Establishing cover crops

D14

Member
i currently have a renewed interest in cover crops and am going to a meeting about them later this week. How would I go about establishing a cover at low cost? Machinery availeble are quad and cdax pelleter, plough, combi drill, a power Harrow and a set of rolls.

We see no difference between using a slug pelleter and set of cambridge rolls than we do if we actually drill them and roll. Its all about timing and moisture so spin them on either onto moist ground or just before rain.
My neighbour uses a topdown, a subsoiler, a vaderstad and a set of rolls which is just ridiculous. He's even been known to put 50kg pf N on as well.
 

EddieB

Member
Arable Farmer
Location
Staffs
I've seen a few hoppers/metering units on stubble rakes which seems a good idea. Anyone using this method? Certainly fast if not reliable...
That’s how I was doing mine until this year. Mixed results, needs moisture.
l would say that this year’s look better, drilled with a disc drill.
 

farmerfred86

Member
BASIS
Location
Suffolk
That’s how I was doing mine until this year. Mixed results, needs moisture.
l would say that this year’s look better, drilled with a disc drill.
I've always established mine with a disc drill but I find it difficult to use the drill during harvest with the workload. I did suspect a straw harrow might be a bit hit and miss, especially seed not covered in the first place!
 

EddieB

Member
Arable Farmer
Location
Staffs
I've always established mine with a disc drill but I find it difficult to use the drill during harvest with the workload. I did suspect a straw harrow might be a bit hit and miss, especially seed not covered in the first place!
It can be a bit more time consuming with a drill but I can still do mine in a few mornings before we start harvesting.
 

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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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