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ORGANIC WILD BIRD SEED MIXTURE

ORGANIC NECTAR FLOWER MIXTURE

CHEMICAL CHARTS

STEWARDSHIP SECTION

GLASTIR WELSH ENVIRONMENTAL SCHEME

WelcomeYOUR COUNTRYSIDE 20122

NEW PRODUCTS

NEW UPDATES

We gratefully acknowledge the contribution of

photographs from the MGA, Sue Adlard, Chris Baylis,

Lorna Checketts, Hannah Davies, Mark Howard, Ed Lowe,

Katie Moorhouse, Tim Marlow, Mark Wood and past and

present members of staff.

S

OUR AIM is to provide you with an

attractive, interesting and easy to use

handbook for use in field or office. We

have included as much information

as possible to assist you in making an

educated choice as to which crops will

be best suited to your requirements.

OUR CUSTOMERS may rest assured

that they are dealing with a forward

thinking company which invests

heavily in R & D and whose aim is

to ensure that you receive the best

possible service at all times. We

look forward to discussing your seed

requirements for 2012.

‘Your Countryside’ Catalogue cont inues to of fer you technical information and advice on a diverse range of products including Game Cover, Stewardship, Forage Crops, Arable Silage and Green Manuring enabling farmers, estate managers and gamekeepers to select the best products to suit their requirements.

NATURAL ENGLAND AND THE CAMPAIGN FOR THE FARMED ENVIRONMENT (CFE)

DESPITE last year’s exhortations to farmers to support the CFE and voluntarily adopt environmental measures to avoid compulsory

set-aside, the target is unfortunately still well below the hectarage required; this could partly be due to external pressures such as the high

margins cereals were achieving during 2011 and possibly to proposed changes to the CAP, but whatever the reason, the Campaign is due

to end in June 2012 by which time a further 2,700 hectares are needed to reach the target figure. There are two ways in which this target

can be achieved - by gaining 30% of ELS points from choosing key target options or by putting 3-4% of land into CFE voluntary measures.

THE GOOD NEWS is that in practice, if every farmer and land manager in England were to establish just one hectare of pollen and nectar

mix and two hectares of wild bird seed in every 100 hectares of productive land and buffer vulnerable watercourses, the Campaign could

meet its targets thus avoiding further restrictive regulation.

ONE OF THE KEY MESSAGES OF THE CFE IS THE FARMLAND BIRD PACKAGE. Through the use of Environmental Stewardship,

or voluntary options of the CFE, a number of simple management measures can be put in place that will make a huge difference to farmland

birds. By adopting the Farmland Bird Package you will provide the three main things needed by farmland birds to survive and thrive: winter

bird seed, nesting habitat, and spring chick feed source.

Many of the seed mixtures advocated by CFE for the purposes of protecting flora and fauna are also eminently suitable for attracting game

and so fulfil both environmental and agro-business purposes.

For further information and for suitable mixtures see pages 24-29 of this catalogue.

For help and advice concerning CFE, visit www.cfeonline.org.uk

WELCOME to all those who regularly receive our catalogue and to those who are using it for the first time.

GLASTIR WELSH ENVIRONMENTAL SCHEME

GLASTIR is the name of the scheme introduced by the Welsh Assembly Government

to replace the number of environmental schemes which are currently in force.

It has been heavily reviewed since Spring 2010 and is now more ‘farmer friendly’.

For further information and for suitable mixtures see page 32 of this catalogue.

GAME COVER CROPS Game Cover Selector 4

Evaluation of New Crops 6

Establishing Game Cover Crops 7

Game Cover Chemicals 2012 8

Maize Herbicides 2012 9

Pests and Diseases in Brassicas and Maize 10

Game Maize 12

Kales 14

Miscellaneous Brassicas 15

Sunflowers 16

Millets & Canary Grasses 17

Sorghums 18

Miscellaneous Crops 19

Game Cover Mixtures 21

ENVIRONMENTAL Environmental Stewardship 24

Environmental Stewardship Selector 25

Environmental Stewardship Mixture Options 26

Make the most of Environmental Stewardship 28

Higher Level Stewardship 29

Stewardship Schemes for Scotland 30

Glastir Welsh Environmental Scheme 32

FORAGE CROPS Forage Root Crops Selector 33

Forage Rape 34

Turnips 35

Kales 36

Fodder Beets 37

Swedes 38

Root Mixtures & Arable Silage 39

GREEN MANURING Green Manuring Selector 40

Green Manuring Longer Term Crops 41

Green Manuring Spring Crops 42

Green Manuring Autumn Crops 43

DISCLAIMERAny information provided in this catalogue is given in good faith and to the best of our existing knowledge. Any advice should therefore be taken as a general guide only and not relied upon for all conditions

and circumstances. We cannot accept any legal liability for information given in this guide. In any instance where there are shortages of specified varieties we reserve the right to substitute equivalent varieties.

ContentsYOUR COUNTRYSIDE 2012 3

ICO

N G

UID

E

LIFTING

COVER FEED NECTAR

CATTLEGRAZING

SHEEPGRAZING

2011PRODUCT OF

THE YEAR

★ O

U

TSTANDING

★

GOLDENEYE KALE - See page 14

FODDER RADISH - See page 19

p g

2011SPECIES OF THE YEAR

★ O

U

TSTANDING

★

p g

2011MIXTURE OF

THE YEAR

★ O

U

TSTANDING

★

NORTHERN STAR - See page 23

Game Cover Selector4

CropPage No.

