Heavy land, winter lambs & a Claydon

[Hjwise]

I’m thinking of having some winter lambs (October - March) on a cover crop on a fairly heavy silty clay loam. If we have another wet autumn/winter am I being optimistic to think I could Claydon spring beans direct at the end of March?

 

[RAF]

No be fine .if turnips I ve found they leave the land nice . Better than if winter ploughed and we are on heavy clay

 

[Kentishfarmer]

I’m thinking of having some winter lambs (October - March) on a cover crop on a fairly heavy silty clay loam. If we have another wet autumn/winter am I being optimistic to think I could Claydon spring beans direct at the end of March?

So long as you get them off at the right time it will be fine. Weve had our sheep on someone's heavy clay over winter and they got a good crop in the following spring with a clayden

 

[teslacoils]

It's being able to move them on if it gets wet.

 

[Hjwise]

It's being able to move them on if it gets wet.

That’s a bit of a concern. Thinking of just scratching the top to establish the cover crop so it’s less likely turn to mush.

 

[yellow belly]

When we used to get descent frosty weather and dryer summers this could work
but poaching and heavy rain will make it very difficult

i had sheep on cover crops in 2018 dry year but no deep frosts

On heavy land once the drains start running it is too wet to do anything untill it dries out in April

 

[Bury the Trash]

Having the right mental attitude will make it work.

 

[HarryB97]

A Claydon will easily cope we have never had any issues but you will probably end up drilling them in April.

 

[Hjwise]

A Claydon will easily cope we have never had any issues but you will probably end up drilling them in April.

I can live with that. I take it that you don’t do it anymore?

 

[average farmer]

Tried it with peas a few years ago on light land and didn’t work. Ended up pulling the pigtail through and drilled with the vaddy with a good crop and half a tonne of peas to empty out the claydon.

 

[teslacoils]

Sheep here on grass and they're going next week. Once the ground is wet they don't make a mess but certainly pack it down.

 

[Brisel]

The Claydon is a good drill for cracking the surface crust left by sheep but the cap will be lumpy so a good set of rolls after sowing is key for good seed to soil contact.

 

[HarryB97]

I can live with that. I take it that you don’t do it anymore?

Where i used to work before I returned home ran a Claydon and drilled hundreds of acres each spring after turnips with no issues.