To plough or not to plough?.

[Vizslaman]

Probably a stupid question but here goes.

I have a 12.5 Acre field that is only ever cut for mediocre hay, I would like to increase the quality and yield so do I get it ploughed and then reseed, apply fertilizer or I have been offered unlimited supply of organic fert (Horse manure) .

Thanks

 

[Northeastfarmer]

Lime, plough, power Harrow, reseed
I wouldn’t bother with horse shite...it’s shite
Better with cattle muck

 

[choochter]

Lime, plough, power Harrow, reseed
I wouldn’t bother with horse shite...it’s shite
Better with cattle muck

That could end up being quite expensive.
If the ground is already level there are cheaper alternatives which might give an acceptable result.

 

[Northeastfarmer]

That could end up being quite expensive.
If the ground is already level there are cheaper alternatives which might give an acceptable result.

I always prefer to spray an old ley off and bury it....each to their own

 

[Al R]

Spray off, min till/direct drill new seeds in. Don’t apply horse muck, they sh!t ragwort.

 

[The Seeker]

Watch out for slugs also be carful as we air seeded ours and the drought got them , best done with a power Harrow combi drill in my experience

 

[Bury the Trash]

That could end up being quite expensive.
If the ground is already level there are cheaper alternatives which might give an acceptable result.

Trash can be really quite hostile to little tiny seedlings better to Bury it


This then clean and large area of tilth, (further referred to as SA (seedbed area ) which is ideal for a (controlled ) broadcast of seeds over that WHole area ☺.

 

[betweenthelines]

What do you do with it now? When did it last have lime? How much fertiliser due you apply?

If it hasn't been dunged or limed in donkey's years and only gets a couple cwt of nitram a year, that's the first thing to change.

 

[Vizslaman]

The ground is quite level and produced 70 Round bales off the 12.5 acres last year (not sure if that is good or bad)
Under lying is alluvial clay and described as poor
As far as I know it was only ever been used in the past for grazing or hay.

 

[Highland Mule]

Have you had the soil tested for pH etc? That’s my first thought.

 

[Derrick Hughes]

Nothing in this weather , but if you can afford to be without it for a while then spray it with roundup and wait for some damper weather

 

[Bury the Trash]

ah yes where would we be without good old roundup

 

[Vizslaman]

Yes average Ph was 5

Once they have cut, baled and carted this year. I want to do something to improve it for next year

 

[Matt]

Yes average Ph was 5

Once they have cut, baled and carted this year. I want to do something to improve it for next year

Lime would be a very good place to start. You will need it anyway so may as well get some on after its cut.

 

[Nearly]

Yes average Ph was 5

Once they have cut, baled and carted this year. I want to do something to improve it for next year

You could grow pickled onions as a catch crop before the new ley?

 

[Frank-the-Wool]

I would get it limed after you take the hay off. Find someone with a good direct drill and after liming and spraying off plant a forage crop of rape or stubble turnips or both. Eat it off by late February and reseed it as soon as possible next Spring.

 

[jack6480]

Don’t plough it ffs

 

[blackieman83]

Thread hijack.

Have a small meadow that hasnt been reseeded in 25 years. What's the collective thinking as to what to do with this??

My thinking is, heavy dose of lime, then burn off with roundup ( splash of MCPA to help finish off the rushes???) Then when it's well browned run over it with a disc or maybe power harrow and get grass seed drilled into it. Will the moss pose a problem with this method though I'm thinking??

 

[Flat 10]

Thread hijack.

Have a small meadow that hasnt been reseeded in 25 years. What's the collective thinking as to what to do with this??

My thinking is, heavy dose of lime, then burn off with roundup ( splash of MCPA to help finish off the rushes???) Then when it's well browned run over it with a disc or maybe power harrow and get grass seed drilled into it. Will the moss pose a problem with this method though I'm thinking??

Don’t see why not. Have you tested p and k? I think it will need discing a couple of times

 

[blackieman83]

Don’t see why not. Have you tested p and k? I think it will need discing a couple of times

Haven't tested yet but will try to get a sample off today.