Older Lays and Pests

Rough permanent grass or old worn out matted pastures need to be approached with care. Although the chemical 'Glyphosate' deactivates in contact with soil, the toxins from the rotting grass, especially if it has a thick mat of roots under the surface, can kill the emerging seedlings, especially in a dry time, when the seedlings are under stress, and the sprayed off decaying vegetation exaberate's the dryness of the seedbed

Latest feedback from users on the the issue of reseed failure post glyphosate, suggests that glyphosate should be applied after drilling, but pre emergence. Customers report that the normal 2-3 week period between spraying and drilling means that the soil surface is at its driest, and toxic activity (due to the chemical breakdown of residue) is at its highest at seed germination time, bearing in mind that the grass seed takes 7-10 days to germinate. Users are convinced that a very short period between spraying and drilling allows seeds to germinate and root in moist soil, getting established before the toxic decaying process begins, and the soil dries out.

In some cases, and particularly in very old matted pastures,  dessicate with Glyphosate in autumn and leave to decay over winter and drill in spring, or break the mat by a shallow rotary cultivation before drilling. In all the above cases, we recommend drilling 10-15kg/acre of a specialist mixture, blended using vigorous, quick establishing and competitive grass-seed, like tetraploids.

PH and Lime

Obviously care should be taken with regards to correct PH levels, and especially when introducing clover into old swards.  A ph level of 6.5 is ideal, and lime can be applied at any time pre drilling, without negative effect.

Slurry

Slurry containing silage effluent (typically summer slurry) should never be applied post drilling, as effluent contains high ammonia levels, which affect seed germination.

Slugs

Old grass can harbour slugs all year round, so it may be advisable especially in heavier soils to sow slug pellets along with seed or broadcast the pellets at a higher rate where an attack has been observed after drilling.

Leather Jackets (Daddy Long Leg Larvae).

This can be a problem especially in a spring or late Autumn drilling situation. If a field is thought to be at risk, spraying with Spannit or Dursban 4 post drilling or along with glyphosate application has given good control.

Frit Fly

Reseeds sown after early August can be at risk from Frit fly. This pest is usually very localised, fields with a past history of attacks and high-risk Frit Fly years, should be acknowledged. Spraying with Dursban 4 or Spannit either at sward dessication or early post drilling gives good control.

Direct drilled stubble turnips

Direct drilled forage kale