Consider reseeding if there is less than 50 % sown species in the ley

It ’ s time to start thinking about your Autumn Reseed . A better indicator of whether you need to reseed in the Autumn is the percentage of Ryegrass ( or other sown species ) in your sward . By simply pulling up a handful of grass plants will allow you to see how much PRG you have by looking for their familiar red base to their stem . The invasion of weed grasses in your leys can easily be done by annual meadow grass . These do not have the red stem bases and provide a very poor quality of feed and yield badly . Their response to nitrogen is also inadequate .

So which type of grass ? Perennial , Italian and Hybrid ryegrasses

Ryegrass is the most important sown grass grown in the UK due to its productivity and suitability to the climate and farming systems .

Perennial ryegrasses ( PRG )

This produces persistently excellent yields of superb forage . Whilst an Italian ryegrass ( IRG ) may yield higher , it is known to have poor persistence .

Hybrid Ryegrass ( HRG )

This is a cross between perennial and Italian varieties , combining the strengths of the two parent species , e . g . the

sward density of PRG and the out-of-season growth of IRG .

Red Clovers

When reseeding , do not use red clover again on that field for 6-7 years due to Sclerotinia and stem eelworm . Both are naturally present in all soils and numbers multiply with the red clover plants as a host . If you don ’ t drill red clover for 6 – 7 years those populations in the soil naturally die back down .

Can you sow White Clover after Red Clover ?

Yes , the disease that affects white clover are different and therefore no issue with following red clover swards with a white clover sward .

Which varieties are recommended for sowing after maize in late September / early October ?

If you are trying to establish a long-term ley then drill before late September . If trying to establish a short-term ley and keep the ground covered for winter then Italian ryegrass , hybrid ryegrass and even some Westerwolds would do the job .

What advantages would there be to growing a forage brassica crop to use as a break crop rather than direct grass to grass ?

Brassica crops are not hosts for the parent pests to lay their eggs . Therefore , creating a

cleaner seedbed with less risk of pest problem . You also get two chances at weed control and a high protein break crop that can provide valuable forage at a period that you may be short of livestock feed .

In conclusion

An Autumn reseed can provide huge benefits to your business :

• Full production the following season

• Soil has had chance to settle prior to grazing

• Great opportunity for a break crop

• Using brassicas can help with livestock feed

• Less weed pressure