Run back area for winter brassicas

[ed_wod]

I've taken on a 6 acre field that is full of docks, thistles and nettles and no real grass of any value. Plan to spray off this week, plough, and then plant up a forage mix for winter sheep feed then back into a grass mix in the spring. Is there a basis for the size of run back area you should have, based on number of sheep or size of the field?

There is no option to use another field as the run back and I've had different advice about how to deal with this area. Should I spray/plough it all and plant a grass mix for the run back area; this will help deal with the weed problem across the field but the concern is that the runback area might be a bit soft and chew up when the sheep are on it. Or leave the runback area, graze and spot spray the weeds as best I can through the summer?

 

[neilo]

Spray the runback area with Pastor, killing out the docks, nettles & thistles. Any reseeded patch won't hold them in a wet winter, particularly if you insist on ploughing it. Personally I would avoid ploughing prior to the fodder crop, as it will leave the ground very soft and likely to tread up. Spray off and DD the fodder crop, then spray regrowth in the Spring before ploughing then (if you must), if it needs levelling.

I haven't seen any specific area that you should officially leave as a runback, and have always found that sheep stay an awful lot cleaner without having to run through a gate to get to one, unless you give them ring feeders to get in a mess round. If you are FA then you have to provide one to keep the box tickers happy, but no size is specified IIRC.

 

[Al R]

Can you not plough 5-6metres around the hedge so that is effectively runback? Spray the grass area your leaving with grazon or pastor to get rid of the weeds in it so grass is left?

 

[ed_wod]

Spray the runback area with Pastor, killing out the docks, nettles & thistles. Any reseeded patch won't hold them in a wet winter, particularly if you insist on ploughing it. Personally I would avoid ploughing prior to the fodder crop, as it will leave the ground very soft and likely to tread up. Spray off and DD the fodder crop, then spray regrowth in the Spring before ploughing then (if you must), if it needs levelling.

I haven't seen any specific area that you should officially leave as a runback, and have always found that sheep stay an awful lot cleaner without having to run through a gate to get to one, unless you give them ring feeders to get in a mess round. If you are FA then you have to provide one to keep the box tickers happy, but no size is specified IIRC.

Thanks. I was going to plough and broadcast as that's what we've got so the cheapest option. I will look at DD but our neighbour had real trouble with slugs when they DD'd theirs. It does need levelling so may be plough once in the spring is the better option.

 

[Dkb]

I had 11 acre field last year 10 acres rape 1 of grass. Worked really well and was delighted I left it as it helped them to adjust stomach wise at the start and gave them somewhere to lay in the savage wet winter.