1 year crop??

[Scania143h]

Hi all

I have been offered 25 acres of old grassland for one year only. It would not suit dairy cow silage as the grass is mostly natural grass and weeds. Also we would not have enough heifers to graze it. What crop could I sow and harvest to feed dairy cows that would be cost effective? Last year we planted Spring wheat for wholecrop but that worked out an expensive crop to grow and harvest. Any thoughts?

 

[ollie989898]

Hi all

I have been offered 25 acres of old grassland for one year only. It would not suit dairy cow silage as the grass is mostly natural grass and weeds. Also we would not have enough heifers to graze it. What crop could I sow and harvest to feed dairy cows that would be cost effective? Last year we planted Spring wheat for wholecrop but that worked out an expensive crop to grow and harvest. Any thoughts?

Fodder beet if the land suits and land owner will let you?

Maize? Dunno where you are.

If you were borrowing my field and mucking, ploughing and spraying it for me so I could reseed it after I would be chuffed as nuts.

 

[Ormond]

Not that I really like westerwolds....but would be quick to establish and get a few cuts off it. Problem is pH of the soil is most likely low.. P and K possibly low too....careful not to put too much into it cost wise when it might be more cost effective buying in the silage instead

 

[Farmer Keith]

Do you need the hassle of it?

 

[Scania143h]

I was thinking more off a forage crop rather than beet etc. Something that could be mowed by ourselves and baled rather than needing to get a contractor in to harvest.

Yes very true do I need the hassle off it. Renting it would help with nitrates this year and also it will not cost much when I claim SFP on it.

 

[Great In Grass]

14kg of IRG + 3kg Westerwolds per acre.

 

[buffalo_soldier]

You're talking a westerwold/irg mix then.

What condition do you need to give the land back in? That type of mix above would burn out quick.

If you can wangle a bit longer lease, Maize to winter wheat, then back to a proper ley would give you bang for your buck and leave the field in better fettle. Location depending.

 

[betweenthelines]

Dry cows

 

[Great In Grass]

You're talking a westerwold/irg mix then.

What condition do you need to give the land back in? That type of mix above would burn out quick.

If you can wangle a bit longer lease, Maize to winter wheat, then back to a proper ley would give you bang for your buck and leave the field in better fettle. Location depending.

The OP has the ground for 1 year the IRG/WW mix will last into spring of 2023 if sown this spring.

 

[ollie989898]

I would tell the landowner to keep the SFP but you want to farm the land for 5 years ideally. Whack maize in it now followed by wheat the reseed.

If you are going to reseed it now slap in 16kg of IRG mixture including 4kg of Perun but drill 25kg of spring barley first.

Take a picture when the barley is all in row and I will tell you when to spray it for weeds. Throw on 50 units of N. Cut 1st week of July.

 

[Shep]

If only have it for one year, then graze as much as possible with heifers and make the rest as dry cow silage. I wouldn't be spending a bean on it.

 

[tw15]

If only have it for one year, then graze as much as possible with heifers and make the rest as dry cow silage. I wouldn't be spending a bean on it.

Got to be the best plan if only for a year if it frees up some better grass for silage at the home farm and if it is fenced . Chuck at bit of fert on not a lot of spend .

 

[Princess Pooper]

Dry cows

My thoughts exactly.

 

[vantage]

One year is a waste of time. Rapes the ground. 5 year fbt the way to go.
Not much use to graze if you’re locked down with bTb either.

 

[Scania143h]

Thanks for all the replies. What would the cost be of growing maize under plastic?

 

[ollie989898]

Thanks for all the replies. What would the cost be of growing maize under plastic?

£100 an acre for the plastic. £60ish for the seed. £15 for drilling. £20 for sprays. Add your own ploughing, cultivation and harvesting costs.

 

[st piran]

More like £50 an acre for the drill which includes pr em spraying

 

[vantage]

£100 an acre for the plastic. £60ish for the seed. £15 for drilling. £20 for sprays. Add your own ploughing, cultivation and harvesting costs.

More like £50 an acre for the drill which includes pr em spraying

£250 plus fert?

 

[vinnie123]

Thanks for all the replies. What would the cost be of growing maize under plastic?

Expensive!