Cover crops for sheep on an arable farm

[neilo]

I thought the idea was too do say with extra glyphosate usage? But what do I know, I’m just a sheep farmer!

A low dose of glyphosate is more than made up for by the benefits of having a growing crop in it constantly, both in terms of soil structure and soil biology. That soil biology means that less P&K and lime needs to be added.

I wish I could do it more like that, but 1 third of the land in arable and 2 thirds in grass means it won’t work.
I already see some of those benefits from the rotation we have, but I know it could work even better with arable area. I don’t like sitting on tractors for too long though, or paying contractor’s bills.

 

[robbie]

I had a deal with a sheep man this year, he supplied the seed I sow and grow the crop.

I would be cultivating the stubbles anyway so what does it take to put the seed on. A cheap low rate graminicide and that's it.
He's just moved 250 stores off which have been on 20 acres since before Xmas.

He's paying £30 ac which I'm happy with, he's had food for his Sheep and I've had the cover crop I wanted,Improved soil health plus the sheep turd and a few quid for a field that wouldn't have earned anything over winter.

I've got other fields of radish but as it's been kind he has plenty of grub Infront of him so I'll just disc those fields in. It's a shame as I'd rather have some sheep do the job for me.

 

[unlacedgecko]

I had a deal with a sheep man this year, he supplied the seed I sow and grow the crop.

I would be cultivating the stubbles anyway so what does it take to put the seed on. A cheap low rate graminicide and that's it.
He's just moved 250 stores off which have been on 20 acres since before Xmas.

He's paying £30 ac which I'm happy with, he's had food for his Sheep and I've had the cover crop I wanted,Improved soil health plus the sheep turd and a few quid for a field that wouldn't have earned anything over winter.

I've got other fields of radish but as it's been kind he has plenty of grub Infront of him so I'll just disc those fields in. It's a shame as I'd rather have some sheep do the job for me.

He's paying for the seed and paying £30/ac rent?

 

[robbie]

He's paying for the seed and paying £30/ac rent?

Yep, he just supplied the seed and I grew them. He moved the sheep yesterday and said was I happy with 30quid acre to which I said are you happy with 30 quid acre??? He said they were a very good field of turnips so yes he was.

 

[Jimdog1]

Yep, he just supplied the seed and I grew them. He moved the sheep yesterday and said was I happy with 30quid acre to which I said are you happy with 30 quid acre??? He said they were a very good field of turnips so yes he was.

Win win.

 

[neilo]

Can't remember who it was put a picture up of running a set of tines through the eaten crop to bring everything left to the surface so sheep could finish off. I liked that.

I normally do for fodder beet after grazing, as there’s usually quite a bit of root left behind. I put the single ewes on that for about 3 weeks pre-lambing as it just about provides maintenance but little more (the very low protein restricts intakes, restricting their energy intake).

No need on any other crops as they are all above ground.

 

[BenAdamsAgri]

Being thick here but why would they want plants left behind?

Because otherwise the field turns into a swamp

 

[andybk]

GTH - Agriculture & Sedgemoor Auction Centre - Greenslade Taylor Hunt​

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Monday 14th February 2022

THE SOUTH WEST'S LEADING PRIME STOCK MARKET

Prime Cattle (84)
Steers sold to £1676.88 (OTM) and 238ppk
Heifers sold £1523.24 and 242ppk

All cattle sold over £1000 and averaged £1359 per head

Barren Cows (47)
Limousin Cow sold to £1451.84 and 174.5ppk
Hol /Fr Cow sold to £1308.62 and 154.5ppk
Prime Hogs (1359) sold to £140 and 285ppk
SQQ av 264.23 and £119.89 per head
Prime Lambs (11) sold to £113 and 276ppk




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