Download - Reseeding Booklet - Teagasc
ContentsReseeding checklist 3
Introduction – the need for more reseeding 4
Timing of reseeding 9
Soil fertility - need soil index 3 for P and K 11
Drainage 14
Cultivation techniques 15
Management of reseeded swards 24
Weed control 26
Reseeding investment 30
Reseeding – what to watch for 31
DAFM Recommended List/Pasture Profit Index 2017 32
Written and Edited by
Staff of the Teagasc Grassland Science Department
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Reseeding checklist
• Identify paddocks for reseeding (poorer performingpaddocks;lowperennialryegrasscontent)
• Soiltestandlime
• Sowingdate
• Methodofreseeding
• Sprayoffpaddock
• Prepareagoodseedbedwhencultivating
• Chooseappropriategrasscultivars
• Sowingrate
• Roll
• Slugsandotherpests
• Controlweedsearly
• Grazewhenherbagemassis1000–1200kgDM/ha
• Avoidpoachingandovergrazing
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Introduction – the need for more reseedingReseeding levels in Ireland are low ranging from 250,000 acresto 320,000 acres annually; in general approximately 2 per centof our annual grassland area is reseeded.As grass is ourmainfeedduringthemaingrazingseason,andtheprimarysourceofwinter forage fromgrass silage, the low levelof reseedingmustbeaddressed.Irelandwillincreasemilkproductionfollowingtheabolitionofmilkquotasin2015,andthefocusonefficientbeefandsheepmeatproductionwasneverasimportantasit isnowduetohighinputcosts.Teagaschavedevelopedanationalgrasslanddatabase(PastureBaseIreland),andtheresultsshowthatthereishugecapacityonIrishfarmstogrowmoregrass,currentannualtonnageis13.7tDM/hafordairyfarms.Inrecentyears,onfarmgrass variety evaluation has been established, themost recentresults show close to a 2t DM/ha difference between varietieswith large differences in digestibility and grazing utilisation.The objective of this pocketbook is to outline the key points ingrasslandreseedingandtoensurefarmersmakingtheinvestmentinrenovatinggrasslandgetthebestpossibleresult.
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Why reseed?Productive grassland farms must have perennial ryegrassdominated swards. Recent Moorepark research shows that oldpermanentpastureproduces,onaverage3tDM/ha/yearlessthanperennialryegrassdominatedswards.Oldpermanentpasture isup to25per cent less responsive toavailablenutrients suchasnitrogen than perennial ryegrass dominated swards. Reseedingisahighlycosteffective investment.Withregularreseedingthegrassgrowthcapacityofthefarmcanbeincreasedsubstantially;andtheannualreturnoninvestmentislarge.
Many farmers do not recognise the economic loss ofunderperformingpaddocks.Lowproducingpaddocksaregrazingpaddocks which are grazed on average 4 to 6 occasions/year.PastureBaseIrelandshowsthatthereislargevariationinthegrassgrowing capacity bothwithin and between farms in Ireland.Toimprove overall farm grass production this variation needs tobereduced.Economicallyalowproportionofperennialryegrassintheswardiscostingdairyfarmersupto€300/hainlostgrassproductionduringthegrowingseason.
Objectives of reseeding are to create swards that:• Increasetheoverallproductivityofthefarm
• Increasethecarryingcapacity(stockingrate)
• Allowhigheranimaloutput–8%highermilkoutputperhectarerelativetopermanentpasture
• Increasegrassquality
• Aremoreresponsivetofertiliser
• Increasegrassutilisation
• Allow white clover/perennial ryegrass pastures to establish
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Figure 1.Oldpermanentpasture
Figure 2.Newlyreseededpasture
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Reseeded swards are more productivePerennial ryegrass is a high quality feed. Figure 3 shows thegrassproductionacrossthegrazingseasonofaswardcontaining15%perennialryegrasscomparedtoaswardcontaining100percentperennialryegrass.Theswardswith100percentperennialryegrassgrew2.7 tDM/hamore than the15percentperennialryegrasssward.Mostofthedifferenceingrassproductionbetweenthetwoswardsoccursinthespringperiod,uptomid-May.Swardsthathavepoorgrassproductioninspringwillnotsupportearlyspringgrazing.Itisrecommendedthatpastureswithlessthan40percentperennialryegrassshouldbereseeded.
