Picture 1

The before image – three fields consisting of 12ac in total were recently reseeded on a Mayo farm. This outfarm had been grazed with drystock over the past few years at a relatively low stocking rate.

On the basis of soil sample results taken in 2018, the farmer decided to initially work on correcting the pH, as well as working on P and K indexes for two years prior to reseeding.

Lime was spread in 2018 at a rate of 2t/ac and compound fertiliser was used throughout the grazing season, as well as slurry applications in spring of 2019 and 2020.

In mid-April, a week after a tight grazing with cattle, the ground was sprayed off with glyphosate and mowed 10 days later. The rushes were then rowed, baled and removed from the field.

Picture 2

Picture 2.

It was decided to use a power harrow instead of a full plough reseed, as ground had not been ploughed in many years and the farmer did not want to bury the fertility he had been building up over the past two years. This is a heavy soil, so direct drilling also meant less soil disturbance and offered a better stock-carrying ability compared to a full plough reseed in the first year of grazing.

After one run of the power harrow lime was spread at a rate of 2t/ac. This was followed by a second run of the power harrow to work the lime into the seedbed. Seeding was delayed for about 10 days, due to the prolonged dry spell in May.

On 15 May, the grass seed was broadcast at a rate of 13kg/ac. Three bags of 10-10-20 were also applied. Finally, the ground was rolled to ensure a good soil-to-seed contact.

Picture 3

Picture 3.

A little over three weeks later, a post-emergence spray was applied once weeds were established and dock leaves were about the size of your thumb. The grass seed mix chosen did not contain any clover, as the farmer expected a heavy weed burden, given that the ground had not been tilled in so long.

This meant that a non-clover safe spray could be used. Instead, the farmer decided to broadcast clover a few days before the second grazing, so that stock would push the seed into the soil and establish in the weeks ahead.

Picture 4

Picture 4.

Once the moisture arrived, the reseed really kicked into action from early July on.

It is currently being grazed by replacement dairy heifer calves, who will rotate around the 12ac block, which is being divided into three day paddocks with a temporary electric fence.

Calves will remain on the block until September. After this, the ground will be grazed by ewes for flushing and breeding.

Picture 5

Picture 5.

The plan for the rest of the year is to continue to graze at relatively light covers throughout autumn. To help the clover to establish and avoid shading, it will be important not to carry heavy covers on this ground over the winter months.

The farmer plans to spread a bag/ac of 18-6-12 in late July, followed by a half bag of 0-7-30 in mid-August and early-September, to aid root development of the sward this autumn. The complete cost of the work carried out is summarised in Table 1.

While the farmer carried out the majority of the work himself, full prices are included for cost comparison purposes.