6 Jameson Premium Seed 2025 Good grass starts with good seed, but establishment is equally important RESEEDING GUIDELINES It’s important not to look at the cost of reseeding - instead consider the cost of not reseeding! From the first day a new ley is established, there is a continual decline in the percentage of sown species, as weed grasses and broad leaved weeds move into the sward. Even under good management, it is likely that after six years, a medium term ley based around intermediate perennials, could contain less than 60% ryegrass.The impact of declining ryegrass content is a drop in both yield and quality. Choice of sowing time is often dictated by livestock requirements, and other cropping on the farm, but the two main opportunities are spring and autumn. Moisture is very important when establishing a spring sowing, rainfall is more reliable in the autumn. Soil temperature needs to be above 5°C for grass, however if sowing legumes, spring sowing may be better as soil temperature needs to be above 8°C for germination. GUIDELINES TO RESEEDING • Soil test at least 6 months before. Check pH is 6-6.5 and P and K indices are 2- or above • Check for soil compaction, subsoil 50mm below the pan using a sward lifter if needed • Tight graze or cut • Spray off with a glyphosate product ensuring there is enough new growth for the chemical to be taken up.This will control active plants but will not kill dormant seed • Apply FYM, plough and press • Apply seedbed fertiliser & lime as required • Work down to prepare a fine tilth to ensure good seed to soil contact, and roll • Drill (no more than 1cm) or broadcast seed, especially clover • Ring roll again in both directions to ensure maximum contact • Apply slug pellets if necessary • Control weeds (eg chickweed) 4-6 weeks after sowing • Lightly graze with sheep or very young cattle, around 6-10 weeks after sowing, ensuring plants are 8-10cm tall and able to withstand the ‘pull test’.This will promote tillering. However, don’t leave sheep on too long as they will graze too close, causing damage to new seedlings. Undersowing If undersowing, the seed rate for the cereal crop should be lowered to allow space for the young grass seedlings to develop. Barley is ideal and should be sown at around 50kg/ac. Wheat is less suitable unless it is spring wheat, a more open crop.Winter wheat is too dense and not recommended for undersowing. If drilling spring barley in February, then it is best to wait and drill the grass in late March. If drilling barley in late March, then grass can be drilled (separately) the same day.
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