DairyCo

Getting the most from soils and nutrients

Published 17 May 11

Deciding when to reseed should be based on figures for sward quality rather than a date in the diary, according to DairyCo extension officer Chris Duller. A plate meter to record dry matter yield, measuring the percentage of ryegrass cover or counting a drop performance in terms of silage trailers will be more effective, he says.

"Look under your feet and carry out regular assessments. Farms which plate meter can identify their top and bottom performing paddocks based in kg DM/ha. On good farms, yields of 13tDM/year are possible from young leys, but we find this drops to 7-8tDM/year after 5-6 years," he explains.

While good management can make a long-term ley last 8-10 years, with poor management performance drifts away after 5-6 years. "We are looking at 5% decline per year when grassland is looked after. This grass is then costing more as it has the same overheads," he adds.

Mr Duller points out that as quality drops off over time, the weed burden increases: "And the energy in a livestock diet provided by grass ends up being replaced by purchased feed, costing around £500/ha/year in lost energy."

• Choosing the best reseeding method - Kingshay consultant, Dr Martin Yeates
• The right species and varieties for you - independent grassland consultant, GrassMaster Charlie Morgan
• Download the Recommended List of Grass and Clover 2011.

• Soil structure - what do you look for? DairyCo's five minute video guide.