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For more information, please contact Rob Connell, Seeds Product Manager, on
01769 576232 or 01769 576297 or email info@molevalleyfarmers.com.

 

Establishing a New Ley

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Ploughing and working down prior to re-seeding is the conventional approach with advantages where ground is rutted, badly poached or uneven. It has the disadvantage of being the most expensive by far. It also creates a weed problem requiring treatment and has the longest time interval before the new ley can be grazed. Under sowing a spring cereal crop or arable silage mix is an excellent and secure way of establishing a new ley, giving clean grazing on firm ground after harvest.

Cheaper alternatives which allow earlier grazing and firm ground which reduces any risk of poaching include: minimal cultivation method, direct drilling into the old swards which can be burned off first or finally by broadcasting on a tightly grazed old ley and harrowing. This requires grazing every 4 – 5 weeks to maintain the sward at 4 – 5” until the new seeds are fully established.

Attention to detail before drilling will ensure the best possible establishment. Timeliness and care taken at this stage will prove a sound investment and result in a crop which will be high yielding, weed free and as long lasting as the species selected.

Sowing can take place from early spring, once the soil is warm and has sufficient moisture, until October (weather permitting). Mixtures with clover should be sown before the end of August, for best establishment. Always roll the seed bed to avoid sowing too deep and to aid faster seedling development. Broadcast or drill seed to a depth of ½“ (13mm) to maximise seedling growth. Harrow seed in lightly and follow up with a Cambridge roller to consolidate the seed bed. Apply 40 units N/acre when the grass has two leaves and clover has its first trifoliate leaf.

Monitor the establishing sward for signs of pest damage. Leatherjackets and slugs can be a problem in both the Spring and Autumn. Frit Fly damage can occur in the Summer or Autumn.  Early management is very important to encourage rapid ground cover as soon as possible. Grazing is preferable to cutting in the first instance, ideally using sheep or young stock. Reseeding is a good time to correct soil pH, by applying Physiolith (see Optimising Production with Sound Nutrition).


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