The high cost of not reseeding

The UK has over 17 million hectares of managed grassland, yet much of it is poorly utilised.

Leys that are not in good condition and are overrun with weed grasses that have little or no nutritional value can have a major impact on milk and meat production costs. Our Grass and Small Seeds Specialist, Duncan Hendry, says that by treating grass like any other arable crop, by selecting the right grass seed products for your farm, and reseeding regularly, can significantly affect the bottom line.

“Making a relatively small investment in your grass can have a major impact on its quality, productivity and utilisation, and a reseeding rate of just 10% is enough to prevent a decline in grass productivity while a 15% rate will start to deliver real gains.”

Duncan explains that although a grass ley that has been down for over five years may look productive and healthy, the ley will not be producing to its full potential as by this time, 50% or less of the grass plants will be of the species that were sown, the rest being indigenous species such as Rough Stalked Meadow Grass, bent grasses or, Yorkshire Fog.

“These species have yields well below that of Perennial Ryegrass as well as being of poorer quality and lower digestibility. Another important characteristic of these weed grasses is their poor response to nitrogen, whether from organic fertiliser, clover or artificial sources, with Rough Stalked Meadow grass giving a response of 17%, Bentgrass 33% and Yorkshire Fog 42% to nitrogen compared to Ryegrasses (figures from WBPS).”

This means that a 5 year old ley will only be utilising 65% of nitrogen applied.

Reseeding