Countryside Seeds Ltd

Countryside Seeds Ltd

As of the 1st July a slight change to the business, it's become incorporated and with it a change of name. Farm machinery sales have not been a part of Farm Equip's business for a number of years and we felt now was the time for a new name to reflect more of what we do, so Countryside Seeds Limited was born.

We still offer friendly service and advice with up to date products at keen prices.

Company History

Farm Equip was launched by myself (Kevin) on the 1st January 1980. Initially selling farm consumables from the back of a yellow transit van.

Over the past few years the business has become almost predominately the sale of seed in its varies guises where it be a single bag of lawn seed to tonnes of grass/cereal seed.

I am in the very lucky position to be a distributor for some of the UK’s leading seed houses which include Barenbrug UK Ltd, DLF Trifolium Ltd, Grainseed Ltd and Soya UK to name a few.

I am more than happy to work with the customer on compiling their own mixture.

To contact me you may PM through the forum or I am very happy to be telephoned on 07881 804442.
Email: [email protected]

As like a lot of you I'm self employed so no 9-5 here so please telephone at your convenience.

 

[Great In Grass]

Fodder beet gives cows a high energy treat – once tasted , never forgotten

For six months of the year the Derbyshire-based Hollyhurst Holstein herd tucks into fodder beet as part of their ration. It’s a firm favourite among his 200 cows, and it’s a feed that producer John Chamberlain rates highly.


Fodder beet has been part of the ration for the past six years on this dairy unit near Ashbourne. “We tried it out to supplement the forages in the diet – to add some energy to the ration,” says John. “It was so successful on all counts that we just kept using it. And the cows love it,” he adds, defying anyone to find any fodder beet along the feed face 30 minutes after feeding out at 8am.


The 200 milkers are fed 7kg of fodder beet daily as part of a TMR with grass silage, soya hulls, caustic wheat and a specially formulated blend. This supports average yields in this all year round calving herd of 10,000kg of milk at 4.5% fat and 3.45% protein on twice a day milking. Milk is sold to Arla on a 360 contract.

“We add it to the ration from the start of November until April – as long as it remains fresh,” says John. “It drives intakes and as soon as it goes into the ration butterfats improve. “My only regret is that it’s not available all year round.


“The good thing is that cows eat it as an extra, rather than instead of other forages. It’s very palatable and it certainly adds energy, cost-effectively, to the ration.”


John feeds 250 tonnes of fodder beet through winter, taking 10 tonne loads from Gary Pattison who grows 10 hectares of the crop every year for local’ish dairy and sheep producers.


“I usually grow four varieties,” says Gary, who points out that pretty good soils are needed to grow the crop. “The land can’t be too wet and heavy, otherwise the soil sticks to the beet.


“And the land must be worked to a fine seedbed before sowing from late March to mid April – after the frosts but in time to get it germinating early.


With the help of his merchant Rob Simister based in Ellastone, Derbyshire, Gary selects varieties that grow only partially in the ground as opposed to totally in the ground. “These are easier to lift – we harvest the beet early, before the frosts, and aim to get it all in the clamps by the end of November.


“We also look for a fairly clean beet that doesn’t need washing. We remove stones and loose soil before delivery.”


This year the varieties Brick and Robbos are among his selections. Some of the seed will be primed – Limagrain has a limited amount of Robbos primed seed available – to encourage faster germination thereby reducing the opportunity for pest and disease damage in the early establishment stages when the seedlings are at their most vulnerable.


“Growing a few varieties spreads the risk,” adds Gary. “Different varieties grow well on some fields and not others, so if we have a mix we can compensate for a shortfall if necessary.”


Having said that, Gary and his family are tried and tested fodder beet growers – they know the tricks of the trade and how to grow a good crop; one tip is adding salt to the seedbed before sowing which they nearly always do. “Fodder beet was always grown by the sea – it grows well with a bit of added salt,” he adds.

 

[Great In Grass]

Fodder crop menu for finishing lambs

What choices are there for sheep producers who want to mitigate the risk of a grass shortage and have a fresh high feed value forage to hand when finishing lambs later this year?

What choices are there for sheep producers who want to mitigate the risk of a grass shortage and have a fresh high feed value forage to hand when finishing lambs later this year? According to Limagrain’s Martin Titley, there are plenty of options.


And not only do they offer a low-cost forage option, but they can also provide a break crop after grass leys or cereals.


“There are a number of good fodder crops that arable or mixed farms could consider this spring, instead of sowing cereals,” says Mr Titley. “A lot of arable units are facing big acreages for spring crops. Sowing a break crop on some fields might not be a bad option; maybe where there’s been a blackgrass problem or as an option to break the disease cycle.


Stubble Turnips


Stubble turnips are an ‘old favourite’ and lost popularity as rotations changed and other options became more fashionable. But they’re now back in favour. “Arable and sheep producers alike recognise that they suit practically any sheep production system – they’re incredible versatile,” says Mr Titley.

He says that the real attraction for this crop is that it’s fast growing and for some the flexible sowing time is attractive. It can be sown in May and June, after first-cut silage, to get a bite in early August and September. “This is good on units where grazing can burn off later in the season. It acts as an ‘insurance’ crop against a dry summer and allows producers to finish lambs on a low-cost forage crop.”


Most stubble turnip crops are sown after cereal harvest – at the end of July or beginning of August – and are then ready for grazing between 12 and 14 weeks later.


“They’re ideal for plugging the forage gap between September and the end of December,” he says, adding that this year, being very mild, farmers have grazed them well into February. “This isn’t the norm though and can’t be taken for granted.”


For the latest Stubble Turnip Trial Results from our UK Trials, click here.


Forage Rape Hybrids


Forage rape and hybrids -which are typically a cross between rape and kale – are becoming a ‘go to’ choice for finishing lambs.


“These forage rape brassicas are particularly popular because of their flexible sowing dates,” adds Mr Titley. “They can be sown from May until late August and used as summer grazing or sown into winter barley stubble in late July.


An easy to grow crop also makes these hybrid brassicas popular. They benefit from farmyard manure or slurry pre sowing, or an application of 60kg to 90kg of nitrogen with 25kg each of potassium and phosphate per hectare.

