Rye falling over on itself and grazing

[Libbyjones]

Hi
i have a small holding and I’m just starting out. Can’t seem to get a definitive answer from my smallholding groups so thought I’d ask here in hope of maintaining a decent budget and organising my land ...
if grass rye has goneto seed and fallen over on itself, and is then grazed by cattle, will it keep active, rot, or drown out new growth from fallen seeds or does the field need reseeding in the September. Thanks.

 

[Libbyjones]

Anyone?

 

[BeReyt]

It will be fine, get the cattle on it. If it's gone to seed, you'd be wasting time and money reseeding it. Graze it hard enough so there's not a carpet on the ground but leave a good residual. Let the cattle trample the stems and seed into the soil and you'll have reseeded the land for free. The plants will regrow.

James

 

[Derrick Hughes]

Most farmers would mow and bale it when it got to that stage , how long it lasts is down to varieties, could be two years or long term ,

 

[The Ruminant]

It will be fine, get the cattle on it. If it's gone to seed, you'd be wasting time and money reseeding it. Graze it hard enough so there's not a carpet on the ground but leave a good residual. Let the cattle trample the stems and seed into the soil and you'll have reseeded the land for free. The plants will regrow.

James

I’d agree with James, group the cattle up into high stocking density with some electric fence, get them to graze hard and trample hard. If there’s moisture in the ground you’ll see regrowth within two to three weeks and it should be ready for grazing in six to eight.

 

[Derrick Hughes]

I’d agree with James, group the cattle up into high stocking density with some electric fence, get them to graze hard and trample hard. If there’s moisture in the ground you’ll see regrowth within two to three weeks and it should be ready for grazing in six to eight.

If you read the post carefully she is asking if ryegass grows for more than one season not if it will grow from seed , well that's how I read it

 

[The Ruminant]

If you read the post carefully she is asking if ryegass grows for more than one season not if it will grow from seed , well that's how I read it

That’s a small part of her question, though if you read the post carefully you will see @Libbyjones is asking how to manage her ryegrass sward that has gone past it’s best. That’s what I have answered and, by implication, the regrowth I’ve mentioned indicates no reseeding will be necessary.

 

[Libbyjones]

Thanks everyone, yes I wanted to know if I needed to reseed or not As much has now dropped. Thanks

 

[Agrivator]

I’d agree with James, group the cattle up into high stocking density with some electric fence, get them to graze hard and trample hard. If there’s moisture in the ground you’ll see regrowth within two to three weeks and it should be ready for grazing in six to eight.

That's great advice. I expect the OP has a large number of cattle, and enough financial resources to waste both the cattle and the grass.

 

[Derrick Hughes]

Thanks everyone, yes I wanted to know if I needed to reseed or not As much has now dropped. Thanks

Going to seed and grazing weekens it . Best way to keep it healthy is graze it young , or if it does gets to strong mow and bale it . Any rough grass can be topped if grazing, which also helps