Best way to sow forage rape

[hillman]

Hoping to put in some rape in July , used to plough then harrow and sow , plough gone now and was thinking of 3 options ,
1 spray ,spread dung ,lightly disc then harrow and sow with the unit i have
2 spray , harrow the life out off it sow and spread slurry on top
3 as same as 2 but no slurry

Which is the best option , will roots get down far enough just sowed into a tilt on top off ground ?
TIA

 

[slaney]

What stock will be grazing it? I don't like rape for ewes from my experience.

It will grow with discing though I grow rape and had a couple of savage crops from a light power harrow in a very tightly grazed ley.

 

[Kevtherev]

I'd cultivate it with a stubble cultivator or a spring tine,power harrow lightly and either broadcast it or drill it.

 

[hillman]

It's to finish lambs , so a rape stubble turnip mix will go in ,

Kevtherev you can pick the stones if you want me to spring tine it

 

[Kevtherev]

It's to finish lambs , so a rape stubble turnip mix will go in ,

Kevtherev you can pick the stones if you want me to spring tine it

Disc it then

 

[hillman]

Nothing like picking stones to focus the mind on what other options are available

 

[slaney]

Yes a rape stubble turnip mix is more like it much better than rape on its own IME.

Dung, disc, broadcast, Cambridge roll???

 

[hillman]

The picture in my avatar will be doing the tilling and sowing

 

[Great In Grass]

60% Forage Rape
35% Stubble Turnip
5% Kale

Ideal mixture to grow for pre-Christmas grazing. As @slaney says dung, disc, broadcast, cambridge roll is one way to go.

 

[hillman]

What best varieties Greatingrass , be hoping to graze from October onwards ?
Kale would be a new one for me any special needs for it

 

[Great In Grass]

The mixture we sell of the above contains Emerald Forage Rape, Vollenda Stubble Turnip (T) & Goldeneye Kale. About 3 months from sowing to grazing. Teagasc I remember have some useful info on the establishment of kale/forage rape. I'll PM our fodder catalogue.

 

[chipsngravy]

Good results with LG interval & tyfon for past 3 yrs for cattle.

 

[Kevtherev]

Hobson rape is a good variety.

 

[Derrick Hughes]

If the slurry is thin go twice after a few days apart , don't like rape for sheep found turnips better , less leaf waste

 

[hillman]

Thanks Greatingrass , chipsngravy and kevtherev for info on varties , no mixes as such sold here its generally a case off what's in stock in merchant and mix yourself , I've came across Volenda turnip and Hobson rape before
Thanks again all

 

[Great In Grass]

Some useful info.

 

[JD-Kid]

depends on how hard the ground
know a few guys used to do 2 sprays then light s tine work it spread and roll
worked on one place sprayed and disced tossed seed on with bulk fert chain harrowed
we have sprayed and just tossed the seed on with a chopper
know one guy sprayed tossed seed on and just chain harrowed it

if it rains any system will work the dryer yer are the better the job needs to be

 

[Derrick Hughes]

That's were the slurry helps , keeps the moisture up , needs to be thin like dirty water

 

[slaney]

Would pig slurry be good? At say 2000gl to the acre maybe 2500gl

 

[romneymarsh]

Rain is the key