September 2026
Sowing diverse mixtures builds greater resilience against
extreme weather conditions
Recently reseeded swards have maintained production levels for a longer period compared to older leys during the last two challenging seasons, and, with farmers waiting for sufficient moisture to return before carrying out autumn reseeds, choosing a flexible mixture is imperative to create greater resilience. That’s the advice from Hayley Wellings, forage seed specialist at ProCam, who says that resilience to extreme weather conditions is greatly improved by regularly reseeding swards, with newer grass leys bouncing back much more quickly from extended periods of dry weather. She highlights the continued benefits of reseeding grassland to maximise production through utilising modern varieties and mixtures that are tried and tested in UK conditions. In addition, swards with greater species diversity can withstand the extended dry conditions better. Hayley points to data from ProCam’s Dartington trial site in Devon during last year’s drought, which underlined the benefits of sowing multi-species swards and herbal leys to provide different rooting depths for moisture and nutrient scavenging. The results showed that ProCam’s Field Options Preference Herbal mixture, which includes plantain, chicory and yarrow, delivered an additional 1.23t/DM/ha overall yield over four cuts, compared with the non-herbal version of Preference. However, Eco Pasture outperformed both by combining traditional perennial ryegrasses with more drought tolerant grass species – cocksfoot and timothy and fescues – alongside herbs and legumes. This combination creates different rooting depths to boost drought tolerance and extend the growing window, while the nitrogen-fixing legumes offered a valuable nitrogen source to improve recovery following dry periods. “The performance of Eco Pasture demonstrated how integrating alternative grass species enhances a sward’s health and quality. Eco Pasture outyielded Preference by 2.69t/DM/ha and delivered 1.46t/DM/ha more than Preference Herbal,” says Hayley. “Following two consecutive years of similar weather, we must anticipate these extended dry periods becoming a more regular occurrence for the UK. Selecting seed mixtures and varieties that are better suited to these conditions is essential, with any spring or autumn renovation works able to deliver measurable improvements in both forage yield and quality.”
She urged caution for farmers planning to sow herbs later into the autumn due to cooling temperatures and advised moving to a robust multi-species mixture, such as ProCam’s Field Options Endurance II, that utilises alternative grasses, including cocksfoot and timothy, to ensure strong establishment ahead of the winter and resilient swards in the spring. Farmers and growers submitting applications in the latest Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) window, which is due to later this month, should consider growing mixtures to benefit the farm and not just sowing for compliance.
“Payment rates have been reduced for the popular CSAM3 option, so careful consideration is required when selecting mixtures that can offer the greatest benefit to the wider farm. Farmers should choose mixtures that can supply additional value in terms of higher yields, improved quality or an extended grazing season, in addition to qualifying for the scheme requirements. This will ensure the reseed delivers on-farm benefits as well as meeting the SFI criteria,” concludes Hayley.
Source: industry press release.