The pleasant and warmer weather experienced during the first half of April finally brought about a welcome increase in grass growth, largely in line with the five-year average for this time of year.

Many paddocks identified for reseeding were sprayer, harrowed and sown at the start of April, with many more earmarked for the coming weeks. As Teagasc has noted, reseeding increases the farm’s overall productivity and allows higher animal output per hectare relative to permanent pasture.

The benefits of reseeding are well established since it represents the fastest on-farm investment return. Reseeding also helps farms to increase Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE) by minimising nitrogen losses to water. It also improves yield and quality and helps to reduce the requirement to buy feed.

However, it’s worth re-emphasising several other benefits that arise from reseeding. Research indicates that new leys, when compared to older permanent pasture:

• Are 25% more responsive to applied Nitrogen;
• Results in more available grass in the shoulders of the season;
• Results in faster re-growths and
• Increases total annual production /ha.

Teagasc estimates that a low portion of perennial ryegrass in the sward is costing the average dairy farm up to €300/ha in lost grass production during the growing season.

When planning a reseed, the largest gains will be made by replacing the oldest/least productive swards e.g., your paddocks with the least number of grazings last year.

Where reseeding or sward rejuvenation occurs, clover inclusions cannot be overlooked for obvious reasons due to its nitrogen-fixing abilities. Soil fertility must be centric to the reseeding protocol, especially where we want a successful clover establishment (alongside good management practices in the first 12 months).

Over-sowing clover on grazing paddocks can work well – while the best opportunity to incorporate clover into a sward is always at the point of reseeding.

For further advice, contact your local Agritech Sales Advisor.

Slow growth has been the theme so far this year with many reseeding plans on the main grazing block have either been placed on hold or delayed.

However, its important once growth allows that we get back on track with replacing old swards to optimise production off the grazing platform. For many, mid-summer/early autumn reseed is the preferred option to reseed grazing ground due to reduced demand and the increased availability of grazing ground after second cut silage.

The target of 10% reseeded annually on the platform can be difficult to achieve when availability/growth is poor for a portion of the year, however, it is worth considering that in any year where the 10% target is not achieved, there is rarely the opportunity in the subsequent year to take out 15%-plus of the grazing block over one season.

Remember, an unproductive sward could be losing you 3t of Dry Matter/ha/year – with input prices where they are currently, swards with low percentages of perennial ryegrass not producing sufficient levels of grass in the shoulders of the year and have a poor response to N can’t be let linger into ‘the following year’.

Timing is critical – The earlier we plan on completing our reseed, the more flexibility we have regarding grazing and weed control. The target turnaround should be 50-60 days with a reseed. Post-emergence spraying is always your best chance to control weeds, typically applied approximately five to six weeks after sowing; and delaying reseeds into late autumn always increases risk of not getting post-emergence completed.

Creating a firm seedbed is all too often overlooked. You often see new plants emerging quickest where the tractor tyre marks are, or in the headlands due to the increased contact. This is a typically the first sign that the field has been inadequately rolled where moisture is adequate. Ensure the seed bed is firm – not fluffy – roll prior to sowing if necessary to firm up.

For more information, contact your local Agritech Sales Advisor or visit www.agritech.ie

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 2023 Tipperary Grass Seed flyer here. 

Need further help and advice? 

For more information, contact your local Agritech Sales Advisor. 

With ground conditions finally favourable and excellent grass growth levels, now is an ideal time to take the opportunity to reseed.

The never-ending debate always raises its head at this time of year as to ‘when is it too late to reseed?’. Although, the calendar acts as a guide to reseeding, it is not always the primary criteria and especially not this year.

At this stage, it is a matter of deciding between risk versus reward. If your plan is to reseed a certain percentage of the farm each year, it is important to stick to this plan and reseed now especially while ground temperatures are very good and there is excellent and almost unseasonable grass growth.

Making the decision to defer reseeding may only put additional pressure on next year. Autumn 2017 is a recent good example of this scenario as in that year, the weather was difficult, and many reseeding jobs were not completed. With a slow spring in 2018 and a drought hitting in early June, it meant that much of the ground not completed for reseeding in autumn 2017 had returned little in terms of new herbage by mid-summer.

Management Guide:
The objective of reseeding at this stage is to have the crop established before the winter sets in and to have the post emergent spray (if available) applied. In doing so, there are some important key factors that need to be taken into consideration:

Soil Fertility:
Reseeded pastures will not perform to their potential if soil fertility is not correct. To achieve maximum results, it is vital that the new reseed receives adequate levels of 10:10:20 and lime levels to balance pH requirements and kick start early growth.

