DD Novice.....Help

[Adeptandy]

As above, I'm thinking about taking the plunge and having a crack at DD.

The reason why, well, I do like the theory, slightly concerned as I know only what I've read on here.

So, the reason, 1st Nov this year I have 120 -200 acres coming out of a HLS that has had 8 years of low density cattle and the last 2 years of Sheep, hay has been baled off some fields each year. I informed from the leaving tenant that no bagged fert has been applied, only whats come out of the back of the animals while grazing. The soil type is Peaty organic soil over clay with area's where the peat has disappear through Fen Blows now a Silty Clay Loam.
The grass will hopefully be grazed fairly close at changeover.

1, Is this a good idea/entry time ?
2 Was hoping for W Barley and W Wheat on half of it on the 1st of November with S Beans & S OSR in the Spring........would this work ?

The existing farm is currently reduced tillage, Cousins Patriot after harvest and then 2 weeks before drilling a swift pass with the power harrow to get a good BG chit before drilling with the Vaddy.
Have access to a contractors Weaving GD, also have a chance to demo a couple ( Sky & Sumo )

Thanks in advance

 

[Simon Chiles]

As above, I'm thinking about taking the plunge and having a crack at DD.

The reason why, well, I do like the theory, slightly concerned as I know only what I've read on here.

So, the reason, 1st Nov this year I have 120 -200 acres coming out of a HLS that has had 8 years of low density cattle and the last 2 years of Sheep, hay has been baled off some fields each year. I informed from the leaving tenant that no bagged fert has been applied, only whats come out of the back of the animals while grazing. The soil type is Peaty organic soil over clay with area's where the peat has disappear through Fen Blows now a Silty Clay Loam.
The grass will hopefully be grazed fairly close at changeover.

1, Is this a good idea/entry time ?
2 Was hoping for W Barley and W Wheat on half of it on the 1st of November with S Beans & S OSR in the Spring........would this work ?

The existing farm is currently reduced tillage, Cousins Patriot after harvest and then 2 weeks before drilling a swift pass with the power harrow to get a good BG chit before drilling with the Vaddy.
Have access to a contractors Weaving GD, also have a chance to demo a couple ( Sky & Sumo )

Thanks in advance

The main concern I'd have is that by the 1st Nov you might be a bit late to start trying to establish a crop that Autumn. I'd want to study how level the ground was and check for compaction. If anything I reckon starting with Winter Beans would be your best bet, otherwise spray the grass off and drill in the spring. Take the opportunity now to get in your car and go and visit some dd'ers and pick some brains, you'll get a much better feel for the job than reading posts on here.

 

[Daniel]

The main concern I'd have is that by the 1st Nov you might be a bit late to start trying to establish a crop that Autumn. I'd want to study how level the ground was and check for compaction. If anything I reckon starting with Winter Beans would be your best bet, otherwise spray the grass off and drill in the spring. Take the opportunity now to get in your car and go and visit some dd'ers and pick some brains, you'll get a much better feel for the job than reading posts on here.

Strip till winter wheat? Would help level it and the extra N mineralised would give the wheat a boost.

1st Nov wouldn't be seen as particularly late to be drilling wheat near Chatteris i don't think.

 

[Clive]

I would go wintter beans yr 1 to avoid the issues connected with the grass breakdown and also because of your late drilling date

Other than that and assuming ground is fairly level it sounds ideal

 

[Simon Chiles]

Strip till winter wheat? Would help level it and the extra N mineralised would give the wheat a boost.

1st Nov wouldn't be seen as particularly late to be drilling wheat near Chatteris i don't think.

You can ask for trouble or you can get down on your knees and beg for it. Direct drilling wheat after the 1st Nov into sprayed of grass definitely comes into the latter category.

 

[Daniel]

You can ask for trouble or you can get down on your knees and beg for it. Direct drilling wheat after the 1st Nov into sprayed of grass definitely comes into the latter category.

Fair point.

@Adeptandy I know where there's a 3 metre Claydon with bean kit available for hire that would be just the job!

 

[Adeptandy]

You can ask for trouble or you can get down on your knees and beg for it. Direct drilling wheat after the 1st Nov into sprayed of grass definitely comes into the latter category.

Appreciate the info, pleased I ask now, as that had been the plan.

So, best thing I can do is go for Spring cropping, apart from the W Beans on some, anything I should avoid bearing in mind 2nd Wheats are a waste of time here ?

 

[Adeptandy]

Fair point.

@Adeptandy I know where there's a 3 metre Claydon with bean kit available for hire that would be just the job!

Thanks @Daniel, not sure how it would cope with the grass, was planning to spray off after drilling ( unless that's a bad plan also )

 

[Daniel]

Thanks @Daniel, not sure how it would cope with the grass, was planning to spray off after drilling ( unless that's a bad plan also )

An opportunity for my patented one pass flail and drill!

But no, if a GD will go deep enough for beans it would leave a lot tidier finish for you.

 

[Adeptandy]

An opportunity for my patented one pass flail and drill!

But no, if a GD will go deep enough for beans it would leave a lot tidier finish for you.

Nice, was thinking about something similar myself if I take the plunge into DD

......but with a disc drill