I think you getting the gist of it…..happy Christmas…nearly lunchtime!!
Ploughing permanent pasture
- Thread starter CornishRanger
- Start date
- Location
- Cornwall
Dinner can't come soon enough! Thanks for the advice, and happy Christmas to you
Avoid the bureaucracy.....I asked if I needed an EIA in 2012. NE helpline said they didn’t know so just do an application to be sure please....sorry when I wrote that yesterday I had already had a festive glass or two!
The message is the same though.....whatever you do, don’t involve Natural England in any farming decision making.
Sad is it not that even on Christmas Day..... Natural England can still cast a shadow.
ollie989898
Member
You don't need to consult anyone. Just get your agronomist to write an EIA. Note the species there and then carry on.
In reality if land has been farmed in any real way it won't contain a lot of the species of interest to any environmentalist. The use of lime, slurry and herbicides basically pushes the rare and delicate species out anyway.
In reality if land has been farmed in any real way it won't contain a lot of the species of interest to any environmentalist. The use of lime, slurry and herbicides basically pushes the rare and delicate species out anyway.
Bigger problem would be how to avoid frit fly damage in whatever crop you decide to grow after perm pasture
ollie989898
Member
Nothing you can do, make a good job of establishment and hope for the best.
- Location
- Carmarthenshire, West Wales
years ago, I went to visit a building job up on the Black Mountain (builder was not on site!), but I got chatting to the home owner, she was very proud of her habitat fields. I believe they were in a scheme due to the species present. She showed me them, and all the different species. To be honest, if it had been my pasture I would have been embarrassed to show it to anyone! From an agricultural point of view, it was absolutely rubbish. So I think, we would be shocked at how "poor" a species rich grassland is.
Is it ok if you plough 8 weeks before drilling?, so say for example you were putting in winter wheat, would you spray grass off late July, plough early August, then drill early October?
ollie989898
Member
Yes, that would be ideal. Spray it off. Apply manure 3 days later, then plough it on day 7. Leave it ploughed as long as possible and you should have no real issue with frit fly as there will be no grass to lay their eggs upon.
- Location
- Cornwall
To be honest the next crop is of less interest to me than getting rid of the old PP and back into a decent grass ley afterwards.
Interesting thread. I have just taken on some ground where I plan to plough up the long term leys, which are worn out, plant spring barley as a break and then put back to grass in the autumn.
With regards to the EIA - is there a template/guide I can use to fill out? I have managed to get the manure records off the previous farmer, who has plastered it with sh1t every year. If I present those, with a load of photos of the grass ley, would this evidence be enough to get me through any potential inspection?
With regards to the EIA - is there a template/guide I can use to fill out? I have managed to get the manure records off the previous farmer, who has plastered it with sh1t every year. If I present those, with a load of photos of the grass ley, would this evidence be enough to get me through any potential inspection?
Would lodging of barley be ok in respect of too much fertility in the soil from long term pasture beforehand
Dout lodging would be a problem . Only if you put a lot of n on it.
- Location
- Cornwall
That's what I was wondering, the responses I have got seem to be suggesting to get all the evidence together, then keep it safe in case something is said by higher powers. To make them aware of your plans could well be inviting trouble
ollie989898
Member
The crop is important as it is giving you a chance to clobber the meadow grass and other stuff growing in the field (use pre-em or very early post-em chemistry) because you can use things like ally and MPCA in the crop to kill anything broadleaved in the field, giving your new ley a headstart against the usual grassland weeds.
- Location
- Cornwall
Exactly my thinking, but I'm not a cereals man so exact sprays etc is beyond me! Got to find a good agronomist for that (any recommendations in East Cornwall, West Devon area?)
ollie989898
Member
Look on Pearce seeds website, I can't remember who covers your patch.
Bit of pre-em for some spring wheat or barley is simple.
A valid point but I plan to grow this barley with a covering of FYM in the seedbed and nothing else. Should stay stood. Will be wholecropped.
Cornish Tone wouldn’t be too far from you.
- Location
- Cornwall
We use Clive Noy from Hutchinsons, he is very good. He would give good advice to your ploughing question as well.