“And they’re fast-growing so ready to graze in 12 to 14 weeks. Sown in May, they give a bite at the end of August or early September which is ideal for finishing lambs on many farms.”


But the crop can be used across winter too and will keep its leafiness in colder conditions. “Forage rape and the hybrid crops are winter hardy and are capable of carrying stock well into February and even early March. But it must be grazed before flowering as once it starts to flower, it loses its nutritional value.”


Modern rape kale hybrids offer high feed values. “Take one of the latest, Unicorn, launched in 2019. This fast-growing leafy catch crop offers energy values of 11 MJ per kilogramme of dry matter, producing 49,438 MJ per hectare, and a dry matter content of 12.4%. This is a lot of feed value from 12 to 14 weeks of growth.”


For the latest Forage Rape Trial Results from our UK Trials, click here.





A Good Mix


Both stubble turnips and forage rape hybrids provide a good break, helping to build fertility back into the soil and to control both broadleaved and grass weeds. They can be followed with a spring grass reseed or a spring cereal crop.


“A mix of the two in one cropping is popular too,” he adds. The stubble turnip ‘bulbs’ provide a high energy crop, whereas the brassica hybrids, such a forage rape, pack a protein punch. This offers a more balanced forage mix in one crop.

“In freezing and snowy conditions, the forage rape ‘stands up’ and creates a canopy over the stubble turnips which generally keeps them fresher for longer.”


Mr Titley says that the popularity of swedes is declining as more producers discover the benefits of stubble turnips and forage rape. “But we’re still seeing the old favourite swede variety; Invitation and our Massif traditional turnip take their well-earned place on some sheep units.


“These crops grow well in autumn so they’re ideal where cereal harvest is later; which is often why we see them grown in Scotland. They provide a high energy, high dry matter winter feed that can be grazed from the end of November through to February with relatively low production costs.”


Herbal Leys


Herbal leys are getting more popular for grazing sheep and finishing lambs. The perennial mixtures typically persist for three or four years and comprise species including chicory and plantain, as well as traditional grasses such as meadow fescue and sainfoin.


“The species are deep rooting and they continue to thrive in dry conditions – either during drought or towards the back-end of the grazing season, when grass may be struggling,” says Mr Titley.


These mixtures really come into their own on chalky, light and free-draining soils. They’re also rich in minerals, compared to other forage crops.


Sheep farmers on or close to EFA land, which is now subject to the ‘greening’ rules, cannot leave land fallow during the winter – a green cover crop must be sown and must remain in place until January 12 each year.


“A mixture of forage rye Humbolt and vetch, which can be sown as late as September, is a good option,” says Mr Titley. “It’s a reliable feed for both ewes and finishing lambs to graze, up until April, if required.”


He adds that herbal leys are becoming more predominant in arable farming areas. “Sheep and arable farmers can work together on this. There are also soil health and fertility benefits to be had by arable producers who graze livestock on a proportion of their land each year.”

 

[Great In Grass]

There’s nothing ‘usual’ or typically’ when it comes to grass growth and cutting dates in some parts of the country if the past few years are anything to go by. We’re seeing more volatility in weather patterns and we’re warned that this is a sign of things to come.

There’s nothing ‘usual’ or typically’ when it comes to grass growth and cutting dates in some parts of the country if the past few years are anything to go by. We’re seeing more volatility in weather patterns and we’re warned that this is a sign of things to come. So, say two leading grassland specialists, we need to cater for in our choice of grass seed mixtures.


Opting for mixtures that offer more flexibility can be very wise, when it comes to cutting dates. “The typical silage mixtures with bountiful yields of high quality grass are there, but only for a short window,” says Limagrain’s grass seed manager Ian Misselbrook. “If this is missed, quality and yield fall away rapidly.”


“Most dairy units look for two cuts of silage and some grazing from a grass silage ley,” he says, adding that, despite the ‘noise’ multicut systems are still a minority practice and not one that suits all farms, when accessibility of fields and soil type are considered.


“The aim is usually a good first cut then a second cut six weeks later,” he adds.

“But if we look at the past couple of years, this cutting pattern has been a challenge. Last year, 2019, grass didn’t follow its normal pattern of a peak, then a dip mid summer and then regrowth. It just kept growing at pretty much the same rate.”


Then the 2018 season was being equally erratic with a cold spring, late start to growth and then exceptionally dry conditions. “If farmers didn’t get a top class first cut they were struggling.”


And although there was plenty of grass growth last year, harvesting wasn’t without its problems. ‘Grass grew so vigorously, that a lot of second cut was ready for cutting after only four weeks, but, for routine reasons and contractor availability, it was cut after six weeks by which time its quality had really dropped off. Producers have seen the consequences this winter when this forage hasn’t produced the milk yields they’d anticipated.”


Longer cutting window – less pressure
Mr Misselbrook suggests that growing grass seed mixtures with a wider heading date will add some flexibility and take the pressure off.


“Typical silage mixtures used on UK farms will have a window for cutting of about four days. These mixtures are predominantly intermediate perennial ryegrasses that head in the same narrow window of just a few days.’


They are designed for high yields of good feed quality, to be cut at a D value over 70 and high dry matter. “And they do exactly what it says ‘on the tin’, but catching this ideal time is limited and challenging if conditions are not ideal.”


“On an ideal site, in an ideal season, intermediate perennial ryegrass mixtures will head at the same time and provide prize winning silage with an ME of 12 or above, but we hardly ever get these near perfect conditions,” says Mr Misselbrook. “Once these heading dates have passed, quality falls off rapidly across the whole crop as all the plants are at the same vegetative stage and move into the reproductive stage.”


Instead, he suggests that farmers look at mixtures with a wider heading date. “These will have more varieties of grasses and include intermediate sand late perennial ryegrasses, offering a range in heading dates and a 12- or 14-day window for harvesting.”


He adds that if these mixtures are harvested in the first half of the window, while the later perennial ryegrasses may not have headed, they will still be in their vegetative leafy stage and offer high feed value. If cutting date is later, while the intermediate grasses may be past their best, the late perennial ryegrasses will be in their prime.

