Mixing it up in Templepatrick

After a slow start to the grass year, the recent damp, warm conditions has resulted in a surge in grass growth.  This has allowed many farms to build up a good grass wedge heading into the autumn.  It has also provided the opportunity to consider the options for improving the swards which have not performed well over the past few seasons due to poaching or machinery damage.

A number of County Antrim farmers recently attended a reseeding event organised by CAFRE Dairy Development Advisers’ on the farm of the Watt Family, Rickamore Brae, Templepatrick.

During the event, farmers were shown that in many cases, they couldn’t afford not to improve older existing swards, as poorer performing swards significantly increase the costs of production grass and thus the resultant cost per litre of milk.

The Watts’ had recently completed a conventional reseed by ploughing and were improving an existing sward by over seeding using the one pass Guttler Greensmaster system owned by James Gray, Doagh.  Looking at both improvement options, the costs and benefits of each system were discussed by the group.

The decision on which method of improvement to use, should be made on whether drainage of the land is required and how quickly the sward needs to be cut or grazed.  The other important consideration is selecting the correct mix of grass and clover varieties to sow.  David Johnston, Head of Station at AFBI – Loughgall, was on hand to discuss the relative merits of different grass varieties available on the Northern Ireland market, many of which have been bred by David and his team at the AFBI Plant Breeding Station, Loughgall.  David explained that the varieties selected should depend on how new swards would fit into the existing management and production system on each individual farm.  Sowing early heading varieties where the farm did not suit early turnout was inappropriate and a waste of money.

David Johnston AFBI – Loughgall, discussing grass diseases with a group of County Antrim Farmers at the CAFRE organised Reseeding event held at James Watt’s farm, Templepatrick

David Johnston AFBI – Loughgall, discussing grass variety selection with a group of County Antrim Farmers at the CAFRE organised Reseeding event held at James Watt’s farm, Templepatrick

James Gray, Doagh, using his one pass Guttler Greensmaster sower to overseed and existing sward during the CAFRE Reseeding event held at James Watt’s farm Templepatrick