Controlling slugs by straw harrowing?

[Pilatus]

Is the above idea purely theoretical, promoted only by straw harrow manufacturers?
I get the impression that it is a VERY theoretical idea?
That said how do you zero tillers “TRY” to control cursed slugs , one of the worst problems with Zero till?

 

[jack6480]

If you get good slot closure I don’t worry about slugs, I think the Harrow just gives a tadge bit of tilt which helps get the slots closed. Rather than it disturbing slugs like they say. I might be wrong

 

[britt]

Harrowing chopped rape straw 2 or 3 times, when dry, but after rain, between harvest and re drilling reduces numbers. I don't think it makes much difference in other situations.

 

[charlie@horizon]

Absolutely no question that a straw harrow will help to reduce slug numbers on osr stubbles.

 

[Humble Village Farmer]

I think they are quite effective at exposing slug eggs from under damp straw etc (as above). Repeated stubble raking is less compatible with growing cover crops though because obviously you want to get them growing asap. We use ours to spread straw, create a tiny bit of tilth, take over open slots, to cover unburied seed and make a (very) minor contribution to field levelling. We really only do once after combining and drilling. We don't stubble rake at proper drilling to avoid unnecessary soil disturbance which might wake up the black grass. We've bought ours now but I wonder if a modified set of springtines would do the same or a similar job and would've been alot cheaper if bought second hand .

 

[britt]

I think they are quite effective at exposing slug eggs from under damp straw etc (as above). Repeated stubble raking is less compatible with growing cover crops though because obviously you want to get them growing asap. We use ours to spread straw, create a tiny bit of tilth, take over open slots, to cover unburied seed and make a (very) minor contribution to field levelling. We really only do once after combining and drilling. We don't stubble rake at proper drilling to avoid unnecessary soil disturbance which might wake up the black grass. We've bought ours now but I wonder if a modified set of springtines would do the same or a similar job and would've been alot cheaper if bought second hand .

Blockages would be the major problem with anything other than the long straight tines of a rake.

 

[Humble Village Farmer]

I think they are quite effective at exposing slug eggs from under damp straw etc (as above). Repeated stubble raking is less compatible with growing cover crops though because obviously you want to get them growing asap. We use ours to spread straw, create a tiny bit of tilth, take over open slots, to cover unburied seed and make a (very) minor contribution to field levelling. We really only do once after combining and drilling. We don't stubble rake at proper drilling to avoid unnecessary soil disturbance which might wake up the black grass. We've bought ours now but I wonder if a modified set of springtines would do the same or a similar job and would've been alot cheaper if bought second hand .

Blockages would be the major problem with anything other than the long straight tines of a rake.

Yes you would have to take some of the tines out to give it any sort of a chance

 

[ajd132]

Also helps stop the cultivator drills blocking!

 

[Heathland]

One of the most over priced bits of kits farm machinery manufacturers can get away with!
Think of a number,double it,then add a good chunk for good measure,hay pesto, a straw rake.

And yes I've been getting quotes for said machines..

 

[martian]

One of the most over priced bits of kits farm machinery manufacturers can get away with!
Think of a number,double it,then add a good chunk for good measure,hay pesto, a straw rake.

And yes I've been getting quotes for said machines..

There's generally a few second hand ones for sale...people think they'll need one, hardly use it and eventually sell it off cheap

 

[Villagefarmer]

only started raking last year but we raked our osr stubbles 4 times on warm sunny days and we little slugs problems with the following wheat crop. I'll repeat the process this year and see what results I get. Plus the rake does a good job on volunter osr plants when they are small

 

[juke]

If just wanting to Harrow osr stubbles a set of chain harrows does a cracking job of pulling the shells and chopped material about exposing any slug eggs. Get anything germinated that you would want too.

 

[yellow belly]

After 6 years notill slug problems have virtually disappeared
2018 may have helped being dry
not now growing rape will also help

drilling wheat after rape on the green never used slug pellets but will not be doing that for a while
after beans is the biggest risk as there is no other slug food till the wheat is emerging