“It’s also worth including some tetraploid ryegrasses in the mixture too, as they are recognised for their higher nutritive value. They’re proven to have better balance of sugars and digestible fibre (DNDF) which is key in maximising the feed value of the silage.”


Seed merchants will include heading dates of grass seed mixtures in their literature to help farmers in their selections. “Look for any accreditations too that indicate high yields and feed value,” he says. “We include the LGAN accreditation on some Limagrain grass seed mixtures; most of these have diploid and tetraploid ryegrasses, and intermediate and late varieties depending on their requirements.


“Being a bit more discerning will help farmers accommodate and adapt to the changing weather patterns.”


Across in Ireland, Paul Flannagan from DLF Ireland is also talking to his farmer customers about more ‘fail safe’ mixtures.


“I know that traditionally we’ve opted for silage mixtures made up mainly of intermediate perennial ryegrasses. These can give top yields of high feed value grass. But that’s only where conditions are especially favourable,” he says.


He estimates that in 60% of cases, conditions are not ideal and as a result yield and quality suffer. “Either it rains, or the contractor is delayed, or there’s a break-down,” he adds. “The trouble is, with these mixtures you only have a four- or five-day window to cut the crop at its best. After that quality falls dramatically.”


Instead, to spread the risk, DLF Ireland is seeing farmers opting for mixtures with wider heading dates, giving a window for harvesting of 15 or 16 days. “These crops will hold their quality and give farmers an extra 10 days or so to harvest the crop.”


He admits that while those bumper yields might not be there, the overall lifetime productivity of these mixtures with wider heading dates is probably a lot higher. Instead of a crop achieving its potential one in every three years, you’re getting good crops far more consistently and at least two out of three years – that’s a lot of extra productivity from a grass ley if we consider lifetime yield.”


“Farmers find that digestibility and energy levels in the silage are less variable one year to another and while yields might not be those that the top performing silage mixtures achieve in a perfect year, the added reliability across the lifetime of the ley more than compensates.”


Mr Misselbrook admits that farmers need to review the last few seasons and decide what sort of mixture suits them best. “And be honest, don’t look at one season in isolation, but across say a five-year period and consider whether the top yielding silage mixtures are coming up with the goods on your farm, or whether you should build in a bit more flexibility and take a bit of the risk out of the grass crop.”

 

[Great In Grass]

New high energy fodder beets introduced for 2020

Limagrain UK has introduced the new fodder beet variety Ribambelle this year. A triploid beet with red skin, and already used extensively in France, Ribambelle ranks highly among fodder beet varieties for its high energy and medium dry matter content.


Field trial results show that this new variety has an average dry matter of 16%, which makes it ideally suited for dairy or beef cattle.


“As well as high feed value, Ribambelle has the advantage of being rhizomania tolerant (a disease that can cause yield loss) and medium rooted,” says LG’s Martin Titley. “It grows with 50% of its root out of the ground, compared with deeper rooted varieties that typically have 70-80 % of their root in the ground. This makes for easier harvesting and a cleaner root.

Its root depth also allows for grazing in situ which appeals to sheep farmers looking for a high energy forage once the grass stops growing to finish lambs, or for those looking for a high value feed for dairy heifers and for finishing beef.


A limited seed supply of the new variety, Primula is also available from LG. This pink-skinned variety is rhizomania tolerant and has a dry matter content of between 18% and 19%.

Limagrain UK has introduced the new fodder beet variety Ribambelle this year. A triploid beet with red skin, and already used extensively in France, Ribambelle ranks highly among fodder beet varieties for its high energy and medium dry matter content.


Field trial results show that this new variety has an average dry matter of 16%, which makes it ideally suited for dairy or beef cattle.


“As well as high feed value, Ribambelle has the advantage of being rhizomania tolerant (a disease that can cause yield loss) and medium rooted,” says LG’s Martin Titley. “It grows with 50% of its root out of the ground, compared with deeper rooted varieties that typically have 70-80 % of their root in the ground. This makes for easier harvesting and a cleaner root.

Its root depth also allows for grazing in situ which appeals to sheep farmers looking for a high energy forage once the grass stops growing to finish lambs, or for those looking for a high value feed for dairy heifers and for finishing beef.


A limited seed supply of the new variety, Primula is also available from LG. This pink-skinned variety is rhizomania tolerant and has a dry matter content of between 18% and 19%.

 

[Great In Grass]

High biomass clover offers new land recovery option

A new high biomass annual clover, included in spring-sown catch crop mixtures alongside short term ryegrasses, could offer dual benefits for farmers struggling with ground that has been waterlogged and left uncropped over winter.
The fast-growing FIXatioN clover – launched exclusively by us in the UK this season - can provide a boost to forage production as well as valuable soil conditioning, all within a short growing window.

FIXatioN balansa clover in a trial plot in Yorkshire
“From results we’ve seen around the world, we can see great potential for FIXatioN, and in field trials in Wales we certainly saw significant biomass production from just 12 weeks growth,” says Ben Wixey.

“Most notable was the fact that we saw root nodules within a few weeks, showing the capability for this fast-growing leguminous plant to fix nitrogen in a relatively short period of time and therefore improve soil fertility.

“Grown in combination with rapidly establishing ryegrasses such as Italian ryegrass and Westerwolds, we see FIXatioN having great potential as a solution to currently uncropped land.

Including a fast growing high biomass species such as FIXatioN balansa clover in short term mixtures this spring will boost forage production and help to improve soils.

“Drilled in late April or May, as a short term soil conditioner, a mixture including Fixation would produce a valuable forage crop within about three months. This would then offer the option of overseeding something like a hybrid brassica or stubble turnip or could be left to produce a second cut before drilling a crop like winter wheat in the autumn. In both cases, the rooting activity of the grass and legume mix will help improve soil structure and soil fertility, whilst the top growth will generate a silage crop for feeding or sale.”

 

[Great In Grass]

Best practice required to maximise the benefits of multi-cut silage

Dairy farmers opting for a modern multi-cut approach to grass silage making should prioritise ley mixture selection, timings and nutrient management in order to ensure best results, according to Germinal GB’s Helen Mathieu.

Speaking at Dairy-Tech 2020, Ms Mathieu reported growing popularity of earlier and more frequent cutting strategies but said that best practice was essential in order to maximise the opportunity of increased feed value.

