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Reseeding
should be given a strong consideration if the following
occurs,
(A) Low rye grass content.
(B) High content of weed grasses e.g bent or scutch
grass.
(C) High content of broad-leaved weeds e.g docks,
thistles, chickweed, buttercups….etc.
(D)Bare patches throughout the sward.
(E) Lack of thrive, liveweight gain or milk yield.
(F) Poor regrowth following grazing or cutting.
(G)Reduced silage DMD values.
(H)Swards cut twice annually for silage, should be
reseeded every 7 to 8 years.
(I) For grazed swards the arguments for reseeding lie in
the areas of an extended grazing season improved
regrowth and the continued improvement in yield and
quality achieved by the breeding of new ryegrass
varieties.
TIMING
Swards are usually reseeded during the grazing season
between April and October, provided weather conditions
are conducive to good emergence and establishment. For
good establishment, temperatures between 10-12oC and
good moisture availability are required to establish
clover.
The best time is between May and mid-August as clover
needs high temperatures since it is a mediterrean plant
Methods Of Reseeding
(1) Plough Till & Sow : This has been the conventional
way of reseeding. When ploughing, plough to bury trash
and avoid ploughing too deep in order to avoid the
fertile top layer of soil being buried. Although
expensive, this method provides a good seedbed. Sowing
with the one pass is also common and avoids bringing up
unwanted stones.
(2) Minimum Cultivation : This involves the cultivation
of a shallow seedbed through the use of a power-harrow,
rotavator or similar type of machine. For good results
it is important to have low levels of trash and a
compact seedbed through rolling.
(3) Direct seeding: This involves the use of a direct
drilling machine which may use a tine or disc to cut a
slit in the soil onto which the seed is dropped. To help
this process the existing sward should be cut as bare as
possible to give the new seeds a chance to germinate and
establish.
(4) Slurry Seeding: Conditions should be the same as
direct drilling ie a bare sward. Generally grass seeds
should be covered with 2000-3000 gallons of slurry per
acre.
(5) More Grass: Coated seeds with a nutrient mass that
exactly meets germination requirements. The seed is
protected with necessary nutrients which are released
when the seed has absorbed a sufficient amount of
moisture. These are spread on a bare sward and
fertiliser is not spread so that the new seedlings can
establish without competition from the old sward.
Sward Destruction
When reseeding, this is the first step to take. Spraying
with glyphosphate before ploughing or minimum
cultivation is very important to remove weeds such as
scutch, bent grass, docks, thistles…etc. When spraying
glyphosphate (eg Roundup, Roundup Biactive, Gallup,
Pride…etc)
(A) Good growing conditions are essential (temperatures
above 6oC)
(B) Good sward cover.
(C) Adequate period between spraying and ploughing (7-10
days) and more if temperatures are low. Minimum
cultivation (14-21 day interval)
(D) Use the recommended rate
Soil testing
Soil testing is strongly recommended to anaylise for NPK
and lime. If lime is required it should be worked into
the top 10-15 cm of the soil.
In minimum cultivation the decaying vegetation causes
acidity in the top 6-8 cm and liming is strongly
recommended. Standard sowing of grass seed requires a
basic dressing of 3-4 bags per acre of
10:10:20.
Seed Bed Preparation
The seedbed preparation should result in a fine, firm
and level seedbed. This will give the seed good contact
with the soil and moisture conserved in the soil.
Rolling after sowing is strongly advocated to help
firmness and conserve moisture.
Post Sowing Management
Reseeded swards are vulnerable to pests and weeds
Pest Control:
(1) Slugs: Can be a problem in wet land or wet weather.
If damage is visible use slug pellets such as draza,
genesis…etc.
(2) Leather Jackets: Spring sown swards can be
susceptible and seedlings are severed at ground level.
Chemical control such as Chlorpyrifos (Dursban, Clinch)
is needed.
(3) Fertility: Eggs laid by the adult fly on the soil
surface and the white larvae which emerges burrow into
the grass shoot. The growing point is killed and the
seedling turns yellow.
When
pulled between your fingers the main shoot will come
away easily from the plant. Chemical control is by
Dursban Clinch or Decis.
Weed Control
Weed
Control should be routine rather than spraying if there
is a problem. Important to spray early seedling stage
when the weeds are at 2-3 leaf stage.
Excessive competition from weeds will result in patchy
swards. Problem weeds such as chickweed, docks and
thistles need to be controlled. Products commonly used
are Legumex, Nuitex, Underclear, and Doxstar.
Grass Seed Mixtures
Quinns
supply the green lea mixtures which are proven, tried
and trusted over the years. They are excellent
performers and contain the latest varieties. Also Quinns
supply the “McGill”, range of grass seeds, “Eureka”
high sugar grasses and “More Grass” coated grass seed
and speacialised overseeding mixtures.
For
professional advice on reseeding don’t hesitate to
contact Quinns or the Quinn sales representative in your
area.
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