The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: princesslayer on May 25, 2015, 07:48:52 am
-
We've seeded an area that used to be a ménage in one of our sheep paddocks. When can the sheep go back on? I've heard that if they nibble it it encourages more foliage growth but I don't want them to kill it. There's plenty of other grass available in that field, and the ground is form so they won't poach it.
Can't find much info online and was wondering if anybody had some advice? Thanks
-
I would give it a good couple of months then graze it lightly.
-
How long ago was it seeded? And what stage of growth is it?
-
If we've reseeded a patch we put the sheep on it immediately for a while as long as there's enough other grass. Them walking on it is perfect for treading the seed in and ensuring good soil to seed contact. Especially as we don't have a roller. Once shoots start appearing we get them out and prob leave a couple of months or so or till new grass is better established
-
When the grass is about 3-4" sheep go in and graze it down to about 1" then sheep off allow to grow to 3-4" graze again and so on . This forces the grass to tiller ( spread the roots out ) so it fills in the gaps and gets a firmer hold it also allows sunlight to get at any clover ( if you allow the grass to get to tall it can crowd out any clover ) and you really don't want it to get seed heads . Don't forget that the new grass should be worm free so great for lambs .
-
Asap
-
Thanks all, think I'll let them on for a short while at a time and see how it goes!