“First and foremost, leys destined for a multi cut approach should be predominantly comprised of modern perennial ryegrasses – so ideally reseeded within the last six years,” she said. “We recommend a mix of intermediate and late heading varieties that will deliver good spring growth. A tight heading date range is essential, so that the entire sward is broadly at the same stage of development when cut, and an equal split of tetraploid and diploid varieties gives the right balance for most systems.

“Adding clover will increase the protein content of the silage and reduce the rate of nitrogen fertiliser required, but I would advise using red as opposed to white clover. With frequent cutting, white clover can proliferate and dominate the sward at the expense of the perennial ryegrass.”

Stressing the importance of timing, Ms Mathieu said that the key was to start early and maintain a discipline all through the silage making season.
“The aim should be to take a first cut in late April or early May, and then stick to a routine of cutting as close to five weekly intervals as possible,” she added. “Don’t wait for crops to bulk up but cut when the grass is still at the leafy stage when D-value will be highest.”

In terms of nutrient management, Ms Mathieu said it was important to ensure any slurry applications are applied as early in the spring as possible, to reduce the risk of residues in the crop.
“It’s also important to allow sufficient time for nitrogen applications to be converted and utilised by the ley,” she said. “The rule of thumb is that a ley will use two units of nitrogen per acre per day, so if you’re applying 80 units/acre (or 100kgN/ha) that should be 40 days before cutting. The same principle will apply between cuts, so obviously with shorter cutting intervals the amount of nitrogen applied should be reduced accordingly.

“When it comes to phosphate and potash, it’s necessary to replace what has been removed in order to maintain the optimum soil indices. The offtake from a four cut system yielding 12 tonnes of dry matter per hectare will typically equate to 25kgs of P and 85kgs of K, and higher still if red clover is included in the ley.

“We’re seeing the biggest shift in silage making practice in recent times as more and more dairy farms put greater reliance on homegrown forage. For those applying a best practice approach, including maintenance of the right sward quality and applying the optimum cutting regime, multi cut systems offer a significant opportunity to raise the bar on grass silage quality and reduce cost of production significantly.”

 

[Great In Grass]

2020 vision for more milk from forage

Significant increases in grass energy yield/ha – and the improved milk from forage potential resulting – were highlighted in the findings of two new research projects presented at a recent industry briefing.

Work on the value of sward quality and a separate study on multi-cut silage, carried out by Germinal and Volac respectively, were revealed alongside a paper from SRUC professor of dairy nutrition John Newbold, who outlined how maximising milk from forage is positive for bottom line profitability, whatever the production system.

Across multiple types of dairy farming system, SRUC’s Prof John Newbold (pictured above) said feed was the biggest business cost, and described forage as “natural capital”.

Analysing data from different dairy systems – ranging from an intensive high output system, to a more extensive grazing-based system, and farms in the middle ground – Prof Newbold said across all three farm types, feed was the biggest business cost.

Moreover, in all three cases, the most profitable 25% of farms were the ones that produced more milk from forage – whether grazed grass, silage or a combination. Describing forage as “natural capital”, his advice for profitability was to grow better grass, make better silage and to use the silage better.

Following on from Professor Newbold’s prompt on the importance of growing better grass, Germinal GB’s Ben Wixey referenced a new study now underway at the Germinal Research Station, where the metabolisable energy (ME) yield/ha value of perennial ryegrasses is being compared with the energy potential from weed grasses that predominate in deteriorating swards.

“Grass leys do deteriorate with age, which means lower value weed species replace the perennial ryegrasses that were selected and sown at the time of reseeding,” he said. “Despite this knowledge, it’s a fact that reseeding rates remain stubbornly low, and that all too many swards contain a significant proportion of weed species that will affect productivity.

Relative ME/ha of perennial ryegrasses versus common weed grasses

“At our Melksham facility we are measuring and analysing the common weed grasses alongside modern perennial ryegrasses, so that we are able calculate the impact of declining sward quality and therefore the value of routine reseeding.

“Taking just the second cut silage scenario in our trials, we’ve calculated that a new reseed would potentially contribute around 2,000 litres/ha more milk from forage than a five year old ley with just half of the perennial ryegrass remaining. If we extend the life of the old ley to ten years, with just 25% perennial ryegrass remaining, then the difference rises to 3,410 litres/ha. If we apply a milk price of 27p/litre, this roughly equates to an extra £500 - £1,000/ha in additional milk from forage, simply by maintaining sward quality.

“As our trials programme continues, we’ll be able to look at the impact over a full silage making season and also gain a better understanding of the impact in grazing scenarios too.”

With more dairy farmers now making multi-cut silage – where grass is cut younger and more frequently as a way of improving milk from forage – Volac scientist Dr Mark Leggett said new farm-based Ecosyl research had examined the potential of multi-cut to deliver extra milk.

Research concluded that multi-cut offers the potential for increasing milk from forage but this cannot be realised without careful ensiling, said Dr Mark Leggett, and Ecosyl helped to ‘bank’ its potential

Results confirmed that grass from a five-cut system was indeed more nutritious than from a more traditional three-cut approach – with an average digestibility (D value) of 72.7 versus 69.7, and delivering 0.5 MJ/kg more energy. Crude protein content was also almost 3% higher.

Over the season, the multi-cut grass also yielded 0.92 t/ha more dry matter (DM). When combined with its higher energy, this equated to it providing an extra 18,582 MJ/ha, Dr Leggett pointed out.
“Based on 5.3 MJ being required to produce 1 litre of milk, this means this particular multi-cut system had the potential to deliver an extra 3,506 l/ha of milk,” explained Dr Leggett.
“At a milk price of 25 pence/litre, this is equivalent to an extra £877/ha earned, which would still leave you about £333/ha better off after deducting the extra contractor costs.”

But while multi-cut grass has the potential to unlock more milk from forage, this is only half the picture, Dr Leggett stressed. You also need to conserve these extra nutrients within the silage.
“Although multi-cut offers nutritional benefits, it can be more challenging to ensile,” he explained. “Its higher protein can contribute to buffering of the fermentation, while shorter cutting intervals can mean less time for slurry to dissipate, and so increased risk of slurry bacteria being present, which can produce DM losses.

