Grassland Update 2017

GRASSLAND UPDATE 2017 ISSUE 2

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: p.2 A Word From Our Expert p.3 Grass Mixture Case Studies p.4 Feed Your Reseed To Achieve Full Value p.5 Don’t Let Weeds Win p.6 Make Quality Grass Count p.7 Grass Seed Mixture Selector

A WORD FROM OUR EXPERT To maximise grassland productivity, it is essential to understand the hidden cost of reseeding with a low quality grass mixture.

• Improved yields • Higher DM intakes • Enhanced disease resistance • Earlier turnout of stock and increased stocking rates • Increased palatability and digestibility • Improved silage quality • Higher response to Nitrogen (N) fertiliser With the cost of reseeding at an average of £200 – 250/ acre depending on total inputs, producers may find making the decision of whether to reseed or not a tough one. However once the decision to go ahead has been made, the next few steps in the process can be key to maximising the return on this investment.

Hidden Losses from Low Quality Mixes It is true that reseeding an old ley with a new mixture will increase both the productivity and the quality of grassland forage. This is due to older leys containing a higher percentage of poor quality ‘weed grasses’ which ingress into a sward over time.

Although all grass seed mixtures are considered as ‘new grass leys’, there can be considerable differences in the quality of mixture ranges available in the market. This depends heavily on the species used and which varieties are then selected. For example, a mixture containing mostly ryegrasses will produce better yields, nutritional value and will be more palatable compared to mixtures containing fescues and cocksfoot.

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Our message is clear – reseeding is cost effective but to get the most out of this investment, it is essential to use the best quality seed mixtures available.

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Increasing the productivity of your grassland in terms of both yield and quality is crucial for maximising animal performance. With this in mind, many producers make the decision to reseed existing underperforming leys – hoping to see a significant return on investment. The main benefits of reseeding include:

At Wynnstay, we take this approach one step further and ensure that our mixture range consists of the highest quality ryegrass varieties available. The varieties which are included in our mixtures are all selected from the Recommended Grass and Clover List for England and Wales – which uses an independent and standardised testing system to compare performance. Our independence, means that we are able to carefully study the trials information provided to ensure that our mixtures consist of varieties with top yield, nutritional and agronomic characteristics.

Buying a mixture which is made up of low quality varieties can impact heavily on your return on investment when reseeding.

For example, within the 2016 / 2017 Grass and Clover Recommended List there is a 10% grazing yield difference between the highest and lowest performing late tetraploid.

This demonstrates the importance of making sure the grass mixture you invest in includes the best varieties available, as the difference between a high quality and average-low quality yielding mixture can seriously reduce your output results.

Adam Simper, Grass and Root Seed Product Manager 07808 901179 adam.simper@wynnstay.co.uk

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www.wynnstayagriculture.co.uk

Tel: 01939 210777

GRASS MIXTURE CASE STUDIES

Will Turner, Eccleshall - Tower

Richard Wilde, Welshpool - Herald “Herald has been grown on-farm for the past 5 years. We sow 10 to 20 acres of the mixture each year. We chose Herald because it’s a dual purpose ley – as we need it for both silage and grazing over a long period. We take one cut of silage and then the thick base allows quality grazing for our cattle and sheep. We’ve been working with Wynnstay as a family farm for the past 30 years, and the team have helped us with all aspects from buying seed to agronomy advice.”

Robin Thomas, Llandeilo - Imperial “Imperial has been grown on-farm for the past 7 years. We’ve tried other mixtures, but this one suits our system best. In the past few years we’ve seen an improvement in our milk from forage, reaching 3600litres, and are aiming for 4000litres. We’ve worked closely with Wynnstay for many years.”

“We’ve used the Tower mix for a number of years as it fits in well with our arable rotation. The mixture establishes very well, producing huge yields with quick regrowth in between each cut of silage, allowing us to take a fourth cut mid-September. The late season growth that Tower produces allows us to extend the grazing season into the winter months, which is very valuable to us.”

