Best grassland improvement implement

steveR

Member
Mixed Farmer
I rate an aerator, especially if you have been grazing late or with over wintering sheep. Bought mine 25 years ago or more, and have rediscovered using it since I had a small light tractor again. Aber Uni saw some impressive results from using one...

On our heavy clays, you can see the slit all summer! I first used in mid season when we used to have a lot of liquid sludge from the local sewerage farm, the slitting allowed a MUCH heavier dose to be applied and worked brilliantly. No artifical N in those days... ?

Rolling in the spring when damp enough if I am mowing... I hate doing it but needs must at times and I have a light roll I can use and sometimes use a Cambridge roll when heavily poached by cattle feet! I roll first, then aerate. I used to roll/harrow but the bridge doesn't work with the 3m Opico tine harrow. might mod a 3pt trailed carrier some time.
 
Iv never done it put still think it's a waste of time, a neighbour did 30 acres with a special machine years ago, really no difference at all. I would like to see a before and after pic of a field.
 

Al R

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
West Wales
@neilo @unlacedgecko the can floats well even over turnips (y) did this a few weeks ago. Second picture shows my wedges of wood used for corner posts, easy to knock in on stoney ground, doesn’t matter if they snap and light enough that carrying 10 on the bike doesn’t take up any room.
595B4A3E-1D93-47E7-8D7C-807FFAEF5BBF.jpeg
51192E95-3E32-495B-83F5-D720B5C9867C.jpeg
 

neilo

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
Montgomeryshire
Second picture shows my wedges of wood used for corner posts, easy to knock in on stoney ground, doesn’t matter if they snap and light enough that carrying 10 on the bike doesn’t take up any room.
View attachment 856049View attachment 856048

I just use a steel RAPPA stake, set about where your wooden peg is, and a length of twine similar (unless a hedge plant is near enough to use instead).
 

Bury the Trash

Member
Mixed Farmer
Another vote for grazing.

Has to be sheep - they are the greatest of all grassland improvers. They'll wipe out a lot of weeds, and they'll feed the grass.

You just need to know when to graze hard, and when to rest.

I don't bugger about with electric fences- fields are the size they are for a reason (dry stane dykes)
With regards to thd electric, it's relevant to us as
Weve got a few systems around on the go anyway....for strip grazing roots or the like and keep and fbt's that we have, where permanent fences arent appropriate.
But what you say is spot on , knowing when to move and less labour is involved in just moving them to another field by opening the gate then shutting behind. Weve got relativly small fields at home which are good for moving around they're all a bit bare this time of year though..:cautious::asshat:
 
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Kiwi Pete

Member
Livestock Farmer
Main thing @cousinjack is to learn what "untoward acceleration" means and work out how you'll avoid doing it.
In simple terms pasture plants growth follows a sigmoid curve, and many simply get into it too soon for the grass and soil.
It needs to be left long enough to bulk up and grow, not go rank but at least feel like it's had a holiday.
This means the plant can redirect it's energy (solar) from itself to the soil, which in turn supplies the plant.
The 'untoward acceleration' bit relates to when you find yourself overstocked - we tend to speed up grazing to keep the animals happy rather than slow them down to keep them happy next month.

In short, all the softcock comments about animal love and welfare NEED TO BE APPLIED to how we see our soils and pastures, we need to love these equally or better than the animals that graze on it.

Definitely, add clovers and herbs and things that will fill-in for ryegrasses and their summer sulks as a means to preventing overgrazing and feed deficits in summertime.

There is a good use for sheep and a good use for cattle, they can complement each other very well in a well-planned grazing system, as @Nithsdale Farmer says you do have to know when to give pastures a spell from sheep for their health.
We're sending 600 sheep away this week as they have done their job well.
20200129_210847.jpg
Pastures cleaned up and full of clover to feed the autumn growth. Most of our fields have been left alone for 20 years save for some clover/plantain oversowing with a broadcaster.
 

Llmmm

Member
Hi all..

We run a mixed arable and beef farm, with both permanent 'old school' pasture meadows and 3 to 5 year lays in the arable rotation.
Currently we don't do much in the way of grassland maintenance, maybe some occasional rolling but nothing intensive..

I would like to improve the grassland a bit, and have been considering harrowing, slitting etc

What, if any, would be the best machine to start with to give the most noticeable improvement?
All fert indices and kept up, ph is monitored and lime applied where necessary. Not much FYM applied as it tends to head towards the arable rotation!

Chain harrows,
Tine harrows,
Slitters / spikes,
Rolls
Anything else ??

Are any worth bothering with in the long run
A flock of sheep or take some in for winter
 

cousinjack

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
Cornwall
In short, all the softcock comments about animal love and welfare NEED TO BE APPLIED to how we see our soils and pastures, we need to love these equally or better than the animals that graze on it.

I am learning this with the arable side..

Moved from totally plough based to fully scratch till ( although this year has been an exception and I've had to get the plough again ) and the differences in the soil are clear..

Now looking at some companion crop options to try and harness some free N ?

It's all a learning curve!
 

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