Building more resilient grassland with diverse seed mixtures

For farmers waiting for enough moisture before getting on with autumn reseeding, that raises an important question: what should we be putting back into the ground to give our swards the best chance of performing in whatever weather comes next?

For us, the answer is increasingly about diversity.

Our forage seed specialist, Hayley Wellings, has seen a clear difference between newer and older leys over the past couple of seasons, with recently reseeded swards generally maintaining production for longer and recovering more quickly after periods of drought.

“Regular reseeding gives us the opportunity to bring in modern varieties and mixtures that have been tested in UK conditions,” says Hayley. “But it’s also worth thinking beyond just the grass species. A more diverse sward can give us different rooting depths, different growth characteristics and ultimately greater resilience when conditions become challenging.”

Diversity below ground

One of the clearest examples comes from our Dartington trial site in Devon, where we looked at how different grassland mixtures performed during last year’s drought.

The trials highlighted the benefits of including a wider range of species, particularly where they offer different rooting depths. This allows plants to access moisture and nutrients from different parts of the soil profile, rather than all competing for the same resources.

Our Field Options Preference Herbal mixture, which includes plantain, chicory and yarrow alongside grass species, produced an additional 1.23t DM/ha over four cuts compared with the non-herbal version of Preference.

But it was Eco Pasture that really stood out.

By combining perennial ryegrasses with more drought-tolerant grasses such as cocksfoot, timothy and fescues, alongside herbs and legumes, Eco Pasture produced a much more diverse sward with a range of rooting depths.

The legumes also bring another benefit, fixing nitrogen from the atmosphere and helping to support grass growth and recovery.

“Eco Pasture demonstrated how bringing alternative grass species into the mixture can improve the overall health and performance of the sward,” explains Hayley.

“It outyielded Preference by 2.69t DM/ha and produced 1.46t DM/ha more than Preference Herbal over the four cuts. That’s a significant difference and shows the value of thinking carefully about the species we put into a new ley.”

Planning for more challenging weather

Nobody can predict exactly what the next few years will bring, but two consecutive seasons of challenging weather have certainly given us plenty to think about.

For us, that means choosing grass and forage mixtures with resilience in mind, rather than simply selecting a mixture based on what has always been grown.

“Following two consecutive years with similar weather patterns, we need to consider the possibility that extended dry periods could become a more regular feature of our growing seasons,” says Hayley.

“Choosing varieties and mixtures that are better suited to these conditions is an important part of building resilience. Whether you’re renovating in spring or autumn, the right mixture can make a measurable difference to both forage yield and quality.”

Don’t leave autumn establishment too late

For farmers still waiting for moisture before reseeding, timing is another consideration.

As temperatures start to fall later into the autumn, establishment becomes more challenging. This is particularly important if you’re considering adding herbs to a mixture, as they need enough time to establish before winter.

“In those later autumn situations, I’d be cautious about trying to establish herbs when soil temperatures are dropping,” Hayley advises.

“Instead, a robust multi-species grass mixture can be a better option. Something like Field Options Endurance II, which includes alternative grass species such as cocksfoot and timothy, can provide the diversity needed for a more resilient sward while still giving the crop the best chance of establishing before winter.”

Make your SFI mixture work harder

For farmers considering mixtures as part of their latest Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) application, there is also an opportunity to think beyond simply meeting the scheme requirements.

With payment rates for the popular CSAM3 option reduced, getting the most from the land being entered into the scheme is more important than ever.

“It’s worth looking at what the mixture can actually deliver for the wider farm,” says Hayley.

“Rather than simply choosing something because it meets the SFI requirements, think about whether it can also give you additional value through increased forage yield, improved quality or a longer grazing season.

“That way, the mixture isn’t just ticking a box for the scheme. It’s doing a useful job for the farm as well.”

Building resilience starts with the seed you sow

The weather will always be outside our control, but we can make choices that give our grassland a better chance of coping with it.

Choosing a diverse mixture with complementary species and rooting depths can help create a more flexible, resilient sward — while also providing an opportunity to improve forage production and quality.

Explore our full range of Field Options and download the latest Field Options brochure to find the right mixture for your farm.

Planning a reseed or grassland renovation? Talk to your local ProCam agronomist or forage seed specialist. We can help you choose a mixture that works for your soil, livestock and farming system — and make sure your next ley is built to perform, whatever the weather throws at it.