Time to Reseed?

Research has shown that new varieties of grass can increase yield by 33% over a 5 year ley, with DM yields increased up to 10% for each of the next 4 leys. Sward performance is often reduced by poaching, or after a hard winter, allowing native grass and weed species to move in. These grasses and weeds are inefficient at converting nitrogen and nutrients into vegetative growth, resulting in lower yields and poor digestibility.

The decision to reseed should be based on assessment of individual fields to determine if:

• Sward productivity has fallen significantly
• The level of sown species has fallen below 60%
• There’s a high proportion of native grass & weeds present
• There is evidence of soil compaction

If any of the above conditions are prevalent in any of your fields, the decision to reseed should be triggered. Key to establishing grass swards is to ensure the new seeding gets off to the best possible start. A recent soil test is critical to making management decisions, ensuring nutrients in the soil are readily available to the establishing crop. If seedlings struggle to access nutrients, reseed failure is possible.

pH is vitally important to nutrient availability, with 20% of applied nutrients locked into the soil, unavailable to the crop at pH 6.0, and increasing at lower pH. These conditions reduce plant counts of a newly establishing crop, as low energy and tiny root hairs, can’t access enough nutrient to get established.

If your soil test in the intended reseed field is below 6.3, lime must be applied as part of your reseed program.

Applying G-Lime, a high quality, highly reactive, calcium based lime is key component to ensure a successful reseed. G-Lime is the fastest acting, most reactive agricultural lime on the market. Unlike ground limestones, which are likely to contain large and ineffective chips, every pellet of G-Lime is 100% effective at raising soil pH. G-Lime raises and maintains your soil at the required pH and releases lost nutrients, ensuring your newly sown sward can access locked nutrients and gets off to the best possible start.

Every pellet of G-Lime is made up of highly-reactive calcium carbonate. The particles making up each pellet are microscopic, with the pellet breaking down on the soil surface immediately with as little as 1” of rain. G-Lime reacts fully to raise soil pH within 6 weeks of application, meaning your new grass seeding will have access to vital nutrients and get off to the best possible start.

G-Lime is available in 600kg, top-lift bags from agricultural merchants and co-ops across Ireland.

Contact us on 021 466 6400, via our website HERE or email kevin.havekes@kilwaughter.com to find your nearest stockist.