A Novice and his Aitchison Grassfarmer.

steveR

Member
Mixed Farmer
As I see it part of the attraction of the boot type drill is that the seed is placed in the bottom of a chamber that is still in contact with unbroken soil and so any moisture in the ground will still reach the seed (osmosis?) and because of the high relative humidity in the chamber (warm soil temp, moisture, lack of direct sunlight) you get a fast strike even in a dry time. In fact, I would argue that when competing against PP you might be better drilling when the conditions are challenging rather than just when youve had a good soak and the PP will be rejeuvenated and therefore be able to outcompete your seedlings.
How are you going to manage the sward now? Grazing or mowing? I wouldnt rate the chances of success as high if you are intending to mow it - PP needs keeping down and grazed rotationally/fast and hard to stop the stock (Sheep) selectively grazing and allowing the PP to swamp out the new grass. Not preaching but just seen it happen so many times - funny how often we get reports of brilliant germination and full lines of seed to then hear 12 months later about how the old grasses have taken over - so the drill gets blamed - nothing to do with how that rejeuvenated sward was managed. Hence we are very careful about which places we drill at now because you can tell fairly quickly whether the drilling will be a success before youve even visited the farm

Now he tells me!! :)

Very interesting point you make on the likelihood of success possibly improving in a more challenging seedbed! I think a fortnight ago would have been a tough ask as a seedbed round here ;)

There is so little grass there, that I am hoping that some of the new seeds will make it through for 12 months. In all honesty, the whole field needs a complete revamp, burn off and start again, but cannot afford the loss of the grass this time now!

JUst having an experiment really... the intention had been a cut asap. The existing grass was so patchy, I needed to do something this time.
 

Wigeon

Member
Arable Farmer
Sorry to jump in, but is anyone using an aitchison seedmatic in a purely arable situation? They look gloriously simple, but I'd be slightly worried about trash flow, and big seed bags too.

Thanks
 

steveR

Member
Mixed Farmer
Sorry to jump in, but is anyone using an aitchison seedmatic in a purely arable situation? They look gloriously simple, but I'd be slightly worried about trash flow, and big seed bags too.

Thanks

Are you looking at a Disc or tine machine? Must say I have been amazed at how much crap my little machine will cope with already, but a different machine

Weren't you looking at one before? I think you might struggle to find a new one in the UK at present too, the Simtech has taken the marjket share now I suspect and has a UK presence.
 
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Wigeon

Member
Arable Farmer
Thanks- yes indeed, saw one at lamma last yr and it got me thinking. This spring's campaign with my old co4 has got me in the mood for a definite change now though, but cant justify a new sprinter etc, plus I've got a load of grass and clover to go in, so closer row spacing would help with that too. Definitely a tine machine for me
 

Wigeon

Member
Arable Farmer
Well I've only gone and bought one...

20200814_170259.jpg
 

Wigeon

Member
Arable Farmer
Well I've only gone and bought

I 100% blame this forum for this recession busting bit of spending :rolleyes: !

Cant wait to get cracking to be honest. Very much hoping it'll have all the promised flexibility etc. Just need to rig up some slot covering of some description, and then good to go I hope.

Love the simplicity of it, though I was slightly surprised to find an electric area meter. Will add some pics as and when I have something to show
 

steveR

Member
Mixed Farmer
I 100% blame this forum for this recession busting bit of spending :rolleyes: !

Cant wait to get cracking to be honest. Very much hoping it'll have all the promised flexibility etc. Just need to rig up some slot covering of some description, and then good to go I hope.

Love the simplicity of it, though I was slightly surprised to find an electric area meter. Will add some pics as and when I have something to show

Good to see you are keeping the rural economy going... Should be fun to use this Autumn! You going for the usual chains covering?

I asked about an area meter and was offered a very expensive electric meter. I picked up for one for 1/3rd teh price, but not actually fitted it yet!

You will have to change your Avatar pic now... no more heavy rolling :cool:
 

JD-Kid

Member
Sorry to jump in, but is anyone using an aitchison seedmatic in a purely arable situation? They look gloriously simple, but I'd be slightly worried about trash flow, and big seed bags too.

Thanks
mate of mine used to use one for all his drilling of crops out of grass did 2 sprays stubble think baled or burnt it
he also had stock so grow winter crops so some of the trash would of been broken down with grazing
 

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