Oat and Pea Wholecrop

[Granite Farmer]

Does anybody grow it, if so how do they get on with it?

Also can any weeds be control via harrowing?

TIA

James

 

[Devon James]

How are you? Any preference for that mix as barley and oats is more the norm? This was a crop we established in North Devon. Ploughed after a crop of kale that overwintered cattle then combi drilled. Now back to kale with the Claydon. Very little bagged fertiliser. The epitome of sustainable mixed farming! Just a shame it's not celebrated as such!

 

[Nithsdale]

We grew it the last time we reseeded a field. Mowed for baling, fed to the store cattle from weaning over their first winter.

We had done barley before and IMO the oats and peas is better... cattle did better, we thought. Will definitely put it in again next time we work over a field.

I don't remember weeds being any issue - it was well burnt off before working and undersown to grass...

 

[Martyn]

We grow organic oats, their root structure gives of some chemical reaction that weeds dont like, did reseach it at one time, combine driver recons ours often cleaner than conventional. Oats and peas should go well

 

[Bury the Trash]

Hmmm , More likely to be shading/ smothering /outcompeteing any weed growth imo. But either way its Just another reason why oats arent the best companion use in this situation again imo.
Barley is better energy as well.
Not keen on whole crop in bales as it spoils one way or another and in the clamp it seems to be a bit of non even t quantity wise.

 

[Granite Farmer]

How are you? Any preference for that mix as barley and oats is more the norm? This was a crop we established in North Devon. Ploughed after a crop of kale that overwintered cattle then combi drilled. Now back to kale with the Claydon. Very little bagged fertiliser. The epitome of sustainable mixed farming! Just a shame it's not celebrated as such!

I'm fine thanks chap. You?

One of the seasons I am looking at oats over barley is that I am looking at avoiding take all in the following crop. I have had it before and I don not want it again. It will be direct cut and clamped.

 

[som farmer]

Hmmm , More likely to be shading/ smothering /outcompeteing any weed growth imo. But either way its Just another reason why oats arent the best companion use in this situation again imo.
Barley is better energy as well.
Not keen on whole crop in bales as it spoils one way or another and in the clamp it seems to be a bit of non even t quantity wise.

we baled some whole crop, utter disaster, vermin and birds were just stripping of the wrap, quicker than we, and my neighbour, could use it, without seeing it, you would not believe it.

 

[FARMERJERRY]

Peas don't respond well to harrowing, they break off at ground level but allelopathy effect you mention should deal with a lot of weeds anyway. Oat straw will also be lower energy than barley straw, as well as dilution effect on grains so there will be a lower feed value overall but more bulk.