BROADCASTING TREATED SEED - A BIG NO-NO OR NOT?

[radar]

I know the label says not, but in view of the present ground conditions is there much difference between poorly covered drilled seed, and broadcast seed where some effort has been made to mix it in with a Joker type machine / PH?
Not that we're anywhere dry enough to travel yet, but just thinking out loud.

 

[Gong Farmer]

1, If treated seed, it has to be covered, not 'poorly' so.

2. Otherwise fine but if seed variable depth or shallow, pre-em (or peri-em) herbicides are a no-no.

 

[Bury the Trash]

Ph is not the best tool for covering it.

Dont over work the ground after sowing, simple is best.

 

[GeorgeK]

Depends if anyone is likely to write to defra asking "Will my dog get sick if it eats the red seed everywhere?" As above, power harrow does a great job even in wet bits

 

[Oat]

If seed is not covered sufficiently, then you may get-
Uneven and prolonged emergence which may affect pre-em or post-em herbicide choices (assuming you can actually get on the land with a sprayer).
Linked to above, there may be a greater risk of crop damage from pre-em treatments if seed is not covered by enough soil

But I think the main issue from an official point of view, is that treated seed on the surface will be eaten by birds etc... and the risk of effects from any seed treatments may be a problem

 

[principal skinner]

Read the label, seed treatments are pesticides after all.

 

[teslacoils]

Absolutely don't do it. Even with a boom spreader. Get some undressed off the heap.

As for pre-em, flufenacet safer.

 

[radar]

Read the label, seed treatments are pesticides after all.

I have - My question was was it the broadcasting that was frowned on, or the fact it might not be covered properly. If it could be sufficiently covered don't see the difference between that puddled in with a drill.
I take on board everyone's caution about pre ems!

 

[Oat]

It is the 'not covered' that is the issue.

There is an argument that seed broadcast will have an random arrangement and so more likely to have more room to grow in all lateral directions. Seed which is drilled in rows will have a gap of maybe 12-25cm to the sides, but maybe only 2cm within the row. Therefore, broadcast seed may experience less disease pressure and could have a positive or negative effect on weed competition.

 

[PSQ]

Late broadcast wheat sounds like a 'get out of jail', but in hindsight will probably cost you a lot more than you spend.
In 2001 I broadcast seed just to 'get done' (Kuhn Aero, harrowed in). Yielded about a tonne less to the acre than earlier sown wheat drilled into a decent seedbed.

 

[richard hammond]

If seed is not covered sufficiently, then you may get-
Uneven and prolonged emergence which may affect pre-em or post-em herbicide choices (assuming you can actually get on the land with a sprayer).
Linked to above, there may be a greater risk of crop damage from pre-em treatments if seed is not covered by enough soil

But I think the main issue from an official point of view, is that treated seed on the surface will be eaten by birds etc... and the risk of effects from any seed treatments may be a problem

If this method of establishment is chosen PLEASE do not use a pre em as are you confident you have a crop to take to harvest?? why waste more money?

 

[Verity92]

Late broadcast wheat sounds like a 'get out of jail', but in hindsight will probably cost you a lot more than you spend.
In 2001 I broadcast seed just to 'get done' (Kuhn Aero, harrowed in). Yielded about a tonne less to the acre than earlier sown wheat drilled into a decent seedbed.

Duh

 

[AF Salers]

Is it not the fungicide dust blown/flung into the air that is seen as much a problem as the actual seed itself? Seem to remember some drill air exhausts had to be altered a few years ago?

 

[CORK]

 

[B'o'B]

Is it not the fungicide dust blown/flung into the air that is seen as much a problem as the actual seed itself? Seem to remember some drill air exhausts had to be altered a few years ago?

That was due to neonic seed dressings.

 

[radar]

Don't think there will be much dust this year!

 

[Bury the Trash]

Use plenty of seed. spinners have got better headland management now than in 1980.
soon as theres a few dry days go for it .
Sooner rather than later.
Just a Set of tines pulled through will be enough to cover it, anymore cultivation after ....than necessesary brings the seed out on top again.

 

[Banana Bar]

Size of the flag leaves at 18:30 mins

 

[Wolds Beef]

Been there, done that!! When we split the business I did not have a drill. I spread the seed on the worked land then followed with a Vaderstad Carrier with disc and press. Left very little seed on top and put down at a fairly even depth. This was in good conditions when a drill would have operated. I even had markers made for the Carrier! I did this for 4 or 5 years. There had been some research done that showed broadcasting did not give a yield penalty. This was on mainly wold land in mid Lincs.
WB

 

[Spud]

Been there, done that!! When we split the business I did not have a drill. I spread the seed on the worked land then followed with a Vaderstad Carrier with disc and press. Left very little seed on top and put down at a fairly even depth. This was in good conditions when a drill would have operated. I even had markers made for the Carrier! I did this for 4 or 5 years. There had been some research done that showed broadcasting did not give a yield penalty. This was on mainly wold land in mid Lincs.
WB

Why didn't you just buy a drill, instead of markers for the carrier? Curious,not criticising