Green manuring

[IH 684]

Sheep feed turnips, whoever puts the sheep on would need to electric fence it as part of the deal,

 

[Stoosh]

What are the rules/guidelines on what to sow? If you have legumes in your rotation should you avoid putting them in cc? Same for brassicas? What about barley and oats?

 

[Eileanach]

Im thinking of using red clover as a green manure. Im looking for soil structure beneifits as well as organic matter. Does this mean grazing it in the first season? If so what are the risks of bloat in sheep. I'd need to set stock it but would have 2/3 of field in grass. Any thoughts appreciated.

 

[Jon-boy]

I'd have thought the best cover crop is one that can be eaten by sheep. Sown July or August and eaten off after Xmas . It recycles the nutrients, allows the ground to warm up, and hopefully makes some money.
Grazed 1200 sheep on 70 acres last year between mid Dec and late March, which gave an income of over £8k, before costs.

That is what I have done for the last few years. What do you include in your cc and how do you establish it?

 

[DRC]

That is what I have done for a few years now, what do you include in your cc and how do you establish it?

Mainly just stubble turnips . Lightly disc and spun on with fert spreader .