Is Grazers effective against partridge damage?

[Wobblebox]

Gamekeeper has just informed me that he plans to put his partridge pens next to a field which I plan to sow with OSR, the field which the pens will be are part of the estate, so no chance of moving them.
I'm hoping to sow my OSR week after next and the partridges come on the 7th Sept.
Was planning to sow a conventional variety but might change for a hybrid one for extra vigour.
Was also thinking of spraying with Grazers, does it actually work against partridges and pigeons?
Any other (sensible) advice please?

 

[ZXR17]

I have often wondered about Grazers but haven't tried it.
I would suggest a vigorous conventional variety sown early and at a high seed rate so that chances of survival are higher and losses will be less expensive than a hybrid. Sow off the heap if you have some in store.
I have seen partridges totally strip large areas of osr so also put up some low netted frames ,to keep the partridges out, that you can spray over so that you can prove how much damage they have done. I haven't met a keeper yet who excepts that their birds can do huge amounts of damage to osr.
The best thing would be plant a different crop if possible.

 

[Brisel]

I don't know what Grazers costs but within a week it will be gone & the partridges will be grazing again. Just accept a bare headland & get a day's shooting off the 'keeper as compensation

 

[Dry Rot]

Can a tenant farmer not claim compensation for damage by game? Yes, tricky, but maybe a friendly warning that what goes around comes around. If the landowner/gamekeeper had any sense (and manners), these things should be discussed, not simply stated. Both parties have rights.

 

[chipchap]

Can a tenant farmer not claim compensation for damage by game? Yes, tricky, but maybe a friendly warning that what goes around comes around. If the landowner/gamekeeper had any sense (and manners), these things should be discussed, not simply stated. Both parties have rights.

I have been having problems with game damage for several years.
Partridge are the worst.
If you are under a 1986 tenancy you can claim compensation, but evidently not for professional fees, and there are deadlines you must adhere to as well.
Lots of tenants have seen the goodwill of the relationship with their landlord eroded by game issues.
Discuss the potential problems with the agent,and the shoot tenant and his gamekeeper before they arise if you can. I would outline your concerns in writing to the agent now if you can.
My Landlord tells me that the sport will be banned; but offers me little in terms of a solution in the meantime.
To be fair I feel the shoot now has a more sympathetic ear to my concerns than it used to have.

 

[Pieces_of_Eight]

Can a tenant farmer not claim compensation for damage by game? Yes, tricky, but maybe a friendly warning that what goes around comes around. If the landowner/gamekeeper had any sense (and manners), these things should be discussed, not simply stated. Both parties have rights.

Complication will arise where the shooting is held by A.N Other tenant rather than the landowner, who may be 2,000 miles away without a care.

If you are a landowner and the hungry partridges belong to a neighbouring landowner, the solution is very simple.

 

[Verity92]

Get it drilled now with a healthy dollop of fert on the problem headlands ? Or suggest a game cover mix on headlands to the game keeper for rent or something in return?

 

[PSQ]

Get it drilled now with a healthy dollop of fert on the problem headlands ?

Good point. If the landlord lives on the estate or anywhere down wind, apply a liberal dose of pig muck, hen pen or 'Agrivert' to make the point that the keepers choice of pen location is going to cause him more trouble than you...

 

[AKA]

We find ourselves in a similar situation on some fields and find the only way round it is to sow early after winter barley with dap applied as soon as crop is out of the ground