2 minute read
WHEN RESEEDING
Stage TWO: RE-SEEDING
BENEFITS OF CLOVER
Advertisement
The inclusion of clover into perennial ryegrass pastures for high stocking rate systems of milk production has been shown to increase grass production and milk production per cow. Clover also has the ability to improve the environmental credentials of your farm by reducing costs (Lower N input), reducing nitrous oxide emissions and has the added benefit of contributing to water quality improvements.
Clover fixes atmospheric nitrogen and makes it available for grass growth. Previous research has shown that clover can contribute up to 100kg N/ ha/yr through nitrogen fixation, resulting in significant savings for farmers.
As of from the 1st January 2020 the new nitrates derogation rules specifies that a minimum of 1.5 kg/ha naked clover seed i.e. un-pelleted clover seed is required for all new grass reseeds, equally we should focus on the on the additional production and environmental benefits of incorporating clover into our reseeding programmes going forward.
MULTI- SPECIES SWARDS
A multi-species sward has a mixture of three or more forage species present in a sward. The growth characteristics of these species will complement each other which results in increased productivity.
Multi-specie mixtures are a combination of a range of diverse forage species such as plantain or chicory, all of which will have their own specific characteristics and are very beneficial for biodiversity providing a variety of flowering plants for pollinators.
The swards can produce similar DM yields to perennial ryegrass swards without the same level of inorganic nitrogen fertiliser application rates.
Establishment of a white clover sward
1. HIGH FERTILE SOILS REQUIRED
i. Index 3 & 4 for P and K
ii. Soil pH 6.3 2. SOWING DATE
i. Spring/Early Summer
3. WHEN RESEEDING
i. Fine firm seed bed
ii. Sowing depth of 10 – 12 mm iii. 1.2 – 3.7kg/ha (0.5 - 1.5kg/ac) iv. Soil contact – roll post sowing
4. WHEN OVER-SOWING
i. Ensure existing sward has a high perennial ryegrass content ii. Sow immediately after grazing or surplus silage (<4 cm) iii. 3.7 - 5kg/ha (1.5 – 2kg/ac) iv. Ensure soil to seed contact post sowing – roll v. Graze at <1100kg DM/ha for the following 3 rotations
5. POST EMERGENCE SPRAY
i. Ensure spray is clover safe
ii. Ensure correct timing of chemical application
6. GRAZING MANAGEMENT
In order to maintain a sward clover content of 25%
i. Target pre-grazing herbage yield of 1,300 – 1,600kg DM/ha ii. Post-grazing sward height – 4 cm (50kg DM/ha) iii. Grazing rotation of 18 to 21 days mid-season
iv. Early grazing in spring to stimulate plant growth
Fertilisation for reseeding
pH and Lime
• For good establishment of Grass seeds, pH must be above 6.3 • Always good practice to spread lime before reseeding where the pH is lower than this
• Where the pH is adequate, if there is a significant level of trash on the field, good practice to apply a level of lime here also • Use either Grow Lime or Granulated Lime
N,P,K Fertiliser
• Phosphate is also important for seed establishment. Best to use a fertiliser containing a significant level of N & P • Use 30-40 units N /Ac and 20–30 Units of P /Ac. A Popular fertiliser to use is 10/20/20 ( 3 X 50Kg/Ac ) • Always make use of soil samples to plan P & K application
