newbie to DD grass into Winter Wheat

[Matt]

sorry if has been covered before, have read some threads but info overload.
So we are mainly grass farm, suckler herd. and b and b pigs. medium clay loam
5 year leys putting more pig fym on grass.
Ley coming out this year, got me thinking should i be DD'ing into this.
So will be sprayed off shortly as there are leather jackets in soil as can find them.
aiming for 5 week gap between spray off and drilling.

normally would apply some FYM,disc turf in, subsoil then drill with our combi drill.

Soil does need lifting but it grass has improved its structure and wondered what others views would be on this?

have got access to Mzuri or sumo DD drills.

thanks Matt

 

[robs1]

Will be fine with the mzuri, some will suggest using beans to avoid leather jacket issues

 

[E_B]

Beans in with a mzuri would be my preferred choice. And then a nice first wheat following on. If you want a lift, you could see if the mzuri operator has a set of the widest wings they can put on the front leg.

 

[neilo]

On the leatherjackets, will just leaving it sprayed off for a while have much effect, or will they just sit there quietly eating the roots? I would have thought the only way to reduce numbers would be to expose them so that rooks can hoover them up, which could only be done by cultivation.

I'd be incline to spray off and disc, if you know there are leatherjackets. If you can find a few, it will be heaving with them. Dig a hole and see if there is compaction at depth, subsoil if there is. Long term grass isn't a magic cure for compaction, if there have been silage trailers etc running about on it.

Sorry, I know I'm not supposed to suggest any of that on the DD forum...

 

[Matt]

On the leatherjackets, will just leaving it sprayed off for a while have much effect, or will they just sit there quietly eating the roots? I would have thought the only way to reduce numbers would be to expose them so that rooks can hoover them up, which could only be done by cultivation.

I'd be incline to spray off and disc, if you know there are leatherjackets. If you can find a few, it will be heaving with them. Dig a hole and see if there is compaction at depth, subsoil if there is. Long term grass isn't a magic cure for compaction, if there have been silage trailers etc running about on it.

Sorry, I know I'm not supposed to suggest any of that on the DD forum...

Well I would normally sub soil anyway. As you say silage trailers and cows feet not the lightest.

 

[ollie989898]

Leatherjackets probably won't be 'bovvered' by a delay between spraying off and drilling. Frit fly will. Leatherjackets might even make their presence felt next spring but the wheat will be away and moving fast by then.

Beans would be a safer bet, also you have more grass weed options with a broadleaved crop.

 

[Samcowman]

What about putting a fodder crop in to feed the cattle on which will help to break up the sward and do some subsoiling for you with the right varieties and give a break for the pests. Then put a cheap crop of spring barley in.

 

[Matt]

What about putting a fodder crop in to feed the cattle on which will help to break up the sward and do some subsoiling for you with the right varieties and give a break for the pests. Then put a cheap crop of spring barley in.

If I was intending to go.straight back into grass then for sure. But would loose true 1st cereal slot for wheat.