The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: macgro7 on January 14, 2017, 10:52:25 am

Title: Best pasture mixture and when to seed?
Post by: macgro7 on January 14, 2017, 10:52:25 am

What would be the best sheep pasture seed mix? And when would be the best time to seed the ground?
Would rotovating the ground do any good before or is it better not to?
That's the most varied seed mix I came across:
http://www.meadowmania.co.uk/grass-seed/grass-seed-mix-for-goat-grazing-sp5-1-acre.htm (http://www.meadowmania.co.uk/grass-seed/grass-seed-mix-for-goat-grazing-sp5-1-acre.htm)

Title: Re: Best pasture mixture and when to seed?
Post by: BenBhoy on January 14, 2017, 01:47:05 pm

I use these guys


http://www.barenbrug.co.uk/products.asp?menu_id=5 (http://www.barenbrug.co.uk/products.asp?menu_id=5)

The guy I spoke to (kevin) very helpful & knowledgeable.

You can overseed end of March  (you want soil temp of at least 7 degrees)

Don't cut for hay in first year but can graz after about 6 weeks. Don't leave sheep on too long a time cos they'll graze it too short (cattle bit longer).

Title: Re: Best pasture mixture and when to seed?
Post by: Marches Farmer on January 14, 2017, 02:28:02 pm

The ground can benefit from chain harrowing to roughen the surface, especially if it's been grazed over the Winter.  If you know of a traditional hay meadow locally ask if you can have some of the hay immediately it's been cut (after mid July) and just strew it around your field.  You could also ask local contacts if you can gather seeds from their set-aside land or beetle banks if there are any, as these will probably be plants that are locally native and likely to thrive in your particular environment.