Figure 3. Grass production permonth (February to October) in a swardcontaining15%perennialryegrassand100%perennialryegrass.
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Figure 4 shows the grass production distribution of paddockgrowthacrossafarmwhichgrewanaverageof17.4tDM/halastyear.Thisfarmreseedsonaverage8%annually,butachieved10grazings from the platform.All of this farmhas been reseededsince2005.Thehighestproducingpaddockproduced19.7tDM/ha.Postgrazingswardheightonthisfarmaveraged4.1cmin2016–thisclearlyshowshighlevelsofutilisationcanbeachievedfromreseededswards.
Figure 4. Distribution of individual paddock growth across a farmproducinganaverageof17.4tDM/ha.
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Timing of reseeding MostreseedinginIrelandtakesplaceinautumn.Thismaymakesense from a feed budget perspective but it does have somenegative consequences. Soil conditions deteriorate as autumnprogresses–lowersoiltemperaturescanreduceseedgermination,andvariableweatherconditionsreducethechancesofgrazingthenewsward.Theopportunitytoapplyapost-emergencespray inautumnisalsoreducedasgroundconditionsareoftenunsuitableformachinery.Pestdamagecanalsobeaproblemintheautumn.
Springreseedingoffersfarmersgreaterflexibility.Swardsreseededinspringwillhavesimilar,orevengreater,totalherbageproductionintheyearofreseedingaswilloldpermanentpasture.Establishingwhitecloverinaspringreseedismorereliablethaninautumnduetothestabilityofsoiltemperaturesinlatespring.Postemergencespraying forweedcontrol isusuallyverysuccessfulwithspringreseedingduetofavourableweatherconditionsinsummer.
Whetherreseedinginspringorautumn,itgenerallytakesaswardaround11monthstofullyestablish,sogoodgrazingmanagementinthatearlygrowthphaseisveryimportant.
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Turnaround timeThe target turnaround time inwhich to get a reseed back intoproductionshouldbe60days.Generallyfarmersareslowtoreseedpasturesbecausetheyviewthatpaddocksareoutofproductionfor too long.The time that the sward is out of production canbeminimisedbycultivating7-10daysaftersprayingoff theoldgrass–amajorfailingatfarmlevelistowaittoolongaftersprayoff. Prevailing weather conditions will influence this decision,buttheobjectivemustbetominimisethenon-productiveperiodandweatherconditions inspringaregenerallymorestableandpredictablethaninautumn.
What is important about timing in Spring and Autumn?• Sprayofftheoldsward.Ifthereareperennialweedssuchas
docksandragwortpresentuseaglyphosatespray.
• Begincultivation7-10daysaftersprayoff
• Ensure a low level of thrash in the pre-cultivation sward,particularly for minimum cultivation techniques (grazetightortopormowtightly).Trashwillbeburiedifploughing.
• Targetashortturnaroundtime-<60days
• Useapostemergencesprayearly(5-6weekspostsowing/attheseedlingstageofweeds)
• Ensure a firm seed bed, irrespective of reseedingmethodused
• Roll to ensure seed to soil contact, even if rolling isn’tpossibleatsowing,rollbeforefirstgrazing–otherwiselooseplantswillgetpulledatgrazing
• Monitor for pest attack, especially in autumn (slugs,leatherjackets,fritflyandrabbitsarethemainthreats)
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Soil fertility - need soil index 3 for P and KReseedingcanimprovetheproductivityofasward;however,forittohavemaximumeffectsoilfertilitymustbecorrect.Gettingsoilfertilityrightiscrucialifperennialryegrassistoestablishwellandpersist after reseeding. Soil testing provides information on thesoilfertilitystatusofafieldorpaddock.Oncesoiltestresultsareavailable,appropriateapplicationsofP,Kandlimecanbemadetoensureadequatesoilfertilityforperennialryegrassgermination,establishmentandproduction.
Getting soil fertility right• SoiltestforP,Kandlimerequirements(pH)beforereseeding
• Soiltestintheautumnbeforeplannedreseeding
• Makesuretotesttoanadequatesoildepth–10cm
• ThetargetsoilpHis6.3formineralsoilsandpH5.5forpeatsoils
• Do not apply more than 7.5 t lime/ha (3 t/ac) in a singleapplication
• PandKmustbebroughtuptosoilIndex3
• Nisessentialforgoodgrassestablishmentandgrowth
• Apply40kgN/ha(30unitsN/ac)whenreseeding
• Afterploughingpermanentpastureforreseeding,paddocksshouldbesoiltestedagainthefollowingyeartoensurethatthefertilityofthesoilbroughttothesurfacebyploughingiscorrectforgrassgrowth.
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Phosphorus and potassium Phosphorus(P)isessentialforrootdevelopment.Itisimmobileinthesoil,andiftheyoungseedlingrootsaretogetadequateP,theremustbeanabundanceofthiselementdispersedinthesoil.Table1showsthePandKrequirementswhenreseedinggrasslandatthedifferentPandKindexlevels.Table 1.PandKratesrequiredforpastureestablishment
Soil P Index
Soil P range (Morgan’s mg/l)
P application rate (kg/ha)
1 0.0-3.0 60
2 3.1-5.0 40
3 5.1-8.0 30
4 >8.0 0
Soil K Index
Soil K ranges (mg/l) K application rate (kg/ha)
1 0-50 110
2 51-100 75
3 101-150 50
4 >150 30
An additional 15 kg P/ha is permitted in addition to normalallowancesforreseededgrasslandonindex1,2and3soils.TheseadviceratesmustbecheckedagainsttotalannualPallowancesforthefarmunderNitratesrules.
The value of slurry
Slurryisagoodoptiontomaintainsoilnutrientstatus.Withtheincreasedcostofcompounds(PandK)slurryshouldbeusedwhenreseedingtoreplacesomeofthePandKfertiliser.AtsoilIndex3,3-4,000gals/acreofslurryissufficienttosupplyrequiredPandKnutrients.
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DrainagePerennial ryegrass will struggle to persist in wet soil
Onheavysoilstherateofwaterinfiltrationissignificantlyreducedcomparedtofreedrainingsoils,resultinginasignificantreductionin grass production and utilisation. Land drainage can improvethewatermovementoffapaddockorfield.Landdrainagemustbe approached in a strategic and plannedmanner if it is to beofbenefit to theproductivityof the farm.Allother landon thefarmshouldbehighlyproductivebeforeattemptingtodrainandreclaimwetland.Soilfertilitymustbeaddressedbeforedrainageandreseeding.Whenundertakinglanddrainage,itisbesttoinvestinthoseareasthatwillgivethegreatestreturnintermsofgrassproductionandutilisation.• Cleanall fences,cuthedgesandcleanoutolddrainsbefore
reseeding
• Undertakedrainagebeforereseeding
• Propersiteandsoilassessmentmustbeundertaken
• Digtestpit(s)toidentifydrainageproblems
• Soilfertilitymustbecorrected
• Goodfarminfrastructureshouldbeinplace
• Select appropriate drainage system to address the problemspecifictothefield
• Shallow drainage system (e.g. mole drains) – use on veryimpermeablesoil
• Groundwaterdrainagesystem–usewherethereisapermeablelayerinthesoil(identifiedthroughatestpit)(Ref.MooreparkDairyLevy Research Update, Series 20 “Land Drainage - A Farmer’sPracticalGuidetoDrainingGrasslandinIreland”)
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Cultivation techniquesHowpaddocksareprepared for reseedingdependson soil type,amountofunderlyingstoneandmachine/contractoravailability.There are many different cultivation and sowing methodsavailable. All methods, when completed correctly, are equallyeffective.
Key points• Soiltest
• Sprayoffoldsward–acontactspraycanbeusedifthereareno perennialweeds; glyphosate should be used if perennialweedssuchasdocksandragwortarepresent.
