Applying slurry after first cut

[Billydooker]

Just took first cut off and going to be applying slurry via umbilical this week. It’s been dry here for the last 2 weeks and ground pretty hard now. Forecast looks dry for the foreseeable future. Should I apply the slurry with my dribble bar or will that leave it in dry lines(but leave the grass in between to grow) or is it better to splash plate to save leaving the lines of slurry(but covering all the grass)
Or don’t apply any at all? [emoji85][emoji1]

 

[davidroberts30]

Dribble bar or injector

 

[simmy_bull]

I wouldn’t be worried about splashplate if your sharp onto the stubble before it gets going again.

 

[Aircooled]

Splashplate and thin slurry would be hard to beat. Wouldn't be sophisticated enough for a few of the big boys on here though.

 

[Happy hillbily]

If your going in straight after silage I dont think you have much to gain by dribble bar except for lower work rates (quite happy to be proved wrong)
Here i try and get the slurry on with a splash plate before the grass starts to grow, ie not turned green, then I can graze it as soon as its ready to graze as the grass leaf has not been contaminated by slurry.

 

[HasthorpeGrange]

I'd go dribble bar. Save on nitrogen losses and more accurate application. Last week I was putting it on with splash plate and the wind was blowing leaving an uneven spread pattern so grass will come up stripy now

 

[Beef farmer]

Youve got a dribble bar, but thinking of using a splash plate? Mmmmmm refer to the ammonia thread.....

 

[Sid]

I'd go dribble bar. Save on nitrogen losses and more accurate application. Last week I was putting it on with splash plate and the wind was blowing leaving an uneven spread pattern so grass will come up stripy now

But increased capital cost and diesel usage negates gains from lost N.

Just get it spread asap

 

[nonemouse]

But increased capital cost and diesel usage negates gains from lost N.

Just get it spread asap

but the OP said he has a dribble bar so capital is already spent,

 

[Happy hillbily]

Last week I was putting it on with splash plate and the wind was blowing leaving an uneven spread pattern so grass will come up stripy now

You have a splash plate that spreads upwards ?

 

[Princess Pooper]

But increased capital cost and diesel usage negates gains from lost N.

Just get it spread asap

but it's not just about 'savings from lost N' it's where that lost N is going isn't it!!!

 

[Sid]

but the OP said he has a dribble bar so capital is already spent,

But that capital could be employed elsewhere in the business.
Also a running cost of any machine.

Just asking questions to get people thinking.

 

[Sid]

but it's not just about 'savings from lost N' it's where that lost N is going isn't it!!!

I agree but looking at it in the simplest way, cash being king, it doesn't pay.

Now if you can't buy any bagged N, being organic or even under new enviromental laws you have to maximise on farm first, then yes it would be benefical.

 

[Boohoo]

Spread it with the dribble bar, you'll get a lovely crop of weeds where the lines of dried slurry kill your grass and the dried slurry will add some bulk to your second cut

 

[Sam101]

If your going in straight after silage I dont think you have much to gain by dribble bar except for lower work rates (quite happy to be proved wrong)
Here i try and get the slurry on with a splash plate before the grass starts to grow, ie not turned green, then I can graze it as soon as its ready to graze as the grass leaf has not been contaminated by slurry.

I don’t really understand people that have the idea that there is lower work rates from dribble bars, from personal experience with 12m splash plate if you go above 90cu/hr you’ll get a massive overlap in the middle and end up with striping, and any less than 85 you end up with a miss, dribble bar will spread evenly above 70cu/hr up to 150 cu/hr only because I’m not brave enough to go anymore through 7.5m. I have farmers that say because it’s not as wide you can’t do as much in a day [emoji15]

 

[Sparkymark]

Injector would be best. My contractor sold his as they have problems with wearing parts so I persuaded him to hire one in just for when he does ours.
I dont like dribble bars when dry weather follows.

 

[upnortheast]

Max 1500 galls / acre after 1st cut IMO

 

[ollie989898]

Dribble bar but dont go mental with the application rate.

Id be wary of injecting in times of hot dry weather as you can give the grass a hard time.

 

[Billydooker]

Thanks for the thoughts[emoji1]. My concern with the dribble is it drying in lines and then killing the grass beneath it. Will put it on about 2000 gallon to the acre

 

[pappuller]

Thanks for the thoughts[emoji1]. My concern with the dribble is it drying in lines and then killing the grass beneath it. Will put it on about 2000 gallon to the acre

2500 gall to the acre within 48hrs of lifting the grass with splasplate