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For New Zealand farmers, pasture isn’t just feed – it’s the foundation of animal health, performance, and profitability. The link between pasture quality and livestock health is direct and powerful: higher-quality pastures support better growth rates, improved reproduction, and greater resilience in times of stress. “At Wesco Seeds, we believe that investing in pasture is investing in your stock. Here’s how quality pasture management can help you get more from every paddock.” Why Pasture Quality Matters 1. Animal Health Starts in the Soil Healthy soils produce dense, nutrient-rich pastures. When pasture lacks essential minerals or suffers from pest and disease damage, stock can show signs of poor growth, reduced fertility, or higher susceptibility to illness. 2. Protein and Energy Drive Performance High-quality pastures provide the protein and energy animals need for daily weight gain, milk production, or breeding success. Low-quality feed forces animals to eat more to meet their needs, which is inefficient and costly. 3. Seasonal Quality Gaps Affect Productivity Summer dry periods or winter slowdowns can lead to reduced pasture quality and quantity. If not planned for, this can mean lower animal performance or the need for expensive supplementary feed. How to Improve Pasture Quality Choose the right seed mixes – Tailored blends of grasses, legumes, and herbs can provide balanced nutrition and resilience year-round. Seed treatments matter – Options like Dynastrike or Goldstrike help new pastures establish faster and resist pressure from disease and insects, giving animals better-quality feed sooner. Manage grazing rotations – Allowing pasture time to recover improves regrowth and maintains higher feed quality. Monitor nutrient levels – Soil and herbage testing can highlight mineral deficiencies, ensuring animals get the nutrition they need. The Payoff: Healthier Animals, Healthier Bottom Line When pastures are dense, pest-free, and nutrient-rich, livestock thrive. Farmers see: Improved daily weight gains and milk yields. Better fertility and reproductive performance Fewer animal health issues Greater resilience in dry or tough seasons High-quality pastures don’t just support animal health – they reduce reliance on costly supplements and help farmers get more out of every hectare. Partner with Wesco Seeds At Wesco, we understand that every farm is different. That’s why we work with farmers to design seed mixes that deliver the right balance of pasture quality and persistence for your operation. Talk to Wesco Seeds today about building better pastures that directly improve animal health and productivity on your farm.

Pasture is the backbone of every New Zealand farm. Whether you’re running dairy, sheep, beef, or a mixed operation, your profitability comes down to how well your grass is performing. Over time, however, even the best paddocks start to thin out, lose vigour, or fill with weeds. That’s when farmers face a common question: Should I reseed or oversow my pasture? In this guide, we’ll break down the differences, the signs to look for, and how to make the right decision for your farm system. Why Pasture Renovation Matters Higher animal performance – fresh, vigorous pastures produce more feed of higher quality. Better persistence – strong pastures last longer, meaning less rework in the long term. Weed and pest control – tired paddocks invite weeds, pests, and bare patches. Maximising return on investment – every hectare counts, and the right renovation strategy saves money. What’s the Difference Between Reseeding and Oversowing? Reseeding Reseeding is a full renewal. By spraying out the old plants and cultivating the soil, you create a clean seedbed. Drilling a new Wesco mix then ensures even establishment, better species balance, and a strong start for the new pasture. Best for: Pastures with less than 50% desirable species remaining. Paddocks overrun with weeds or poor grasses. Correcting compaction, drainage, or fertility issues. Long-term productivity improvements. Pros: Complete reset for maximum yield potential. Opportunity to fix soil fertility and drainage before planting. Can introduce entirely new grass or clover varieties. Cons: Higher upfront cost. Paddock out of production for several weeks. Requires more planning and soil preparation. Oversowing Oversowing (also called undersowing or stitching in) means adding seed into an existing pasture without fully cultivating or spraying it out. Best for: Pastures that are still 50–70% good grasses but need a lift. Filling in bare patches after summer dry or pugging damage. Extending the life of a paddock without a full renewal. Pros: Lower cost than reseeding. Minimal downtime. Great for patch repairs and quick seasonal boosts. Cons: Less effective if competition from existing pasture is strong. Weeds and poor grasses may still persist. Shorter-term fix compared to full reseed. How to Decide: Reseed or Oversow? Ask yourself these key questions: What percentage of desirable pasture species do I have left? Under 50% = reseed. 50–70% = oversow. Am I battling weeds or soil compaction? If yes- A full reseed allows for complete weed control and soil correction. Introducing a short-term forage crop can be particularly useful for terminating persistent perennial weeds ahead of re-establishing pasture. How quickly do I need the paddock back in rotation? Oversowing is faster. What’s my budget and long-term plan? Reseeding costs more upfront but lasts longer. Tips for Success Timing is everything – Plan ahead so you can get the seeds in the ground at the right time. Soil moisture and warmth are crucial for seed establishment. Soil fertility first – test your soil and address pH, N,P,K,S and micro nutrients Choose the right seed mix – Dairy systems often perform well with diverse mixes incorporating ryegrass, plantain, chicory, and high-performing clovers to withstand higher stocking rates. Sheep and beef producers generally prefer persistent, species-diverse blends—including deeper-rooting grasses and strong legumes—to improve resilience and feed quality across varying terrain. Graze wisely – avoid overgrazing new pastures too early. Light grazing encourages tillering; heavy grazing can set growth back. Remember What you see above the ground is a good guide to what’s happening below — root depth is usually similar to plant height. Monitor and maintain – weed control, fertiliser, and good grazing management will protect your investment. The Bottom Line Both reseeding and oversowing have their place on New Zealand farms. Think of reseeding as a reset button when a paddock is past saving, while oversowing is a booster shot to extend the life of a reasonably good pasture. The key is to regularly walk your paddocks, assess species composition, and make renovation decisions based on long-term profitability. Ready to Renovate Your Pasture? Getting the timing and seed mix right can be the difference between average results and a game-changing season. Talk to our pasture specialists today for advice on whether reseeding or oversowing is right for your farm. We’ll help you choose the best grass and clover mixes for your soil, stock, and region — so you get more feed, better persistence, and maximum return on every hectare. Get Expert Pasture Advice Now ›