve the same response.

Grass Mixture Choice

According to Agritech’s Business Development Manager, Bil Ryan, once you identify your areas for reseeding, decide whether it will be used for grazing or silage, as this will influence your grass mixture type.

“Agritech’s Tipperary Grass Seed Range has a mix for every situation and has built an excellent reputation with farmers throughout the country for delivering optimal germination, establishment and increased yield in new grass leys,” states Bil.

Agritech’s flagship premium mixture, Tipperary Grass No. 4A is suitable for intensive paddock grazing, whereas Tipperary Grass No.2 can be used for a less intensive grazing system. Tipperary Grass No.5 is designed to produce up to five cuts of high quality forage as zero grazing or three cuts of silage and the traditional Tipperary Grass No.3 is ideal for two cuts of silage, plus shoulder grazing.

For further advice on reseeding or to choose a suitable grass mixture from the Tipperary Grass Seed Range, contact your local Agritech distributor. 

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One lesson learned from the difficult winter and spring was that farmers who followed plans and put out fertilizer, grew more grass than the ones who waited for the weather to improve before they acted.

On a positive note, there has been a lot of quality silage cut ahead of schedule, something we thought would be impossible three weeks ago.

Even though the moisture deficits are now evident in parts of the country, fertilizer programs should be followed to maximise grass production and keep costs down.

Make sure that you don’t lose focus on opportunities to reseed also. Fields that were impossible to work on for the last two years are now perfect for working on and it is an opportunity not to be missed to get better swards established in these fields with Tipperary Grass seed.

Continue to monitor field performance and identify the poor preforming fields, as they are the ones that will benefit most and give the biggest return on investment from reseeding.

For more information, contact your local Agritech distributor.

Increased stocking rates particularly on dairy farms has meant that herbage output is more critical now than ever before to ensure animals are fully fed and profitable. The current and ongoing inclement weather has meant that fodder reserves are now depleted on most farms throughout the country. Fodder shortages have occurred many times before however, the big difference this year is that it has happened following a very good grass growing year in most parts of the country.

The poor weather conditions since last autumn and poor cash flow in 2016 has meant that there is now a three year reseeding backlog on many farms. With increasing stock rates across the country, it is vital that farmers continue to focus on growing more grass to ensure that livestock are fully fed and that a continued supply of high quality forage will be available throughout the year. Farmers who measure paddocks have reported that in most cases, top performing swards on their farms outperform the poorest performing ones by up to 100%. New swards are the most economical way to improve animal performance and maximise a farms potential, however, according to Agritech’s Sales Director John Kenny, many farmers are under the impression that if they take out a field for reseeding that they will not recoup the lost production in the same year.

Kenny says ‘Having spoken to many farmers recently, the response is that they cannot afford to reseed as they want to keep fields in production in order to bank more fodder. However, this is not true, as where the field is reseeded before mid-summer, the extra yield of the reseeded sward will offset the production lost when the field was idle’. There is a need to do as much reseeding as possible, not just for economic reasons but also in order to maximise the amount of grass grown to sustain stocking rates for the future.

It is essential that farmers concentrate on returning sward to production as quickly as possible. The target is 60 days between the grazing pre reseeding to having animals back in the reseeded field again. This is a very realistic target and when achieved it means that there is less than five weeks down time for the sward. The benefits of reseeding will outweigh the time lost in production as new pastures have proven to be higher yielding, have higher digestibility and intakes far exceed that of older pastures.

For any further advice on spring reseeding or to choose a suitable grass mixture from the Tipperary Grass Seed Range contact your local Agritech distributor.