A summer cover with the aim to graze

[Agrispeed]

That mix looks brilliant, What seed rate and cost of seed for the grasses and hemp? Also what's the benefit of hemp please?

The mix I used was actually bird seed. So no choice in the mix. It went in at 14kg/ac as I guessed the rate. In reality it could be halved at the very least, probably sown at 4-5kg/ac. The stubble turnips and clover were at 5kg/ha.

The bird seed was £1/kg, but you could possibly make the mix yourself a lot cheaper, especially as the bird mix had a lot of sunflowers, but a lot were eaten by birds.

Hemp doesn't seem awfully palatable, but it does get trampled in and provides some ground cover, and there is a reasonably extensive root system. Linseed is similar. It does provide some novelty factor though, and the local soil science students eyes lit up when they saw it!

 

[Kiwi Pete]

Thanks for sowing the seed @Agrispeed re the birdseed mix, you're right - it's cheap!
I'm going to put it in my warm season mix, which will go into whatever's left of my cool season mix, after winter.

Funny the look you get when you ask for a half-tonne bulk bag of birdseed at the grain co. though!

 

[steveR]

Although I did watch some of my cattle hoovering up dandelions today when moved to fresh ground, in preference to everything else. They will also strip a dock bare of its leaves, and delicately nibble the tips of creeping thistles

Sounds like some hard and tight set stocking going on here Tom!!

Older cows do like a dandelion I agree.

 

[steveR]

The mix I used was actually bird seed. So no choice in the mix. It went in at 14kg/ac as I guessed the rate. In reality it could be halved at the very least, probably sown at 4-5kg/ac. The stubble turnips and clover were at 5kg/ha.

The bird seed was £1/kg, but you could possibly make the mix yourself a lot cheaper, especially as the bird mix had a lot of sunflowers, but a lot were eaten by birds.

Hemp doesn't seem awfully palatable, but it does get trampled in and provides some ground cover, and there is a reasonably extensive root system. Linseed is similar. It does provide some novelty factor though, and the local soil science students eyes lit up when they saw it!

I was pleased with bird seed mix last year too, the only issue was frost hardiness... Used as a game cover/wb feed to stretch out seed shortage on a Sat afternoon! Probs a bit light on seed rate too, but near enough on the day.

I have bought sunflower seeds as bird food before, and drilled them with mixed results, but they do look good in a mix.

 

[Devon James]

This is our crop now. Will the Mascani oats run up to seed? Sown 18th April

 

[steveR]

This is our crop now. Will the Mascani oats run up to seed? Sown 18th April View attachment 888312

Nice... Obviously had some rain after drilling in April.

?

 

[Old Spot]

This is our crop now. Will the Mascani oats run up to seed? Sown 18th April View attachment 888312

Looking great, most oats run to seed, but I don’t find it a problem

 

[Devon James]

Nice... Obviously had some rain after drilling in April.

?

This is how it looked just a week ago. Just add water! Had a rain just after drilling and gave it 40kgs/ha N by liquid fert. Then must have had a little more early May but the greatest amount in the last week. Really pleased with it. Hope it pays it's way as would like to grow some each year.

 

[Bury the Trash]

This is our crop now. Will the Mascani oats run up to seed? Sown 18th April View attachment 888312

Yes they will.

Good time to eat them with sheep green corn in the ear is good feed .

 

[tr250]

Although I did watch some of my cattle hoovering up dandelions today when moved to fresh ground, in preference to everything else. They will also strip a dock bare of its leaves, and delicately nibble the tips of creeping thistles

Arnt dandelions supposed to be toxic to cattle in large quantities. We do someone’s baling that mows round big patches of them although he does tend to overthink possible ways his stock could get ill

 

[The Ruminant]

Arnt dandelions supposed to be toxic to cattle in large quantities. We do someone’s baling that mows round big patches of them although he does tend to overthink possible ways his stock could get ill

I’ve not heard that.... and haven’t lost any cattle either!

 

[steveR]

I’ve not heard that.... and haven’t lost any cattle either!

A traditional early season salad leaf... Not killed me yet, but I am not a Ruminant ;-)

 

[Brisel]

@Charles Quick

 

[ollie989898]

Think it was £17 for 20kg so pretty cheap had the agronomist scratching his head for ages trying to work out what it was

Still £850/tonne- not bad work if you can get it!

 

[Devon James]

Growth has gone crazy now. Better get some lambs on there. I think yearling cattle would do a job as well.

 

[Bury the Trash]

Growth has gone crazy now. Better get some lambs on there. I think yearling cattle would do a job as well. View attachment 890323View attachment 890324

Be a pity not to Use a strip fence if you've got time to put one up.

 

[Devon James]

Be a pity not to Use a strip fence if you've got time to put one up.

Will do boss