Cover Crop Establishment

[Douglasmn]

What part of Scotland are you in?

The Scottish borders. (nice area)

 

[Douglasmn]

What part of Scotland are you in?

Normally doing well to cut wheat by August 20th, September not out of the ordinary though. Having said that 2014 was especially early, about the 12th I think

 

[Baling Hay]

The Scottish borders. (nice area)

Big area, far from Kelso? We nearly boguht a farm in the borders a couple of times over the years.

 

[Douglasmn]

Not far from Kelso. Small farm, 550ac total about 380 arable.

 

[Baling Hay]

Not far from Kelso. Small farm, 550ac total about 380 arable.

Lol at small farm. We came from 100 acres in N.Ireland!!

 

[Douglasmn]

Lol at small farm. We came from 100 acres in N.Ireland!!

I'd call less than 600 acres or so small by today's standards. Even with the smallest kit it just doesn't tie up many days. 3 metre drill, comfortably 50 acres a day, max 300 acres winter cereals still only 6 days!! The only job that is time-consuming is ploughing with 4 furrow(1.6 metre) plough. Trying to phase that out though! Possible? Yes. Easy? Not necessarily! Having said that I know people who can make making hay from a 10 acre field last all of the month of June...I guess it just depends on your mindset! Me personally I'm always looking for the most efficient methods. As for broadcasting into a standing crop, (if done properly) then I think it will lead to the best possible crop with the lowest establishment cost and always better for the ground to disturb it the least(even the most diehard ploughman couldn't pretend it adds to soil health to beat it apart!). That said need to plan it properly and have everything thought through or could end up an embarrassing waste of seed!

 

[Pedders]

That said need to plan it properly and have everything thought through or could end up an embarrassing waste of seed!

well if you can find a local contractor with a 24 m pneumatic spreader its definitelty worth a try ..go in about 3 weeks before you expect to harvest you will have to plan to get a lower germination %ge compared to drilling .. seed rates for rape and turnip about 5.5-8 Kg ha as opposed to 4 Kg drilled ..the higher rates would obviously allow a bit more leeway for germination
other seeds as you want ...could try linseed buckwheat maybe some millet vetches peas we even put sunflowers through ours and they came ...

 

[SilliamWhale]

Don't forget herbicide residuals affecting germination

 

[Douglasmn]

well if you can find a local contractor with a 24 m pneumatic spreader its definitelty worth a try ..go in about 3 weeks before you expect to harvest you will have to plan to get a lower germination %ge compared to drilling .. seed rates for rape and turnip about 5.5-8 Kg ha as opposed to 4 Kg drilled ..the higher rates would obviously allow a bit more leeway for germination
other seeds as you want ...could try linseed buckwheat maybe some millet vetches peas we even put sunflowers through ours and they came ...

You ever tried it just with a spinner? Easiest and cheapest method. Maybe too risky at 24 metres though.

 

[Pedders]

it won't work with a spinner at 24 m.. don't try and short cut the short cut ..do it right or not at all