IT is important to consider a range of factors when selecting your grass mixtures for this autumn’s reseeding. Making the right choices when reseeding is a significant step towards producing more feed on the farm, which in turn helps keep costs of production down.

The main use for the sward

Decide whether your new ley is to be used mainly for grazing or cutting, or does your system require a dual purpose approach with cutting followed by aftermath grazing.

Different varieties have characteristics more suited to grazing or cutting, and there are issues such as heading dates to consider also. Diploid perennial ryegrasses, for example, tend to be better for grazing due to their prostrate growth habit, whereas tetraploids present a more open and less persistent sward that is better to cutting.

The desired productive life

Are you looking for a short fast-growing silage crop or a long term grazing pasture that will remain productive for six or seven years? Again, different grass types and varieties are suited to different applications, with Italian ryegrass for example suited to one or two year duration in contrast with longer-lasting perennial ryegrass.

Extended seasonal production Extending the grazing season can be worth an estimated £60-£75/day in reduced concentrate feed costs alone for a 150-cow dairy herd, and that’s before the costs of conserved forage and housing are taken into consideration. Similar arguments will apply for beef and sheep systems.

From a grazing perspective, success requires the availability of quality grass and effective utilisation. Progress in grass breeding now means that some of very best perennial ryegrass varieties on the Recommended Lists excel in early spring and autumn production.

Consider drought tolerance

If your location has a history of drought conditions, it is worth looking at options that will help maintain productivity of the sward when under moisture deficit.

White clover, which may be included routinely in grazing swards for nutritional value and nitrogen fixing, will certainly help performance in dry conditions.

Consult the Recommended Lists Livestock farmers in the UK have the major advantage of the Recommended List for grass and clover varieties. However, the difference between top performing varieties and the average on the lists is still significant and will make a big difference to performance in the field and the impact on your livestock.

For specific advice, call your local Mole Agriculture representative or Grass Seed Manager Mark Hodgson on 01325 504643.