We need a shallow cultivator

Highashgrange

Member
Arable Farmer
We seem to be getting a worsening weed problem in no till winter wheat because there’s no chit pre drilling due to no soil movement so when we then drill where we slot the seed we germinate weeds, in particular ryegrass. even if we glyphosate prior to drilling although there’s hardly anything to actually spray.
We then seem to have a much bigger problem come April where ryegrass comes from no where even after a full herbicide program. We never had this problem when using discs after the combine, then a glyphosate and then a min till drill. So I’m seriously thinking about doing a shallow cultivation immeadiately after the combine to get a chit of weeds.
 

willyorkshire

Member
Arable Farmer
Location
East Yorkshire
We seem to be getting a worsening weed problem in no till winter wheat because there’s no chit pre drilling due to no soil movement so when we then drill where we slot the seed we germinate weeds, in particular ryegrass. even if we glyphosate prior to drilling although there’s hardly anything to actually spray.
We then seem to have a much bigger problem come April where ryegrass comes from no where even after a full herbicide program. We never had this problem when using discs after the combine, then a glyphosate and then a min till drill. So I’m seriously thinking about doing a shallow cultivation immeadiately after the combine to get a chit of weeds.
Have you tried a straw rake?
 

DrWazzock

Member
Arable Farmer
Location
Lincolnshire
Nothing chitted here anyway this year because up to now its been too dry, and within days it will be too wet to drill, just as a proper chit begins. Sod's Law.
We went back to the '70's and ploughed everything as it was too hard for our DD and too much bright fresh chopped straw laid about so we will get rubbish emerging from depth in our crops.
This is why I like 100% spring cropping. If it hasn't chitted (or rotted) by spring it never will.
Autumn drilling is one way of doing things but it's hard work and costly nowadays. Certainly not a low input system and also not guaranteed to succeed either.
We are giving it a go this year but any more hassle from it or big bills and its gone forever.
Then its just direct drilled spring cereals and spring beans. DD always seems to go a treat here in the spring. One pass, the winter has done the work.
 

Devon James

Member
Location
Devon
We get on well with a Guttler Supermaxx. It can be used lightly like a straw harrow or deeper in other situations if needed, so is more versatile than a rake.
We are thinking about updating the machine we have. It's in good condition if anyone would be interested
 

willyorkshire

Member
Arable Farmer
Location
East Yorkshire
For strip till surely the less straw is mixed into topsoil the better. Imo you want seed placed in soil only, not in a layer of soil mixed with chopped straw. Yes, you want the volunteers to grow before drilling but seed placement is more important. To drill into a mix is a certain compromise.
 

willyorkshire

Member
Arable Farmer
Location
East Yorkshire
The trick is to get the chit without too much disturbance or too many passes, keeping fuel use down. Otherwise do like my neighbour. Plough, press, power harrow, cultivator drill and roll. Which, of course, I swore by for many years.
 

jimcooke770

Member
Run your drill through , empty , as a cultivator , 2 weeks before actual drilling .
Precise depth control not too much soil moved and will make drill easier too pull .
Works well with my 6m tine drill .
 
We get on well with a Guttler Supermaxx. It can be used lightly like a straw harrow or deeper in other situations if needed, so is more versatile than a rake.
We are thinking about updating the machine we have. It's in good condition if anyone would be interested

what width and how much do you want for it?
I'm looking for something to do a very shallow cultivation before oilseed rape drilling as getting too many slugs in slot
 
We seem to be getting a worsening weed problem in no till winter wheat because there’s no chit pre drilling due to no soil movement so when we then drill where we slot the seed we germinate weeds, in particular ryegrass. even if we glyphosate prior to drilling although there’s hardly anything to actually spray.
We then seem to have a much bigger problem come April where ryegrass comes from no where even after a full herbicide program. We never had this problem when using discs after the combine, then a glyphosate and then a min till drill. So I’m seriously thinking about doing a shallow cultivation immeadiately after the combine to get a chit of weeds.
What rotation or is it continuous wheat
 

Highashgrange

Member
Arable Farmer
What rotation or is it continuous wheat

Crops grown are winter and spring wheat, spring barley, osr mainly. Sometimes linseed as well.

We’ve bought a oldish carrier as it won’t loose much money if it’s not successful although we put it straight to work and it’s chitted the land really well so hopefully it’ll make a difference to us.
 

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Red Tractor drops launch of green farming scheme amid anger from farmers

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As reported in Independent


quote: “Red Tractor has confirmed it is dropping plans to launch its green farming assurance standard in April“

read the TFF thread here: https://thefarmingforum.co.uk/index.php?threads/gfc-was-to-go-ahead-now-not-going-ahead.405234/
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