Worthwhile or a waste of diesel

[BrianV]

Often wonder if doing this does any good or just makes us feel like it does, anybody know?

 

[Lazy Eric]

Will watch this thread with interest as wondering the same myself.

 

[Ffermer Bach]

there was an article in practical farm ideas a few years ago, that said it was and was worth the equivalent of an application of fertliser.

 

[Yale]

We have one, worthwhile in certain circumstances.

I find it useful pre lambing to do some of the fields to improve drainage and quicken drying after rain.

Would not use it as a blanket operation here.

 

[Exfarmer]

I would have thought it was difficult to justify in well established grass, except where it has been subject to heavy poaching

 

[curlietailz]

Are they injecting/dribbling adblue or something else on ?
Or are the barrels just to add weight to keep the thing in the ground ?

 

[BrianV]

Are they injecting/dribbling adblue or something else on ?
Or are the barrels just to add weight to keep the thing in the ground ?

Full of water for added weight

 

[M-J-G]

Have one, did a lot of it in the past, left bits undone and did random bits, to see if ot made any difference, but it didn't.
Its a bit like like grass harrowing and heavy rolling grass, it makes people feel better, but makes no justifiable difference to how the grass grows

 

[jackrussell101]

We did it a while back and definitely felt helped the fields dry quicker after rain

 

[BrianV]

Have one, did a lot of it in the past, left bits undone and did random bits, to see if ot made any difference, but it didn't.
Its a bit like like grass harrowing and heavy rolling grass, it makes people feel better, but makes no justifiable difference to how the grass grows

The only thing I wondered was that when fertiliser was cheap it disguised any real benefit, I'm wondering now the fields may not get any whether we will see a benefit?

 

[betweenthelines]

Using a 6t + tractor to drag a spiker around doesn't really seem sensible to me.

Especially if you use a heavy roller a few weeks after.

 

[bobk]

The only thing I wondered was that when fertiliser was cheap it disguised any real benefit, I'm wondering now the fields may not get any whether we will see a benefit?

My neighbour has one , but he's a real tight arse , bout as much use as a chocolate fire guard

 

[M-J-G]

The only thing I wondered was that when fertiliser was cheap it disguised any real benefit, I'm wondering now the fields may not get any whether we will see a benefit?

We've not put much fertiliser on grazing for a long time, we used to get pig slurry, but now most of the grazing gets no N, and it's carrying the same stock as it used to.

 

[BrianV]

Using a 6t + tractor to drag a spiker around doesn't really seem sensible to me.

Especially if you use a heavy roller a few weeks after.

Believe me when you lift it you're glad of the tractor

 

[Cab-over Pete]

It’s only worth it if it needs doing, same as any job.

If you don’t have shallow compaction it’s a waste of time.

 

[BrianV]

My neighbour has one , but he's a real tight arse , bout as much use as a chocolate fire guard

I do wonder, the only thing I'd say is any groundsman will tell you aerating the ground helps thicken the sward so who knows?

 

[bobk]

I do wonder, the only thing I'd say is any groundsman will tell you aerating the ground helps thicken the sward so who knows?

One of those Erth pan lifters seem a better bet

 

[Werzle]

I thought they were more for splitting old grass roots rather than a pan busting tool. I think they do some good in an old matted sward tbh

 

[Cowabunga]

I spiked about 20 acres last week with the roller behind. Took out one gate post and spiked a mains water pipe feeding a field trough. 'Shït happens’ is what I told myself.
Here’s my unit.

Two jobs in one when conditions are right. The fields and bits of fields needed rolling so might as well spike while doing so. Also harrowed some 40 acres and overseeded some twenty acres of open pasture using seed from our very own seed, hay and straw purveyor, local to me.
Hopefully all this cost will pay for itself in better fertiliser and grassland utilisation.

 

[bobk]

I spiked about 20 acres last week with the roller behind. Took out one gate post and spiked a mains water pipe feeding a field trough. 'Shït happens’ is what I told myself.
Here’s my unit.

Two jobs in one when conditions are right. The fields and bits of fields needed rolling so might as well spike while doing so. Also harrowed some 40 acres and overseeded some twenty acres of open pasture using seed from our very own seed, hay and straw purveyor, local to me.
Hopefully all this cost will pay for itself in better fertiliser and grassland utilisation.

Not a great day then ?