AB15 2 year legume fallow

[teslacoils]

So possibly not be greedy and go for winter barley gives a bit more time for establishment

I'd sit down and think "I'm getting paid £200 an acre for this" and put some thought into how you would want a crop to look. I think the seed cost me a fair wodge, and it's mostly clover so it wants as good a seedbed as a new ley would. And it needs getting in before 1st September. If you can do that after wheat fair enough but we're often not cutting wheat until then. Will you have straw contractors shifting bales?

Mine is outside my house, and seen from the road, so I want it looking good. I've seen a few where the clover hasn't taken and it a) looks bobbins and b) isn't exactly ticking the boxes for the scheme.

This may bite me in the ass if the next lot I plant goes bad! But my view as with other crops is that i want it to be a good crop not just seen as some free money. If you want that option, the enhanced fallow is almost as much for doing nothing. But looks scruffy as anything.

 

[B R C]

I agree that’s why winter barley will give 4-6 weeks, wheat might only be a couple if weather is unfavourable. It wants to to the job intended as you say, enhanced fallow might be ok but could give weed problems although I think you can spray after May 15th, if you spray the whole field for black grass might not be in the spirit of the agreement!

 

[steveR]

Hope to be looking at the AB15 next year, but until then...

Severn Trent Water STEPS has and annual pollinator option, similiar money at 500/ha, but only there for 12 months... in theory. Only 2h at present, which is a bit of a shame.

Not sure on the establishment and seed cost/annum as yet. I guess the establishment of this mix will benefit from the regime described by @teslacoils .... Early and good, clean seedbed. Wondering if it would DD into a clean stubble as a stale seedbed effect.

But I do worry about SU residues after experiencing the problems many years ago!! So maybe a quick light disc and roll then drill.... I switched to old chemistry in Spring barley, pre stubble turnips etc

• Establish a mix containing at least 4 of the following; Crimson clover, Red clover, Berseem clover, Persian clover, Phacelia, Native corn fl ower, Native corn marigold and Native corn chamomile, Borage, Common vetch, Field poppy, Corn cockle.
• The type of mix can be established on all soil types and in most locations but it works best in south or south- southwest areas with a sunny aspect. Some cornfi eld annuals are best suited to medium and light soils. Check with your seed merchant for the best mix for your soil type and situation.
• Establish by October 31st following the guidance of your chosen seed merchant. Some annuals, if sown in the autumn, will flower early in the following spring. This can help to make up for the lack of fl owering species at that critical time.
• Retain the mix until Sept 1st the following year.

 

[teslacoils]

We drilled the grass element with a vaddy. Then rolled. Einbocked the clover an rolled again. After oats. I send the boys to walk it and "kick in" any spear thistles.

 

[DRC]

Hope to be looking at the AB15 next year, but until then...

Severn Trent Water STEPS has and annual pollinator option, similiar money at 500/ha, but only there for 12 months... in theory

Not sure on the establishment and seed cost/annum as yet. I guess the establishment of this mix will benefit from the regime described by @teslacoils .... Early and good, clean seedbed. Wondering if it would DD into a clean stubble as a stale seedbed effect.

But I do worry about SU residues after experiencing the problems many years ago!! So maybe a quick light disc and roll then drill.... I switched to old chemistry in Spring barley, pre stubble turnips etc

• Establish a mix containing at least 4 of the following; Crimson clover, Red clover, Berseem clover, Persian clover, Phacelia, Native corn fl ower, Native corn marigold and Native corn chamomile, Borage, Common vetch, Field poppy, Corn cockle.
• The type of mix can be established on all soil types and in most locations but it works best in south or south- southwest areas with a sunny aspect. Some cornfi eld annuals are best suited to medium and light soils. Check with your seed merchant for the best mix for your soil type and situation.
• Establish by October 31st following the guidance of your chosen seed merchant. Some annuals, if sown in the autumn, will flower early in the following spring. This can help to make up for the lack of fl owering species at that critical time.
• Retain the mix until Sept 1st the following year.

I’m still trying to work out how you’d get more than 2ha with STEPS, as it’s for 5 yrs . Lump sum of £5k, so £1k yr or 2 ha. Unless your prepared to plant larger areas and keep getting another 2ha added every year . But even then you would be growing some for nothing in the early years .
I’d want 10ha minimum in whole fields if possible

 

[steveR]

I’m still trying to work out how you’d get more than 2ha with STEPS, as it’s for 5 yrs . Lump sum of £5k, so £1k yr or 2 ha. Unless your prepared to plant larger areas and keep getting another 2ha added every year . But even then you would be growing some for nothing in the early years .
I’d want 10ha minimum in whole fields if possible

My take is mix and match Options and yes, the annual pollinator area is too fiddling as it stands. I am hoping we will see bigger areas on offer this Autumn... along with the herbal leys and a new option on the way... Yes, I am thinking on adding each year until Elms hits, if this seems viable, as the land I am looking at has been hammered over the past 4-5 years and needs a real rest.

