Grassland compaction

[NH8360]

Having renewed some drains in fields last week its become obvious I have a compaction problem in the top two or 3inches of soil. In posters experience would an aerator be a good in investment or would ploughing be a more permanent cure?

 

[Great In Grass]

A similar thread was started this morning;
http://farmingforum.org.uk/index.php?threads/grassland-drainage.3555/#post-47469

It may pay to keep an eye on that one.

Do you want to plough them up?

 

[NH8360]

Thanks il check that one now. Yea grass leys, some in a lifetime some only in a couple of years but some of the fields have been destoned in the past not sure if this may be part of the problem. Not really keen on ploughing this year as short on grazing ground jus basically would like to know if a aerator would help with this in meantime or would I be better hold of until I can plough the fields for reseed over the next few years

 

[DrDunc]

I had the same problem of compaction four inches in. Here's a thread of what I did

http://thefarmingforum.co.uk/index.php?threads/3029/

 

[le bon paysan]

Thanks il check that one now. Yea grass leys, some in a lifetime some only in a couple of years but some of the fields have been destoned in the past not sure if this may be part of the problem. Not really keen on ploughing this year as short on grazing ground jus basically would like to know if a aerator would help with this in meantime or would I be better hold of until I can plough the fields for reseed over the next few years

Why not look at sub-soiling and Overseeding with an Aitchison type drill. These are what I overseeded in September and how they look now.
Aitchison grass farmer drill, Westerwold and Crimson clover overseed

http://s1340.photobucket.com/user/lebonpaysan/slideshow/Farm/Grass overseed

 

[Poorbuthappy]

Why not look at sub-soiling and Overseeding with an Aitchison type drill. These are what I overseeded in September and how they look now.
Aitchison grass farmer drill, Westerwold and Crimson clover overseed

http://s1340.photobucket.com/user/lebonpaysan/slideshow/Farm/Grass overseed

Why would you subsoil if the compaction is in the top 2-3"?
Not saying yours was, but the op's

 

[DrDunc]

Why would you subsoil if the compaction is in the top 2-3"?
Not saying yours was, but the op's

What I did with a pan about 4 inches down was to use a subsoiler as sward lifter. It was set at about 8 to 9 inches so it would bust the pan across the width of the legs (on advice received on TFF). It worked really well.

 

[dazza b]

If the pan only down to 2-3" then areator will do the job a subsoiler will also do it but you will just be burning diesel in my opinion others will prob disagree

 

[Jackson4]

That overseeding looks pretty but most overseeding mixs are vigorous tetraploids or hybrid/italian ryegrass so as to survive in a competitive sword... with there stemmy nature its not what some people want.

 

[DrDunc]

If the pan only down to 2-3" then areator will do the job a subsoiler will also do it but you will just be burning diesel in my opinion others will prob disagree

I agree that a slitter will do the job st 2-3". I didn't use one for my slightly deeper pan because a) I wasn't sure it would work much deeper than 2-3", and b) I don't have a slitter

My diesel worked out at less than 4.5l/acre.

 

[Great In Grass]

That overseeding looks pretty but most overseeding mixs are vigorous tetraploids or hybrid/italian ryegrass so as to survive in a competitive sword... with there stemmy nature its not what some people want.

For the people who want something different there are numerous mixtures that contain no IRG at all, one of our most popular overseed mixtures consists of Intermediate/Late perennials and a kilo of a white clover mix. They look real pretty too.

 

[Great In Grass]

I agree that a slitter will do the job st 2-3". I didn't use one for my slightly deeper pan because a) I wasn't sure it would work much deeper than 2-3", and b) I don't have a slitter

My diesel worked out at less than 4.5l/acre.

I bet you worked down hill only.

 

[DrDunc]

I bet you worked down hill only.

Nah, used the high wind to shove it back up the slope



(Actually Spaldings flatlift pulled by Deutz K430 profiline, Deutz really are economical)

 

[Great In Grass]

Nah, used the high wind to shove it back up the slope



(Actually Spaldings flatlift pulled by Deutz K430 profiline, Deutz really are economical)

I have a contractor friend/customer, teased him the other day that he should go all Fendt to save fuel, he laughed, "why pay more money to get the same fuel economy" he said.

 

[dazza b]

I agree that a slitter will do the job st 2-3". I didn't use one for my slightly deeper pan because a) I wasn't sure it would work much deeper than 2-3", and b) I don't have a slitter

My diesel worked out at less than 4.5l/acre.

At a guess and only guess u would be doing 4 acre an hour so that's 18 litres an hour similar to ploughing on good going where as an areator you'd do about 10 acre an hour at about 14/15 litres an hour so that would be roughly 1.5l an acre saving 3 litres an acre which over a few acres could be quite saving but if you don't have an areator then it's irrelevant lol

 

[neilo]

At a guess and only guess u would be doing 4 acre an hour so that's 18 litres an hour similar to ploughing on good going where as an areator you'd do about 10 acre an hour at about 14/15 litres an hour so that would be roughly 1.5l an acre saving 3 litres an acre which over a few acres could be quite saving but if you don't have an areator then it's irrelevant lol

I was talking to someone about a 3m aerator he has the other day. He reckoned on about 5ac/hr to do the job properly, which would presumably on tickover?

A 3m sward lifter at 6-8" wouldn't take much pulling either.

 

[Cab-over Pete]

I can't get anyone excited about aerating at all. To the point that I sometimes wish I hadn't bought the thing. It really does work in the right (wrong??) conditions.

I only do contract work. I have no ground myself. I really cant see the point of a full plough and reseed when an aerate and direct drill can work wonders and there is barely any loss of time grazing the field.

Most of my jobs are for hobby farmers and stables. "Proper" grass farmers don't seem interested at all.

 

[Great In Grass]

I can't get anyone excited about aerating at all. To the point that I sometimes wish I hadn't bought the thing. It really does work in the right (wrong??) conditions.

I only do contract work. I have no ground myself. I really cant see the point of a full plough and reseed when an aerate and direct drill can work wonders and there is barely any loss of time grazing the field.

Most of my jobs are for hobby farmers and stables. "Proper" grass farmers don't seem interested at all.

Your time may well have come, a suggestion, it's going to cost money short term but may lead into business in the future. Demo your machine in part of a field, the results will then speak for them selves. Pick a fairly new ley, to prove how it can improve yield and save it from the plough.

 

[Cab-over Pete]

When I first bought it 4 years ago, I got lots of comments along the lines of "Yes, we'll give it a go, we'll let you know". Nothing.

The next spring, it was dry early on, but a windy week and no spreading so I went out with tractor and machine and dropped in to 7 farms in one day offering to do a bit in a field. Not one farmer let me in to do a bit. I have done bits for farmers, but nothing of any substance. I can't remember ever doing a full days work with it. I will also hire it out, but still no-one wants it.

I have had it 4 years and not replaced any tines yet!

 

[Great In Grass]

Gosh, can't believe that, why would anyone give up the chance for an on farm demo of a machine that ultimately can save/make them money. Lets hope some are forum members and read this and give it a shot.