Irish Grassland Association/Teagasc

Reseeding and Spring Grassland Management event on the farm of
Mr. Jimmy Garrivan, Westport, Co. Mayo

Reseeding is a key component to increasing meat and milk production from grazed grass. Reseeded swards generally produce greater quantities of herbage, particularly in the early spring and late autumn/winter, than do old permanent pastures. This increased grass supply allows livestock to be turned out to grass earlier than is possible in old permanent pasture. Reseeded pastures also generally have higher feed quality than old swards.

The Irish Grassland Association and Teagasc Mayo are hosting a grassland management event on the farm of Jimmy Garrivan, Belclare, Westport on Wednesday 4th of April at 2pm. This is a mixed farm with a mid-season lambing flock and a spring calving dairy herd. A reseeding event was held on Jimmy’s farm in August 2011 using different reseeding methods. The farm walk will examine how the swards established and there performance since establishment.

The event will focus on:
• options for reseeding-conventional/one pass /stitching in
• why reseeding is necessary
• the benefits that can be gained from reseeding swards
• importance of soil tests
• cost of reseeding
• when is the best time to reseed
• maintaining perennial ryegrass and clover in reseeded swards – fertiliser/grazing
• management of the spring calving dairy herd
• management of the mid season lambing flock

Teagasc Advisors, Grassland Researchers, Irish Grassland Association council members and contractors will be in attendance to provide information on all aspects of reseeding.

This event will be of interest to dairy, beef and sheep farmers and all are welcome.