Colin Whittaker, Uttoxeter - Sovereign “We’ve had Sovereign in the rotation since 2014 and are very happy with it. It establishes well, requiring very little fertiliser and is clover rich. As a predominately dairy system we use 80 acres of grassland for first cut silage, which includes Sovereign and always produces a good quality silage for the cows. We have worked with Wynnstay since the beginning, supporting our local branch in Uttoxeter. The team are very helpful in store, providing advice if, and when, we need it.”

John Marks, Cardigan - Tower “We’ve grown Tower since 2015, mainly for silage for the dairy cows and we’ve been impressed with the results from feeding the silage in terms of our increased milk yield. We take three huge cuts each year, knowing we can take a fourth if we need to, and the ley is easy to manage. We drill and apply fertiliser and lime at the same time, and then leave the ley to grow. Tower establishes well after reseeding, and we haven’t had any weed problems. We’re already looking to reseed another 60 to 70 acres with Tower this year, and will definitely continue to use the mix.”

Darren Major, Cheltenham - Fortress “The land we farm here in the Cotswolds is very dry land, so we needed a grass mixture which would be productive in these conditions. We tried Fortress four years ago and it has worked brilliantly, so we reseed 60 acres with Fortress every year now. It’s a very productive ley, establishing on high pH soils and competes well with moss, with very little fertiliser required. This year we’ve been able to finish 900 lambs and are also hoping to flush the ewes on the grass after only a month’s rest. I’ve been working with the Wynnstay team for several years, and always use them for arable advice.”

Wynnstay Group Plc Grassland Update 2017

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FEED YOUR RESEED TO ACHIEVE FULL VALUE Starting with the basics and investing in grassland management will help to maximise return on investment when reseeding.

Modern grass varieties and high quality mixtures have the potential to deliver superior yields and excellent feed values, but often grassland management and basic nutrition is overlooked, and new leys fail to deliver their full value.

By getting the fundamentals right from the outset and prioritising soil nutrition and pH throughout the year with a targeted approach, it’s possible to see significant returns from reseed investments.

First and foremost, before drilling a new ley, you need to understand the nutritional picture of the field, to ensure there’s the right balance of nutrients to allow the crop to get off to the best possible start.

Ideally the pH should be in the region of 5.0 to 5.5 for peaty soils, and 6.0 to 6.5 for mineral based soils. Lime applications should also be factored into a wider nutrient management plan. Depending on your soil pH, an application of calcium lime should be applied to address acidity.

Once established, maintenance of nutrition should remain a priority. I always advise farmers consider treating their grassland like any arable crop, with the inputs scrutinised.

Fantastic yields can only be achieved year-on-year if the basic soil nutrition delivers and meets the crop requirements.

To understand what you’re working with, soil sampling should be common place on-farm to ensure pH, N, P and K levels aren’t hampering plant growth and development. The balance of these key nutrients is very important.

For example, Nitrogen (N) helps with plant growth, driving production and improving the quality of forage crops, while Phosphate (P) encourages root growth and development, and Potash (K) helps with protein production to maintain healthy plant cells.

An ideal testing rotation to maintain the balance, is ensuring each field is sampled at least every four years.

The Wynnstay team of specialists can manage soil sampling on-farm for you, or they can analyse samples you take in store.

We can then work with you to create a bespoke fertiliser plan, which fits in with your system and forage needs.

Dave Mitchell, Fertiliser Manager 07990 578543 dave.mitchell@wynnstay.co.uk

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www.wynnstayagriculture.co.uk

Tel: 01939 210777

Phosphate and potash recommendation for grass reseeding

SOIL P INDEX Rate of P205 or K20 in kg/ha

0

1

2

3-

3+

120

80

50

30

0

0

1

2-

2+

3

120

80

60

40

0

SOIL K INDEX Rate of P205 or K20 in kg/ha

From The Fertiliser Manual (RB209) 8th Edition

Another factor to be aware of is sulphur deficiency as symptoms can be confused with a lack of nitrogen, as generally you see paling of the young leaves, and crop stunting.

We’re seeing more commonly that grass grown for silage is particularly prone to sulphur deficiency, as the form of sulphur taken up by the crops, SO42-, is not retained in the soil because it’s soluble in water and is easily leached. Grass leaf analysis is the best way to monitor sulphur, and again we can do this analysis for you and build the results into your fertiliser plan.

Once you’ve made the commitment and invested in reseeding grassland, balancing the soil and crop nutrition throughout the season will ensure this basic component doesn’t hamper the sward’s ability to deliver on both the quantity and quality front.

DON’T LET WEEDS WIN It is important to look at weed management in the early stages of establishment, in order to give a new ley the best start.

Weed control in grassland is not always viewed in the same light as it is in arable crops, but by prioritising it from the outset and treating grass as a crop in the same way you would a crop of winter cereal, with targeted herbicide application, cost-effective, long-lasting control can be achieved.

The key is to get weeds under control while they’re just seedlings, to give the new ley a clean start and remove weed competition which can result in gappy swards.

It’s a waste of resources growing weeds, you want all the nutrition to be going into delivering a robust forage crop, and once you’ve started to lose productivity, it takes time for this to be regained.

Generally, the most effective time to apply herbicide treatments is when the weeds are at the 2 to 4 leaf stage and once the grass (and clover if present) is large enough to be sprayed, which usually is around a month after drilling.

By striking with an early herbicide application, an extremely high level of dock control can be achieved, better than at any other later timing during the life of the ley.

For established swards, the focus is on perennial weeds such as docks or thistles, and on invasive annual weeds such as chickweed.

By tackling grassland weeds at establishment, you also see improved sward palatability, and productivity. It’s a proven cost effective approach to grass weed control.

Correct product choice, an appropriate rate and timely application are all crucial.

When targeting perennial weeds, it’s important to remember the fundamental principles of weed control:

‘Clover-safe’ herbicides can be usefully employed. However, when there is a particularly challenging weed problem such as recurring docks, it may be advisable to forget about saving the clover and use more effective ‘non clover-safe’ products.

It’s a straight forward process to re-establish clover at a later date.

1. To kill the weed, you must get a lethal dose of herbicide down to the root

A grassland management plan should be established to ensure both reseeded and established swards continue to produce the desired quantity and quality of forage expected.

2. The weed must have sufficient green leaf area to take up the chemical applied

Keeping on top of weeds should be a real priority and as a first step, growers should identify what’s present. The Wynnstay team of specialists can provide advice on a programme of treatment to ensure cost-effective control.

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3. The weed must be actively growing to move the chemical from the leaf down into the root

Early treatment and a robust approach not only allows you to get on top of weeds, but also means the new sward gets a good, clean start without weed competition, ensuring sown species persist for longer.

Dr Simon Pope, Crop Protection Manager 07990 578545 simon.pope@wynnstay.co.uk

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MAKE QUALITY GRASS COUNT As milk prices recover, the importance of producing cheaper milk from grazed grass will be vital in improving margins this grazing season.

To make the most of grassland utilisation, quality grass leys must be a fundamental part of a sustainable grazing plan.

The potential yield and margin gained by grazing can be substantial, however this isn’t a case of opening the door and letting the cows out.

When planning your forage production, consider the financial cost of inferior grazing. Land is the most restricting factor to growth on many farms, so getting the most out of your land is working that capital investment to its maximum potential, reducing costs.

Take the opportunity to increase production by reseeding the poorest performing leys with grass varieties which maximise grazing potential. Modern seed varieties have been bred to respond to modern grassland management and nutrition, maximising the return on investment. Maximising quality grass yields using better grass leys can result in higher Metabolisable Energy (ME) yields from your grazing. Consider a 0.5ME improvement in grass quality by reseeding across 1Ha. To put the extra ME in concentrates could cost £250, easily covering the cost of reseeding. A young ley will often

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A young ley will often outperform an older ley in terms of yield and, when costed out fully, the difference of 3T/DM/Ha improvement in yield will pay for a reseed in one season.

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With elevated concentrate prices, supplementation through the grazing season will need to be carefully managed.

Whether a spring calving herd, autumn block calver or a higher yielding herd, all systems can target higher milk yields from grazed grass. Grass utilisation can be improved through careful management by either grazing the whole or part of the herd.

outperform an older ley in terms of yield and, when costed out fully, the difference of 3T/DM/Ha improvement in yield will pay for a reseed in one season.

