Looking for an Extra Yield Boost?

Reseed with the best grass mixtures from DLF

“regardless of what cultivation method is used, e.g. ploughing or one-pass, a fine firm seed bed and soil-seed contact are crucial for a successful reseed”

Top Tips For Reseeding 

• Get your soil tested: Nutrients are essential for optimal performance of the new sward and a soil test is the only way to know the sward’s exact nutrient requirements. Get soil samples analysed for pH, P and K and adjust your lime and fertiliser application accordingly. Soil testing should be carried out in January or February for most accurate results.
• Spraying off: Spray off the old sward with glyphosate to reduce competition from weeds. Allow the old sward to die and break down before cultivating. If ploughing or direct drilling this can be done within a week but if minimal cultivation methods are being used (Harrow/Disc) leave longer to allow the root structure to break down.
• Apply seedbed fertiliser: The amount of fertiliser required will be dictated by your soil test results. Apply lime to achieve a pH of 6.5 and Index 3 for P and K. Too much nitrogen at this stage will only encourage weed growth. Apply a small amount at sowing and again 4 – 6 weeks after sowing.
• Fine, firm seedbed: Regardless of cultivation method - plough, one-pass or disc – a fine, firm seedbed is critical to successful establishment. Use a slow forward gear when cultivating and roll the seedbed before sowing.
• Soil to seed contact: Roll the seedbed again after sowing to ensure soil to seed contact. Soil to seed contact is another critical aspect of reseeding.
• Weed control: The application of a post-emergence spray is usually required around 6 weeks after sowing to control weeds. In autumn, weed species are less prolific and it should therefore be easier to control weeds in an autumn reseed than a spring reseed.
• Grazing: Reseeded ground should be grazed regularly and quickly to aid tillering and the development of a dense sward. Sheep or young stock are ideal for this job as they are less likely to damage the developing sward.

"Grazed grass is the cheapest feed available to Irish farmers and during the main grazing season animal performance is achieved almost entirely from grazed grass" 
 

DLF Grass Mixtures

DLF Grazer

Grazed grass is the cheapest feed available to Irish farmers and during the main grazing season animal performance is achieved almost entirely from grazed grass. Having a grass mixture with excellent quality, high grazing yields and low grazing residuals is critical to farm profitability.

DLF Grazer is a specialist grazing mixture put together with our latest genetics based on the PPI and on-farm grazing trials with the DLF Partner Farm program. DLF Grazer contains a mixture of diploid, tetraploid and DLF’s NxGen tetraploid varieties ensuring high yield and quality and excellent grazability. For example, Xenon is the best performing variety on the Teagasc grazing trials while Nashota is very popular on our Partner Farms and has a PPI value of €186. DLF Grazer will deliver good spring growth and quality grazing throughout the year.

 

DLF Perennial Silage

Grass silage is the second most important agricultural crop grown in Ireland after grazed grass. Silage is the principle source of winter feed being produced on 82% of Irish farms and accounting for up to 30% of the feed budget in some ruminant production systems. To maximise the potential animal performance and financial benefits of grass silage a balance must be struck between yield and quality. A high proportion of perennial ryegrass in the sward is critical to striking this yield/quality balance.

DLF Perennial Silage does exactly this as it is an all-ryegrass mixture with each variety having a similar heading date to optimise yield and quality. Early spring growth is provided by Nifty and Kerry to ensure high first-cut yields of quality silage. This is an excellent mixture for use in a two- or three-cut silage system and white clover can be added for farms in derogation.

 

DLF Performance

Grazed grass and grass silage combined provides approximately 97% of feed consumed by ruminants in Ireland. The seasonal profile of grass growth in Ireland generally results in the production of large surpluses in late spring/early summer. This means the grazing of livestock is often integrated with one or more scheduled silage harvests. In this scenario a grass mixture that performs equally well under both grazing and cutting is required.

Designed for both grazing and cutting, DLF Performance is a highly versatile mixture with the perfect combination of high yields, quality and persistence. Early spring grass is delivered by varieties like Nifty and Kerry while Nashota, which is new to the 2020 PPI, brings superior quality to the mixture. These are well supported by Aspect and Elysium who are performing well on the Teagasc grazing trials and DLF Partner Farms, respectively.

 

 

Dr. Thomas Moloney continues his research into bringing the best of forages to Irish Farmers. tmoloney@dlfseeds.ie

If you would like more information on our varieties, mixtures or research programme, contact us now on info@dlfseeds.ie or call 051897060