Reseeding a Silage field after cutting

As a contractor that’s in different fields on different farms baling all summer the best advice I can give you is don’t let that MSS anywhere near your farm. It has been a disaster for anyone I know that tried it and all you end up with is a field full of docks and dirt after 3 or 4 years and an expensive bill to get it back into grass again.

Go with DLF N4 grazer i would rate it above all grass seed I have sown over the last few years its also good value at 75euro for a 14kg bag which means you don't need a bag and a 1/4

Its depends on choosing the right MSS for your soil, which has been a challenge for some given the lack of experience across many farms on the matter and the sole focus on chemical dependent PRG leys by the powers that be until recently. In any case there are benefits to choosing deep rooting herbal and grass species as they are more resilient to drought, cold, wet weather etc. Other benefits include better nutrition in fodder as they can tap trace elements in the soil that shallow rooting PRG can't which is especially important for young stock. Even a smattering of dandelions in such swards that will try to come in naturally can improve all these elements, plus is highly palatable for stock. Plus in can be beneficial to look outside the box in terms of wholecrop cereal mixes, red clover silage etc. which personally I have found to have dramatically improved stock performance on my own place in North Mayo. Even last year they came true better than alot of conventional neighbours experienced with their own standard cuts, despite a very challenging year all round in terms of poor temps and low SS threw out

Is it ok to cut a reseeded field for silage in its first year?

If you're not a high fertiliser user, you might consider moving away from the PRG grasses which are designed for it.

I know cost can be an issue but just showing here a different type of mix. I know this one's organic but you get the gist of what I'd be looking at:

https://www.fruithillfarm.com/seeds-and-propagation/green-manures-and-forage-crops/grass-and-meadow-mixes/white-clover-silage-mix-4-5-year-30-clovers-70-grasses-30kg-ha.html

Yeah I was told by the lime contractor that you need a tonne to the acre alone to allow for the decaying old sward if not ploughing.

Bump this up again.

If I take a second cut around mid June, is it a good time to reseed straight afterwards?

It's more so is it a good time to spray off when it's cut.

Im not a fan of spraying before cutting.

I agree

I got caught on 8 acres before, weather bate me but managed to disk it once a week & got seeded 3 weeks later.

In hindsight it worked out great as all matter was well decayed before harrow& seed.

Weather played ball in sept & got a great clean out from 50 calves from a neighbour(outblock

You have to go for it & not over think it

Is there really a need to spray off? If you're waiting for regrowth then youre probably adding at least 2 weeks to the job, would post emergence spray not do?

How long after spraying do you spread top dressing if ploughing it in