Effect of Ecosyl treatment for reducing dry matter losses in multi-cut silage

Source: Volac research as part of a two-year project, 2018-19
“Indeed, a further stage of our research found that when multi-cut was allowed to ferment without an additive, not only was the fermentation slow, with enterobacteria, the bad bacteria often associated with slurry, continuing to grow, but the average DM loss was nearly 10%. By comparison, average DM loss was virtually halved when treated with Ecosyl additive, and there was clear evidence of better protein preservation.

“It was concluded that multi-cut offers the potential for more milk from forage, but this cannot be realised without careful ensiling, and Ecosyl helped to ‘bank’ its potential,” he added.

 

[casper74]

I have a field that was ploughed last September never got drilled, It still hasn't dried enough so I want to sow a cover crop in it that will help with the soil structure and leave a green manure to plough back in in early september ready for a 1st wheat. any suggestions as what and when to sow?

 

[Great In Grass]

The multiple benefits of white clover

Teagasc recently published a number of mitigation measures to reduce Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from agriculture and the introduction of clover was one of the measures referenced.

According to the report, improved nitrogen-use efficiency, via optimising soil pH and extension of clover in pasture swards, would result in an 8% reduction in fertiliser use between 2021 and 2030. It has been highlighted that farms in derogation will be obliged to include white clover in their swards when reseeding in the future.

In addition to the benefits already mentioned, there are both sward and animal benefits to introducing white clover into your swards.

Research has shown, a sward containing 20% white clover will have a positive effect in terms of increasing animal production. White clover is a high quality and very digestible plant and it supports higher animal intake. Combined with the increased quality of the diet, animal performance will also increase.

Teagasc research has also shown that when comparing swards containing 30% white clover and applying 150 kg N to swards receiving 250 kg N with no clover, a similar level of total herbage production is achievable from both swards, thus, the nitrogen being fixed by the clover plant is offsetting the reduction in N applied. T

This supports high grass growth rates while reducing fertiliser bills on the farm which is deemed a win-win for the farmer and the environment.

Managed practices when introducing white clover
Clover likes fertile soil with good pH. In order for clover to establish effectively in the soil, a pH of 6.3 - 6.5 is optimum and therefore lime application in suboptimal pH soils is required prior to sowing clover.

• Sowing as part of a full reseed
  • Sow 0.6 kg/ac or 1.5 kg/ha naked or 1.0 kg/ac or 2.5 kg/Ha Coated
  • May to early August
  • Clover safe post-emergence spray is critical
• Over-sowing clover into an existing sward
  • Control weeds before you consider over-sowing clover
  • Some herbicides have a residue of up to 4 months – so if sowing clover next year, now is the time to adapt a weed management policy in those fields. If you plan on sowing clover this year; check the residual time on the label of the product you are using or seek advise on a suitable weed control product.
  • Ideally over-sow clover after silage harvest or a tight grazing
  • Moisture is important and therefore its establishment will be less successful if sown when entering a dry period
  • Soil must be visible, therefore do not over-sow where you have a thatch of grass
  • Coated clover may be of benefit as it is generally a bigger heavier seed and therefore more likely to make soil contact
• Fertiliser spreader will work
• Mix 1- 2 kg clover with a bag of 0:7:30 per acre
• Only add clover to the spreader when you are in the field, otherwise there is a risk of the clover seed “settling” at the base of the spreader and thus you will not have an even spread of clover in the field
• Only do a maximum of 5 acres at a time
• Spread in 2 directions – up and down the field and then across the field
• Clover will not throw as far as fertiliser, so hence why sowing half rate in two separate directions will give a better chance of success

• Post sowing
  • Graze the grass again about 10 days after sowing
  • Do not apply N and ideally skip bagged N for the remainder of the year, but at least for 2 rounds
  • Graze every 2 weeks or so for about 3 grazings to ensure light gets down to the base of the sward to aid clover establishment

Coated white clover option
Coated white clover can improve the establishment and productivity of white clover in both a full reseed and over-sowing situations. The coating used by Germinal on their white clover contains beneficial ingredients to aid faster germination and provide more energy to the seed. These include:

• Phosphorus to promote root growth and allow the clover plant to establish quicker, and better compete with grasses for soil nutrients
• Rhizobium inoculants to ensure rapid nodulation by rhizobium bacteria which will fix N for the clover and grass plants.

Coated white clover has been shown to produce seedlings with longer petioles and larger leaves. Additionally, the coating creates a larger seed size which is beneficial in terms of placing of the clover in the seed bed as well as helping ensure a better chance of soil to seed contact in an over-sowing situation.

 

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OXY SEAL™ ~ All-In-One Oxygen Barrier Silage Film - NO CLING FILM REQUIRED

We are proud to now be able to offer OXY SEAL™

OXY SEAL™ will help you:

• Eliminate surface waste
• Reduce Dry Matter (DM) losses and improve silage quality
• Save time - no cling film required!
• Eliminate mould and bacteria growth - no more white spots
• Improve overall silage quality

Technical Spec:

• Industry-leading EVOH (ethylene vinyl alcohol) oxygen barrier - keep oxygen OUT of your silage (<2cm³/m²/24 hours)
• Strong and durable - walk all over OXY SEAL without fear of it being damaged, ripped or punctured
• UV stable
• Fully recyclable

PLEASE CALL FOR DETAILS AND PRICES

 

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FROM COUNTRYSIDE SEEDS LIMITED

 

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Barenbrug's Good Grass Guide
Instantly download our Good Grass Guide and discover how to turn your grass into gold!

https://dxgh891opzso3.cloudfront.net/files/8/1/3/8/2/GoodGrassGuide2018.jpg?height=270&width=380&mode=crop

 

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The new biological seed treatment from LG

Starcover comprises of two fundamental ingredients:

What benefits does it provide?


