How to manage black-grass when returning land to cropping from SFI options
Farms with a history of black-grass need to be aware of any unintended increase in populations that could have occurred within SFI options ...
Farms with a history of black-grass need to be aware of any unintended increase in populations that could have occurred within SFI options and manage this accordingly if/when land returns to cropping, says Alice Cannon, Hutchinsons Foundation Technical Manager.
For those considering putting land into an SFI option, Miss Cannon says where black-grass is a risk, growers may be better off longer-term from accepting the slightly lower payment and increased investment associated with stacking multi-species cover crop options (e.g. SAM2/CSAM2, SOH2 and SOH3), that allow for black-grass control, rather than higher paid options such as winter bird food that do not.
“The first step would be to sow a winter cover in August. That would be sprayed off in March, followed by a spring-sown cover crop, which would remain in the ground from March until June.
The next stage would be the summer-sown cover, lasting from June until August. The total support payment would be £455/ha per year, which is often better than spring bean gross margins.”
“This regime offers a break in rotation, plus three opportunities to bring black-grass under control and potential to provide a clean and fertile seedbed which would boost first wheat yields,” she says.
Ms Cannon points out selecting the right mix is key to maximising cover crop benefits, with multi-species mixes providing more advantages than simple two-way blends, such as mustard and oats.
“Use at least six different plant species taken from three or four families. We have made some bespoke cover mixes that achieve the aims within Hutchinsons Maxi Cover range.”
The diversity of growth habit and root structure helps build a more resilient soil structure, and improves aeration and water management, she adds.
“The soil will have greater ability to store water lower down in the profile in times of prolonged drought. It will also ensure moisture is not lost closer to the surface through run-off in high rainfall situations.”
If growing legume fallows in black-grass situations, Miss Cannon advises growing a mix containing grasses and legumes to increase competition against black-grass.
“They can be mown as required (no restrictions) within the first 12 months once black-grass begins to head, however continuous mowing can lead to black-grass growth habit switching to a short profile and becoming more difficult to tackle, she says.
“In year two, fallows can be mown between March and mid-June, leaving eight weeks uncut in the summer.”
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