Plant & Soil Solutions

One of several projects we have been involved in, is a reseeding programme in the North East during the summer.  The field had very old grass sward and due to poor management in the past, there was quite a lot of “thatch” present in the base of the sward.  The decision was taken, in order to allow the breakdown of the old sward, a forage crop for grazing with sheep would be sowed first ahead of the reseeding.

After performing a soil test, it was identified that the pH and Calcium levels were adequate – however, the P&K levels were low.  This could be explained as the field was previously used for cutting silage.  The old sward was desiccated in April.  It received two passes with a disc to allow for the old sward  to be broken.  Gorilla forage rape, along with oats were broadcasted @7kg/ha and 50kg/ha respectively.  On the 5th of May, 100kg/ha of 10-10-20+S was spread.  It was rolled following the broadcast of the seed.

Very dry weather after sowing the crop meant it was slow to get established.  However, once it was established, it was sprayed with Marigro @3L/ha at 5 leaf stage.

Ewes and lambs were turned out onto the crop on the 1st of July.  As you can see from the pictures above, the biomass was very impressive.  The farmer commented that the lamb thrive was extremely impressive given the wet weather experienced in July and August of 2023.  The forage crop was fully grazed by the 20th August.  At this stage, there was none of the old sward visible and the soil had been conditioned by the forage rape large tap root.  The soil fertility had also been boosted by the fact the sheep had converted the large biomass of the crop into dung that was returned to the soil in a plant available form.  At the end of August, the field received 2,500 gallons/acre of cattle slurry and was disced again within 24 hours.  The seedbed for reseeding was easily achieved (as can been seen in the video above).

Finally, once the new grass seeds had reached 10 cm in growth, Marigro + Natkel were applied @5L/ha and 3L/ha respectively.

The farmer was very impressed with the evenness of strike with the grass seeds in the new sward.  The condition of the soil is now excellent after the forage rape roots broke up any compaction present.  By introducing a different plant species into a very old “stale” sward, we can attract new and different forms of soil microbes.  This all lends itself to a healthier soil and healthier animals.