To start OSR drilling next week?

[JCfarmer]

In the drought of 2003, we sowed a small field with HSS rape early, it grew like stink so the cows grazed it. It grew back again & made a decent crop.

So if you're going to drill this early, get some sheep or cattle lined up to graze it off if you need to

Did the cattle graze it well and like it? We have some rape stubbles round the farm and thinking may leave them for cattle to graze. Cheap winter fodder or put some forage turnips on.
To get back on topic not drilling osr for another week to 10 days at least.

 

[Bruce Almighty]

Did the cattle graze it well and like it? We have some rape stubbles round the farm and thinking may leave them for cattle to graze. Cheap winter fodder or put some forage turnips on.
To get back on topic not drilling osr for another week to 10 days at least.

They loved it, something green & fresh in a dry year.
Another thing to remember with volunteer rape in a dry year, it sucks any moisture you have in the soil.

On another note, the forage rape sown a week ago has established well, it had slug pellets straight after being rolled.
I sprayed it with Corsair for flea beetle tonight, I think I will do it again in a weeks time. 35 units N tomorrow

Like you, I think 10 days at least before sowing rape, probably a fortnight

 

[JCfarmer]

They loved it, something green & fresh in a dry year.
Another thing to remember with volunteer rape in a dry year, it sucks any moisture you have in the soil.

On another note, the forage rape sown a week ago has established well, it had slug pellets straight after being rolled.
I sprayed it with Corsair for flea beetle tonight, I think I will do it again in a weeks time. 35 units N tomorrow

Like you, I think 10 days at least before sowing rape, probably a fortnight

So should I put a bit of fert on on the volunteers and leave it

 

[Bruce Almighty]

So should I put a bit of fert on on the volunteers and leave it

Some N & a drop of rain will make it grow

 

[JCfarmer]

Just wondering if its worth it but think it is. No trouble with bloat etc? May strip graze it if it grows well.

 

[Green oak]

The rain expected tonight is looking to miss us in Essex. I can’t see any rape drilled in the next 10 days. Then we’re in the flea beetle territory time. September looks on the cards. Or not bother at all.

 

[D14]

Long range is saying this weather stays till October so I doubt we’ll plant any osr and instead go 2nd wheats and sell a chunk forward for next year.

 

[willy]

Long range is saying this weather stays till October so I doubt we’ll plant any osr and instead go 2nd wheats and sell a chunk forward for next year.

Yes I think this maybe the cas for a lot of people.

 

[Feldspar]

This is rather annoying. The 300ac we did drill has not taken that well and the rain forecast this way has been missing us and isn't looking as heavy for the weekend. Really wanted to drill another 500ac but not going to do anything until we get a decent slug of rain.

 

[Shutesy]

This is rather annoying. The 300ac we did drill has not taken that well and the rain forecast this way has been missing us and isn't looking as heavy for the weekend. Really wanted to drill another 500ac but not going to do anything until we get a decent slug of rain.

We missed pretty much all of last nights rain, bit further east looked quit wet on the radar! Still holding off here. Not sure when the rain is going to come though!

 

[Feldspar]

We missed pretty much all of last nights rain, bit further east looked quit wet on the radar! Still holding off here. Not sure when the rain is going to come though!

Long range forecast looks drier rather than wetter. Can't see much hope until September and I don't like drilling OSR that late.

 

[Feldspar]

View attachment 701866
Recognise this picture @Feldspar ?

My favourite photo! Funnily enough that was from OSR drilled on 7 September!

 

[Shutesy]

Long range forecast looks drier rather than wetter. Can't see much hope until September and I don't like drilling OSR that late.

Definitely agree with you, rather have it drilled in august, im just remembering 2 years ago where the ground had reasonable moisture, rained a bit the day after drilling then didnt rain for over a month and we lost 50 of the 70 acres i drilled. So im sitting tight for now.

 

[John]

Had a search in some rape stubble this morning what has chitted has died by the look of it. Only had 8mm of rain on it

 

[Chae1]

They loved it, something green & fresh in a dry year.
Another thing to remember with volunteer rape in a dry year, it sucks any moisture you have in the soil.

On another note, the forage rape sown a week ago has established well, it had slug pellets straight after being rolled.
I sprayed it with Corsair for flea beetle tonight, I think I will do it again in a weeks time. 35 units N tomorrow

Like you, I think 10 days at least before sowing rape, probably a fortnight

How much total N are you planning giving forage rape? Just drilled ours this morning

 

[Shutesy]

Had a search in some rape stubble this morning what has chitted has died by the look of it. Only had 8mm of rain on it

Had a look at my rape stubble as well this AM, even the soil under the trash is just dust, plenty of volunteers, that seem ok despite the lack of rain, they are however being hammered by flea beetle.

 

[Wheatonrotty]

Having had pretty much no rain in the 4 weeks since we cut it, it's not surprising nothing's chitted yet. The rain forecast for this weekend seems to be fizzling out or going round us again, then it's forecast dry.
I think the osr seed will be staying in the shed for a week or two yet.

 

[franklin]

Might be some cheap rape seed available then later on. Cut off here is mid September and would be worth a gamble perhaps.

 

[snarling bee]

So dry here, even on heavy clays, that some younger trees are starting to loose the colour in their leaves.
OSR drilling - not a chance without serious rain.

 

[MrNoo]

Volunteers seem to be growing well here, some FB damage, so started to put some in, rain forecast and believe it or not soil is sticking to the packer roller in places. If it grows it grows, if it doesn't the fields need cultivating anyway so nothing lost except some seed. Seems far too early but will be interesting to see, I can always get some sheep on it if needed, that is if it grows.