It is recommended to reseed 10-15% of your farm every year. With stocking rates rising over the past number of years, many farmers will struggle to take out that percentage of their farm for reseeding. As a result, farms will become less productive in terms of grass output and quality and as a result become less efficient.

Steps for successful reseeding

• Soil sample ground intended for reseeding
• Spray off the old sward. If there are perennial weeds such as docks and ragwort present use a glyphosate spray.
• Begin cultivation 7-10 days after spray off
• Apply suitable fertiliser at planting e.g. 3 bags 10-10-20/acre
• Ensure a low level of thrash in the pre-cultivation sward, particularly for minimum cultivation techniques (graze tight or top or mow tightly).
• Use a post emergence spray early (5-6 weeks post sowing/at the seedling stage of weeds)
• Ensure a firm seed bed, irrespective of reseeding method used
• Roll to ensure seed to soil contact, even if rolling isn’t possible at sowing, roll before first grazing – otherwise loose plants will get pulled at grazing
• Monitor for pest attack, especially in autumn (slugs, leatherjackets, frit fly and rabbits are the main threats)

Benefits of reseeding

• 24 Month payback - Reseeding will cost approximately €250/acre.  However, reseeding can repay you for itself within 18 months to two years
• More milk - High PRG swards allow 8% higher milk output per hectare compared to old permanent pasture
• More grass - Recent research has shown that your old permanent pasture typically produces 3 tonne/ha less than 100% PRG
• Improved fertiliser response - Old permanent pasture is inefficient i.e. you are losing 25% of the response to your Nitrogen fertiliser applications