Reseeding Method:
With a lot of ground burnt off beyond the recommended three weeks at this stage, some of the destroyed vegetation is now beginning to re-establish. It is therefore imperative that this ground is cultivated as soon as possible.

By now, it is becoming too late for reseeding methods such as minimal cultivation or direct drilling. Once you past the middle of September, ploughing or discing are the most reliable methods, as they create the best environment to facilitate germination.

Seeding Rate:
Increasing the seeding rate by 15-20% will maximise the rate of success and compensate for lower ground temperatures and growth levels at this time of year.

Clover inclusion is also essential when reseeding, with current research indicating that 1kg of clover is typically recouped with one month of clover growth. Rather than leaving clover out, we recommend increasing the level in the hope of achieving a better strike rate.

At Agritech, we have long recognised the importance of including optimal levels of clover in our grass seed mixtures. Our Tipperary Grass Seed mixtures are also treated with a biological seed stimulant called, GroQuik®, to ensure maximum germination and a stronger well rooted plant, even in more difficult growing conditions. The application of GroQuik® is especially beneficial to clover establishment as it has a more extensive and complicated root structure.

Post Management:
Watch out for the three most significant pests of reseeds, frit fly, leatherjackets and slugs which are particularly problematic in the autumn.

For further advice or to find out more about our 2020 Tipperary Grass Seed mixtures, contact your local Agritech sales representative or distributor. 

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

Now is the time of year that grass quality is the most difficult to manage. However, those who make swift management decisions at this stage will be rewarded in the long term.

All grasses are programmed to ‘head out’ in June. As grasses ‘head out’, there is less leaf area for the remainder of the growing season. Animal performance is dependent on a high leaf to stem ratio in our farm grass swards, therefore it is highly recommended that farmers assess the ryegrass content of their swards now.

Paddocks should be grazed as they reach 1250 to 1350kg/dm/ha and all surplus growth above this should be conserved for silage bales at 1800kg/dm/ha and fertilised quickly to return to the next grazing rotation. Fields that have a poor clean out or reduction on animal performance should be assessed and if they contain less than 50% ryegrass, they should be identified for immediate reseeding.

Reseeding

Once old wild grasses head out, their response to fertiliser reduces. As a result, many Irish farmers will reseed now as recovery post grazing or cutting.

The conventional system of full reseeds on intensive dairy farms has reduced in popularity in countries like the UK, New Zealand, Finland and other pasture-based milk producing countries. Their system is simple; cut or graze the sward tightly and use a special grass seed mixture like our Tipperary Grass Rejuvenation/Overseeding Mixture.

This mixture is specifically formulated to extend the life of an existing sward and maintain yield and quality. The inclusion of larger late tetraploid seeds will allow it to establish and compete with the existing sward and it is also GroQuik dressed to ensure faster germination.

In addition to using a high quality grass seed mixture, following the below management practices will be critical in achieving a good reseed:

• Using a stitching machine (Moore, Vergo Drill), cut a slot in the existing sod and drop the new seed into it.
• Spread two bags of 10:10:20 and two bags of granulated lime or one tonne of ground lime after sowing.
• The ground should also be rolled with a land roller to give excellent soil to seed contact and to help prevent pest attacks.
• Keep a close eye on the emerging grass plants and graze at 14 day intervals to get maximum results.

For more information, contact your local Agritech distributor or view our Tipperary Grass page

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. 

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. 

2018 is proving to be a challenging year for highly stocked farms across the country with many farmers expressing fodder concerns already. In order to improve your farm forage production, Agritech’s Bil Ryan states that it is important to develop a farm plan which focuses on optimum soil fertility, good grazing infrastructure and grass swards which contain high levels of ryegrass varieties and clover.

According to Bil, some useful rules of thumb at this point include:

1. Following a fertilizer program:

For those who have experienced rainfall, apply fertiliser as soon as possible to increase grass growth and build grass supply for autumn grazing or a later cut of silage if possible.

2. Lengthening grazing rotations:

Implementing a 30 day rotation will help improve grass covers and reduce pressure on winter forage stocks.

3. Carrying out reseeding as planned:

To achieve high yields of grass for next year, now is the right time to think about reseeding. Old and damaged paddocks and underperforming swards are the ones that will benefit most and give the biggest return on investment from reseeding.

When reseeding, Bil’s advice is to “create a fine, firm seed bed, apply appropriate nutrients, lightly cover the seed and double roll the ground to ensure optimum germination and adequate fuel to sustain the new reseed.”

It is essential to choose a mix of grass seed that will improve animal performance, increase forage yield, be easily managed and have good persistency. “Our Tipperary Grass Seed mixtures have built an excellent reputation with farmers throughout the country for delivering optimal germination, establishment and increased yield in new grass leys” states Bil.

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