Direct Drilling After Root Crop

[Thefarmingpilot]

Good Afternoon all

I’m wondering what everyone’s opinion is on DD after a root crop?

We have Sugar Beer planned currently, but trying to plan the crop after.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

 

[EddieB]

It really depends on when the beet crop is harvested and how good the weather is at harvest. I have managed it successfully in the early autumn but the opportunity doesn't always arise.

 

[Brisel]

What kind of DD? A few strip tillers getting good results but that's a leg ripping surface compaction up.

You won't really know what the timing or conditions will be unless you have a very good control of when they lift it.

 

[Adeptandy]

If I was still growing roots I reckon a Claydon or Triton would do the job nicely

 

[Brisel]

If I was still growing roots I reckon a Claydon or Triton would do the job nicely

I agree about the Claydon, but don't belive the hype about Tritons. A floating coulter assembly might help if drilling with the wheelings to help with seed depth.

 

[Wombat]

I agree about the Claydon, but don't belive the hype about Tritons. A floating coulter assembly might help if drilling with the wheelings to help with seed depth.

Really depends on what the grounds like after, I have gone in straight after fodder beet that was lifted reasonably tidy with our old Mf30 at 300kg/ha and eased past 4t/a

There are other times you wouldn’t get 400kg/a if it’s a mess

 

[Warp Land Farmer]

Agree with the above, it all depends how the root crop has been removed and the condition and level of the ground post harvest.

 

[alomy75]

Good Afternoon all

I’m wondering what everyone’s opinion is on DD after a root crop?

We have Sugar Beer planned currently, but trying to plan the crop after.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

If you’re new to beet don’t forget the ongoing rotational restrictions if you have neonic seed

 

[farmerfred86]

We now DD after sugarbeet come hell or high water. The MAUS usually creates an impassable disaster zone though.
In a dry year a disc drill is ok but the claydon now seems the perfect tool for this. We switched to the claydon because we needed the drainage channel to remove excess water and keep the seeds on the banks. (Wheat seeds drowned last year)
The soil is usually much softer for rooting (even after the harvester) and the cost and extra compaction from a plough/min till cultivation don't add to the margin even if the crop looks better. For me anyway.