Hindsight
Member
- Location
- Lincolnshire
It's wishful thinking syndrome!
Thank you.
It's wishful thinking syndrome!
Doubt it’s taking much water out now however the soil will be in better condition to get water through itThis 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.
Have an idea buckwheat is not suitable for grazing sheep on , might be wrong though
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
Do you think crops like mustard that flower at this time of year in the damp and wet go on to make viable seed that would germinate ?looks great, roll on a frost if it threatens to go to seed before pea drilling time
Do you think crops like mustard that flower at this time of year in the damp and wet go on to make viable seed that would germinate ?
Ouch. That land hasn't seen many ploughs in the last twenty years.
His neighbours will be fine. There are a few of them trying to get into DD now.l‘ve had plenty of mustard flower here over the years and it’s never become a volunteer problem yet
it goes woody if left to mature so breaks down slower, this is not always a bad thing re C:N ratios, wildlife / beneficial habitat and “soil armour” maintenance but might raise a neighbour eyebrow when they see it in the cash crop !
Cover crops do slow down evaporation at this time o year compared to cultivated soil
Yes, in March but not October as the green cover keeps everything away from the sticky soil. As above, once you get into a spring drought, soil cover has the advantage of shading and cooling the soil surface.Which is exactly the opposite of what is required in most seasons between October and March!
Comedy won’t die while you are alive.The cover keeps some of the moisture above ground where a dry easterly wind can take it
Our covers are mainly self sown Borage which was growing massively in October. My view is similar to ajd in that it also benefits drainage as this land walks better despite the canopy and at that time was using some moisture to do so, albeit in smaller amounts than it would in the spring. I am sure the type of cover is also pretty important.Doubt it’s taking much water out now however the soil will be in better condition to get water through it