Grass Type for Sheep
- Thread starter JoeFo
- Start date
- Location
- Owaka, New Zealand
Is this for your land reclaimation project, Joe?
If it's dryish and rockyish, ideally you'll want something that roots fairly deep and is fairly persistent, and something that doesn't need mown or overgrazed to maintain quality for sheep.
So, I'd say a bit of red and a bit of white clover, some plantain and some chicory, some cocksfoot, timothy and meadowgrass, and a light rate of perennial ryegrass and/or pasture brome.
That way you should have a good all-season mix that doesn't need a heap of fertiliser or maintenance to keep growing quality feed through the year.
I'd also advise you to let it run once in it's first couple of seasons, so it can reproduce - it may mean that you lose a little production, but gain a heap of seed in the soil, so you won't have to reseed it every 6 years as you would if you don't allow it to set seed.
And if it's been disturbed, it'll have some serious competition from other species - cocksfoot/brome/chicory will help prevent the weeds taking over. I'm also a fan of a smidge of oats or barley in a reseed, just as a canopy/nurse crop, it helps to keep the wind from battering the little seedlings as they establish.
Simple mixes can work, but generally require more help (spraying, topping) because nature always likes diversity, and will put it there if you don't.
Some reputable seedsmen on here, try @Kevtherev, @hally, @Great In Grass (apologies to others) as they'll know what will suit your location and needs best.
If it's dryish and rockyish, ideally you'll want something that roots fairly deep and is fairly persistent, and something that doesn't need mown or overgrazed to maintain quality for sheep.
So, I'd say a bit of red and a bit of white clover, some plantain and some chicory, some cocksfoot, timothy and meadowgrass, and a light rate of perennial ryegrass and/or pasture brome.
That way you should have a good all-season mix that doesn't need a heap of fertiliser or maintenance to keep growing quality feed through the year.
I'd also advise you to let it run once in it's first couple of seasons, so it can reproduce - it may mean that you lose a little production, but gain a heap of seed in the soil, so you won't have to reseed it every 6 years as you would if you don't allow it to set seed.
And if it's been disturbed, it'll have some serious competition from other species - cocksfoot/brome/chicory will help prevent the weeds taking over. I'm also a fan of a smidge of oats or barley in a reseed, just as a canopy/nurse crop, it helps to keep the wind from battering the little seedlings as they establish.
Simple mixes can work, but generally require more help (spraying, topping) because nature always likes diversity, and will put it there if you don't.
Some reputable seedsmen on here, try @Kevtherev, @hally, @Great In Grass (apologies to others) as they'll know what will suit your location and needs best.
- Location
- Cornwall
How heavily do you intend to stock, will it be permanently stocked or sheep in, grazed off and out again? Will you want to cut it at all? All things to consider when picking a mix.
- Location
- Welshman living in Nottinghamshire
@Great In Grass another vote, great people to work with
JD-Kid
Member
- Location
- Akaroa.. New Zealand
big thing is. when. do you need the feed. and. when can it. grow
alot of people. go I need the grass. all year sad to say you will not get. a good mix. to do that
it. may dry out in the summer too wet. winter. cold hot. etc. sheep housed etc etc
there are alot of factors
sheep love protein and. hate rank grass. short and sweet.
alot of people. go I need the grass. all year sad to say you will not get. a good mix. to do that
it. may dry out in the summer too wet. winter. cold hot. etc. sheep housed etc etc
there are alot of factors
sheep love protein and. hate rank grass. short and sweet.
BDBed
Member
- Location
- Melton Mowbray
- Location
- Welshpool Powys
What is the land like?
PH status and do you want a long term ley just for grazing or dual purpose?
Lots of choices of species and mixes for different situations.
Always recommend a white clover blend in a sheep mix
Sheep like a thick sward with plenty of ‘bottom’