BG control by using a grass ley

[ollie989898]

While I'm not saying they don't set seed, the more you cut it, the lower and smaller the subsequent seed heads are. Any shed seed then has to compete with established grasses, which they don't do well. Add in a winter if sheep and that's why I think you can be a little less inclined to scalping it too often if it's going to be down a few years.

I'm using a mix of late prg - this one called Century by Oliver seeds. I foolishly forgot to ask for the no clover mix. Clover adds nothing to what I want and the early blw control will probably nick nack it anyway.

Mine will be followed, although seemingly quite far in the future from now, with winter beans then three cereals. Or it may even stdt as grass.

I am coming around to the fact that white clover does wonders for soil structure. Which is just as well since it's a damned weed....

 

[Pan mixer]

Interesting that the BG flushes a 2nd set of heads so quickly... Past experience on this land has been 4 cuts is achievable, starteing early May, Mid /late June, then see what rainfall we get for 3 and 4!

We don't get as much rain as you, 1 cut first half of May then maybe a second cut in July some years, only did 3 cuts once in over 30 years.

 

[teslacoils]

I am coming around to the fact that white clover does wonders for soil structure. Which is just as well since it's a damned weed....

My two year legume fallow is a thing of absolute beauty and wonder.

 

[steveR]

My two year legume fallow is a thing of absolute beauty and wonder.

What's in it?

 

[teslacoils]

What's in it?

Half rate ryegrass (totally swamped)
Red clover
Trefoil
Vetch
Sanfoin

The grass is thin and the rate of clover is high. But the sanfoin is the star. It's been in 16 months now. Rain prevented it getting topped in September but the roots are something else. It is due to be worked in this autumn. But I should have put 1/2 my farm down to it.

 

[steveR]

Half rate ryegrass (totally swamped)
Red clover
Trefoil
Vetch
Sanfoin

The grass is thin and the rate of clover is high. But the sanfoin is the star. It's been in 16 months now. Rain prevented it getting topped in September but the roots are something else. It is due to be worked in this autumn. But I should have put 1/2 my farm down to it.

Looks wonderful and interesting too... What can you do with it? Can it be silaged and baled? Proteins would be like rocket fuel!

Does it smother BG?

 

[teslacoils]

Looks wonderful and interesting too... What can you do with it? Can it be silaged and baled? Proteins would be like rocket fuel!

Does it smother BG?

Year one just top as you wish.
Year two top once in spring. Then leave until August. Then do what you want with it.

Few bits of BG. But there's a whole mat of organic matter. If I see much BG it will stay in a third year and get mown. Seed a bit dear. But close to £200 an acre plus sub. Full of nature. Deer love it.

I specced the seed separated so the clovers etc were in separate bags. Drilled the grass with the vaderstad and rolled, then einbocked the clovers on and rolled again. Best way.

 

[B'o'B]

Half rate ryegrass (totally swamped)
Red clover
Trefoil
Vetch
Sanfoin

The grass is thin and the rate of clover is high. But the sanfoin is the star. It's been in 16 months now. Rain prevented it getting topped in September but the roots are something else. It is due to be worked in this autumn. But I should have put 1/2 my farm down to it.

Sounds wonderful! I’ve applied to put half my farm into it to tide me over until the policy fog clears. Fingers crossed I get accepted as it should do great things for soil structure.

 

[B'o'B]

S

Year one just top as you wish.
Year two top once in spring. Then leave until August. Then do what you want with it.

Few bits of BG. But there's a whole mat of organic matter. If I see much BG it will stay in a third year and get mown. Seed a bit dear. But close to £200 an acre plus sub. Full of nature. Deer love it.

I specced the seed separated so the clovers etc were in separate bags. Drilled the grass with the vaderstad and rolled, then einbocked the clovers on and rolled again. Best way.

Sounds like good advice, might well spec my seed the same and possibly cross drill it when the time comes.

 

[teslacoils]

S

Sounds like good advice, might well spec my seed the same and possibly cross drill it when the time comes.

The grass is the weak link. I'd happily have dropped the grass element for 100 percent legumes but "he who pays the Piper" and all that.

When we applied for mid tier we assumed it would be competitive. In reality, sod all folk applied in this region. I should have gone 1/4 enhanced fallow, 1/2 legume mix, and 1/4 wheat!