Probably should post this under the DD categories but felt it may not be viewed by non DD folk.
Been soil sampling on a couple of large direct drilled farms recently and consequently dug a lot of holes. One of the farms was about 1200 acres, been direct drilling for about 15 years. Stubbles looked very poor, ground like concrete but what I noticed was hardly any worms. Probably saw 5 in the 600 holes I dug.
Another DD farm was a very similar picture but for the first time this year they've done some heavy cultivations and a bit of ploughing on some blocks.
Tested about 200 acres on a farm the same week, who plough every field, every year and nearly every time I dug a hole, I saw a worm or accidentally cut it in half.
Comparing the soils, I know which one I'd prefer to be a worm in.
Been soil sampling on a couple of large direct drilled farms recently and consequently dug a lot of holes. One of the farms was about 1200 acres, been direct drilling for about 15 years. Stubbles looked very poor, ground like concrete but what I noticed was hardly any worms. Probably saw 5 in the 600 holes I dug.
Another DD farm was a very similar picture but for the first time this year they've done some heavy cultivations and a bit of ploughing on some blocks.
Tested about 200 acres on a farm the same week, who plough every field, every year and nearly every time I dug a hole, I saw a worm or accidentally cut it in half.
Comparing the soils, I know which one I'd prefer to be a worm in.
) which in turn must be good for worms, but I would think a 3/4yr deep rooting grass,herbal ley would be even better fo increasing worm populations. The question being , as discussed at great length elsewhere on TFF,how does one make money from livestock utilising 3/4 yr leys, especially if paying a high rent or high mortgage repayment per ha.??? 
