We need to reseed to meet beef and diary targets
On average, only about 2.5% of potentially good grassland is reseeded annually.
Four times this level (10%) should be reseeded to bring our national grass production up to what is required for reaching the 2020 targets for dairy and beef production.
Most farmers realise the value of reseeding, but the amount of ground reseeded any year largely depends on the weather and the economic situation on farms. Reseeding was back by about 50% last year, while it was normal in 2011, and up 40% in 2010, after two years of bad weather.
The only real opportunity in 2013 was in late May or June, and some very successful reseeding was carried out in that period. If the weather comes anyway normal this autumn, there should be a big surge in reseeding to make up for the deficit in the last few years. According to Dave Barry of Goldcrop, there is a good supply of top grass varieties available this year. Seed prices are high, at €70-75/acre, but slightly lower than in the last few years. Teagasc surveys indicate that many Irish pastures are producing 50% less than their potential.
Based on recent research by Moorepark researcher, Michael O’Donovan, there is huge variation in grass dry matter production on farms. He says that there is up to 50% difference between farms, and 60% within farms, and the key factor is the level of perennial ryegrass within pastures. Of course, poor soil fertility, soil type, and poor management, will also significantly reduce grass production, as well as utilisation.
Over 50% of soil samples are deficient in P, K and lime.
Not only will pastures with low ryegrass content produce poorly, they will also be 25% less responsive to nutrients. Low lime status also reduces the response to fertilisers. The majority of the differences in production between pastures are in the early part of the year, up to May.
With pressure on farmers to increase production and efficiency, and the high price of fertilisers and other rising costs, reseeding pastures with a low level of perennial ryegrass has become more important than ever.
Excluding the costs of fertiliser and lime (common to old and new pastures), the extra cost associated with reseeding varies from €200 to €250 per acre. Some surface seeding of clean, damaged pastures can be carried out for less than €100 per acre.
The extra grass output from reseeding should be up to 1.5 tonnes of dry matter (7.5 tonnes of grass) per acre, per year — which is worth at least €250 per tonne.
In addition, the reseeded pasture is much higher quality, and grows earlier in the year. Assuming that you maintain the reseeded pasture in a highly productive state for eight to 10 years, reseeding is the best investment a farmer can make.
If, on the other hand, you allow reseeds to revert back to poor weedy pastures in a few years, reseeding is not worthwhile. Neither is it worthwhile if the fertility of the soil is not correct. Therefore the job should be done right, with proper follow-up, or not done at all.
In order to justify the cost of reseeding, many different factors should be considered. The botanical composition of the existing swards, and the management of the grassland after reseeding, should be the main influencing factors.
The demand for extra feed on your farm is another factor to be considered. Unfortunately, some farmers cannot afford to reseed, but neither can they afford not to reseed.
