Dark luminous green.

[SilliamWhale]

When tilled crops come up they do look great, you can't deny that luminous colour against the brown background makes you feel good.

When a no till crop comes up lets face it is usually looks crap. One spindly stem for a while and against a grey strawy background and all of a sudden it looks like its failed. It usually comes through though.

How much of an advantage is this affect? The mineralisation of N from tillage makes a crop look good but does it really matter that much - how much does the crop need the N in a big hit? how much does it add to yield do you think? The data from around the world seems to indicate not a huge amount given that yields are broadly similar.

 

[Clive]

Someone said to me a week or so ago

Crops only need to look good once a year and that's the day your looking at them from a combine seat !

 

[martian]

I know what you mean though. Can't help feeling a good start would give even better results...are you finding this slow start effect is lessened on your longer dd-ed ground Will?

 

[rob1]

Used to be told that establisment was the most important thing. My agrominist rang me up today after looking at the claydon wheat and said he couldnt believe wheat could grow so much in a week, seems to be coming round to dd ! Shame he retires in july will have to train another one

 

[JNG]

Its all about root growth? If you are directdrilling into harder ground than a cultivated field can the plant grow as strong a root system, if yes then you will be fine, if the roots are stunted then NO. I would not worry about how the crop looks above ground in the early days as long as it looks good underground.

 

[Neddy flanders]

Have been thinking the same thing. First photo is dd spring wheat into ww stubble. 10april. Heavy wet field. Second photo is same field. On left is a small ploughed area. Plants are twice the size and luminous

 

[SilliamWhale]

Oh heavens, I haven't got anything like that.

I had a field of spring barley which I will admit looked lousy about halfway between your DD/Ploughed picture in terms of quality and plant pop and the old man has ploughed it up cause it looked crap outside his house! It wouldn't have been a barn buster but would have just about wiped its face...

Spring wheat seems funny stuff, I've always got on well with it but many seem not to. But I do struggle to get the yields in the farmers weekly...

 

[Will Blackburn]

I think it is down to soil temperature, my March drilled W. wheat looks very similar. it's had loads of N, and it reminds me of maize last year, so my best guess is not enough available P. Going forward I'm thinking of drilling with mostly N in the autumn and mainly P in the spring.

 

[SilliamWhale]

I think it is down to soil temperature, my March drilled W. wheat looks very similar. it's had loads of N, and it reminds me of maize last year, so my best guess is not enough available P. Going forward I'm thinking of drilling with mostly N in the autumn and mainly P in the spring.

Yes I think that's a good analysis.

 

[Clive]

I think it is down to soil temperature, my March drilled W. wheat looks very similar. it's had loads of N, and it reminds me of maize last year, so my best guess is not enough available P. Going forward I'm thinking of drilling with mostly N in the autumn and mainly P in the spring.

p in the spring seems to have got crops of to a great start

Is it legal to drill with N in the autumn ?

 

[Will Blackburn]

p in the spring seems to have got crops of to a great start

Is it legal to drill with N in the autumn ?

I have been impressed by your oat establishment.

I think 15 - 30 kg/ha of N is allowed? The law is an ass if no-tillers are prevented from using Autumn N whilst ploughmen crack on.

 

[Clive]

I have been impressed by your oat establishment.

I think 15 - 30 kg/ha of N is allowed? The law is an ass if no-tillers are prevented from using Autumn N whilst ploughmen crack on.

i'm honestly unsure of autumn N legality - I know you can use in on OSR establishment but that's a bit different to say october drilled wheat

anyone know for sure

I'm pretty sold on P in the spring though now, we seem to have had great establishment in oats, peas and linseed where it was used

 

[JNG]

From alot of the DD crop pictures Ive seen on this forum I think a minimum of 50kg/ha DAP/MAP placed on all direct drilled crops Autumn or Spring, get those roots growing, they have to work harder? It seems to me it would lessen the risk of poorer establishment that seems widespread out there and here, Please correct me if Im wrong!

 

[Feldspar]

p in the spring seems to have got crops of to a great start

Is it legal to drill with N in the autumn ?

You are allowed to apply autumn N on cereals if you have approval from a FACTS qualified advisor. I'm not sure if they have strict guidelines to follow or if they have a reasonable amount of freedom.

I think you are also allowed to apply N for the purpose of ameliorating the breakdown of previous crop residues. Not sure during what period this allowed and how much you can put on. Whether you can justify N when planting autumn cereals into a over-summer cover crop residue I'm not sure.

 

[SilliamWhale]

My no till spring wheat. After turnips and sheep. Looks OK but definitely doesn't tiller much. If I get sun it may hit 3ton but wouldn't expect it. Spring barley not as good.

 

[Neddy flanders]

This dd spring wheat had 200 kg of 10:26:26 at drilling, broadcast not placed. Problem is roots getting hold of it. It needs to be below not above seed, which can't be done without placing

 

[martian]

My no till spring wheat. After turnips and sheep. Looks OK but definitely doesn't tiller much. If I get sun it may hit 3ton but wouldn't expect it. Spring barley not as good.

Looks very tidy Will. What row spacing are you on?

 

[SilliamWhale]

Looks very tidy Will. What row spacing are you on?

7.5 inches Yank 750 drill

This is the barley. Busy going nowhere fast. Fussy crop spring barley bit it has been cold

 

[rob1]

How is anyone to know if you put a bit of n in when drilling? Just adjust your records for the amount you use in the spring, if the crop needs it and takes it up where is the problem .

 

[moretimeforgolf]

From alot of the DD crop pictures Ive seen on this forum I think a minimum of 50kg/ha DAP/MAP placed on all direct drilled crops Autumn or Spring, get those roots growing, they have to work harder? It seems to me it would lessen the risk of poorer establishment that seems widespread out there and here, Please correct me if Im wrong!

I don't have the option to place fertiliser with the drill so will need to broadcast it. I realise rainfall is the major factor but how long would you expect it take for DAP/MAP to become available to the plant? I could apply to rape stubbles in early august in anticipation of drilling wheat mid/late September.(First season with JD750A)