A proactive reseeding policy, reduces the risk of inferior silage quality. The silage making process, from the moment grass is cut, through to feed-out, is a process of damage limitation when it comes to energy losses. From wilting in the field, fermentation losses and spoilage at feed-out, there are losses all along the way. Best management practices, from cutting at the ideal time, best harvest and clamp fill management, along with good clamp management at feed-out are key features of successful forage production. But if quality is not maximised by growing the best quality leys, the production system is compromised from the start. The result of reliably growing better quality forage is an increase in milk production from forage, whatever the production system. There is a strong correlation between milk from forage and profitability of milk production. Studies consistently show that every 1,000 litres increase in milk from forage will be worth around £100 of gross margin per cow. Put simply, the more forage fed per cow per day, the more margin can be retained per litre of milk produced. This can be reliably achieved by employing a proactive reseeding policy, using the best grass seed varieties suitable for modern grassland management – whether for grazing or silage production.

Mark Price, Dairy Sales Specialist 07876 824314 mark.price@wynnstay.co.uk

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www.wynnstayagriculture.co.uk

Tel: 01939 210777

GRASS SEED MIXTURE SELECTOR Our range of grass seeds has grown to become one of the most popular ranges of mixtures in the UK. As well as attracting new customers, this growth has been driven by an increased trend towards repeat ordering - one of the most positive indicators that our customers are pleased with the product, performance and value of the mixture range.

EXTRAS

CONVENTIONAL MIXTURES SHORT TERM

MEDIUM TERM

FAST GRASS 1 year ley

LONG TERM

SQUIRE 3 year ley

HERALD 6+ year ley

Grazing

Grazing

Grazing

Silage

Silage

Silage

Hay

Hay

Hay

EQUINE

HORSE & PONY MIX

HORSE HAY MIX (SHORT TERM)

HORSE HAY MIX (LONG TERM)

TOWER 1-2 year ley

FORTRESS 3-4 year ley

POULTRY

ORGANIC

OVERSEEDING

POULTRY MIX

ORGANIC SQUIRE

SHORT TERM

POULTRY MIX PLUS

ORGANIC SOVEREIGN

MEDIUM TERM NO CLOVER

ORGANIC IMPERIAL

MEDIUM TERM PLUS CLOVER

KINGDOM 6+ year ley

Grazing

Grazing

Grazing

Silage

Silage

Silage

Hay

Hay

Hay

SHIELD 4 year ley

MAJESTIC 6+ year ley

Grazing

Grazing

Silage

Silage

Hay

Hay

SOVEREIGN 4-6 year ley

HORSE HERB MIX

LONG TERM NO CLOVER

GALLOP MIX

LONG TERM PLUS CLOVER

GATEWAY MIX

ROYAL 6+ year ley

Grazing

Grazing

Silage

Silage

Hay

Hay

Available with Clover STRONGHOLD 4-6 year ley Grazing Silage Hay

CRUSADER 6+ year ley Grazing Silage

Available with Chicory

Hay

IMPERIAL 7+ year ley

Available with Festulolium

Grazing Silage Hay

No Clover Version

Wynnstay Group Plc Grassland Update 2017

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CONTACTS

For the latest forage blog updates, please visit:

wynnstayarable.uk

To contact your local Wynnstay specialist or store, please visit:

www.wynnstayagriculture.co.uk

WYNNSTAY SEED DEPARTMENT 01939 210777 (Shropshire)

WYNNSTAY ARABLE

01939 210555 (Crop Protection)

01939 211266 (Fertiliser)

WYNNSTAY WOODHEADS 01757 617000 (Yorkshire)

@WynnstayGroup Wynnstay (Agricultural Supplies) Ltd • Eagle House • Llansantffraid • Powys SY22 6AQ • Part of Wynnstay Group Plc, Eagle House, Llansantffraid, Powys, SY22 6AQ Telephone: 01691 828512 • Email: info@wynnstay.co.uk • www.wynnstay.co.uk Registered in England and Wales Vat Reg No. 168 7221 87 Registration No: 5009019 Registration No. 2704051