• Grazeswardtightlyormowtominimisesurfacetrash
• Applylime
• Chooseacultivationmethodthatsuitsyourfarm
• Applyfertiliser
• Firmfineseedbedwithgoodseed/soilcontactisessential
• Rollaftersowing
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Cultivation techniques
Do’s Do not’s
Ploughing Shallowplough.Developafine,firmandlevelseedbed
Ploughtoodeep(>15cm).Cloddy,looseseedbed
Discing Grazetight.2-3passesinangleddirections.Applylime
Drivewithfastforwardspeed-rough,unevenseedbed
One-pass Grazetight,applylime.Slowforwardspeedatcultivation
Drivewithfastforwardspeed-rough,patchyseedbed
Directdrill Grazetight,applylimeandslugpellets.Waitformoistgroundconditions(slightcutinground)
‘Trashy’seedbed-noseed/soilcontact.Usewhengroundisdryandhard
Ploughing• Avoidploughingtoodeep(>15cm)asthiscanburythetop
layerofsoil(themostfertilesoil)
• Uselandlevelleruntilanevenseedbedisgenerated
• Aimtodevelopafine,firmandlevelseedbed
• If seedbed is cloddy and loose, grass seed (and especiallywhite clover seed) will be buried too deep and will notgerminate
• Plough/Spread Lime/Land Level/Spread Fertiliser/One pass with Seed/Roll
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Discing and One-pass • Aimfor2/3passesofthedischarrowinangleddirections
tobreakthesodandturnupenoughsoiltoformaseedbed
• Forwardspeedmustnotbeexcessiveasitcanleadtorough,unevenseedbeds
• Disc (2-3 passes)/Land Level/Spread Lime and Fertiliser/One pass with Seed/Roll
Useaheavydischarrowtodotheprimarycultivationfollowedbyafinalpasswithapowerharrowthatcanalsobefittedwithaseedboxtotillandsowwitha‘Onepass’.
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One-pass• Theslowertheforwardspeedofthemachinethebetterin
termsoffinish
• Often left rough and patchy due to operatorsmoving toofastacrossfields
• Spread Lime/One Pass (twice) with Seed (on second run)/ Spread Fertiliser Between One Pass Runs (if possible)/Roll
Useshallowsurfacecultivationwitharotarypowerharrowtoproducea seed bedwith seed sownusing an air seeder attached to the powerharrow.
Direct Drill• Difficultenvironmentforseedstoestablishinasthereisno
cultivationofthesoil
• Aslight‘cut’inthegroundwillallowmoreseed/soilcontact
• Resultscanbevariable
• Notsuitableondry,hardground
• Needtouseslugpellets
• Moresusceptibletoscutchgrassre-establishing
• Spread Lime + Fertiliser/Direct drill
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Effect of reseeding method on grass productionTheeffectofreseedingmethodhasbeeninvestigatedatMoorepark.Figure5showsthat,whencomparedonaproportionatebasistoploughingsetat1.0,thediscmethodwasequalintermsofgrassproduction,withtheone-passmethodslightlybehindat0.94andthedirectdrillmethodat0.87.
Figure 5. Comparisonofreseedingmethodsintermsofgrassproductionpotential.
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Variety choice
Key traits
Use the DAFM Recommended List/Pasture Profit Index 2017 toidentify suitable varieties.Varieties listed in the RecommendedListhavebeenevaluatedacrossyearsandsitesandaretheonlyevidenceavailableofthepotentialperformanceofgrassvarietiesinIreland.
The key traits in a seasonal grass based production system are:• Highseasonalproduction
• Highquality
• Goodpersistencyscore
When the decision to reseed is made, the nextmajor decisionis selecting themost appropriate grass variety or varieties.Thefirstthingtoconsider istheprimarytargetuseofthefield. Is itpredominantlygrazingorisitgenerallyusedasasilagepaddock?Howmuchtetraploidshouldbeused?Abalancebetweenquality,drymatterproductivityandswarddensityisgenerallywhatmustbeachieved.
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Differences between diploid and tetraploid varieties
Tetraploid varieties Diploid varieties
Talluprightgrowthhabit Prostrategrowthhabit
Createmore‘open’sward Createadenserswardwithless“open”spaces
Higherdigestibilityvalue Generallylowerdigestibilityandyield
Combiningdiploidsandtetraploidsinamixturewillcreateadense,high quality sward – ensure you select varieties which expresshighperformance in thekey traits. Increasing theproportionofdiploidsonheaviersoilsisrecommendedtocreatebettergroundcover.
