Recent content by dragonfly

You can have all of ours! It's getting beyond a joke. It's seriously getting me down!

I had this same situation with my AB15 last year. A really thick 2ft+ high crop, that I was thrilled with. However, come the winter the thick crop flopped over and in some areas, killed the established sward. I know the guidelines do not mention it, but I will be giving my AB15 a pre-winter...

How are growers planning to establish their AB15, this August? The soil is moist, but trodden in places by combines and baler. Do I scratch it in and then roll?

I started harvesting today in oilseed rape. I was surprised, how well it went (until we were rained off at 7pm) Moisture only 9% and its yielding way better expected, close to 5t/ha!

My AB15 is now in its second year. I had a reasonably good establishment, so topped it only once, last year. It now has lots of dead growth in it and I am wondering what is best to do? I hope to top it, as soon as I can travel, in the early spring. I am worried that the topped dead growth will...

Just spent the last few days, pulling lots of volunteer elder plants up! Elder will take over a hawthorn hedge. Horrible pant!

When recovering, after a nervous breakdown, I was "looked after" by the Shaw Trust. They found me "light" work in a local company, with a work colleague who became a sort of mentor. The discipline of having to get up and go to work was very helpful to my recovery. Sometimes, we just need...

Me too!

I have some chitting boxes, for sale. Not sure of total amount, but 1000 - 2000. I am near Sleaford.

This is so true, long dark nights and miserable weather always effect my mental wellbeing. For me November is the worse, just after the clocks go back! With harvest or other busy times, you focus your mind on the job. But when its over, you are in danger of collapsing in a big heap that leads...

Has anyone started sowing their AB15? If so, how is your system working?

I agree, that certain areas are going to need the flatlift, to sort out any compaction that might hinder the small seeds establishing fully. I too, planned to bale the straw, but I am aware that the baling contractors may also add to the compaction.

"If" there is sufficient moisture in the seedbed, would drilling with a tine drill (with the tines lifted well up, so they are scratching the surface) and relying on the covering harrows to do the rest, be an option? Following up with the rolls.

As previously stated, I am following mainly spring barley, so little time after combining. We've had reasonably good success, spinning on rape in the past. But, I am concerned about how far a broadcaster will spread the mix.

I normally rely on contractors for my drilling and normally have a selection to choose from depending on the crop and the time of year. I have a tine drill as back up. Some drills are unavailable due to combining duties, although I have a strip-till guy who has been busy drilling stubble turnips...