When to spread?

[Formatted]

First-year we've kept cattle, probably will have 40 tons of used bedding and scrappings in April when we turn back out. I've got a neighbour who is happy to come and spread it but when is the best time? We're all permanent pasture here, am I better off turning the heap in June and then spreading it in the Autumn or should I get just load him up as I muck out in May?

I can't really leave it heaped on a field and we need the muck clamp empty before next winter

 

[Tim W]

Ideal is to compost as much as possible (cover with sheet is best practice as a good %age of nutrients oxidise)
Apply as you would any fertiliser---to make grass grow when you need it

Practice may be a bit different ---why can't you leave a heap in a field?

 

[Northeastfarmer]

On grazing land asap
On silage ground at the back end

 

[Formatted]

Apply as you would any fertiliser---to make grass grow when you need it

Practice may be a bit different ---why can't you leave a heap in a field?

Do I not have to worry about it not being rotted down enough? Ideally want to leave a year and spread next spring right?

House and yard on FBT, land on grazing license with less control and ideally don’t want to double handle

 

[Chae1]

Do I not have to worry about it not being rotted down enough? Ideally want to leave a year and spread next spring right?

House and yard on FBT, land on grazing license with less control and ideally don’t want to double handle

Are you planning cutting field for silage?

Could be a problem with contamination if raking it.

If for grazing I'd get it on as soon as conditions allow.

 

[Tim W]

Do I not have to worry about it not being rotted down enough? Ideally want to leave a year and spread next spring right?

House and yard on FBT, land on grazing license with less control and ideally don’t want to double handle

That's the conflict between best practice (compost/rot down/turn for 12 months) and reality where you have to do what you can

 

[An ancient git]

Here just clean out and tip ...... On a once mown patch , manure spread within days . If a bit 'strawey' it'll break down into ground no probs and my soil analyses show that it works !

 

[unlacedgecko]

House and yard on FBT, land on grazing license with less control and ideally don’t want to double handle

That sounds less than ideal.

 

[Formatted]

Are you planning cutting field for silage?

Could be a problem with contamination if raking it.

If for grazing I'd get it on as soon as conditions allow.

No buy-in silage from a neighbour

That sounds less than ideal.

Tenant farming eh?

 

[Princess Pooper]

If you are putting on spring grazing then be on the watch for staggers.

 

[aled1590]

I spread everything on silage ground end of April/beginning of may, and chainharrow and roll afterwards. 1st cut 3rd week of June. It’s fairly wet manure and try and make 35-40% DM pit silage. If any flakes of dried FYM gets raked in it doesn’t seem to cause any problems with silage. It’s worked for over 40 years anyway