Key points when formulating a grass mixture• Decide what the end use is – grazing or silage – formulate
basedonthis
• Focusonthekeytraitsincreasetheproportionofthevarietieswiththekeytraits
• Minimumof3kgofanindividualvariety
• Thereshouldbenomorethanthreetofourvarietiesinagrassmix
• Sow35kg/ha(14kg/ac)ofseed
• Lessthan7daysrangeinheadingdatebetweenvarieties
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Grazing specific mixtures• Varieties exhibiting high simulated grazing yields in
RecommendedLists
• Highseasonalgrowthtoextendgrazingseason
• Varietieswithhighdigestibilityvalues
• Use35-50percenttetraploidvarietiesinmixturesondrysoils
• Use15-20per centofhighlypersistent tetraploidsonheavysoils
• Medium leaf white clovers for dairy cows/cattle, small leafwhitecloversforsheep
Silage specific mixtures, e.g. 2-cut system• Varietieswhichexhibithighsilageyields(especiallyfirstcut)
inRecommendedLists
• 40%tetraploid(lessonheavysoils)
• Ensureproximityofheadingdates
• Avoidpoorlypersistenttetraploids
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Choosing the right white clover cultivar
Whiteclover isused ingrazedgrassland.Whiteclovercultivarsarecategorisedbyleafsize.
Small leaf white clover• Loweryielding
• Morepersistent
• Tolerantoftightgrazing,e.g.sheepgrazing
Medium leaf white clover• Intermediateforyieldandpersistency
• Suitableforcattlegrazing
Large leaf white clover• Higheryielding
• Aggressiveandcandominateasward
Smallleafwhitecloversarerecommendedforsheepgrazingandmediumleafwhitecloversfordairyorbeefcattlegrazing.
Ingeneraltoestablishaswardwith>25%whiteclover,whichisthelevelrequiredforananimalproductionbenefit,4-5kgwhitecloverseed/ha(1.5-2kg/ac)shouldbeincludedintheseedmix.
Alternatives to perennial ryegrassHybrid and Italian ryegrasses are an alternative to perennialryegrass but are more suited to silage systems. Both are lesspersistentandhavelowermid-seasondigestibilitythanperennialryegrass, but have a higher annual yield. Hybrid and Italianryegrasses have a shorter lifespan than perennial ryegrass,generally2to4years.
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Management of reseeded swards
Ittakesabout11monthsforanewswardtoestablish;thereforethemanagementofthereseedinthisperiodisimportant.
Management of New Reseeds
Do’s Do not’s
First8weeks
Sprayweedsbeforegrazing
Grazewhengrassisat2leafstage
NitrogenandP&K
Slugpellets(ifrequired)
Grazeathighcover(>1200kgDM/ha)
Donotharvestforsilage
Secondgrazingonwards
Grazeat1,000-1,400kgDM/ha(6-7cm)
Re-sprayweedsifnecessary
Allowhighcoverstodevelop
Grazeinreallydryorwetconditions
Autumn Keepgrazingat1,200-1,400kgDM/ha
Grazeoffwellbeforefirstwinter(<4cm)
Lightslurryapplication
Overgrazeorpoach
Applyexcessiveslurry
Secondyear
Ensurethenewswardreceivesadequatenitrogen
MonitorsoilPandKstatus
Overgrazeorpoach
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Graze the new reseed as soon as the plants do not pull out of the ground, approximately 700 – 1000 kg DM/ha. It is especiallyimportantthatautumnreseedsaregrazedbeforethefirstwinter.
Thefirstgrazingdoesnothavetobecompletedbythemaingrazingherd,calvesoryoungstockmaybeabetteroption,particularlyduringpoorgrazingconditions.