Stimulates and protects the development of the plant

Helps the roots grow stronger

It facilitates the roots’ access to nutrients

Helps absorb phosphorus

It allows a safer germination

Improve performance and profitability

Improved resistance to drought stress

Improved crop security in challenging seasons and conditions



Hear how Starcover performed for Lichfield contractor Robert Moore…

 

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FODDER CROP MENU FOR FINISHING LAMBS

What choices are there for sheep producers who want to mitigate the risk of a grass shortage and have a fresh high feed value forage to hand when finishing lambs later this year?
What choices are there for sheep producers who want to mitigate the risk of a grass shortage and have a fresh high feed value forage to hand when finishing lambs later this year? According to Limagrain’s Martin Titley, there are plenty of options.

And not only do they offer a low-cost forage option, but they can also provide a break crop after grass leys or cereals.

“There are a number of good fodder crops that arable or mixed farms could consider this spring, instead of sowing cereals,” says Mr Titley. “A lot of arable units are facing big acreages for spring crops. Sowing a break crop on some fields might not be a bad option; maybe where there’s been a blackgrass problem or as an option to break the disease cycle.

Stubble Turnips

Stubble turnips are an ‘old favourite’ and lost popularity as rotations changed and other options became more fashionable. But they’re now back in favour. “Arable and sheep producers alike recognise that they suit practically any sheep production system – they’re incredible versatile,” says Mr Titley.

He says that the real attraction for this crop is that it’s fast growing and for some the flexible sowing time is attractive. It can be sown in May and June, after first-cut silage, to get a bite in early August and September. “This is good on units where grazing can burn off later in the season. It acts as an ‘insurance’ crop against a dry summer and allows producers to finish lambs on a low-cost forage crop.”

Most stubble turnip crops are sown after cereal harvest – at the end of July or beginning of August – and are then ready for grazing between 12 and 14 weeks later.

“They’re ideal for plugging the forage gap between September and the end of December,” he says, adding that this year, being very mild, farmers have grazed them well into February. “This isn’t the norm though and can’t be taken for granted.”

For the latest Stubble Turnip Trial Results from our UK Trials, click here.

Forage Rape Hybrids

Forage rape and hybrids -which are typically a cross between rape and kale – are becoming a ‘go-to’ choice for finishing lambs.

“These forage rape brassicas are particularly popular because of their flexible sowing dates,” adds Mr Titley. “They can be sown from May until late August and used as summer grazing or sown into winter barley stubble in late July.

An easy to grow crop also makes these hybrid brassicas popular. They benefit from farmyard manure or slurry pre-sowing, or an application of 60kg to 90kg of nitrogen with 25kg each of potassium and phosphate per hectare.

“And they’re fast-growing so ready to graze in 12 to 14 weeks. Sown in May, they give a bite at the end of August or early September which is ideal for finishing lambs on many farms.”

But the crop can be used across winter too and will keep its leafiness in colder conditions. “Forage rape and the hybrid crops are winter hardy and are capable of carrying stock well into February and even early March. But it must be grazed before flowering as once it starts to flower, it loses its nutritional value.”

Modern rape kale hybrids offer high feed values. “Take one of the latest, Unicorn, launched in 2019. This fast-growing leafy catch crop offers energy values of 11 MJ per kilogramme of dry matter, producing 49,438 MJ per hectare, and a dry matter content of 12.4%. This is a lot of feed value from 12 to 14 weeks of growth.”

For the latest Forage Rape Trial Results from our UK Trials, click here.


A Good Mix

Both stubble turnips and forage rape hybrids provide a good break, helping to build fertility back into the soil and to control both broadleaved and grass weeds. They can be followed with a spring grass reseed or a spring cereal crop.

“A mix of the two in one cropping is popular too,” he adds. The stubble turnip ‘bulbs’ provide a high energy crop, whereas the brassica hybrids, such a forage rape, pack a protein punch. This offers a more balanced forage mix in one crop.

“In freezing and snowy conditions, the forage rape ‘stands up’ and creates a canopy over the stubble turnips which generally keeps them fresher for longer.”

Mr Titley says that the popularity of swedes is declining as more producers discover the benefits of stubble turnips and forage rape. “But we’re still seeing the old favourite swede variety; Invitation and our Massif traditional turnip take their well-earned place on some sheep units.

“These crops grow well in autumn so they’re ideal where cereal harvest is later; which is often why we see them grown in Scotland. They provide a high energy, high dry matter winter feed that can be grazed from the end of November through to February with relatively low production costs.”

Herbal Leys

Herbal leys are getting more popular for grazing sheep and finishing lambs. The perennial mixtures typically persist for three or four years and comprise species including chicory and plantain, as well as traditional grasses such as meadow fescue and sainfoin.

“The species are deep rooting and they continue to thrive in dry conditions – either during drought or towards the back-end of the grazing season, when grass may be struggling,” says Mr Titley.

These mixtures really come into their own on chalky, light and free-draining soils. They’re also rich in minerals, compared to other forage crops.

Sheep farmers on or close to EFA land, which is now subject to the ‘greening’ rules, cannot leave land fallow during the winter – a green cover crop must be sown and must remain in place until January 12 each year.

“A mixture of forage rye Humbolt and vetch, which can be sown as late as September, is a good option,” says Mr Titley. “It’s a reliable feed for both ewes and finishing lambs to graze, up until April, if required.”

He adds that herbal leys are becoming more predominant in arable farming areas. “Sheep and arable farmers can work together on this. There are also soil health and fertility benefits to be had by arable producers who graze livestock on a proportion of their land each year.”

The LG Essential Guide to Forage Crops


More Information

For more information on any of these crops, download the LG Essential Guide to Forage Crops, click the link below

Sowing Period and Feed Quality
CROP	SOWING PERIOD	DRY MATTER YIELD	METABOLIZABLE ENERGY	CRUDE PROTEIN %
Stubble Turnips	1) May - June 2) July - August	4.5-5.0 t/ha	11 MJ/kg DM	17-18%
Forage Rape Hybrids	May - End August	3.5-4.0 t/ha	10-11 MJ/kg SM	19-20%
Swedes	April-June	7-10 t/ha	12.8-13.1 MJ/kg DM	10-11%

Downloads

• Essential Guide to Forage Crops 2019
• Stubble Turnip LG UK Trial Results Data 2020
• Forage Rape & Hybrids LG UK Trial Results Data 2020
• Swede Technical Summary

 

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Brassica mixtures are being used increasingly by livestock farmers and are an effective way of tailoring a grazing crop more precisely to specific circumstances.