What I am keen to try is the various types of "cropping" away from the rigours and horrors of Mid Tier and suss out agronomy on some difficult land. Was hoping to go see some new drilling over near Newport about now to, but...

 

[DRC]

My take is mix and match Options and yes, the annual pollinator area is too fiddling as it stands. I am hoping we will see bigger areas on offer this Autumn... along with the herbal leys and a new option on the way... Yes, I am thinking on adding each year until Elms hits, if this seems viable, as the land I am looking at has been hammered over the past 4-5 years and needs a real rest.

What I am keen to try is the various types of "cropping" away from the rigours and horrors of Mid Tier and suss out agronomy on some difficult land. Was hoping to go see some new drilling about now to, but...

Nothing stopping you from what I’ve seen this week.

 

[steveR]

Nothing stopping you from what I’ve seen this week.

Aye, I delivered a bale of hay to one of my horsey gals in central Telford. Almost back to normal and now also getting a rush hour in the evening as the factories finish shift...

 

[teslacoils]

6ha of ab15
Half hour kicking in thistles with the child.
Found one of each species and a few extra from the verges.
Produced mini bouquet for Mrs teslacoils.

 

[yellow belly]

Would undersowing the legume element in May or June work then drill the grass element after harvest

 

[steveR]

Nothing stopping you from what I’ve seen this week.

Still not been out and had a looksee... Been doing my research here on TFF and on Youtube!

Put in for around 18ha into two of the new STEPS biodiversity "unlimited" options. Waiting now to see if they are accepted. Got a bit of a hint, that they will be looking for applications where the applicant has a track record of delivering.

Will do nicely as a trial area to suss out management, prior to a possible CS mid tier simplified scheme of a similiar nature.

 

[DRC]

Still not been out and had a looksee... Been doing my research here on TFF and on Youtube!

Put in for around 18ha into two of the new STEPS biodiversity "unlimited" options. Waiting now to see if they are accepted. Got a bit of a hint, that they will be looking for applications where the applicant has a track record of delivering.

Will do nicely as a trial area to suss out management, prior to a possible CS mid tier simplified scheme of a similiar nature.

I did an application yesterday . 6.8ha herbal ley, 2.5 ha bird and bee and 2ha margins .
New chap has been very helpful via email and phone . Some of my fields aren’t in the catchment . It’s not masses , but would tidy up some awkward corners and headlands .

 

[steveR]

I did an application yesterday . 6.8ha herbal ley, 2.5 ha bird and bee and 2ha margins .
New chap has been very helpful via email and phone . Some of my fields aren’t in the catchment . It’s not masses , but would tidy up some awkward corners and headlands .

Excellent!

Reasonable money I felt, and can be targeted at the right areas of land for the farm.

 

[jon9000]

i'm currently doing a mid tier..... planning on over wintered stubbles, enhanced over wintered stubbles, wild bird seed and wild flower buffers.

 

[teslacoils]

Next year's ab15 seed c£60/AC.

 

[jon9000]

So is ab15 a non brainer over just enhanced overwintered stubbled

 

[teslacoils]

So is ab15 a non brainer over just enhanced overwintered stubbled

Eows is easy to fit into a rotation. Ab15 needs a little more thought unless it's just two tricky fields. After seed cost and management there is less of a difference between them. Some income potential from cutting after 15 aug from the ab15 but I expect most will mulch it then get it worked asap. If you don't establish the ab15 well it will look like crap for two years. Fine on east land but on heavy land you won't make a good job after a late wheat. In my opinion. Look at the margin and treat it like a crop. I've got both and will be doing soil tests for om and nitrogen just to see.

 

[steveR]

Next year's ab15 seed c£60/AC.

Never accuse a seed merchant of missing an opportunity....

 

[DRC]

Next year's ab15 seed c£60/AC.

When I was looking at doing it , I was quoted £6.30 kg with seed rate of 30/40 Kgs ha.
If my maths are right, that would be over £100/acre at the higher seed rate.

 

[B'o'B]

When I was looking at doing it , I was quoted £6.30 kg with seed rate of 30/40 Kgs ha.
If my maths are right, that would be over £100/acre at the higher seed rate.

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