All the benefits of reseeding can be lost after sowing due to:• Poorsoilfertility-poorestablishmentandtillering
• Grazingathighgrasscoversorcuttingforsilage–tiller/plantdeath
• Weedinfestation(especiallydocks)–lossofgroundcover
• Pestattack(fritfly,leatherjacketsandslugs)–tiller/plantdeath
• Poaching–don’tdamagenewreseeds
Tillering• Tillering is the production of new grass plants by themain
grassplantestablishedfromtheseed
• Theprocessof grass tillering is critical for successful swardestablishment
• Tilleringhelpsreducethespaceavailableforweeds
• Toencouragetillering:
• Apply40kgN/ha3-4weeksaftersowing
• Grazethereseedwhenitisabout6-7cmhigh
• Continuetograzethereseedinthefirstyearofproduction
• Avoidcuttingthenewreseedforsilageinthefirstyear(ifpossible)
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Weed control• Weedsinnewreseedsarebestcontrolledwhenthegrassis
atthe2-3leafstage
• Docks and chickweed are the twomost critical weeds tocontrolinreseeds
• Highpopulationsofotherweedssuchasfathen,charlock,redshank, mayweed can cause problems (see HerbicideGuide)
• Itisessentialtocontroldocksandchickweedattheseedlingstageandthisisachievedbyapplyingaherbicidebeforethefirstgrazing
• To achieve the best lifetime control of docks in a sward,eradicatingthedockatseedlingstageinareseedisthebestopportunity
• Herbicide choice for dock control will depend on thepresenceofwhitecloverinthereseed
• Chickweed can be a problem particularly where regulargrazingisnotexpectedtotakeplace(silagefields),thereforeherbicidechoiceisimportant
• You should consult your local adviser or merchantrepresentativeforcorrectherbicidechoice
• Remembertokeeptheprescribedcross-compliancerecordsandfollowtheinstructionsontheproductlabel
• PesticideusersmustcomplywiththeregulationsasoutlinedintheSustainableUseDirective(SUD).
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Herbicides in New LeysHerbicide Guide
Weed Problem
Trade Name
Clover Safe
Pack Size
Rate/Ha
Comment
Docksandmostotherlessimportantweeds
Underclearetc.
YES 10L 7L/ha Controlsmoderatelevelsofdocks,thistles,chickweed,etc.andmostannualweeds.
LegumexDBUndersown
DBPlus
CloverMAXetc.
YES 5L 7L/ha Similarweedscontrolledasabovebutweakeronchickweedandcertainannualweeds.
DocksandChickweed
LegumexDB
+
Triad
YES 5L
5tabs
5.0L/ha
+
10g/ha
SimilarweedscontrolledasUnderclearetc.
AddTriadtothetankfirstandthenLegumexDB.
BinderHurler,Reaper,HighloadMircametc.
NO 1L 0.75L Usewheredocksandchickweedareinhighnumbers
Applyfrom3leafgrassstage
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Seedling Broad-leaved Dock
Photoofseedlingdocktakenfiveweeksafterreseeding
Seedling Chickweed
Phototakenfiveweeksafterreseeding
Pest AttackThe three most significant pests of reseeds are:• Fritfly
• Leatherjackets
• Slugs
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Frit Fly
FritFlyismostprevalentinautumnafteradrysummer,andinreseededswardswithhighlevelsofdebris(minimumcultivation).• Themaggots(larvae)boreoutthecentreshoot
• Thecentreshootwillturnyellowandtheplantdies
• Newgrasssownaftergrassorgrassycerealgroundismostatrisk
• Reseedingcarriedoutbydirectdrillingisalsoatrisk
Control involves:• Leavinggroundunsown for 6+weeksafterploughing (nota
verypracticaloption)
• Sprayinga suitable insecticide (Decis forexample) if 10%ormoreofshootsofplantsaredamaged*
*Walkdiagonallyacrossthefieldandtug100centralshootsofnewplants.If10%ofshootspullawayeasilyapplyaninsecticide.Youmayneedtoconsultyourlocaladviserormerchantrepresentative.
Leatherjacket
Leatherjacketismostactiveinwetter/heaviersoils.Leatherjacketdamageischaracterisedbydeadplantsonthesoilsurface.Ensureto roll the reseeded field is very important, firm seedbed willreducetheimpactsofleatherjackets.Uptothetimeoftilleringisthehighestrisktime,sotryandensuretheswardmovestothisstageasfastaspossible.
