Grazing wheat in winter , (golden hoof)

Anymulewilldo

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Cheshire
We grazed of some big areas of WB that was way too far forward over Christmas. Came off the first week of Jan. bared nearly too the floor. Went up too see the lad a fortnight since and he took me too see the crops he was that chuffed. Ungrazed has had £25/acre of fungicide applied too clean it up. Grazed had nothing as it was all new growth. Grazed WB is about 1 week behind ungrazed he says which is neither here nor there. I’ve been telling him for years we should be grazing his winter corn down with little lambs. This year he decided too try it. Next year he’s looking to graze as much as we can. Won’t take big numbers but if he can take 250 Cheviot lambs from Nov-Jan on corn before we move them too green crop it should be a winner
 

unlacedgecko

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Fife
We used to graze loads of it, but then the arable guys were told by the agronomist (he who sells the chemicals!) that the newer varieties of wheat wouldn't yield as well if it was grazed. Much better to put another spray on to shorten the straw!!

Perhaps the Agronomists should declare an interest?
I've a mate in Bedfordshire who has a mixed farm. He grazes all cereals into march (and sometimes April depending on growth stage and feed avail). He reckons to save on fungicide, herbicide, growth regulator and enjoy an additional 1/4-1/2 per acre.

I've been trying to convince arable landlords round here of the benefits for the last 3 years. But no interest yet. As you say, they'd rather put another spray on.
 

JD-Kid

Member
there was a thing in aussie I read a while ago about planting winter wheat in the summer for grazing then lock up for hay silage crop etc etc
reson being was winter wheat or barley did not shoot to head like oats or spring crops
might be a bit of useless info or a thats clever thinking
 
I've a mate in Bedfordshire who has a mixed farm. He grazes all cereals into march (and sometimes April depending on growth stage and feed avail). He reckons to save on fungicide, herbicide, growth regulator and enjoy an additional 1/4-1/2 per acre.

I've been trying to convince arable landlords round here of the benefits for the last 3 years. But no interest yet. As you say, they'd rather put another spray on.
Some of these arable folk are unreal. They lash on all sorts of expensive/poisonous crap but don't want any sheep on as it would make things untidy.
 

unlacedgecko

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Fife
The important part is needing somewhere to run the sheep off if its prolonged wet , especially if your using a high a number ,over heavy ground , requires a bit of management over PP

Absolutely. This is where a cooperative agreement with a shepherd who understands soil health principles is very important.
 

unlacedgecko

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Fife
Some of these arable folk are unreal. They lash on all sorts of expensive/poisonous crap but don't want any sheep on as it would make things untidy.

The obsession to have things tidy is a real threat to profitable farming. Subs have allowed this thinking to be prevalent.

How many landowners think sheep paddocks should all be over grazed to the roots and look like a bowling green.

"What's that long bit of grass in that field?"

Deferred grazing for autumn.

"It looks very untidy. Aren't you going to graze it now?"

No. It's deferred grazing for later in the season.

Queue land agent asking if the landlord could have it back early to plough and crop as I wasn't using it.

I said no. It was then topped "to keep it tidy". 🤯🤯🤯
 

Pan mixer

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
Near Colchester
I have involuntary grazing, it it definitely impacts the yield. Over the winter they attacked the wheat and, in fairness you can hardly see where they have been.

As soon as the wheat began to tickle their fancies they moved onto the barley and that is being well shafted despite scaring them off several times a day.

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Red Tractor drops launch of green farming scheme amid anger from farmers

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As reported in Independent


quote: “Red Tractor has confirmed it is dropping plans to launch its green farming assurance standard in April“

read the TFF thread here: https://thefarmingforum.co.uk/index.php?threads/gfc-was-to-go-ahead-now-not-going-ahead.405234/
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