Spring drilling 2023

[Handy Andy]

When does it become too late in the year to plant spring barley, so much so that it becomes financialy unviable?
I've got an 8 acre field on some heavy wet ground that I was going to drill a few weeks ago but never did because it was too stodgy to go on with. So instead I concentrated on getting all the other fields planted in the hope of coming back and getting it in last. Now wishing I'd gone on with it, but as you all know, we're always wise after the event. I've never drilled later than about 22nd April before, which seemed plenty late enough, and this looks like being 2nd half of May at least, that's if it dries up enough to get back to it. Annoyingly, stubble was sprayed off and ploughed in Jan, and it was probably dry enough to drill in early March just before it turned in wet - if only I wasn't so cautious.
I've got visions of eventualy getting it drilled and we then go into a prolonged dry spell during which every rook and pigeon within a 5 mile radius will descend upon my emerging crop and strip it bare for the moisture in the seeds. With current price of inputs etc, I can't see much point going on with it if I'm only going to end up with half a crop, and a very late ripening crop at that.

 

[Brisel]

When does it become too late in the year to plant spring barley, so much so that it becomes financialy unviable?
I've got an 8 acre field on some heavy wet ground that I was going to drill a few weeks ago but never did because it was too stodgy to go on with. So instead I concentrated on getting all the other fields planted in the hope of coming back and getting it in last. Now wishing I'd gone on with it, but as you all know, we're always wise after the event. I've never drilled later than about 22nd April before, which seemed plenty late enough, and this looks like being 2nd half of May at least, that's if it dries up enough to get back to it. Annoyingly, stubble was sprayed off and ploughed in Jan, and it was probably dry enough to drill in early March just before it turned in wet - if only I wasn't so cautious.
I've got visions of eventualy getting it drilled and we then go into a prolonged dry spell during which every rook and pigeon within a 5 mile radius will descend upon my emerging crop and strip it bare for the moisture in the seeds. With current price of inputs etc, I can't see much point going on with it if I'm only going to end up with half a crop, and a very late ripening crop at that.

I'd say we were way past that point already. Feed or malting? What is the next crop going to be?

Since your avatar is a sheep, how about a nice catch crop of turnips instead?

 

[ajd132]

When does it become too late in the year to plant spring barley, so much so that it becomes financialy unviable?
I've got an 8 acre field on some heavy wet ground that I was going to drill a few weeks ago but never did because it was too stodgy to go on with. So instead I concentrated on getting all the other fields planted in the hope of coming back and getting it in last. Now wishing I'd gone on with it, but as you all know, we're always wise after the event. I've never drilled later than about 22nd April before, which seemed plenty late enough, and this looks like being 2nd half of May at least, that's if it dries up enough to get back to it. Annoyingly, stubble was sprayed off and ploughed in Jan, and it was probably dry enough to drill in early March just before it turned in wet - if only I wasn't so cautious.
I've got visions of eventualy getting it drilled and we then go into a prolonged dry spell during which every rook and pigeon within a 5 mile radius will descend upon my emerging crop and strip it bare for the moisture in the seeds. With current price of inputs etc, I can't see much point going on with it if I'm only going to end up with half a crop, and a very late ripening crop at that.

I wouldn’t bother. It’s not a big area.

 

[thorpe]

the last 20 acre's here rote off a fortnight ago bought grass seed for a catch crop HA bl00dy HA thats 2 lot's of seed sitting in the shed!

 

[Two Tone]

If conditions were good, you’d just about get away with it. As they’re not, don’t bother.
The best barley by far I planted in Spring 2013 was combi-drilled 7th May into failed winter wheat. But conditions were good.

 

[teslacoils]

Financially viable is an unknown. I'd say we were well into 2t/AC area now. And late harvest.

Its more likely to be better off with a weed kill and a decent wheat crop.

 

[teslacoils]

Latest I've drilled was 16th may.

 

[Humble Village Farmer]

I realised yesterday that I've been drilling for 11 weeks and still haven't finished.

 

[Cowcorn]

Before the end of the month .
Its a wettish year so it will be up fast mightnt break any records but keep it cheap
And it should wash its face.
And you will have the straw to sell as a bonus

 

[Zippy768]

Hardly worth drilling for it to just wash its face. Will lose the opportunity for a good first wheat

 

[Handy Andy]

I'd say we were way past that point already. Feed or malting? What is the next crop going to be?

Since your avatar is a sheep, how about a nice catch crop of turnips instead?

Feed. I was thinking the same regards turnips.

 

[sahara]

Would it work as a whole crop silage for you?

 

[Handy Andy]

Financially viable is an unknown. I'd say we were well into 2t/AC area now. And late harvest.

Its more likely to be better off with a weed kill and a decent wheat crop.

Yes. Wheat is most likely I think, with some form of cover crop in-between. Either that or turnips. It's the late harvest element I'm not keen on.

 

[Handy Andy]

Would it work as a whole crop silage for you?

No, but it's another option if I did plant it.

 

[yellow belly]

Hardly worth drilling for it to just wash its face. Will lose the opportunity for a good first wheat

Wheat after set aside was never a good first wheat

 

[Brisel]

Wheat after set aside was never a good first wheat

Usually a cleaner crop though

 

[Green oak]

Wheat after set aside was never a good first wheat

Probably be different now. When you have to put a load of slug pellets on after rape. And the bare patches let in black grass. Same with beans. The margins for the next crop I’d imagine would be the same. If your puts some beans in. July time. and direct drill wheat into them in early October. Could be a different story.

 

[Chae1]

@Sandy how are you getting on?

 

[teslacoils]

Wheat after set aside was never a good first wheat

Interesting, my second best crop of wheat ever after ab6.

 

[Sandy]

@Sandy how are you getting on?

Aye all done last week neighbours still going though