2012 Cover crops success?

[BSH]

My trial field of cover crop was a failure this last autumn, mostly because I only got it in too late. I was torn on whether to even put it in ( Pedders No.3) or whether to keep it until this year but in the end went ahead and put it in on 11/9/12. It got some slug pellets but I didnt want to spend too much on it and it never got away. It has obviously been a B awful autumn but even so I wouldnt try to put it in this late again. How did others fare and what do you think is a sensible cut off date?

 

[155tm]

Not a good cover crop season this year, too little summer sun to warm up the soil and for the previous crop to leave much behind.

We have currently got a mob of 150ish sheep clearing about 15ha per week. It could effectively be argued that it isn't worth grazing, but when you have been telling the grazier that he will have double the area he had for three months last winter, and he has run out of grass it is only fair to let him graze what he can!!

We drilled this year with the JD 750a and last year with the Horsch. Can't blame it all on the drill but the horsch would have moved more soil and mineralised more N than the low disturbance 750a.

 

[shakerator]

I believe the only way many covers could have been successful in 2012 would have been to broadcast in ripening wheat in july. chances are slugs would've had it- but have had some success with mustard- cant help but feel we would have more good OSR this year if it was high glucosinolate as its so less slug susceptible....

 

[Andy Howard]

The cover established this year on the 11th of august did well, the stuff drilled ten days later was a third of the crop. All highlighting drilling date was key this autumn.

 

[Pedders]

+1 the three golden rules drilling date drilling date drilling date