Grassland management is often overlooked for new leys, but by prioritising weed control early during establishment, you will achieve cost-effective, long-lasting control, resulting in higher yields of grass.
Overseeding is a simple but effective way to rejuvenate old or damaged grass leys, without the cost implications associated with a complete reseed. Overseeding can also be more efficient and reduces the amount of time that home-grown grass forage is out of production.
Timing is imperative with overseeding, and the main aim is to minimise competition from the existing sward. The best time to overseed is March, April, July or September as the grasses are not growing as vigorously as they are in May and June.
Spring focus should turn onto managing existing grassland and assessing which fields need to be re-seeded or over seeded.
To ensure that you are using the correct grass seed mixture for your management system, get in touch with a Wynnstay specialist.
Correct management of an autumn reseed throughout the growing season will be rewarded with an uplift in production from home-grown forage.
Whilst developed several decades ago, research into high sugar grasses and their proposed benefits has been continual. But where do they differ from normal grasses? Firstly, their “higher sugar” levels are delivered through greater water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) levels within the grass. These WSC’s are present within the plant’s cells as opposed to the cell walls, where they take longer to be broken down for energy in the rumen. Higher WSC content within the grasses offers a greater amount of readily available energy within the cow’s diet, allowing for more efficient utilisation of dietary proteins in the rumen.
