Companion crop for hybrid rye

[Digester Man]

Looking for suggestions on something we can sow along with winter hybrid rye; in order to improve soil structure in a difficult field. Is there anything with a great big tap root that would be able to grow alongside the rye and wouldn't get smoked by the pre-em and herbicides we will be applying?

There is a 4 acre section of a 16 acre field with very poor soil and we are trying to find ways to improve soil structure. So far installing land drainage, applying farmyard manures and using sub soiler annually has yielded no improvements. It was drilled today with winter rye and we are wondering if we could sow a companion crop into this bad area that would help to open up the ground a bit - it has a tendency to lie wet all winter, with no natural soakage. The drains we put in aren't working too well and it is completely devoid of worms/soil activity despite the manure applications. Even the seagulls wait until you get off it and onto the sandier soil before they land behind the plough!

 

[som farmer]

we have grown vetch with hybrid rye, they sit together very nicely, and it gave us about 20 ton/acre fresh weight.

we were growing h/rye, as a crop, after maize, over winter, before going back into maize, in the spring.

the only reason we stopped, was timing, rye needs to go in, in sept, off in may, maize just wasn't ripe enough, with a may sowing.

we grow maize, w wheat, 1yr IRG for silage, very much easier.

bloody good crop though, huge potential. And had maize of 18t/acre fresh weight after it.

when you are talking 35+ ton/acre achievable yield, that's a serious result.

 

[e3120]

Not answering your question, and too late for this time (typical TFF response, then) but try some gypsum at next opportunity. You've done the right things already.

A deep rooter might not be a good bedfellow for your drainage scheme.

 

[teslacoils]

What's the preem?