Cover crop after summer forage

[onesiedale]

The cows have just finished a 6 acre patch of kale. Rather than leave ground bare for the winter what would be a suitable cover crop to put in that would then be followed by a spring grass reseed?
Is it too late now?

 

[Bury the Trash]

Keep it simple


Oats.?

Or italian ryegrass,

...then just drill your main grass seed mix through it later in the spring.?


Or do you mean is it too late for a 'proper reseed' now ?
Depends on your area and if its dry enough still ... but its def not yoo late here for a 'proper reseed '. Dont know how kale stumps would be dealt with though, by the drill.?

 

[onesiedale]

Keep it simple


Oats.?

Or italian ryegrass,

...then just drill your main grass seed mix through it later in the spring.?


Or do you mean is it too late for a 'proper reseed' now ?
Depends on your area and if its dry enough still ... but its def not yoo late here for a 'proper reseed '. Dont know how kale stumps would be dealt with though, by the drill.?

Will be DD'd with a simtech, I don't see the kale stems as being an issue. I want to put a herbal ley in so feel that a spring reseed will give it the best start.
Would it be worth considering mixing anything else in with the oats?

 

[Great In Grass]

Oats & Vetch is a very good mixture. Definitely go with a spring re-seed if going with a Herbal Ley.

 

[britt]

Forage rye will give you an early spring graze. If you can get any seed.

 

[Great In Grass]

Forage rye will give you an early spring graze. If you can get any seed.

There is a little bit of seed still available.

 

[ollie989898]

Put the grass is now whilst it is still mild!

 

[Samcowman]

Oats will be cheaper than rye and still be grazeable. What about adding something else for diversity. Mustard that will be killed by frost? Not sure how well it will go being planted this late though.

 

[Agrispeed]

Forage rye sounds perfect. I grew some last year and It was grazed in Feb and April and then cut in June at about 7' high and did 5t/dm.

I estabished mine with a combidrill and I was worried about a very soft seedbed washing but the rooting was phenomenal, and did a fantastic job holding the soil. It's supposedly a great N scavenger, as are oats so should mop up any residual N from the kale.

Just waiting for the weather to sow some more this year, or possibly I'll be building an ark.

 

[onesiedale]

Forage rye sounds perfect. I grew some last year and It was grazed in Feb and April and then cut in June at about 7' high and did 5t/dm.

I estabished mine with a combidrill and I was worried about a very soft seedbed washing but the rooting was phenomenal, and did a fantastic job holding the soil. It's supposedly a great N scavenger, as are oats so should mop up any residual N from the kale.

Just waiting for the weather to sow some more this year, or possibly I'll be building an ark.

You built that ark yet?

 

[britt]

You built that ark yet?

Trouble is you need some dry ground to build it on !