Cover crop cost v low disturbance subsoiling

[benny6910]

Good evening, how much does a decent deep rooting cover crop cost per acre in comparison to some form of low disturbance subsoiling? Just wondering what actual figures people are getting. I’ve had 40 acres drilled this spring with a 750a as a test to see if I could use this kind of system somehow. Thanks in advance Ben.

 

[Brisel]

You're comparing apples with pears IMO. Do you have compaction? If not, I'd avoid the subsoiler as you need to get away from the cycle of steel causing slumping, requiring more steel. Can anyone strip till drill the beans for you in future as a way of only moving a bit of soil?

Cover crop seed is £25-45/ha. BASE UK membership is priceless in terms of value and knowledge.

 

[benny6910]

You're comparing apples with pears IMO. Do you have compaction? If not, I'd avoid the subsoiler as you need to get away from the cycle of steel causing slumping, requiring more steel. Can anyone strip till drill the beans for you in future as a way of only moving a bit of soil?

Cover crop seed is £25-45/ha. BASE UK membership is priceless in terms of value and knowledge.

I have just bought a co4 which I’m planning on drilling winter beans with and maybe some wheat if conditions allow. I think I am doing all I can to limit compaction and hopefully my soil structure is getting better. I don’t seam to have as much standing water as in the past. The trouble is that I’m only 18m above sea level and surrounded by rivers and ditches that flood when river levels are high. Soil variation in fields is big aswell. My agronomist wants me to try some cover crops on my fallow this year but I’m reluctant to spend money if it’s not going to grow on the heavier soil as in my opinion that’s where I need the cover crop to perform the best. I know that I can sumo trio/ cultipress is it’s dry and powerharrow drill in a normal season to get good returns so I’m just trying to get my head around replacing the trio cost with establishing a cover crop.

 

[H.Jackson]

I think if you try a multi species cover crop you will find rather like fym/compost it brings more than just the major nutrients to the party.