Why You Should Still Reseed Your Grass This Autumn

After a slow start to the season this year when it was cold, with very little grass or growth we have had a fantastic year for grass growth with most people having plenty of silage stocks (but maybe down on quality) for the coming winter, and with grass still available to graze.

With such a great grass growing season you may be tempted to think about not reseeding this autumn because why would you need to with so much around, and with the great growth we’ve had this year?

Unfortunately, this would be the wrong decision, in fact with so much grass around, now would be the idea time to be reseeding your poorer producing paddocks because you aren’t going to miss them this autumn/next spring as they establish themselves because you have good forage reserves elsewhere on the farm.

Even if you don’t plate measure your grass you usually know which fields are under performing because they take longer to regrow, the cows are never satisfied or simply because you always notice a drop in the litres in the tank the next day.

This has just been an exceptional grass growing year and you need to keep to your well-planned schedule to reseed a portion of your farm every year.

These are the reasons that you should reseed:

• Increased yields from existing leys - With constant improvements in grass breeding technology individual varieties are becoming more and more productive, with higher ME and better disease resistance
• Increased quality from the ley - ME levels and digestibility will be significantly improved
• Reduction in bought in feed - Feed supplements can be costly, good grass produced on farm is the cheapest form of feed available
• Reduction on the Weed Burden - Older leys by nature are weaker growing and often far more open. This allows competitive weed species to establish themselves within the ley requiring more inputs and reduced yield and quality
• Improved response to inputs - Denser swards, modern breeding and high vigour of new leys all combine to give a far better response to any fertiliser applied

The table below illustrates the increase in input costs per year based on average reduction in perennial ryegrass over a 5-year period:


With the cost of reseeding being £400 - £600 per hectare it is important that it is done correctly and timed to maximise establishment and performance. Always select the correct ley for your needs looking at available data and performance information.

With the cost of reseeding being £400 - £600 per hectare it is important that it is done correctly and timed to maximise establishment and performance. Always select the correct ley for your needs looking at available data and performance information.

Look at all the varieties in the leys to ensure they are suited to your own conditions and requirements. The Recommended Grass and Clover List for England and Wales provides a great source of information that translates to your farm requirements very well.

While we have a variety of standard mixes available, we are always able to make a bespoke mix that best suits your farm, and if you aren’t sure then please ask for advice, it’s what we are here for.

If you’d like to discuss your unique seed requirements, then please call FAR registered Dairy Nutritionist & CowSignals® Master Andrew Jones on 07717 44288 or email: andrew@dblbuyinggroup.co.uk