Soil test before spring reseeding

This is not hard to believe, as you’re replacing a poorly performing sward with a sward with high growth potential. Even though reseeding takes the paddock out of the rotation for a couple of weeks during May, the new sward has more productive grasses that deliver over the summer and autumn.

It’s worth soil testing paddocks in the weeks before a planned reseed. If the reseeded area is being ploughed for the first time in 3 years, then the soil sample should be taken after ploughing, otherwise a soil sample can be taken in good time to allow for any lime or fertiliser to be ordered and applied.

If lime is required, then it should be worked into the seedbed before the grass seeds are sown. For P & K index 2 soils, then a product with a 1:1:1 NPK ratio should be applied after seeding. A good option is YaraMila ACTYVA S at 340 kg/ha, which will deliver the necessary NPKS for the successful establishment of your new ley.

New leys have a greater requirement for phosphate to help with root development, so it’s crucial that newly sown leys get this phosphate at establishment. Creating the right seedbed environment for your new ley, plays an important role in its long-term productivity.