- Location
- Welshpool Powys
Should slug pellets be included in the drill going in with the seed or broadcast after?
Some say one is better than the other?
Some say one is better than the other?
Slug pellets
- Thread starter Kevtherev
- Start date
- Location
- Essex/Herts Border
Depends on your view I guess, when I have discussed it with others some point out why put a tempting pellet in the same zone as the seed so drawing slugs closer to what you are trying to keep them away from, will they eat the pellet first or the seed? If they do eat the pellet first will they die quick enough to not go and munch a few seeds before then dying? However as I found last autumn with our OSR, pellets on the surface did next to nothing, very few slugs in traps, yet underground where the OSR seed was, loads of juvenile slugs chomping away at it before it got a chance to germinate. So in that scenario pellets with seed would probably be advantageous. I will be putting some pellets down with seed in the future depending on potential pressure at drilling (possibly cereals as well as OSR) whilst carrying on surface trapping/visual inspections to see whether follow up broadcast applications are required.
ollie989898
Member
I wouldn't. Personally I think applying pellets to stubbles etc at some point prior to drilling etc should be considered as the best starting point. Put on ferric phosphate early and smash their numbers before they can reach Biblical levels?
mikep
Member
- Location
- Arse end of Surrey, UK
If you put them down the spout surely you need a calibration test for your drill?
I prefer to broadcast pellets on the surface ASAP after drilling to draw them away from the seed, as I'd rather not slow the drill down either. All the Cross Slot users I have met put some down the spout with the seed. I agree that big numbers justify pre baiting.
Why ferric phosphate early instead of metaldehyde?
Why ferric phosphate early instead of metaldehyde?
I put them down with the seed using a stocks distributor into the air stream. It works well. I can turn it off and on depending on soil conditions.
I have problems with the slugs coming to the surface so pellets in the row is a must especially where the seeding tine has cut a bit of a slot.
I have problems with the slugs coming to the surface so pellets in the row is a must especially where the seeding tine has cut a bit of a slot.
SilliamWhale
Member
for brassicas I feel I have to put pellets down with seed
doorknob
Member
- Location
- Hillsboro Oregon USA
Some pics of my experiment putting metarex down the seed tube. Complete failure. You can see the hollowed seeds and the orange pellets the slug went right on by. The seed is so much more attractive to the slug, they will avoid the pellets.
doorknob
Member
- Location
- Hillsboro Oregon USA
Not sure if the pictures show on your computer, so trying again.
- Location
- Essex/Herts Border
Bugger!Not sure if the pictures show on your computer, so trying again.
I don't like putting them with seed as they contain attractants
if there is a bad problem we apply to stubbles a week or so pre drilling, broadcast after
we can apply with the drill on the surface
Some pics of my experiment putting metarex down the seed tube. Complete failure. You can see the hollowed seeds and the orange pellets the slug went right on by. The seed is so much more attractive to the slug, they will avoid the pellets.
How long after sowing was the picture taken? The problem with cheaper formualtions is they break down quickly in moisture, which you'd have had by putting them in the ground. Perhaps that's why folk use ferric phosphate?
I'm not sure about the whole ferric vs metaldehyde debate. The EDTA carrier used in ferric is as harmful to worms as the metaldehyde is!
SilliamWhale
Member
I've found with OSR and brassicas I virtually have to put them with the seed as the rates are so low. That said they don't go in very deep so its damn near surface applied anyway.
This is correct, if you put pellets in with seed the drill has to have a test as does a fert spreader if it is used to spread pellets
SilliamWhale
Member
does it need a test or just proof of calibration?
doorknob
Member
- Location
- Hillsboro Oregon USA
The very next morning. So doubt 18 hours had gone by.
doorknob
Member
- Location
- Hillsboro Oregon USA
I'm having difficulties uploading pictures. I'll try again later.
mikep
Member
- Location
- Arse end of Surrey, UK
According to the rules any machine used to apply pellets must be tested by 26th November 2016 and then every 6 years thereafter. If equipment is less than 5 years old it needs testing by its 5th anniversary. This is a requirement of SUD.
None compliance could lead to prosecution, threaten your farm assurance status and single farm payment.
doorknob
Member
- Location
- Hillsboro Oregon USA
trying once again.
