overseeding/reseeding

[angus464]

Got a bit of land I'm thinking about harrowing and seeding this year and would quite like to get it down before the sheep came home from lambing!
Would it be a waste of time to seed it just now even though we have a wee bit of frost still in the air?

 

[ED.D]

Funny that been thinking the same but due to people beyond my control I'm going to wait for a couple of weeks and let things warm up a little first.

 

[Great In Grass]

We are delivering seed now on to farm, one of my customers drilled a small 7acre field (we are in warmer climes) last week! IRG will grow at 5dC, my soil temp gauge is showing 4 this morning, I'd wait for a steady 7/8dc and climbing before I sowed.

 

[Great In Grass]

If overseeding best to spray first if any perennial weeds need to be controlled. Leatherjackets too can be a problem in overseeds.

 

[angus464]

Ahh ok, that's great. Thanks for the reply!

 

[choochter]

If overseeding best to spray first if any perennial weeds need to be controlled. Leatherjackets too can be a problem in overseeds.

At what time of year would leatherjackets not be a problem if overseeding?

 

[Great In Grass]

At what time of year would leatherjackets not be a problem if overseeding?

Late summer, Autumn leatherjackets become less of a problem, this is a time when Frit Fly becomes a greater problem.

 

[choochter]

Late summer, Autumn leatherjackets become less of a problem, this is a time when Frit Fly becomes a greater problem.

Thank-you.

 

[milkloss]

Late summer, Autumn leatherjackets become less of a problem, this is a time when Frit Fly becomes a greater problem.

Would you be looking for a resident population? I guess there would be no point spraying if they are not there yet. Also, how would you identify frit fly in the ground or is a spray preventative for any potential problem?

Many thanks

 

[Great In Grass]

Would you be looking for a resident population? I guess there would be no point spraying if they are not there yet. Also, how would you identify frit fly in the ground or is a spray preventative for any potential problem?

Many thanks

I've attached a fact sheet we hand out regarding Fritfly. It doesn't however describe the larvae which are white with a pointy head and round rear, no legs and about 5/6mm long. Mature they are a darkish brown. If you have them they can be found at the base of the plant.

 

[happycows]

greatingrass, what be your best recommendation for overseeding with direct drill this autumn. Intensive dairy farm with 2 year old green circle leys with some red clover still there. very open in the bottom and i am willing to overseed again in a couple of years so a 2 year persistence ideally.
mole valley does one with, AberEve,AberDart,AberGlyn then AberClaret and Milvus red clover. are the aber's any better than the rest? The other that spring to mind is Direct circle with some Merviot. Needs get up and go.... or grow maybe.

 

[Great In Grass]

How about leys up to 5 year duration not a lot more money and containing varieties which will give IRG type production and a better denser sward. Save some money on the amount of overseeding required too.

Aber varieties are no better than any other breeders varieties I believe, some of the mixtures I sell contain their varieties, if they were that good we'd all be selling them and you'd all be buying them!

 

[Chris123]

Question for great in grass if you don't mind, what would you suggest. We are looking to grass down ground that has been in arable for donkeys years. Ground Ranges from very heavy clay to light clay loam. The ground is clean, currently cropped with spring barley. How would you recommend putting it in full cultivations or drill straight in to stubble with Moores or vaderstad drill. Would be looking for roughly 5year ley that would produce at least two good crops for hay or haylage then grazed by store lambs or possibly to flush ewes. What sort of price would seed be pleased delivered Shropshire 15 acres roughly.

 

[milkloss]

I've attached a fact sheet we hand out regarding Fritfly. It doesn't however describe the larvae which are white with a pointy head and round rear, no legs and about 5/6mm long. Mature they are a darkish brown. If you have them they can be found at the base of the plant.

Thank you, it does seem like it may be wise spraying as a precautionary measure but what damage could chlopyrifos do other than the vermin? Earthworms?

 

[Great In Grass]

Thank you, it does seem like it may be wise spraying as a precautionary measure but what damage could chlopyrifos do other than the vermin? Earthworms?

You now need an agronomist he says while slowly walking away.

 

[Great In Grass]

Question for great in grass if you don't mind, what would you suggest. We are looking to grass down ground that has been in arable for donkeys years. Ground Ranges from very heavy clay to light clay loam. The ground is clean, currently cropped with spring barley. How would you recommend putting it in full cultivations or drill straight in to stubble with Moores or vaderstad drill. Would be looking for roughly 5year ley that would produce at least two good crops for hay or haylage then grazed by store lambs or possibly to flush ewes. What sort of price would seed be pleased delivered Shropshire 15 acres roughly.

You could easily drill as varieties in a longer term ley tiller more vigorously. I'd suggest a ley with all diploids as this will produce a more even conditioning of a hay sward. If your going to drill no more than 10mm depth and roll in nice and tight, be vigilant for slug activity, some traps in the field may be a good idea.