Grassland starts

[arcobob]

A mystery to most stubble turners. Can any experts please explain ?

 

[Howard150]

Done on dry sandy land with TCN's would have been better with a proper scratching share
It's easier if you cut below the share with the rear disc as when you form the crown it does not try and tear the front furrow out and stand it on end.

Second method is to turn 1 and a half out. Tread the half down with your back wheel and bury it with the front furrow of the second time down - effectively making a 3 furrow start. Will try and get some pictures of this option

Third method. Talk to Ransomes Cowboy or even Carl Fretwell who open up as for stubble!

 

[Howard150]

Self explanatory from the last good ploughing!

 

[Mydexta]

I take it then, from you're photos @Howard150 that you do a throw in, rather than a throw out??????

 

[Petetheploughman]

Self explanatory from the last good ploughing!View attachment 260566

What would happen if you didn't do this on grassland instead of an opening? Would you have points deducted or get disqualified? Or is it an option to do this or an opening?

 

[Howard150]

If you read the text
On grassland the double split method is not suitable as the shallow sandwich slices produced by this method would be turned up in after cultivations.

Let's not forget power harrows did not exist when this method of ploughing was in regular use.

The first method is generally much easier. The cut edges of the two scratches should be the same width apart or slightly less than you would normally chip in to in a stubble opening.

With the second method described in the photos from the good ploughing handbook it is very easy on the second run to push the first crown furrow back into the furrow hole which in turn produces an uneven and unbalanced crown with one furrow much bigger than the other. It is possible to do an empty run and back the first furrow up with another 2 in the same direction but this may leave you wanting if you are limited to 2 runs empty as in Scotland. Measuring correctly when you start to gather helps alleviate this problem.

As far as I am aware there is no penalty for making an opening but if you do it will not normally be judged. Most match organisers tend to stipulate grassland openings due to resultant disasters which can sometimes occur in some cases due to lack of experience on grass.

Hope this helps.

 

[Ley253]

SOP rules seem to state, there is no opening, other than world style.

 

[Fergie Ploughman]

I must admit, when I'm faced with grass, I haven't got a clue!! Just never seem to get the option to plough it at the matches I do, and on the occasional instance I do we seemed to have been forced to do a double split, the excuse being its a single year grass ley...! When I've got the crown out the way, its a pleasure to plough grass, up to that point I find it a nightmare....

 

[Ley253]

Sop rule is no opening, organisers spout sop rules apply! So, if an opening is required, walk away, if they wont obey that rule how many more will they ignore? If you want to play on grass, go to Sarn!

 

[wilt434]

Yeah you should come down to our match, it's on grass every year, or it has been up to now.

 

[Pennine Ploughing]

Where and when is it

Yeah you should come down to our match, it's on grass every year, or it has been up to now.

 

[wilt434]

North West Wales, the last weekend of April usually.

 

[Ley253]

Not had that meeting yet then Will?

 

[Fergie Ploughman]

North West Wales, the last weekend of April usually.

Which match is that then Will? (I do a few matches in north wales)

...sorry, just seen you said Sarn.

 

[Fergie Ploughman]

Sop rule is no opening, organisers spout sop rules apply! So, if an opening is required, walk away, if they wont obey that rule how many more will they ignore? If you want to play on grass, go to Sarn!

Trouble is, the occasional grass match is Brailsford, and that is up there with the top matches in the country (IMO). Last year was on a single year lay and we were told to do a double split...

 

[wilt434]

Not had that meeting yet then Will?

No, not as of yet Harry, the agm is next Tuesday I think so will know better after that.

 

[Ley253]

Trouble is, the occasional grass match is Brailsford, and that is up there with the top matches in the country (IMO). Last year was on a single year lay and we were told to do a double split...

Top match that doesnt know the rules! There is no mention of the age of the grass! Mendip did the same down here, and you should have seen the "Artistic Impressions" in the plots. Didnt effect me, as I had to do one anyway. I had gone to Wales to learn how it was done andpractise it.Worked out well, got first.

 

[arcobob]

I ploughed at Frome Young Farmers a few years ago on new ley and there were all sorts of contortions going on. I did a double split and immediately covered it up with mediocre success. I would say it is definitely best avoided if you know a better way.

 

[Ley253]

Thing is Bob, when your ploughs were in general use, a split was never done, two skittles about twenty six inches apart were made, ripplings removed, and then start ploughing,running the furrow wheel in the scratch. High Cut still do this. Its the reason Ransomes made skittle shares, for both YL and RND bodies. The opening is a "make it harder" imposition from above, also made the judges job easier I suspect!

 

[Fergie Ploughman]

Top match that doesnt know the rules! There is no mention of the age of the grass! Mendip did the same down here, and you should have seen the "Artistic Impressions" in the plots. Didnt effect me, as I had to do one anyway. I had gone to Wales to learn how it was done andpractise it.Worked out well, got first.

Agree, there was a little confusion last year - we were tpold to treat it as stubble!! I shan't have a go though, I do think Brailsford is one of the best matches out there, if only for the food!!!