Slug
Slugattackismostprevalentduringwetweatherorwherefieldstend tobedamp,suchasheadlandareas.Havinghigh levelsoftrashintheseedbedwillalsoincreasethelikelihoodofslugattack.Themostcommonevidenceofslugattackisshreddedleaves.Slugattackismoreprevalentwherereseedingiscarriedoutbydirectdrilling.Thismethod creates slits in the groundwhichact as aprotectiveshelterforslugs.Thelikelihoodofdamagetothenewgrassplantscanbegreatlyreducedbyensuringafirmseedbedbyrolling.Mostofthemajorslugspeciescannotburrowintothesoil.Slugpelletscanbeappliedtocontroltheproblem.Usuallyapplying
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slugpelletstothemarginsoffields/paddocksisadequate.Higherseedingratesshouldbeconsideredwherereseedingiscarriedoutbydirectdrillingtocounteractslugattack.
Reseeding investment Reseedingisoneofthemostcosteffectiveinvestmentsthatcanbemadeonagrasslandfarm.
Projected costs
Actual costs
€/acre (/ha)
Spraying
Glyphosate(Round-up(2litre/acre)
10(25)
16(40)
Ploughing(€30)/Till&sowing(onepass)(€40)
70(173)
Fertiliser(2.5bags×10:10:20)
Fertiliserspreading
54(134)
10(25)
Levelling 10(25)
Rolling 10(25)
Lime+Spreading(2t/ac) 24(60)
Grassseed 70(173)
Postemergenceherdicidesprays
LegumexDB-(2.8litre/ac-€18)
18(45)
Spraying 10(25)
Total Costs 302 (750)
*Both fertiliser and Lime are common grassland costs
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Reseeding – what to watch for1. Patchy establishments
Oversowwithextraseedordirectdrillnewseeds
2. Mild damp autumns
Monitorreseedscloselyforleatherjacketandsluginfestations
3. Rolling
Make sure the reseed is rolled – evenpost emergence, unrolledreseeds loosemoisture fast and plants can be pulled upwhengrazed
4. Weed Infestation
Post emergence weed control is either forgotten or weatherconditionsarenotsuitable(particularlyinautumn)forsprayingandlargepopulationsofweedscanbecomeestablished.Chickweedinparticularcanbeaproblemasitwillsmothernewgrass.
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239
2516
15-5
91Cl
anrye
DJune6
2139
15-10
110
76Majes
ticD
June2
2230
37-16
-80
65Glenv
eagh
DJune2
832
20-12
30
51Stefan
iD
June2
425
21-3
30
50Picc
adilly
DJune3
1029
16-24
150
46Ty
rella
DJune4
2417
142
-7-28
23
Gu
ide
to r
ead
ing
the
tab
le:
Var
iety
det
ails
:Variety,P
loidy(T=tetraploid;D
=diploid),Hea
dingdate
PPI
det
ails
(Tot
al €
/ha
per
yea
r): indicates
relativeprofitabilitydifference
when
com
pared
toth
ebas
eva
lues.
PPI
sub
-in
dic
es:S
easo
nalD
Myield(sp
ring,summerandautu
mn),Quality(A
pril,May,Junean
dJu
ly),Silage
(1
stand2
ndcut),Pe
rsistency.Pe
rsistency
ismod
elledove
r12
yea
rsw
hichisinlinewithindustryp
ractice
(Creightonetal.,20
12)
Thisindicates
theec
onom
icm
erito
fea
chvarietyw
ithineac
htrait,su
mmed
tog
etherthisp
rovides
the
overallP
PIvalue.W
hen
usingth
eindex
eva
luateva
rietiesac
rosstheresu
bin
dex
values
andchoo
sethemos
tap
propriateforth
eintended
enterp
rise.
Queriesrega
rdingth
eDAFM
Rec
ommen
dedList/Pas
tureProfit
Inde
xca
nbedirected
toniall.rya
n@ag
ricu
lture.gov.ie
Page 34
Notes and information
AlldatausedinthecompilationofthisIndexhasbeengeneratedfrom data within the Simulated Grazing (frequent cutting)protocol and silage yielddata fromgeneral purposeprotocol inthe Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM)Recommended List Trials. Only varieties that have completeda minimum of four harvest years (two sowings), in the DAFMSimulatedGrazingProtocolhaveaPPIvalueassignedtothem.
Page 36