AB15 2 year legume fallow

[DRC]

I got my AB15 seed down to £50/a buying in ½ tonne bags @ 30kg/Ha

i would only need one half tonne bag for the acres i was thinking of doing .

 

[B'o'B]

i would only need one half tonne bag for the acres i was thinking of doing .

Mine was a big order which meant I got big discounts.

 

[Grass And Grain]

Next year's ab15 seed c£60/AC.

And I notice in the current handbook, that the seed spec is changing for 2021 start dates.

When I've drilled grass in the past at 15kg/acre and been running short of seed so cut rate down to 7kg/acre. As long as a good seedbed, no noticeable difference by end of October.

 

[teslacoils]

If there were no grass in it, and an extra 2kg clover it would still be as good.

 

[teslacoils]

Might be worth noting that if you mulch it or roll the growth flat, it makes an ace habitat for field mice that my owls love. It's also a slug haven and they munch the heck out of the vetch in year two.

 

[Grass And Grain]

I was sort of thinking that. Might skimp on the seed rate per acre, but then add in some extra red clover.

 

[Grass And Grain]

Oh, slugs!

Will they eat the wheat seed. Sounds like will need to watch for them.

 

[Hindsight]

As the seed rate is specified as 15 - 20 kg/ha of the 6 legume species in the prescription there really isn't any possibility of skimping on seed as an RPA inspector may well ask for sight of seed invoices and check the amount equates to the prescription seed rate. 15 kg/ha light and medium soils. 20 kg/ha heavy soils.

 

[B'o'B]

As the seed rate is specified as 15 - 20 kg/ha of the 6 legume species in the prescription there really isn't any possibility of skimping on seed as an RPA inspector may well ask for sight of seed invoices and check the amount equates to the prescription seed rate. 15 kg/ha light and medium soils. 20 kg/ha heavy soils.

The seed rates are only advised, not actually a requirement. But if the stand wasn’t very good when inspected I’d feel happier if I could show I hadn’t scrimped on seed.

 

[teslacoils]

Oh, slugs!

Will they eat the wheat seed. Sounds like will need to watch for them.

Yeah, might not have been helped by the wet winter but the slugs certainly had a good much at everything. The clover here is knee high. As said, the grass in my eyes adds nothing to the value, apart from some shallow rooting. I'll be pelleting the following wheat fir certain.

 

[steveR]

Might be worth noting that if you mulch it or roll the growth flat, it makes an ace habitat for field mice that my owls love. It's also a slug haven and they munch the heck out of the vetch in year two.

Not sure if that warrants a or a to be honest...

 

[Luke Cropwalker]

This sounds a great option for some heavy carr land I manage. But what about the dreaded blackgrass? How is everyone managing this option to hopefully get back to wheat?

 

[DRC]

This sounds a great option for some heavy carr land I manage. But what about the dreaded blackgrass? How is everyone managing this option to hopefully get back to wheat?

I think it’s to help with black grass by regular topping .

 

[yellow belly]

Enhanced over winter stubble will grow a tonne An acre less wheat after compared to Legume fallow followed by 2wheat crops if the land has any body to it

 

[teslacoils]

This sounds a great option for some heavy carr land I manage. But what about the dreaded blackgrass? How is everyone managing this option to hopefully get back to wheat?

A few bg plants have shown their face. Mostly controlled by mowing, decent stake seedbed pre drilling. No fert help - the few here you can see while walking it and they just pull out.

I'm going to mole it, twice over with discs and press. Roll. Leave a month or two. Drill.

 

[Hindsight]

The seed rates are only advised, not actually a requirement. But if the stand wasn’t very good when inspected I’d feel happier if I could show I hadn’t scrimped on seed.

Thanks - I had another look and as you say guidance. The new requirement for more legumes increases the cost markedly from previous cheap ryegrass with clover.

 

[yellow belly]

Thanks - I had another look and as you say guidance. The new requirement for more legumes increases the cost markedly from previous cheap ryegrass with clover.

The last time I planted wheat after a 2 year clover riegrass ley the wheat was the highest yielding crop I have ever grown 12 tonnes per ha
I would predict on my land A clover ley would yield a minimum 10 tonnes wheat in a poor year up to 13 in a good year with 2020s varieties and technology The second wheat would be 9 tonne
after a set aside type natural regen 9 tonne maximum in a good year And would not grow a second wheat

 

[B'o'B]

Thanks - I had another look and as you say guidance. The new requirement for more legumes increases the cost markedly from previous cheap ryegrass with clover.

Hurrel’s are selling the new mix at £54/a verses £71/a for the old mix on their website, so it’s considerably cheaper!
https://www.hmseeds.co.uk/stewardship-seed-countryside-els

 

[Chalky]

Admit I have not fully read this thread, but can the Forum confirm that this option can be destroyed on 15th August(in the correct year) and immediately resown DD with the same option(obviously after mowing & baling the crop post 15th August?? ie it does not HAVE TO be resited, as the term re-establish is used.

 

[Grass And Grain]

Not sure.

I got a written response that suggested that the option ahould be rotated.

I also got told by a NE advisor that they have sometimes allowed it to remain in same field after 2 years without even reseeding if the plant density and variety was still ok.