Reseeding grass proven a waste of time?

[Henarar]

Heifers of your own are still ‘introduced’, which is (I assume) @multi power ’s point.

If you stop bringing new blood in, what happens as the old ‘uns die out?

They can seed themselves just the same as cows

 

[neilo]

They can seed themselves just the same as cows

Meadowgrass, like a lot of other ‘weed’ grass species, is particularly good at seeding early in the season, hence why it tends to take over productive swards over time. If you just ‘leave it be’ to self seed, especially if set stocked, you will move towards a sward comprising of early seeding species.

 

[Henarar]

Meadowgrass, like a lot of other ‘weed’ grass species, is particularly good at seeding early in the season, hence why it tends to take over productive swards over time. If you just ‘leave it be’ to self seed, especially if set stocked, you will move towards a sward comprising of early seeding species.

a weed is only a plant out of place

 

[neilo]

a weed is only a plant out of place

Annual Meadowgrass is always out of place in a productive sward.

 

[Henarar]

Annual Meadowgrass is always out of place in a productive sward.

not if you want annual meadowgrass

 

[neilo]

not if you want annual meadowgrass

True enough. Having a rent to pay, i don’t have that luxury though.

 

[digger64]

True enough. Having a rent to pay, i don’t have that luxury though.

tend to agree but the logic doesn't seem to apply to lots on here

 

[Henarar]

baled plenty of ryegrass based lays over the years and fed some to, never been over impressed, always started baling earlier here with our very old swards than other farms with reseeds and had the same amount of grass and as for quality well the cows are fat enough and the calves look/sell as good anyone else's both at grazing and on winter feed, what more do you want, very logical I would have thought

 

[multi power]

baled plenty of ryegrass based lays over the years and fed some to, never been over impressed, always started baling earlier here with our very old swards than other farms with reseeds and had the same amount of grass and as for quality well the cows are fat enough and the calves look/sell as good anyone else's both at grazing and on winter feed, what more do you want, very logical I would have thought

There is no way old awards will yeild anywhere near as much as modern varietys

 

[Fendt65]

As a tenant farmer i was always told you’re rent is the same wether you have good grass or bad,very true

 

[Henarar]

There is no way old awards will yeild anywhere near as much as modern varietys

I think that very much depends on the circumstances and the management and the aim of what you are trying to do I know how big fields are and I know how many bales are produced but you are entitled to your opinion,
whats the big push for spending for yield have prices gone up when I wasn't looking or is there some sort of shortage ?

 

[Henarar]

As a tenant farmer i was always told you’re rent is the same wether you have good grass or bad,very true

yep

 

[glasshouse]

Farmers need to reseed because the field might be badly rutted or just rough from the last reseed or need to grow rape or feed barley.
In Scotland if you park up the plough, the rushes take over, especially after the 2012 monsoon
Some dont bother of course and wonder why the silage contrsctors get peed off

 

[Henarar]

Farmers need to reseed because the field might be badly rutted or just rough from the last reseed or need to grow rape or feed barley.
In Scotland if you park up the plough, the rushes take over, especially after the 2012 monsoon
Some dont bother of course and wonder why the silage contrsctors get peed off

apparently if you put burnt lime on them the cows will eat them out

 

[Top Tip.]

I find that the fields that I cut for silage regularly do run out of steam and production does drop whereas my grazing fields are much easier to maintain in full production.

 

[glasshouse]

I find that the fields that I cut for silage regularly do run out of steam and production does drop whereas my grazing fields are much easier to maintain in full production.

They should be rotated

 

[Top Tip.]

They should be rotated

In an ideal world yes but I have to work with what I’ve got which just means that some fields are designated as silage fields.

 

[Henarar]

They should be rotated

they should you are right
we have some that can't be sensibly cut

 

[neilo]

I find that the fields that I cut for silage regularly do run out of steam and production does drop whereas my grazing fields are much easier to maintain in full production.

How much of the nutrient offtake are you replacing? Potash in particular is stripped out in vast quantities by silage crops, and often not replaced in adequate quantities.

Are they short term seed mixes, put in just to get higher yields for mowing fields, or the same varieties that are in your grazing fields?

 

[neilo]

As a tenant farmer i was always told you’re rent is the same wether you have good grass or bad,very true

Not on an FBT rent. If you improve it, a lot of agents will try to increase rent on the back of it.
I’m considering direct drilling thistle seeds back in here.