We offer various mixtures these are from Germinal:

 

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New Seed Treatment Gets Brassicas off to a Flying Start

Limagrain has introduced a new seed treatment for brassicas that promotes early growth and even establishment. Rich in soluble nutrients and bio-active compounds Start-uP, which is manufactured by British-based company Ilex Envirosciences, can achieve increased vigour and early rooting in brassica crops.

It includes phosphite, the highly mobile form of phosphorus that can be transported through the plant much faster than conventional fertiliser phosphate. It also contains a package of essential amino acids and natural compounds from seaweed that are readily taken up by the young roots.


Limagrain has trialled Start-uP on forage rape and kale hybrid brassicas and stubble turnip crops at its site in Lincolnshire during six weeks in spring 2019.


“We found an increase in leaf length of 9.8%, and 28.6% on root length, on crops grown from seed treated with Start-uP compared with the control,” says Limagrain’s forage crop director Martin Titley. “And, in the six-week period, root mass was 5.9% more in the Start-uP treated crop, indicating that this seed treatment offered crops a significant growth advantage in the early stages.”


Forage rape, kale, stubble turnips and brassica hybrids are sown between May and August and provide a high feed value forage for cattle and sheep in just 12 to 14 weeks.


“Treating seed with Start-uP gives growers an insurance at the crop’s most vulnerable time,” adds Mr Titley. “This helps to guarantee a high yielding fresh forage with good feed value.”


Brassicas and stubble turnips are increasingly popular as a break crop, sown after first-cut silage as part of the grass ley rotation or after cereal harvest. This flexibility, their low growing costs and their fast growth bring benefits to mixed and livestock farming systems.


“During the past few years many of the effective seed treatments have lost their registration and there are very few alternatives available. Start-uP has proven to be a highly effective option for these crops.” Learn more about Start-Up Seed treatment here.


Click here to go to the full range of forage crops

 

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BarTech April 2020 - Species Diversity
Having a variety of species instead of just one or two can bring about a number of advantages to grassland farmers in both their livestock and arable enterprises.



BarTech April 2020 - Species Diversity
There is estimated to be over 8,000 different grass species worldwide, of which only a small number have been developed and bred into cultivated varieties for use in the UK. The five most commonly used here are the four types of ryegrasses (Lolium spp.): Westerwolds, Italians, Hybrids and Perennials and Timothy (Phleum pratense) which many grassland farmers are familiar with. Commonly, grass mixtures often contain red and/ or white clover (Trifolium pratense and T. repens) as a companion.

The species mentioned have a whole range of benefits but there is gaining interest across most farm sectors to look for other species to go alongside these and make more diverse grass and forage mixtures to help improve productivity and resilience.

Having a variety of species instead of just one or two can bring about a number of advantages to grassland farmers in both their livestock and arable enterprises. Depending on the species and varieties sown, benefits include:

• Nitrogen fixation by legumes reducing need for bought in N
• A more varied nutrient content of the forage including trace elements
• Improvements in soil healthy including structure and organic matter content
• Improved sward palatability leading to higher intakes and subsequent productivity
• Improved sward resilience e.g. drought tolerance
• Increased invertebrate populations and diversity
• Anthelmintic benefits
• Rumen stimulation

Other grass species to consider
Modern, bred for purpose, soft leaved Tall Fescue (Festuca arundinacea) and Cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata). These species are extensively rooted giving benefits to soil structure and increased resilience to drought and waterlogging. The deep roots will draw nutrients from lower down in the soil profile and they are also more productive than ryegrasses under low N management systems. The selection and breeding of these species has brought about a large improvement in nutritive value and a much higher fibre digestibility than wild types making very healthy, productive and palatable fibre source for ruminants.

Other Legume species to consider
We covered specifics of some legumes in the March edition of Bartech but Birdsfoot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), and Sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) are all species which make good companions for grass in medium to long term swards. Balansa clover (T. michelianum), Crimson Clover (T. incarnatum) and Persian Clover (T. resputinatum) are annual clovers which make excellent companions for westerwolds or Italian in a spring sown situation.

Lucerne (Medicago sativa) is an ideal protein crop, particularly for drought prone areas and common vetch (Vicia sativa) can be added to grass mixtures or to cereals for wholecrop.

Forage Herbs
Chicory (chicorium intybus) and Plantain (plantago lanceolata) are the two most well-known forage herb species but others include Sheep’s parley (Petoselenium crispum), Salad burnett (Sanguisorba minor) and Yarrow (Achillea millefolium).

All the herbs are perennial and deep rooted with strong tap roots with the chicory, plantain and yarrow having the most aggressive root systems. None of the species like to be over grazed so should be managed well to maintain their presence in the sward by observing residual heights. Most are fairly tolerant of a range of environmental conditions but the aggressive root systems do allow them to thrive particularly well in drought prone soils.

Chicory is well known for both its anthelmintic properties and its ability to fatten lambs, the two of which may be closely related as well as the high protein and mineral content of the forage. Chicory has been shown to result in reduced egg count and adult abomasal worm numbers in lambs but has little effect in adult sheep. Interestingly, no benefit at all seems to have been exhibited in cattle.

There are several schools of thought on how chicory impacts the worm burden in lambs but the mode of action is not fully understood yet. Opinions include the plant structure reducing parasitic movements and interrupting the life cycles therefore reducing number available for consumption by livestock or that the plants themselves may produce substances which deter the parasites or reduce the activity of the parasite in the gut.

It is also possible that the improved plane of nutrition and more balanced diet makes the lambs healthier with either higher immunity or a quicker recovery rate.

Other species displaying anthelmintic properties include sainfoin and birdsfoot trefoil but it should be noted that these species can reduce, but not necessarily replace, the need for chemical wormers and all suspected worm burdens should be investigated properly with FECs.

BarTech April 2020 - Species Diversity
Download your copy of BarTech April 2020 Species Diversity edition

 

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New Seed Treatment Gets Brassicas off to a Flying Start

Limagrain has introduced a new seed treatment for brassicas that promotes early growth and even establishment. Rich in soluble nutrients and bio-active compounds Start-uP, which is manufactured by British-based company Ilex Envirosciences, can achieve increased vigour and early rooting in brassica crops.

