The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: earlybird on September 23, 2012, 03:32:20 pm

Title: which grass seed
Post by: earlybird on September 23, 2012, 03:32:20 pm

hi, i have 4 acres that i want to put down to grass and run our sheep on, my plan ideally would be to have half of it for use as hay and the rest as grazing and keep alternating. our soil is fairly heavy as we live next to the marsh :sheep: :sheep: :sheep:

Title: Re: which grass seed
Post by: supplies for smallholders on September 23, 2012, 10:07:52 pm

The answer to that question is not quite that simple,

We sell several types of seed - short term 1 year medium term 2 - 3 year or long term 5 Years+, with or without clover? for hay or sileage? A traditional mix as per 1900's or a more modern blend? etc etc.

A Permanent Pasture mix will cost you around £72 per acre or less for 5+ Acres and is generally sown at 14Kg per acre.

Title: Re: which grass seed
Post by: Small Farmer on September 23, 2012, 11:35:46 pm

This is a complicated subject.  Take a look at http://www.eblex.org.uk/returns/Better-returns-sheep.aspx (http://www.eblex.org.uk/returns/Better-returns-sheep.aspx) and you'll find it's all about compromise.


First thing though is to do soil tests

Title: Re: which grass seed
Post by: Dan on September 24, 2012, 07:47:44 am

We've got some basic articles to grassland management on the site which might make useful background reading:

http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/smallholding/grassland-management/ (http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/smallholding/grassland-management/)

Title: Re: which grass seed
Post by: FiB on September 24, 2012, 08:57:42 am

And Cotswold seeds are also very helpful - the more you go into it...it is bamboozling!  We went for quite an old mix permanent pasture, with added herbage,  as we dont intend to be ploughing and reseeding every 3 or 4 years (or even ever if possible!) and wanted a mix that was quite stable and diverse without complex additions.  LIke you ours is grazing and hay.

Title: Re: which grass seed
Post by: kaz on September 24, 2012, 05:25:10 pm

I was going to say Cotswold seeds for permanent pasture. :D

Title: Re: which grass seed
Post by: earlybird on September 25, 2012, 07:59:35 am

thanks for info everyone.  :sheep: :sheep: