Grassland Update 2016

GRASSLAND

UPDATE

ISSUE 1

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: p.2

FORAGE FOCUS IN 2016

p.3

MAKE YOUR LEY PAY

p.4

WYNNSTAY GRASS SEED MIXTURE SELECTOR

p.5

THE GRASS IS GREENER

p.6

INVEST IN FERTILISER TO MAXIMISE PRODUCTION

p.7

ACT NOW TO PROTECT YOUR GRASSLAND

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FOREWORD: FORAGE FOCUS IN 2016 Although the UK experienced high levels of grass production in 2015, the quality of the forage has been a concern.

Adam Simper Grass & Root Seed Manager m: 07808 901179 adam.simper@wynnstay.co.uk

The emphasis in 2016 will be to improve not only the quantity of grass produced but its feed quality and palatability, which can be achieved by reseeding.

Consequently, there is value in reseeding and overseeding grass leys, to enhance on-farm profits during the current challenging climate.

The prevailing low commodity values are forcing some to consider cutting input costs, as margins are under considerable pressure. With a likely reduction in purchased feed across the livestock industry, the importance of maximising home-grown forage is likely to increase.

The right mixture for you Getting farm-specific advice on the right grass seed mixture for your needs is essential to achieving the most from your crop. The duration, purpose and heading date of a ley will determine which mixture is best suited to your management regime.

Reseeding vs overseeding

Our focus is to increase forage output, through providing a high quality grass seed mixture range which will support individual grassland management systems and we can create bespoke mixtures upon request.

Assessing the damage that may have occurred to existing leys over the winter period will help to determine whether reseeding or overseeding is the best option. Overseeding less damaged areas may be a cost-effective means to rejuvenate the ley.

If the existing sward is severely damaged and full of weed grasses, then it‘s likely that the quality and yield will be compromised. It will therefore be beneficial to consider a full reseed this spring to boost overall yield, D-value, energy, protein and sugar content.

Fertiliser efficiency The high levels of rainfall over the winter will have caused leaching, reducing the amount of essential nutrients available to the crop. It’s important to assess the impact of this loss on a field-by-field basis.

Over the next few weeks, it would be advisable to undertake a soil test to establish the soil’s nutritional requirements and contact one of Wynnstay’s Arable Specialists to determine the most cost-effective fertiliser solutions to maximise productivity and plug any deficiencies. This will help your ley perform to its highest potential as early in the season as possible.

For some useful tips on reseeding visit the Wynnstay Arable blog: www.wynnstayarable.uk

2

Wynnstay Group Plc

GRASSLAND UPDATE

MAKE YOUR LEY PAY This season, it’s going to be all about maximising your forage output.

Clovers

Recent breeding developments in forage and grass seed have brought about improvements through overcoming exposure to stress conditions and producing extra benefits from the plant, such as fixing Nitrogen in the soil.

Clovers can be an extremely beneficial addition to a grass seed mixture or are worth considering for a straight forage crop. Both Red and White Clover can bring about significant benefits, in terms of the nutritional feed value and reducing input costs.

By working closely with the industry’s leading plant breeders to gain insight into the latest innovations in forage, Wynnstay are able to offer an extensive range of forage seed.

Why use White Clover:

Why use Red Clover: • Very high yielding – best suited to silage production

• Persistent under grazing

• Can fix approx. 150kg of N/ha/year – reducing fertiliser costs

• High levels of protein (approx. 19% crude protein)

• High levels of protein (approx. 21% crude protein)

• Can fix approx. 150kg of N/ha/year – reducing fertiliser costs

• Deep rooting – improves soil structure and drought tolerance

• Consistent growth through summer and autumn periods (even when normal grass growth slows down)

New for 2016

Add a new species to the mix by choosing one of Wynnstay’s new forage options for 2016: Supple Leaf Tall Fescue

Crimson Clover

Birdsfoot Trefoil

Benefits:

High yielding Stress tolerant Increased digestibility and palatability

High yielding High protein content Does not cause bloat Fast establishment

High quality forage High in tannins (anthelmintic properties) Does not cause bloat Winter hardy

Soil type:

Drought prone soils Wet, heavy soils

Free-draining soil

Poorly drained soils Low pH soils

Best for:

Grazing

Cutting

Cutting and grazing

Sovereign Crusader Herald Kingdom

Fast Grass Tower Squire

Shield Sovereign Imperial Crusader Kingdom

Add between 2kg – 4kg/acre to the mixture

Add between 1kg – 2kg/acre to the mixture

Add between 0.5kg – 1kg/acre to the mixture

Match with:

Sowing:

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WYNNSTAY GRASS SEED MIXTURE SELECTOR

