Grassland improvement

[Kevtherev]

Thought I'd start a thread about the various ways of improving grassland.
Either direct drilling

With a Moore like @hally

Or a Duncan

Or an einbock type seeder

Also not forgetting the need to soil test and ph status

@Cab-over Pete

 

[roscoe erf]

not forgetting

 

[Kevtherev]

A conventional reseed in the traditional way achieves good results

 

[Philip Watkins]

Did the barley come in the seed or volunteers?

 

[Kevtherev]

Soil pests

Leather jackets

Frit fly

The demise of dursban

 

[Kevtherev]

Remember the importance of a firm seed bed
(The secret of a good ley is a firm bottom)

 

[roscoe erf]

@Great In Grass

 

[Kevtherev]

Don't forget the importance of clover either red or white in most livestock systems

 

[Kevtherev]

Did the barley come in the seed or volunteers?

Barley sown as a nurse crop philip quite common up these parts works very well.

 

[Philip Watkins]

I've heard of that just didn't look enough barley for a nurse crop but it's only a small bit of the field in the photo.

 

[Kevtherev]

I've heard of that just didn't look enough barley for a nurse crop but it's only a small bit of the field in the photo.

I've found in the past putting 50-60 kg an acre is too much and smothers the grass and clover I've cut it down this time to 45kg to try.

 

[Kevtherev]

Did you have some done with a wecan seeder @exmoor dave ?

 

[ollie989898]

Wouldn't do a spring reseed without using barley as a nurse crop now. Worked very well in most of the parts I did it this year despite the very dry conditions. I dread to think what the grass would look like if I hadn't put the barley in with it.

I've decided that I prefer red clover sown as a straight if you are going to do it. Have to do it that way if you are claiming for greening in any case. 6kg an acre sown and wham off you go. Spray it with 2,4DB if you must, just don't look at it afterwards.

 

[ollie989898]

View attachment 564526

View attachment 564528
Don't forget the importance of clover either red or white in most livestock systems

Terrible weed ingress there.

 

[Kevtherev]

Bit better picture the barley has helped this year in the difficult conditions

 

[cubby]

Burn of and dd

 

[neilo]

Wouldn't do a spring reseed without using barley as a nurse crop now. Worked very well in most of the parts I did it this year despite the very dry conditions. I dread to think what the grass would look like if I hadn't put the barley in with it.

I've decided that I prefer red clover sown as a straight if you are going to do it. Have to do it that way if you are claiming for greening in any case. 6kg an acre sown and wham off you go. Spray it with 2,4DB if you must, just don't look at it afterwards.

I prefer a Spring reseed here, and wouldn't dream of putting cereals in as a nurse crop. If there's going to be a shortage of moisture, I'd rather the grass seedlings got it.

I've come to the same conclusion on red clover, or just stick with PRG/WC leys, as they are much more flexible and harder to bugger up with poor management.

 

[Kevtherev]

Red clover seems to suit multi cut silage leys better.
For grazing white clover takes some beating

 

[ollie989898]

I prefer a Spring reseed here, and wouldn't dream of putting cereals in as a nurse crop. If there's going to be a shortage of moisture, I'd rather the grass seedlings got it.

I've come to the same conclusion on red clover, or just stick with PRG/WC leys, as they are much more flexible and harder to bugger up with poor management.

So long as you don't put too much barley in, it is fine. Honestly.

Believe me I was tested on the theory this spring and I had 95% success. I have had one or two dry and slightly lumpy efforts in the past that made me gulp but they worked!

You absolutely must not drill more than 35kg an acre of spring barley. You don't even need to use dressed seed. Any variety will do.

 

[Kevtherev]

Also remember pan busting is also a way of improving grassland without the need for seed.