OSR trash management

[Devon James]

I'm with you here. I think their suggestion would be to reconsider the drill choice. If the soil is in great nick, a light tine would help spread the residues about and you wouldn't have to use the Claydon later. Their tines happen to have seed boots on the back & their combine drivers might well be better trained at not leaving heaps. Or their crops are so crap there's no rubbish to get in the way [emoji14]

I like my straw rake. Whilst it was expensive and isn't that relevant for anything else, it does even the trash out and make a great start on getting a chit and kills quite a few slug eggs. Have you got a wide set of chain harrows or old zig zag harrows that could move the top inch or so and pull the stuff about?

We use the Wox agri Supermaxx. Great for scratching over in this situation.

 

[Brisel]

That would do the job nicely

 

[SilliamWhale]

So how do i change my mindset? I would worry it would be a wet slug prone mess to drill into if the trash was not distributed evenly across the field. Bearing in mind we normally put a good covering of fym compost onto rape stubbles.

I don't know. I find the trash will break up quite nicely between now and 6 weeks time before drilling - all that wet/dry cycle will rot it down a bit. I've never found FYM a big issue either.

I can't say I'll get more or less slugs really.

 

[Fish]

Nothing, let all those v rape roots get to work.

 

[Sitting Pretty]

Currently top stubbles about 10-12 days after harvest if it is required then I have a handy neighbour who has a 12 meter opico grass Harrow/weeder which I borrow in return for a few pints and a steak down the local. Harrow it a couple of times at different angles then leave a further couple of weeks then hit again with the rake. I can do about 45-50 acres per hour and it burns very little fuel and achieves both residue distribution and hammers the hell out of slugs. I have not used any pellets in the last 2 seasons since using this system

I have in the past done a shallow pass with the Terrano FX then drilled with my Horsch Express TD however I now have a Horsch Sprinter 3 ST grain and fert on Dutch Openers so when conditions allow I have the option of direct drilling or if the ground needs moved to aid drying then as above.
Personally I believe you should do what you feel the job needs in that given season to get the best result long term. To many people get a hard on about direct drilling. It definitely has a place if the conditions allow but not if it is going to be detrimental to the bottom line.

 

[Devon James]

Couldn't resist! Running about an inch deep