I’ve got some fields that originally hadn’t planned on taking a cut so turned ewes in there, plans may have to change so looking at a later cut.It’s a very old ley so lots of stalky growth but very thin in between, would you top out the stalks before fert application? Not sure how much you can see in the photo but thought it would help. Thanks
Topping before Fertiliser?
- Thread starter Magik22
- Start date
Tractorboy67
Member
No waste of diesel
Definitely, no point feeding stems.
M-J-G
Member
If you top it you'll still have old dead rubbish through it when you cut it later on which will spoil your silage or hay.
- Location
- South Devon
to be fair it would be there either way.
I would say usually yes but looking at that field it looks so thin I wouldn't bother. Topping is very often recreational for most people, makes it look a bit better but is it really necessary
That's true, but as above it would be there either way.
At least topped some of it would hopefully get to the ground and you'll get more new regrowth.
It's just not an ideal situation.
I've an area grazed early which I might try to get a bite of hay off late July/August, but I made a point of pushing them hard on it at the last and getting it well nipped off to get fresh regrowth.
- Location
- Dumfries & Galloway
If the weather was better... I would actually consider topping it.
Consider it a 'green manure' of sorts. After a few weeks (we're still only in the 1st half of June!) batter on some fert and watch it go for a nice crop
However.... with the weather we have, topping it will kill everything out. And I doubt putting fert on now would be worthwhile.
Play the waiting game and see if/when the weather changes.
Consider it a 'green manure' of sorts. After a few weeks (we're still only in the 1st half of June!) batter on some fert and watch it go for a nice crop
However.... with the weather we have, topping it will kill everything out. And I doubt putting fert on now would be worthwhile.
Play the waiting game and see if/when the weather changes.
- Location
- Montgomeryshire
- Location
- Dumfries & Galloway
You assured me yesterday that it was going to rain!
As your ag. advisor, my assurances are only worth what you've paid me for my services....
- Location
- Dumfries & Galloway
M-J-G
Member
But standing rough grass won't decay and mound like toppings potentially will.
M-J-G
Member
Topping grass once it's shot is mostly just to make things look better and make the manager feel better.
If grass is going to shoot the time for topping is when it's still green to help stock to stay on top of the job and keep grass from getting to the stage where seed heads are inevitable.
A lot of folks don't have the guts for that though.
- Location
- East Ayrshire
Rain at Sanquhar earlier I'm told but nothing here (yet)We have a yellow warning for rain issues for tomorrow which has since been revised down
I'm hoping it rains, but really doubt getting anything. @Jerry is marvelling in rain today, the lucky bugger!!
- Location
- Dumfries & Galloway
Yeah friend not long just posted on Facebook complaining they went to Spain and had rain 3 out of 4 days they were there... came home today and it's raining at Moniaive
It got dull for 10-15 mins there about an hour ago, but the big light is back on and shining bright - a bit of wind now though
- Location
- East Ayrshire
My mate is in Tenerife, and although it's not raining I took great pleasure in screenshotting the BBC weather app showing us at 26 and them at 24
- Location
- Dumfries & Galloway
It needs to fvck off now. I've been glowing nuclear since the beef event. And I'm not even thinning on top but I can feel top of my head has been burned, I pity the baldy buggers 
Got up to 31 here so thought it'd be a good idea to weigh some lambs....I actually wanted to do it 3 hours prior but the ladies are steady today. Ended up with a trailer load marked up to go on Wednesday, me pissing with sweat and surprising myself at my ability to not fall out with the Mehmsahib after she insisted on setting up the race herself because I do it wrong apparently and then running in to close a gate on the 'last' of the lambs I was fetching up leaving 2 more to pee off across the field!
It's clouded over, cooled down and blowing up a bit here no rain yet. Thought I heard a couple of rumbles of thunder but nothing has come to fruition yet.
It's clouded over, cooled down and blowing up a bit here no rain yet. Thought I heard a couple of rumbles of thunder but nothing has come to fruition yet.
choochter
Member
- Location
- aberdeenshire
no rain forecast, am I doing the right thing?
- Location
- East Ayrshire
Smart arse. I had a cap welded to my head at the beef eventIt needs to fvck off now. I've been glowing nuclear since the beef event. And I'm not even thinning on top but I can feel top of my head has been burned, I pity the baldy buggers
M-J-G
Member
Assuming it's for cattle and if it's going to be dry, since it has gotten to the stage it's at, I'd either leave it or mow and bale it.
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