Mixedupfarmer
Member
- Location
- Norfolk
For what?Makes nice hay if got right
For what?Makes nice hay if got right
Horses. You are making me doubt myself now. I’m sure I used to get several loads a year. Doesn’t want to get old.For what?
Field in question was seeded fairly recently with "modern cocksfoot" in the mix, but neither sheep or cattle like it.modern varieties are much better, our cows clear it up.
showed son some 'wild cocksfoot', in a bank, they wouldn't touch that.
Maybe for horses, doubt it would have much feed value though.Horses. You are making me doubt myself now. I’m sure I used to get several loads a year. Doesn’t want to get old.
Smelt lovely if got nicely. It was green enoughMaybe for horses, doubt it would have much feed value though.
800 tyres at 12 psi, so not a big deep mark. The crops grow through it ok even though it looks untidy at the time.
My main concern is the wheels prevent the following harrow from scratching any soil into the trench - I've got an Avadex applicator on the back and don't want exposed seed to be taken out by corvids or the Avadex. We have made a bracket to fit an angled harrow tine behind the coulters in front of the wheels just to flick some soil across. A couple of loops of chain dragging on the ground help too, inspired by the chains on the back of the T Sem drill.
Although not a grass, Chicory is a really deep rooting plant as part of a herbal ley mix, takes some managing but must have a deep root as always stays green on the very thin Cotswold soils in the driest of years. Apologies for mentioning dry years, as from what you say you’re farm is extremely wet at the present timeAlso, I need to switch from just ryegrass to something with better rooting.
Perhaps also need the horses that originally pulled them.
done 100's of acres with them, both before drilling, and after drilling corn.
I think the combi drills do a good job, from what I have seen this spring they are more forgiving than where cereals have been planted into slightly compacted soil with zero till drill.done 100's of acres with them, both before drilling, and after drilling corn.
modern tillage kit, especially combination drilling, not 100% sure it does a proper job in making a decent seed bed, doesn't go down to the bottom of the furrow, leaving air pockets that fill up with water, are cold, in catchy conditions.
but then, l'm just a miserable old git, that isn't convinced new is always better than the old.
Grass is still something I'm working on. The ryegrass is just not ticking the boxes. But it's moot as SFi is paying my loads better than a grass ley for a three year legume mix.Although not a grass, Chicory is a really deep rooting plant as part of a herbal ley mix, takes some managing but must have a deep root as always stays green on the very thin Cotswold soils in the driest of years. Apologies for mentioning dry years, as from what you say you’re farm is extremely wet at the present time
It might need a week if we get the worst tomorrow.. some would have gone this afternoon but drill got held upCan you drill it now or does it need a week drying?
Forage Merchant near here absolutely loves Timothy hay.Horses. You are making me doubt myself now. I’m sure I used to get several loads a year. Doesn’t want to get old.
We still have two sets : a heavy set for working down and a lighter set that we can pull behind the MF30. They are unsurpassable for burying seed and creating that final bit of tilth. They are Parmiters and father bought them very late as they were being cleared out by P and B in the 1980’s. The heavier set generally run in a train in front of Cambridge rolls if it’s dry. Still a lot to be said for old well designed kit though we have a Reekie Harrow behind the MF30 now which does a good job well set up. Light tractors help as well. All contrary to the “modern” way.