Reasons to Reseed
Maximising the Value of Your Grass
Grassland productivity is a key driver of farm profitability. Whether you're looking to increase yields, reduce input costs, or enhance biodiversity and soil health, high-quality grazed grass remains the most sustainable and cost-effective feed for livestock.
Barenbrug UK offers three compelling reasons why farmers should consider reseeding their grassland in autumn.
Grass: A High-Return Investment
Grass is the cheapest and most nutritious forage for ruminant livestock, and the UK is fortunate to have the ideal climate to grow it abundantly.
With around 70% of the UK's agricultural land dedicated to grassland, including 58% permanent pasture, properly managed grasslands can significantly boost productivity and profitability.
Well-managed grassland not only provides high-quality, nutrient-rich forage but also supports biodiversity, improves soil health, and reduces the need for expensive inputs. Grass effectively provides "free litres and weight" by enhancing animal health and overall farm productivity.
The Financial Benefits of Reseeding
Maintaining your grassland at peak productivity (Grassland Index 5) through reseeding or overseeding can turn it into your farm's most valuable asset. High-performing grassland yields more energy, resulting in greater weight gain and higher milk production. For example, upgrading from a Grassland Index 3 field to a Grassland Index 5 field can increase productivity by up to £17,449 per hectare.
Autumn is the ideal time to assess your sward’s ability to meet next season's forage demands, not just in terms of dry matter but also energy content. For some fields, reseeding may be the only way to unlock their full potential.
Rethinking the Cost of Reseeding
Many farmers approach reseeding with caution, often deterred by the initial cost. However, when viewed as a long-term investment with high returns, reseeding becomes an attractive proposition.
The Power of New Grass Varieties
Grass varieties have evolved significantly, with advances in yield, disease resistance, drought tolerance, and winter hardiness. Barenbrug, for instance, has introduced 50 new grass varieties to the Recommended Lists over the past 40 years.
If your sward is more than eight years old, it likely contains a significant proportion of unproductive species, such as annual meadowgrass. Reseeding with newer, more efficient varieties can dramatically improve yield, energy content, and nitrogen-use efficiency.
Three Key Reasons to Reseed
The benefits of reseeding boil down to three primary improvements: better dry matter (DM) yield, better metabolisable energy (ME), and improved nitrogen efficiency.
1. Increased Dry Matter Yield: Older swards, with only 50% sown species, yield around 7t DM/ha. A newly reseeded sward can yield up to 15.5t DM/ha. With DM valued at £140/t, this could add £1,190/ha to your bottom line.
2. More Energy from Grass: Each additional tonne of DM can generate approximately 11,000 MJ of energy, which translates into 2,000 litres of milk or 234kg of lamb or beef – all without relying on expensive bought-in feed.
3. Improved Nitrogen-Use Efficiency: Sown species, like ryegrass, are far more efficient in using nitrogen than weeds like annual meadowgrass. Ryegrass swards use nitrogen 100% efficiently, compared to just 17% efficiency in annual meadowgrass. Given today’s high nitrogen prices, this efficiency alone makes reseeding a valuable strategy.
By viewing reseeding as a strategic investment rather than a cost, you can enhance the productivity of your grassland, reduce reliance on external feed, and improve nitrogen efficiency, making your farm more resilient and profitable in the long run.
Find out more about our Grassland Index Guide & Grassland Management Guide.
