Picture this. It’s a beautiful evening in February 2026. The paddock you’re standing in used to be one of your worst. Today, it’s your best – new grass and clover are humming, the cows are full and happy.

Making this happen starts right now, if it hasn’t already, according to a leading pasture expert.

“The better organised you are ahead of autumn sowing, the closer you are to pasture you’ll be proud of in 12 months’ time,” Graham Kerr says.

“Over half the lifetime growth and persistence of new pasture is already set in place before the seed even goes into the ground.”

With 30-plus years’ experience, Barenbrug’s pasture specialist says he’s seen too much new grass tip over too soon for want of careful preparation leading up to sowing day.

The good news? You still have about a month to make sure this autumn is your most successful pasture renewal season yet.

“It’s all about planning,” Graham says. “Whether it’s ordering seed early, so you know you’ll get the cultivars you want, or booking your drilling contractor now to beat the rush, set yourself up for success.

“What often happens is that as soon as conditions are right, everyone wants to sow new pasture at once and there is huge pressure on the seed supply chain, as well as contractor availability.”

Another key task to tick off this month is tackling any weeds or pests that will jeopardise new pasture establishment.

Greasy cutworm, for example, was ‘dreadful’ this past spring, and could still pose a real risk to autumn-sown grass and clover.

Many paddocks destined for new grass will have already been summer cropped as part of the renewal process.

But Graham says the improved dairy payout offers an opportunity to upgrade poor existing pastures too, generating better feed growth and quality in 2025/26.

“Grass to grass renewal is a great way to put yourself on the front foot for next season, rather than having to live with pastures you know are not pulling their weight.

“With the conditions we’ve had this summer, they might be green. But it’s well worth checking how the cows are performing on them to make sure they’re actually growing quality feed, rather than weeds and unpalatable grass species.”

For more top tops on autumn pasture renewal, including a free pasture health check, contact Barenbrug today.