DK EXPANSION

Sowing rate: 16 kg/acre (40 kg/ha) Sowing time: April-September (first week) Sowing depth: 10 -15 mm Sowing instructions: Cultivate to achieve a fine, firm seed bed. Ploughing will help level rough fields. Sow in good conditions (warm with rain forecast), no deeper than 10-15 mm. Roll well after sowing to ensure good soil/seed contact. Apply N, P & K as per soil test results and nitrates rules. After sowing: Monitor for pest attack and take immediate action where necessary. Post-emergence weed spray is essential approx. 5-6 weeks after establishment, prior to firsy grazing/cut. Where clover is included in the sown mixture, use a clover safe spray. Ideally, in the first year graze the new reseeds frequently and at low covers for the first few grazings to aid tillering and help increase the sward density. Subsequently, take three to four high-quality silage cuts from early May. Graze in the backend to ensure a clean sward is carried into the winter. Uses: Dairy – Y; cattle – Y; sheep – Y; silage – Y; zero-grazing – Y

Sowing rate: 14 kg/acre (35 kg/ha) Sowing time: April-August Sowing depth: 10-15 mm Sowing instructions: Cultivate to achieve a fine, firm seedbed. Ploughing will help level rough fields. Sow in good conditions (warm with rain forecast), no deeper than 10-15 mm. Roll well after sowing to ensure good soil/ seed contact. Apply N, P & K as per soil test results and nitrates rules. After sowing, monitor for pest attack and take immediate action where necessary. Post-emergence weed spray is essential approximately 5-6 weeks after establishment, use a clover safe spray. Ideally, take a light cut in the sowing year to aid tillering and help increase the sward density. Subsequently, take three to four high-quality silage cuts from early May. Graze lightly in the backend to ensure a clean sward is carried into the winter. Avoid grazing in wet weather to minimise the risk of poaching.

Sowing rate	4 kg pack (0.4 acre)
Sowing time	Late March to late July (avoid very dry sowing periods
Sowing depth	No more than 10 mm
Sowing instructions	Sow on low fertile soil Remove existing plants and create a fine seedbed 100-150 mm deep Scatter seed at a rate of 1-2 g/m2 Rake over so seed is lightly covered by soil Roll for good seed-to-soil contact

Maintenance

• Do not apply any herbicides or fertilise
• Control any noxious weeds by pulling out or using spot treatment
• Cut down to 40-70 mm and remove clippings in late August/early September
• Oversow at half rate each spring to maintain flowering intensity

Measures to enhance pollinators on your farm

• Avoid ‘over-neatness’ to benefit bees and other wildlife
• Allow native hedgerows such as whitethorn to flower each year
• Avoid cutting hedgerows annually to allow flowering and fruiting
• Leave at least one mature whitethorn/blackthorn tree within each hedgerow
• Consider maintaining nesting habitats for bumblebees and solitary bees, keeping them free from pesticides
• Wild bees need an uninterrupted source of wildflowers for food. Additional flowers are particularly important in summer after hedgerows have finished flowering

Farm Pollinator Mix ingredients

• Red clover
• White clover
• Vetch
• Phacelia
• Chicory
• Birdsfoot trefoil

Sowing rate	2.50 kg/ha (1.00 kg/acre)
Sowing time	March/April or August/mid-September
Sowing depth	15 mm (1/2 inch) or broadcast
Sowing instructions	Drill into a fine tilthMoist and warm soil conditions (minimum 5˚C) Roll before and after drilling for good soil-to-seed contact
Additional comments	Where overseeding, increase seed rate to a minimum of 3.70 kg/ha (1.50 kg/acre)