Grazing or Cutting?
What to look out for in Irish Grass Seed Mixtures this year
If you reseed just because you feel ‘you need to reseed’ or buy a grass mixture because that’s what the neighbours use, then you may get a poor return for your investment. Identify the field or paddock to reseed based on how much grass it typically grows or the level of weeds in the sward. Consider how you manage this piece of land and choose the appropriate grass mixture to best do the job you want it for.
Grass seed is the cheapest part of reseeding but choosing the wrong seed can turn out expensive!
We look at some of the key requirements of grass mixtures and varieties to use in grazing and cutting systems. The traits highlighted are all rated and ranked on the Pasture Profit Index (PPI).
Grass Traits for Grazing
1.Utilisation: The number one trait to look for in a grazing mixture is its utilisation score. The best grazing mixtures contain a high level of tetraploid varieties with the best utilisation. Mixtures with this trait are easier for cows to graze, leave lower grazing residuals and have higher intakes of top quality grass. Make sure the grazing mixture you buy has as many 5 star utilisation varieties as possible!
2.Spring and Autumn Growth: Having mixtures with strong spring growth will allow early turnout while autumn production will extend the grazing season in the backend. Spring growth is especially important in spring calving or lambing systems where a plentiful supply of high quality, low-cost forage is critical to farm profitability.
3.Quality: Grass quality drives production and higher quality grass tends to be more palatable to grazing livestock. Grass utilisation and grass quality are closing linked and the more high quality grass we can utilise the more profitable our systems will be.
Grass Traits for Silage
1.Total Dry Mater Yield: When making silage the first requirement is to make enough to get through a winter that could last up to 6 months depending on location and weather. Increasingly, silage is required to fill forage deficits caused by summer drought which places further importance on mixtures producing big enough crops. The silage figure on the PPI is a combined value for first and second cut yield and is a good indicator of how a variety will perform in this kind of system.
2.Heading Date Spread: Typically, silage mixtures will contain both Intermediate and Late heading grass varieties. Intermediate varieties will help boost the yield of first-cuts taken in mid- to late May while Lates will maintain quality in these crops. If you know first cut harvest will not take place until at least June 1st then it may be a good idea to choose a mix with only Late heading varieties as Intermediates may reduce quality in this scenario.
3.Quality: As with grazing, choosing varieties and mixtures with string quality scores will increase silage quality and improve animal performance. The key to silage making is striking the balance between yield and quality.
Get In Touch With DLF Ireland
If you need help selecting the best grass mixtures for your system then contact on of our grass experts today! Get in Touch Today!
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Intermediate Or Late? What Grass Heading Date is Best For Irish Farmers?
