Devon: Re-seeding for better quality silage

Join us for an on-farm event at Newlands Farm to find out how strategic dairy farm host, David Luxton, is looking to re-seed current pastures to boost silage quality for his multi-cut system. 

From supporting grass growth to increasing silage quality and improving feeding values, there are clear benefits to effective re-seeding. It is one of the most cost-effective ways to increase pasture productivity, leading to better livestock performance, and is a key driver for profitability.

You will take part in an extensive farm walk, finding out more about David’s current set up for his all year round housed, robotic herd, led by Helen Mathieu from Germinal. You will also look at re-seed options, best establishment techniques and recommended seed lists. Helen offers many years’ experience working with livestock farmers and the agricultural supply chain as a forage expert. 

The meeting will cover: 

• Identifying what fields to prioritise
• The true cost of re-seeding
• How to use the recommended list to select the right varieties
• Re-seeding methods for best results
• Importance of testing soils and silage 

Registration and coffee will begin at 10:30am for a prompt 11:00am start.

Lunch will be provided – please contact us as soon as possible with any dietary requirements.

About Newlands Farm

Newlands Farm, near Bude, is run by David Luxton and the Haworth family. Having been in the family since the 1960s, Newlands Farm runs an all-year-round calving, pedigree Holstein Friesian herd and milk 180 through a guided robotic system. Previously a traditional grass-based system, the farm invested in a guided robotic system in 2019. This has delivered an increase in yield from 8,500 litres, to about 11,000, which the team continually review and hope to lift further.

The 250-acre farm is all down to permanent pasture which they reseed as regularly as they can. They’ve always seen good yields and are currently achieving around 4,000 litres from forage, which they hope to improve during their time as a strategic farm. A further 70 acres is rented, 35 of which is to grass, with the remainder used for maize, which David trialled for the first time in 2021.

The milking herd consists of 180 pedigree Holstein Friesians. All cows are fully housed, including youngstock, which has helped increase growth rates. A new, purpose-built shed houses the robots and milking herd.

Over the next few years, David is particularly keen to focus on his financial key performance indicators (KPIs). The team are also looking to improve their age at first calving which they hope to reduce to 24 months. To achieve this, David is taking a particular focus on his heifers’ growth rates and is looking to make further improvements to their management.