I have no idea what I'm doing

Neddy flanders

Member
BASE UK Member
Spun some mustard, buckwheat and phacelia on after wheat in mid Aug, now have 6' high flowering cover crop. Neighbours and non-farmers are ringing me asking what in earth I'm doing.
My employee is desperate to plough the land ahead of peas. I was, but with a new 750a on its way, wondering if it would DD.
Guess, It comes down to confidence and "backing yourself".
When would you spray off, would you top? Will I be the laughing stock of the county?
IMG_20201025_153800456.jpg
 

cb387

Member
Arable Farmer
Location
Cotswolds
I wish our cover crops looked as well as that.

I’d graze 50% of it off if you have sheep but don’t let them poach the ground. Leave enough green to spray off.

Alternatively spray off after Xmas. Will have died back well by the time you come to drill it. DD straight into it, ignore neighbours
 

Hindsight

Member
Location
Lincolnshire
That cover must be wicking up the moisture a treat,ready for the sheep when it dries a bit..

This is a genuine non knocking question from a non direct drilling person. But why do you say that cover must be wicking water out a treat. Not knocking you personally, I hear it on here all the time about these cover crops wicking water and drying soils in the October to March period. But evapotranspiration in late October and the coming months would be minimal. Finally plucked up courage to ask.
 

Hindsight

Member
Location
Lincolnshire
Spun some mustard, buckwheat and phacelia on after wheat in mid Aug, now have 6' high flowering cover crop. Neighbours and non-farmers are ringing me asking what in earth I'm doing.
My employee is desperate to plough the land ahead of peas. I was, but with a new 750a on its way, wondering if it would DD.
Guess, It comes down to confidence and "backing yourself".
When would you spray off, would you top? Will I be the laughing stock of the county?View attachment 917108

Be a bit of good walked up rough shooting for later on towards Xmas. That's a benefit.
 

Humble Village Farmer

Member
BASE UK Member
Location
Essex
This is a genuine non knocking question from a non direct drilling person. But why do you say that cover must be wicking water out a treat. Not knocking you personally, I hear it on here all the time about these cover crops wicking water and drying soils in the October to March period. But evapotranspiration in late October and the coming months would be minimal. Finally plucked up courage to ask.
Cover crops do slow down evaporation at this time o year compared to cultivated soil
 

Simon C

Member
Arable Farmer
Location
Essex Coast
This is a genuine non knocking question from a non direct drilling person. But why do you say that cover must be wicking water out a treat. Not knocking you personally, I hear it on here all the time about these cover crops wicking water and drying soils in the October to March period. But evapotranspiration in late October and the coming months would be minimal. Finally plucked up courage to ask.

It's wishful thinking syndrome!
 

SFI - What % were you taking out of production?

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  • 100% I’ve had enough of farming!

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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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