It includes phosphite, the highly mobile form of phosphorus that can be transported through the plant much faster than conventional fertiliser phosphate. It also contains a package of essential amino acids and natural compounds from seaweed that are readily taken up by the young roots.


Limagrain has trialled Start-uP on forage rape and kale hybrid brassicas and stubble turnip crops at its site in Lincolnshire during six weeks in spring 2019.


“We found an increase in leaf length of 9.8%, and 28.6% on root length, on crops grown from seed treated with Start-uP compared with the control,” says Limagrain’s forage crop director Martin Titley. “And, in the six-week period, root mass was 5.9% more in the Start-uP treated crop, indicating that this seed treatment offered crops a significant growth advantage in the early stages.”


Forage rape, kale, stubble turnips and brassica hybrids are sown between May and August and provide a high feed value forage for cattle and sheep in just 12 to 14 weeks.


“Treating seed with Start-uP gives growers an insurance at the crop’s most vulnerable time,” adds Mr Titley. “This helps to guarantee a high yielding fresh forage with good feed value.”


Brassicas and stubble turnips are increasingly popular as a break crop, sown after first-cut silage as part of the grass ley rotation or after cereal harvest. This flexibility, their low growing costs and their fast growth bring benefits to mixed and livestock farming systems.


“During the past few years many of the effective seed treatments have lost their registration and there are very few alternatives available. Start-uP has proven to be a highly effective option for these crops.” Learn more about Start-Up Seed treatment here.


Click here to go to the full range of forage crops

 

[Great In Grass]

Tips for introducing white clover

If you established a new reseed last year and want to stitch in white clover this year - how should you do it? William Fleming, Area Sales Manager for Scotland and North East England, provides his top tips.
Limited clover-safe sprays for controlling weeds in new leys means stitching in clover once a grass reseed is established can be attractive.
This enables any existing, heavy broadleaf weed burdens to be well and truly controlled in the ley’s first year, with clover introduced in the following season.
However, all too often farmer’s good intentions to introduce clover at a later date can go forgotten. It’s vital you build this into your grassland action plan or you could be missing out on productivity gains. After all, clover helps build sward biodiversity, aids soil structure, increases dry matter intakes and performance. As a legume, it’s nitrogen fixing abilities are also equivalent to 150-250kgN/ha.
Think about the following when introducing clover:

1. Ensure broadleaf weeds are under control

Make sure you have weeds well and truly under control. Work with your agronomist to ensure the correct sprays are used at the right time both before and after establishing the new ley.

1. Choose the right clover to suit management

Always choose clovers from the Recommended Grass and Clover Lists (RGCLs) and opt for a blend. If you’re wanting to cut the sward for dairy cows, choose large and medium leafed varieties. For sheep, choose small and medium leafed clovers.

1. Introduce the clover when soils are warm and moist

Stitch in clover at least six weeks after weed control to adhere to withdrawal periods. A warm, moist seed-bed is vital (April-August, depending on location).

1. Ensure good seed to soil contact

Over-sow after grazing or cutting the field to help seed to soil contact.

Identify the fields you want to reseed this Autumn now and put together a targeted weed control programme with your agronomist to nip weeds in the bud before establishment. Getting a good clean seed bed could mean you could include clover in the mix from the start which will reduce the costs associated with going in at a later date.

1. Opt for a slightly higher seed rate

A slightly higher seed rate of 4kg/ha is recommended for over-sowing compared to a full reseed to compensate for higher seeding loss.

1. Carefully graze the sward to help clover establishment

Under or over grazing is the enemy when it comes to clover establishment. Graze too hard and clover will be knocked back and graze too lightly and grass will outcompete the clover. The key is to graze down to a residual of 1,500kgDM/ha or 4cm so sunlight can get down to the clover. Graze lightly and for short periods until clover is well established.

1. Adopt good rotational grazing

Once clover has established, adopt good rotational grazing to enable clover to rest and recover - always graze down to 4cm.

1. Think carefully about fertiliser

Avoid application of nitrogen in early establishment as it will encourage grass to grow and increase the risk of clover being outcompeted. Apply a 0:20:30 fertiliser just after clover has been stitched in so potassium and phosphate is available for the young clover plant.

 

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Modern swedes offer nutritious out-wintering option

UK field trials with the new generation swede variety Triumph have demonstrated its value as a cost effective out-wintering option for livestock farmers.

In studies we carried out during 2018 and 2019, crops monitored on farms in England, Wales and Scotland recorded bulb yields of 9tDM/ha with high levels of leaf retention resulting in significant additional crude protein.

With average growing costs calculated at £385/ha, we believe the cost of dry matter from the swedes to be in the region of 4p/kg, creating opportunities for livestock farmers to build greater sustainability into their production systems.

“From the results we’ve seen with Triumph, there’s no doubt that swedes offer a cheap and simple out-wintering option that has the potential to reduce costs of production in both cattle and sheep sectors in the UK,” says Ben Wixey, Sales Manager at Germinal GB.

“Whilst the bulb is the primary feed source from swedes, contributing as much as 120,000MJ/ha of energy, we’ve been impressed with ability of the variety Triumph to retain its leaves through into the grazing period. From measurements taken during our programme of field trials, we estimate the retained leaf material to provide around 1t/ha of crude protein to grazing livestock, which is a significant bonus.”

The optimum drilling window for swedes is between the middle of May and the end of June for most UK farmers, with crops typically being ready to graze within about 25 weeks.

“With a block grazing approach, five hectares of Triumph swede could be expected to support around 400 in-lamb ewes, or 75 bulling heifers, for up to 100 days,” adds Ben Wixey. “That’s creating a huge opportunity to reduce bought-in feeds and lower the cost of production significantly.”

During Germinal GB’s field trials programme, Triumph swede was shown to produce as much as 120,000MJ/ha of energy from its bulbs, with retained leaf material contributing up to 1t/ha of crude protein.

Further information on establishing and managing swedes for out-wintering is available here:
https://germinal.co.uk/knowledge-hub/brassica-growers-guide/