The benefit of rolling

Flat 10

Member
Arable Farmer
Location
Fen Edge
When I moved to France we rolled our cereal crops after the drill and I had several people tell me they had never seen it done before.
It's funny how various regions do things differently (I'm sure there is a reason) but it can be very difficult to figure out why....
 

A1baz

Member
was that in OSR previously? i get little bother here after any other crop but OSR & any dry clods what a job. all rolled aswell
No, it’s second wheat.
I have had more problems in the autumn from rolling than not rolling - the benefits on this fairly light land seem almost cosmetic, the downside if it comes wet are poor emergence (particularly headlands)

If in doubt I now don't roll - it can always be done in the spring if needed
Definitely not cosmetic. You maybe can’t see too well in the pic but there’s hardly a plant growing where the rolling stops.
 

snarling bee

Member
Arable Farmer
Location
Bedfordshire
I would never roll heavy land after the drill, so i suppose the french think the same
We will always roll heavy land after the drill if the weather allows. Is your heavy land the same as my heavy land?? ie 45%clay. Even my 'boys ground' and the chalk will get rolled asap after drilling if possible. I've been doing it successfully for over 40 years and its always better rolled than not, apart from turning headlands when wet underneath.
 

glasshouse

Member
Location
lothians
We will always roll heavy land after the drill if the weather allows. Is your heavy land the same as my heavy land?? ie 45%clay. Even my 'boys ground' and the chalk will get rolled asap after drilling if possible. I've been doing it successfully for over 40 years and its always better rolled than not, apart from turning headlands when wet underneath.
Three inches of rain on top of rolled spring barley = disaster
In 2012, some farmers near here got 750 kg per acre after heavy rain in early april on rolled barley
Mine was ok as it wasnt rolled
 

Lowland1

Member
Mixed Farmer
In Kenya most farmers have never seen a set of rolls and I think they could all benefit from them. We always roll after drilling corn. And often after maize or beans. After drilling last week we rolled everything in with a cultipress and it's coming up nice. I've never rolled a growing crop though that might be a step too far.
 

Oldmacdonald

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
Scotland
I don't think enough rolling is done. Done right (and with a reasonable season in front of it) it works wonders.

I wish more people would roll their stubbles where they are harrowing or otherwise tilling them. Get a far better weed chit and it firms the surface up making it less hospitable for slugs.

Would do it after drilling for most crops where it was possible. Makes it harder for slugs and birds to get at the seed. Makes it better for soil acting chemistry. Evens up emergence.

It can be done in the spring I agree but not always- depends on the spring and your ground.

Only applicable in your corner of the world.

That's not universally true across the country.
 

nxy

Member
Mixed Farmer
Very heavy?
Not on the surface.
Most of the land we farm here is glacial wash silty sand over clay and/or granite.
Some of the granite can be quite impressive. I farm the opposite side of the valley from a hamlet called "Roche" which I don't think you need translating.
Its pretty light, easy working stuff on the surface but its often not that far down to the impermeable stuff.
Therefore easy to pack down too tight and also water can just sit on this land.
 

czechmate

Member
Mixed Farmer
Not on the surface.
Most of the land we farm here is glacial wash silty sand over clay and/or granite.
Some of the granite can be quite impressive. I farm the opposite side of the valley from a hamlet called "Roche" which I don't think you need translating.
Its pretty light, easy working stuff on the surface but its often not that far down to the impermeable stuff.
Therefore easy to pack down too tight and also water can just sit on this land.

Oh, thank you👍. I forgot to reply to @glasshouse 🙄, yes that about sums it up.

I damaged the combine with a rock this year, I’m wondering about rolling in spring🤔. Any experience, mind the window would be very small and herbicide application 🥴
 

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Red Tractor drops launch of green farming scheme amid anger from farmers

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As reported in Independent


quote: “Red Tractor has confirmed it is dropping plans to launch its green farming assurance standard in April“

read the TFF thread here: https://thefarmingforum.co.uk/index.php?threads/gfc-was-to-go-ahead-now-not-going-ahead.405234/
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