Autumn reseeding: Hit the ground running in 2026 

Grassland expert Harley Brown-Keech explains how autumn reseeding can give you a head start on 2026 forage production. 

There’s a sustainable path to profitable livestock systems. Homegrown forage can be cheaper and more productive than costly bought-in feeds. 

For optimal production, target your worst-performing fields for reseeding. Typically, we find that reseeding 10-15% of grassland sustains high forage production. 

And while spring reseeding works well, autumn is also extremely effective. Here’s why: 

• Lower weed pressure 
• Soil can settle before grazing or movement 
• Less disruption to spring grazing 
• Forage can establish earlier 
• Get full production from spring 
• Up to 50% higher yield in a dry year 

Don’t lose out with falling perennial ryegrass yields 

After eight years, perennial ryegrass (PRG) yields can fall by up to 50%. This leaves you with an ever-increasing forage gap to plug as the years go by. 

Source: David Lawson, SRUC

The competition in your sward for nutrients  

Also eating into your yield are weed species. While there are control options, it becomes much tougher each year to keep them at bay. 

Alongside the weeds, your swards may be infiltrated by low-quality meadow grasses that offer only a fraction of the quality you get from sown perennial ryegrasses. 

Where Aber High Sugar Grass varieties can average 77.5 D-value, bentgrasses would only deliver 58 (Recommended Grass and Clover List, 2024). 

Source: IBERS 

The case for diverse forage 

With yields diminishing, buying in feed is a quick fix. But the cost per tonne of dry matter of forage crops and other feeds is much higher than grazed grass. 

Cost of livestock feeds 

*Direct drilled 

Source: Nix Farm Management Pocketbook, 2025 – 5th Edition

Our own research findings from Germinal Horizon go further. They show that grazed grass can be even more productive when paired with clover or multi-species – the case for reseeding PRG with other species. While PRG yielded 35.4t DM/ha over four years, PRG plus clover yielded 44.01 and nine multi-species yielded 47.1. 

Dairy farmers can reseed with white clover or red clover silage. Alternatively, beef and sheep farmers can sow multi-species swards for strong liveweight gain, as supported by grazing trials at UCD Lyons Farm. Animals that began the trial in 2020, on average, gained 80kg more than animals fed only grass over a two-year period. 

Strike early for greater success

With autumn reseeding, research shows it’s possible to nearly double your yield in spring if your mixtures are sown by 3rd September. While conditions might support later sowing, it’s better to be safe than sorry. 

Effect of sowing date on sward establishment

Source: Culleton et al, 1992 

Healthy soils will deliver the best results. So, it’s worth the effort to: 

• Test fertility (target pH >6.5; P and K index of 3). 

• Use appropriate cultivation methods, ensuring a fine seedbed. 

• Sow seeds at a depth of 10-15mm for effective establishment.   

Use highly rated varieties

On the 2025/26 Recommended Grass and Clover List, Germinal’s Aber High Sugar Grass (HSG) varieties are among the highest options for yield, D-value, and metabolisable energy. While yield is essential to production, high-quality PRGs are better for digestibility, enabling stock to use more protein. 

Aber HSG varieties are bred to help ruminant livestock get more protein from grass while wasting less as emissions. This can drive up to 6% higher milk production and up to 20% higher liveweight gain. 

Looking ahead with Climate Smart choices

Our brand-new Climate Smart mixture ranges are designed for performance plus sustainability. They target five environmental challenges impacting grassland farmers: 

• Climate Smart CLEAN: Emissions Reduction  

• Climate Smart CAPTURE: Nutrient Efficient 

• Climate Smart THRIVE: Soil Support 

• Climate Smart ADAPT: Plant Resilience 

• Climate Smart RESTORE: Environmental Schemes 

Click to explore your mixture options. Each range also has a store locator to help you find your nearest Germinal stockist. You can also contact our grassland experts to talk through your options.