CONVENTIONAL MIXTURES SHORT TERM

MEDIUM TERM

FAST GRASS 1 year ley

LONG TERM

SQUIRE 3 year ley

HERALD 6+ year ley

Grazing

Grazing

Grazing

Silage

Silage

Silage

Hay

Hay

EXTRAS EQUINE

POULTRY

HORSE & PONY MIX

POULTRY MIX

ORGANIC SQUIRE

SHORT TERM

HORSE HAY MIX

POULTRY MIX PLUS

ORGANIC SOVEREIGN

MEDIUM TERM NO CLOVER

ORGANIC IMPERIAL

MEDIUM TERM PLUS CLOVER

(SHORT TERM)

Hay

HORSE HAY MIX TOWER 1-2 year ley

FORTRESS 3-4 year ley

(LONG TERM)

KINGDOM 6+ year ley

Grazing

Grazing

Grazing

Silage

Silage

Silage

Hay

Hay

Hay

SHIELD 4 year ley

MAJESTIC 6+ year ley

Grazing

Grazing

Silage

Silage

Hay

Hay

SOVEREIGN 4-6 year ley

ORGANIC

OVERSEEDING

HORSE HERB MIX

LONG TERM NO CLOVER

GALLOP MIX

LONG TERM PLUS CLOVER

GATEWAY MIX

ROYAL 6+ year ley

Grazing

Grazing

Silage

Silage

Hay

Hay

AVAILABLE WITH CHICORY

AVAILABLE WITH FESTULOLIUM CRUSADER 6+ year ley Grazing

AVAILABLE AS AN OPTION WITHOUT CLOVER

Silage Hay

AVAILABLE AS AN OPTION WITH CLOVER

IMPERIAL 7+ year ley Grazing Silage Hay

Wynnstay also provide bespoke grass seed mixtures upon request.

To request a 2016 brochure or for further information please call 01939 210777.

4

Wynnstay Group Plc

GRASSLAND UPDATE

THE GRASS IS GREENER The cheapest and most effective way to fuel a cow will always be forage.

Mark Price Dairy Sales Specialist m: 07876 824314 mark.price@wynnstay.co.uk

If high quality forage is fed, higher intakes can be achieved, reducing the reliance on costly bought-in feed. Whatever the production system, there is a strong correlation between milk from forage and profitability. Every 1,000 litres increase in milk from forage will be worth around £100 of gross margin per cow.

The limiting factor in getting an adequate supply of high quality silage will often be the leys themselves. Only the most modern grass breeds can fully perform, to provide both the quantity and quality of forage that modern management has the potential to achieve.

Case Study Mr Wilson, from Church Farm, near Shrewsbury, sees the full value of reseeding to ensure sufficient stocks of good quality forage. Mr Wilson makes sure he reseeds each year to keep leys as productive as possible for his Holstein herd, plus followers, and sheep flock.

Through the winter, cows are fed a partial TMR of grass silage, maize silage, fodder beet and concentrate blend, topped up with compound feed in the parlour. Proportionally, grass silage makes up 40% of the total winter ration. In the summer, they are grazed full time, with round bale silage used as a buffer when required.

“The extra production we get off young leys is vital to make sure pasture grows enough good quality forage” says Mr Wilson.

This attitude ensures his restricted land base is being utilised as much as possible with quality leys that drive production.

With this system, profitability is dependent on the quality and quantity of grass grown. Insufficient quality would see energy intake and therefore milk yield fall, along with potential knock on effects to fertility. Inadequate quantity would mean relying on bought-in substitutes to make up the difference on the same stocking rate.

Mr Wilson comments, “We wish we could do more, we have some rented land we can’t reseed and we are losing production every year on that. The cost is worth it. It seems a lot of cost at the time but when you get plenty of top quality grass off it, that cost soon pays”.

This proactive approach to reseeding ensures, year after year, that there is enough top quality forage to maximise milk production from forage and ultimately farm profitability at Church Farm.

5

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INVEST IN FERTILISER TO MAXIMISE PRODUCTION Improving the efficiency of grassland systems is a priority for many UK farmers as the agricultural industry experiences the effects of volatile commodity prices.

Dave Mitchell Fertiliser Manager m: 07990 578543 dave.mitchell@wynnstay.co.uk

Investment vs saving

Good quality grass is the most efficient way to feed stock, as it’s readily available and helps reduce the need to substitute with bought-in feeds.

The challenge facing many farmers is hitting the right balance between investing in inputs and making cost savings. The temptation, when margins are pressurised, is to automatically reduce fertiliser expenditure.

Realising the value of fertiliser is vital for future success in a changeable marketplace.

Assessing soils

However, this can impact negatively on the business’ bottom line, as yield results and forage quality may be compromised, leading to reduced livestock performance.

