Farm Consultant William Watterson is quick to point out that an effective grassland re-seeding policy is at the heart of quality forage production.
William Watterson right assessing a sward that was established last year
Over a period of time issues such as poor drainage, soil compaction, poaching, reduced soil fertility, weed infestations and the ageing of swards will combine to significantly reduce the potential of fields to produce heavy crops of top quality grass.
“A commitment to quality forage production is the core driver behind every profitable livestock farming enterprise in Northern Ireland,” William added.
“Grass is the crop that we can grow best. The challenge is one of ensuring that swards are fit for purpose and, as a consequence, have the wherewithal to convert this potential into fruitful reality.
“And, in practical terms, this means that farmers must commit to a proactive re-seeding policy.”
According to William the all-important starting point to any re-seeding project is an assessment of the soil structure in the fields to be targeted.
“Issues pertaining to field drainage, poaching and or soil compaction must be sorted out before any attempt is made to re-seed the sward,” he explained.
“A simple test hole to check soil profile and how far the grass roots are penetrating and evidence of the presence of earth worms tells a lot. A nice crumbly soil structure is what’s required with no panning or evidence of pan lines, and a healthy root structure in a field that has no drainage problems.”
William continued: “Next on the agenda is an assessment of soil fertility. A soil test will provide accurate insights into potash, phosphorus, sulphur and pH levels. It could turn out that a poor yielding sward may just need a more balanced fertiliser plan. This will need to be addressed should a new re-seed be undertaken, so it is well spent money and could save significant investment in the coming years.
“Over time the balance of grass varieties within a sward will change with less productive types encroaching. This process will reduce the productive capacity of every sward. Moreover, the work ongoing at centres of research excellence at AFBI Loughgall is leading to the development of new grass varieties, which can significantly outperform their predecessors.
“For example, I know from my own work that a cow eating old grass could have the potential to produce nine litres from plus maintenance. However for the same effort a cow grazing a new perennial ryegrass sward would have the energy available to produce maintenance plus 14 litres.”
William went on to point out that, as an agricultural consultant, he has put a lot of emphasis on grass quality.
“It is the building block for all the work I do with my clients,” he stressed.
“Four years ago I was unhappy with the grass seed mixes available in the commercial market place and was asked to establish grass mixtures that would deliver long term value to my clients. Drummonds now supply me with a range of the latest seed varieties, which they can source from every seed house in Europe. In essence I have now developed three main seed mixtures which are now available from myself and a number of distributorslocated throughout Northern Ireland.”
The silage mixture available from William is Ulster Megabite. It is a 40% tetraploid and 60% diploid mixture with no clover and features the varieties Dunluce and Navan, which were both bred at AFBI Loughgall. The high fermentable energy grazing mixture is Ulster Sweetbite. Again it is 40% tetraploid and 60% diploid mixture while the cut and graze mixture, Ulster Goldbite, has been designed for easy sward management and long term establishment.
William concluded: “Farmers wishing to do multiple cuts of three or four cuts should look at straight hybred mixtures and stitch or reseed after four or five seasons.
“These mixtures are working really well at farm level. We are entering into our fifth season and the response from farmer customers has been extremely positive.”
(Source – Farming Life – 29/07/2014)