Targeting an early year reseed in Carlow

Shane Cranny operates a calf-to-beef system in Myshall, Co. Carlow. After correcting soil fertility and improving grazing infrastructure, Shane began the journey of reseeding in 2021 when 12 acres were reseeded. Sean Cummins, Teagasc GreenAcres Advisor details Shane's approach to reseeding since.
Despite higher input costs this year, Shane will continue to reseed a proportion of his farm to not only improve the overall tonnage grown, but to boost production during the shoulders of the year, which will be achieved through the introduction of perennial ryegrass varieties.
Shane waited until the first-cut silage harvest had been completed before reseeding last year; this year, the approach is slightly different.
Reseeding plan for 2022
Commenting on this year’s reseeding plan, Shane said: “Although it is going to be more expensive to reseed this year, the performance achieved from last year’s reseeded paddocks make it a simple decision. I still think it’s definitely worth reseeding this year.
I’ve changed the approach slightly. Last year I waited until after the first cut silage ground was taken to ease the pressure by increasing the overall grazing area. This year, I’ve two of the lowest-performing paddocks sprayed off and plan on reseeding them in the next week or two.
Reseeding these paddocks now falls just about the right time in terms of grass growth, as we are after moving into a position of surplus grass for the first time this year.
The farm grew 78kg DM/ha/day this week, while my demand is 40kg/ha/day. By taking these paddocks out now for reseeding, I’ll be in a position where I’ll be able to maintain grass in front of stock.
“The earlier reseed is also beneficial in terms of the establishment of clover. With the way fertiliser input prices are looking, I think it will be beneficial to have swards capable of growing sufficient volumes of grass with very little artificial nitrogen input going forward not only from a financial perspective but also on the environmental front.”
Establishing the new sward
After being sprayed off with glyphosate and given a sufficient period of time for the old sward to die, Shane will then use a plough-till-sow method of establishment.
Both a plough-till-sow and minimum cultivation methods were used in last year’s reseeding programme, but as the paddocks targeted for reseeding this year are quite uneven, a shallow plough based method has been opted for this year to create a fine and firm seedbed and to give the grass and clover seedlings the best possible start.
A seed mixture, containing high-performing perennial ryegrasses – ranked on the Pasture Profit Index – and white clover, will be sown at a rate of 25-28kg/ha of grass seed and 3.5-5kg/ha of clover seed.
At sowing, lime will be applied to neutralise any acids from the decay of the previous grass sward, while three bags of 10:10:20 will be applied to encourage root development and seedling growth. After this, rolling will be completed to ensure adequate soil to seed contact and to prevent any potential impact of leather jackets.
Commenting on managing the reseeded Shane said: “Approximately six weeks after sowing, a post-emergence spray will be applied to control any grassland weeks. This generally occurs when the seedling docks are the size of a 50 cent coin. About the same time, 20units/ac of nitrogen will also be applied. After this, I’ll be planning on grazing the sward with calves to encourage tillering of the grass plants and to create a denser sward".
“For the remainder of the year, the sward will be grazed at covers <1,000kg DM/ha to encourage the establishment of clover. Hopefully, all going to plan, the first grazing will occur about seven weeks after sowing. A careful eye will be kept on these paddocks for the remainder of the year and they will only be grazed once ground conditions are right to protect the new sward from any damage,” Shane concluded.
On Shane Cranny's farm 100 autumn Friesian calves are purchased and carried to beef at 24 months of age. Read more from Teagasc on Reseeding
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