It’s essential to gather as much information as possible before making any fertiliser purchasing or application decisions. One of the most effective methods is soil testing, which can be done by your Wynnstay Arable Specialist. This will help establish both the pH of the soil, as well as the macro and micro nutritional requirements.

Nitrogen is usually the first nutrient to limit crop yield, however, if a sulphur deficiency is rectified, an extra 28 days winter feed/ha for dairy cows, 70 days extra feed/ha for growing beef animals, or 350 days extra winter feed/ha for sheep could be achieved from the same silage ground.

Following one of the wettest winters on record, many nutrients will have leached from grass, making spring leys look sickly and hungry. To ensure quality grass production, it’s vital to be prepared and make informed buying decisions promptly.

“

Following one of the wettest winters on record, many nutrients will have leached from the soil

Nitrogen (N) levels are likely to be lower than average this year due to excessive rainfall, which causes leaching. However, it’s important not to forget Sulphur (S) levels, as it’s a key requirement to improve protein levels in grass. Rectifying S deficiency can improve grass yield, feed value and N use efficiency.

Leaching will also have affected the amount of Potash (K) that is available. This, along with Phosphate (P), is essential for crop development. Due to many growers choosing not to apply P and K last year in order to reduce input costs and with the increased yields experienced in most areas - supplies in soil may be even lower than average years.

However, be aware that blanket fertiliser applications across all field types and systems may not be as cost effective as compared to a targeted field-by-field approach.

6

Wynnstay Group Plc

GRASSLAND UPDATE

ACT NOW TO PROTECT YOUR GRASSLAND Spring is a good time to consider controlling your broadleaved weeds.

Jon Staton Marketing Manager at Nufarm

Broadleaved weeds are actively growing and more susceptible to herbicides than in mid-summer. This is especially true following a silage cut, as they are weakened and more susceptible to herbicides.

Annual weeds – Chickweed Annual weeds, such as Chickweed, may be present in large numbers this season and control can be a problem with the withdrawal of CMPP. However, this can be avoided by adding a formulation of fluroxypyr with Cirran. Cirran can be used to control a wide spectrum of weeds without damaging the grass.

Ensure livestock are kept out until the weeds have fully decayed to avoid costly mistakes, as they remain poisonous until they are fully eradicated.

Where Clover is present in the ley, a product such as Clovermax is available for use in newly seeded leys. It controls a broad spectrum of weeds (but not Chickweed) and is safe for Clover up to the fourth trifoliate leaf stage.

Perennial weeds – Soft Rush

Perennial weeds – Docks, Nettles, and Thistles

Soft Rush can be a hard weed to kill and often grows in wetter areas on the farm, making access more challenging. Spray later in the year when there is less risk of contamination in watercourses.

Cut the rushes and spray the re-growth when it reaches over about 15cm.

In established grassland, perennial weeds are commonly the main problem. There are one-product solutions to these weeds, such as trichlopyr+ fluroxypyr + clopyralid mixtures, or clopyralid + triclopyr mixtures. These can be very expensive but products such as Thrust or Cirran will also do an excellent job.

Products containing MCPA alone, or in mixtures with 2,4-D are effective when applied at the correct timing. Weed wiping using glyphosate has also been used effectively but it must be kept away from the grass to avoid damage.

If Clover is present, the choice of product is very limited. However, Squire Ultra will do a very good job killing docks without killing Clover.

Remember, you must hold a specified certificate of competence to apply crop protection products; this includes products such as Thrust, which can be applied using a knapsack sprayer. A qualified Wynnstay agronomist can help with the most appropriate dose and mixture to use.

Perennial weeds – Ragwort Ragwort is arguably the most important weed to control in grassland due to its poisonous quality, however, it’s also one of the most commonly found. Thrust will achieve good results if applied at the correct timing (always spray at the rosette stage) spraying beyond the end of April is too late.

Cirran and Thrust are Nufarm trademarks.

7

Wynnstay’s Arable Services SEED

GRAIN 01939 210500

01939 210777

FERTILISER 01939 211266

AGRONOMY 01939 210555 www.wynnstay.co.uk

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Weston Park,Shropshire, TF11 8QA 10am - 5pm

This technical event will provide valuable information to all Arable Farmers for the forthcoming harvest.

Extensive varietal and input trial plots - winter cereals and oil seed rape Guest speaker & panel discussing:

‘The impact on UK agriculture if we exit the EU’ Guest speaker: Simon Ward, founder and Managing Director of Increment Ltd and proprietor of InsideTrack

NEW for this year...

working demonstrations of Min Till drills

Plus...

Trade stands & Moisture meter clinic an opportunity for growers to check their moisture meters prior to harvest.

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