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Muck and Swedes

Can FYM be spread after drilling Swedes or will it knacker the seedlings? Got some to put in on steep ground that's dodgy to drive on after the muck has been spread but would benefit from the nutrition
 

Yale

Member
Livestock Farmer
We normally spread after sowing.

AAD560A9-F25E-4851-A29D-C964ACB5B8B7.jpeg
 

neilo

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
Montgomeryshire
Once it's been mucked it will be too slippery to do anything else for a long time and the clock is ticking. If it's not recommended after drilling I'll just put extra fert on

Why is the clock ticking? I won't be drilling swedes for a month yet, otherwise I would be battling with fly. I had FYM spread on my swede ground when the contractor was next door last week, and it's dried out plenty already. I can't see that it would be slippy by now, even if it were on a bank. I'd much rather apply before than after drilling, as the swede seedlings aren't the most aggressive of things. I would think a dollop landing on top would stop them in their tracks. Slurry or well composted muck straight after would be a different matter though.
 

Kevtherev

Member
Location
Welshpool Powys
Wheelings after sowing swedes with heavy spreaders will do more harm than good.
Muck before hand if you can also remember swedes like some boron.
Early enough yet as mentioned mid June is early for swedes.
 
Thanks for the replies, it's a south facing steep slope with shallow soil not ideal for ploughing. Getting them up and away before drying out is more of a worry than the fly .Might be doable to muck first just wondered if very rotted muck would harm after
 

Yale

Member
Livestock Farmer
Do you go in straight after drilling or wait until they're up?

I find if you go over it in the day or two after sowing there is no real effect with wheelings as the seeds have not germinated.

If you leave it a week then the seeds have softened and squash seemingly killing or setting them back.

Neil’s point about the seeds struggling in lumps of muck is valid however if you observe the area covered by big lumps it is not great so upping the seed rate should compensate.

This system works best on firm ground with direct drilling.

If the ground is soft it may need a different strategy.
 

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Webinar: Expanded Sustainable Farming Incentive offer 2024 -26th Sept

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On Thursday 26th September, we’re holding a webinar for farmers to go through the guidance, actions and detail for the expanded Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) offer. This was planned for end of May, but had to be delayed due to the general election. We apologise about that.

Farming and Countryside Programme Director, Janet Hughes will be joined by policy leads working on SFI, and colleagues from the Rural Payment Agency and Catchment Sensitive Farming.

This webinar will be...
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