Looking at grass more as an arable crop by creating a long-term plan for the soil, reseeding and controlling weeds can help maximise outputs from the green crop.
The first step is the most important to grassland management and that means getting out and walking, according to Jim Clark, Hutchinsons' Carlisle-based agronomist,
“Get out and walk the grass, and really look at its condition. Get a spade out and look at the soil, is it poached or compacted? Take some soil samples as you go to check your pH,P and K levels,” he said.
He suggests taking notes of how much cover there is across the field; the weed burden particularly in relation to docks, and any poaching and compaction.
“In the main, grass is looking good this spring, although the wet January saw sheep out on pasture where there are now some padded surfaces which will need sward lifting. However, only the top 4-5” will need lifting,” he says.
“Poached and compacted soils carry a higher weed burden, chickweed can be a particular issue, but docks are a major problem this spring as a result of a milder winter and stock out-wintered for longer causing bare soil – docks love open ground.”
Mr Clark suggests choosing grass varieties with the weed burden and herbicide options in mind.
He also warned that including clover in a new sward, many dock and chickweed herbicides will knock back the clover. Therefore, it is important to plan ahead when thinking about reseeding. If fields have a high weed burden sow a short-term or even a different crop for a few years to get them under control before sowing clover and herbal leys.
“Remember that some herbicides are much kinder to the grass when carrying out weed control than others and you don’t want to check the grass growth in spring, so use a softer product based around Fluroxypyr.
“When reseeding, seed to soil contact is essential for good establishment. So unless the soil is bare avoid a scratch harrow air drill. When direct drilling seeds into the sward, temperature is key to success. Cooler temps of 6-8C suit Italians and Westerwolds, but later perennials and clover need 9-10C.”
Grass should be sown before applying slurry, particularly if going on in bands, as if drilled after the slurry is applied, it is much harder for the drills to penetrate the soil which affects soil: seed contact.
There has also been some re-thinking around the optimum pH for newer grasses or high producing grasses at around a pH of 6-6.5 rather than pH 6, as nutrients are more available to the plant at this higher pH.
Mr Clark also recommended adding an organic manure measurement to any soil sampling as this will help towards SFI payments and many milk producers are looking for it as standard now.
“With fertiliser prices being where they are, It is also worth using a FACTS certified advisor for the best fertiliser advice,” he said
“We are starting to see a precision revolution in grass production as many growers realise the benefits of tools such as variable rate applications of lime, NDVI mapping and yield mapping.
“Many farmers are increasingly using the Hutchinsons TerraMap soil scanning service that provides greater definition and more accurate soil maps than any other system.”
“It does this by providing high definition mapping of all common nutrient properties, pH, soil texture, organic matter and CEC as well as elevation and plant available water. It also measures the levels of P, K, Mg, pH and % of clay, sand, silt, texture and elevation as well as calcium, manganese, boron, copper, molybdenum, iron, zinc, sulphur, OM, CEC and plant available water," he said.
The results from TerraMap can then used to create maps within Omnia such as variable rate application maps, for liming for example which allowed some farmers to make significant cost savings by only putting lime where it is needed.
Top tips for grass management
1. Look closely at the soils for compaction or poaching and plan any sward restoration work around this.
2. Know the weed burden in each field. Recognise that docks need a specific management plan.
3. Choose grass varieties carefully taking into account suitable herbicide programmes.
4. Choose the correct reseeding approach depending on sward quality and soil temps
5. Time slurry applications to compliment the best possible establishment.
6. Soil sampling should include OM measurements where possible
7. Where possible create variable application maps for liming, as this could save money.
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