Direct Drilling Grass

[loughash]

We have moved from ploughing to direct seeding grass on our farm, the ground suits it better.

We are looking at doing the drilling / overseeding ourselves.

Looking at budget machines for the job- what are the options?

Light run with power harrow and seed box?
Or is it better to burn off and disc it?

Whats the best method of sowing?

Probably 40 - 80 acres per year
Thanks

 

[D14]

We have moved from ploughing to direct seeding grass on our farm, the ground suits it better.

We are looking at doing the drilling / overseeding ourselves.

Looking at budget machines for the job- what are the options?

Light run with power harrow and seed box?
Or is it better to burn off and disc it?

Whats the best method of sowing?

Probably 40 - 80 acres per year
Thanks

Having just taken some 6m grass strips out to put into stewardship bird food don’t rip it up as you’ll end up with lumps of it everywhere. It’s been a nightmare to be honest. We should of direct drilled the bird food into sprayed off grass so if I was you do the same or bury the old grass with a plough.

 

[gerr]

I have used discs with a packer roller to good effect. 3-4 passes on burnt off sward. 5 passes on sward straight after taking a cut off. A lot faster than ploughing, etc. It also leveled a lot of old ruts. Our soil is shallow and I hate turning up the clay and stones with modern ploughs.

 

[deleted user 837354]

We have moved from ploughing to direct seeding grass on our farm, the ground suits it better.

We are looking at doing the drilling / overseeding ourselves.

Looking at budget machines for the job- what are the options?

Light run with power harrow and seed box?
Or is it better to burn off and disc it?

Whats the best method of sowing?

Probably 40 - 80 acres per year
Thanks

Are you really sure you want to do this?

 

[loughash]

Are you really sure you want to do this?

Yes, have done it last few years, but contractor has retired now.

 

[deleted user 837354]

Yes, have done it last few years, but contractor has retired now.

Don't you find the weed grasses proliferate into the new ley too quickly?

 

[fred.950]

Yes, have done it last few years, but contractor has retired now.

If that’s the case you need to try and replicate how he was doing it. Within budget obviously

 

[Boohoo]

I have used discs with a packer roller to good effect. 3-4 passes on burnt off sward. 5 passes on sward straight after taking a cut off. A lot faster than ploughing, etc. It also leveled a lot of old ruts. Our soil is shallow and I hate turning up the clay and stones with modern ploughs.

Ploughing isn't a problem on shallow soils, but wide furrow widths, deep boards, wide tyres and lazy operators are.

 

[rob1]

simtech

 

[gerr]

Ploughing isn't a problem on shallow soils, but wide furrow widths, deep boards, wide tyres and lazy operators are.

So what plough and board set up would you suggest to plough at 4-5 inches deep? Would love to be able to plough shallow.

 

[DaveJ]

So what plough and board set up would you suggest to plough at 4-5 inches deep? Would love to be able to plough shallow.

After persevering for a few years with a plough more suited to corn ground, I've bought an old KV conventional on No3 boards to try. It should get it's 1st outing after silage. @Kevtherev's Dad has the same setup (albeit at 12 ins furrow width as opposed to my 14) and it produces some lovely results. Kev has put pictures on here before.

 

[Digester Man]

We got good results with a Moore Unidrill straight into the ground. Could always contact them to see if they have sold any machines into your area?

 

[Boohoo]

So what plough and board set up would you suggest to plough at 4-5 inches deep? Would love to be able to plough shallow.

Dowdeswell claim YCNs will work at 2" deep and DDS at 4". Overum's XL bodies will work at 4" and Kverneland's no.8 will work at 5". You need to keep the furrow width and speed down when ploughing shallow and be careful not to skim too much.

 

[D14]

I have used discs with a packer roller to good effect. 3-4 passes on burnt off sward. 5 passes on sward straight after taking a cut off. A lot faster than ploughing, etc. It also leveled a lot of old ruts. Our soil is shallow and I hate turning up the clay and stones with modern ploughs.

3-4 or 5 passes? Thats a lot of time and diesel and no way cheaper than ploughing.

 

[gerr]

3-4 or 5 passes? Thats a lot of time and diesel and no way cheaper than ploughing.

My 5 acre field disced twice in the evening then 3 times next morning by 11. Grass sown with a vicon by 12 and rolled by 2pm. Not arguing but it just suits my farm which is shallow with clay and shale close to the surface in parts.

I could argue that I don't have to buy a plough and my discs were paid for by a grant scheme. It's horses for courses and what works for you.

 

[avag]

So what plough and board set up would you suggest to plough at 4-5 inches deep? Would love to be able to plough shallow.

Kv no3 or hydrein