Jdunn55
Member
- Location
- Helston, cornwall
Red clover
- Thread starter shortshift
- Start date
- Location
- Ceredigion
We fatten a lot of lambs in the summer so was working on a crop that I can keep down for 3 years that could replace Stubble Turnips and Rape , Ryegrass Red Clover Chicory i had in mind maybe a bit of white clover . Want it so I can mow it in the spring or Early June that is
- Location
- South Molton
Thats the issue my friend had. Being organic the grass was being grazed too early and checked too much to keep on top of the chicoryOh... not the answer I wantedI guess the trick is going to be getting the chicory and grass to the same stage of growth at the same time.
- Location
- Montgomeryshire
Strict rotational grazing with small paddocks and frequent moves from what I understand.
I’ve never thought the complications meant it was worth bothering with.
It’s a job to beat PRG and white clover if it’s managed well imo, although I keep trying various other mixes.
Jdunn55
Member
- Location
- Helston, cornwall
- Location
- Welshpool Powys
Everyone I know that’s tried it has always gone back to
RG and white clover swards and prefer the flexibility and simplicity of it.
Jdunn55
Member
- Location
- Helston, cornwall
Prg and white clover will always be bread and butter but I'm really pleased with my herbal leys, especially with the income from gs4, I probably would like them less without the 300 quid per hectare mind.
I could just leave out chicory if I find it to be a nuisance, but am keen to see how it does as those long roots could be helpful in the middle of a dry summer
Jdunn55
Member
- Location
- Helston, cornwall
If mowing I wouldnt be wanting chicory in it personally, stalks really can go dry and be like tree trunks. Plantain is awesome but not sure on feed value in comparison to chicory. Lucerne, Included in with red clover and ryegrass? Ours has done well
- Location
- Ceredigion
Lot of mixes I've seen have gone to heavy with the chicory. It runs riote then , it don't cost a lot to put a small amount in so well worth a try , I'm going to give it a go and see
Jdunn55
Member
- Location
- Helston, cornwall
How much would you reccomend in a ley as a small amount? I was thinking around 3.5%?
- Location
- South Molton
If its like dock seed, 1 will do they rest will come!
- Location
- Ceredigion
0.30 kg to 0.80 kg per acre, no more
I'm putting 0.30 kg in mine
Jdunn55
Member
- Location
- Helston, cornwall
If chicory is like docks, it makes you wonder why we hate docks?? I know digestability of docks isnt great and they dont like the taste that much, but is that the only reason? Never really thought about it, just always thought of them as weeds but never why they're weeds...If its like dock seed, 1 will do they rest will come!
Jdunn55
Member
- Location
- Helston, cornwall
My plan was around 0.5kg but could lower that to 0.3kg and put more plantain in. I like plantain better anyway.
- Location
- Owaka, New Zealand
- Location
- Owaka, New Zealand
Because they don't cost anything to grow.
Makes me smile seeing these new wave regen farmers posing with their sunflowers,,, always wondered what they think they're doing that a field of scotch thistles/docks isn't - other than sending money to town
I love a good sales pitch as much as the next guy
- Location
- South Molton
Docks bring up minerals from deep down and the tannin prevents bloat.
Cows will eat them as long as they are too peppery from nitrogen.
Jdunn55
Member
- Location
- Helston, cornwall
I was going to say that my countryside stewardship officer (and before anyone jumps to conclusions shes no tree hugger so wasn't saying it to stop us spraying - shes brilliant and havent a bad word against her) was telling me that docks only taste bad to cows if they've had nitrogen spread on them.
So why do we hate them??? All I've heard so far is:
- anti bloat,
- free
- deep rooting (therefore drought resistant)
- extra minerals
- no nitrogen required
- Location
- Ceredigion
Most weeds that are successful are not edible, nettle thistle Dock rushes . Thats why they are successful , they are left to grow and seed
- Location
- South Molton
Docks are edible.
And also because they are free seed salesmen hate anything that's free and persistent.