Description of practice
Grassland renewal is usually carried out if the herbage production or quality of the existing sward is lower than its potential. Low performance is often caused by a single or a series of incidents.
| Examples of how to use grassland renewal | Further information (see Note below) |
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Over-seedingWithout taking it out of production, seed is drilled into existing grassland in a process called over-seeding or stitching in. Livestock is allowed on the over-seeded ley after ten days when the new seedlings have established. |
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Intensive grazing areas on low productive slopesSoil is ploughed in the autumn and vetch and/or oats are sown. The growing plants are grazed in spring. |
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Postpone grassland renewalThe ploughing of a rotational grassland field is postponed for one or two years to reduce nutrient losses and organic matter decomposition. Grassland is kept for 6-7 years instead of 5. |
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Pasture manuringManure is applied to increase grass recovery and reduce shrub encroachment. The practice is used on animal husbandry farms with either deep litter housing systems or manure heaps. |
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Note: Most of the Further information links are to a full description of the example in the WOCAT database. However sometimes the link may be to similar practices or a research paper. Occasionally the link is to a commercial product in which case it should be understood that this does not imply any endorsement of the product by iSQAPER.