Reseeding an existing ley can lead to a significant return on investment. Within several years ‘weed grasses’ will ingress into a sward – particularly if the field has experienced poaching or after a hard winter. These ‘weed grasses’ have poor quality characteristics compared to ryegrass varieties from the Recommended List. These include poor digestibility and a poorer response to fertiliser, as well as not converting to meat and milk as efficiently as ryegrass.
Top benefits of reseeding:
- Improved yields
- Higher DM intakes
- Enhanced disease resistance
- Earlier turnout of stock
- Increased stocking rate
- Increased palatability and digestibility
- Improved grazing and silage quality
- Higher response to nitrogen (N) fertiliser
With the increase in volatility of fertiliser prices, it is important that a grassland nutrient programme is cost-effective.
It is essential that the sward comprises of grass species that respond to fertiliser to maximise on-farm profitability. After all, there is little point in applying fertiliser to a sward, which mainly comprises of weed grasses. This is both a waste of money and resource.
The graph (please see left) clearly shows the variance between perennials’ efficiency and the efficiency of common weed grasses when
nitrogen fertiliser is applied.
Grass & Roots 2024 Brochure
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