Pack Size

Cover / Feed Crop

Average Sowing Rate per Acre Sowing Date

GuideUtilisation

Period

Duration of the Crop

Average Drill

Depth cm

Average Row

Width cm

Suggested Guide to Seedbed

Fertiliser (kg) ha

Broadcast Direct Drill N P K

Maize 12-1340,000/ 50,000 seeds

Precision drill 45,000 / 50,000

seeds/acreApril - June September - February 1 Season 6 75 80 85 205

Sunflowers - Standard, Dwarf and Super Dwarf

16 5kg 5kg April - JuneJuly -

November1 Season 4 75

Ensure adequate P but very little N

Millets / Grasses

Millet - White / Red / Japanese 17 5kg 5kg 5kg April - June September - December 1 Season 1 - 1.5 35-45 60 30 30

Ambush Millet 17 5kg 5kg 5kg April - June September - December 1 Season 1 - 1.5 35-45 60 30 30

Millgame Millet Mix 17 5kg 5kg 5kg April - June September - December 1 Season 1 - 1.5 35-45 60 30 30

Holdfast Canary Grass 17 2.5kg 2.5kg April - June All Year 5 Years+ 1.5 70 - 90 55 28 28

Reed Canary Grass 17 2.5kg 2.5kg April - June All Year 5 Years+ 1.5 70 - 90 55 28 28

Giant Sorghum 18 12kg 12kg May - June September - February 1 Season 2.5 - 4 45 - 50 100 50 120

Sorghum - Intermediate & Dwarf 18 8kg 8kg May - June September - February 1 Season 2.5 - 4 45 - 50 100 50 120

Over n’ Under Sorghum Mixture 18 8kg 8kg May - June September - February 1 Season 2.5 - 4 45 - 50 100 50 120

DISCLAIMER These tables are given in good faith and intended for general guidance only. Weather, local conditions and crop rotations must always be taken into account.

CropPage No.

Pack Size

Cover / Feed Crop

Average Sowing Rate per Acre Sowing Date

GuideUtilisation

Period

Duration of the Crop

Average Drill

Depth cm

Average Row

Width cm


Fertiliser (kg) ha


Brassicas

Kale 14 1kg 2 - 3kg 1.5 - 2kg April - June September - March 1 - 2yr 1 - 2 50 100 50 120

Surefire Kale Blend 14 2kg 2 - 3kg 1.5 - 2kg April - June September - March 1 - 2yr 1 - 2 50 100 50 120

Jonty 15 1kg 2 - 3kg 1 - 2.5kgSpring / Early

AutumnAutumn / Early Winter 1 Season 1 - 2 Various 110 55 55

Texsel Greens 15 1kg 2 - 3kg 2.5kg April - August September - January 1 Season 1 - 2 Various 110 55 55

Forage Rape 15 5kg & 25kg 4kg 2.5kgMay - end ofSeptember

July - December 1 Season 1 - 2.5 15 - 20 20 40 40

Zoom Mixture 15 5kg 2.5kg - 4kg 2.5kg Spring / Autumn September - March 1 Season 1 - 2 Various 110 55 55

Miscellaneous Crops

Artichokes 19 25kg500kg

(potato planter advisable)

April August - December Permanent 15cm 100cmGrows strongly on

most soils

Buckwheat 19 5kg 20kg+ 20kg April - May August - December 1 Season 1 - 2.5 20 - 35 35 105 210

Mustard 19 5kg & 25kg 5 - 7kg 2.5 - 5kg Spring - Autumn August - December 1 Season 1 - 2.5 20 - 35

Brown Mustard 19 5kg 2 - 3kg B/C Only Spring - Autumn Autumn / Spring 1 Season B/C B/C

Fodder Radish 19 5kg 2.5 - 3.5kg 2.5kg Spring / Autumn July - December 1 Season 1 - 2.5 25 - 30 40 15 20

Perennial Chicory 20 2kg 2kg+ 2kgSpring or Early

AutumnAll Year 5yr+ 1 15 - 20 100 50 120

Quinoa 20 1kg 2kg+ 2kg April - June September - December 1 Season 1.5 45 100 50 120

Yellow Blossom Clover 20 1kg 2.5kg+ 2.5kg April - June All Year 1 - 2yr 0.5 75 30 0 0

Linseed 20 25kg 25kg April - May September - February 1 Season 1 - 2 8 - 18 40 75 65

Triticale 20 25kg 50kg Spring / Autumn August - February 1 Season 2.5 12 - 16 125 0 0

Gold of Pleasure 20 5kg 5kg+ 5kg April - May September - December 1 Season 1 8 - 18 40 75 65

Borage 20 5kg 5kg+ 5kg April - June Autumn 1 Season 1 - 2 15 - 20

Mixtures

Overdrive 21 2.5kg 2.5kg+ 2.5kg April - June September - February 1 - 2yr 2.5 45 - 50 100 50 120

Late Cover Mix 21 5kg 6kg+ 5kg Spring / Autumn September - February 1 Season 1 - 2 20 - 35 55 28 28

Kwik Fix 21 5kg 5kg+ 5kgJuly - End of September

September - December 1 Season 1 - 2 40Lodging can occur

with excess fertiliser

Decoy Game Mixture 22 8kg 8kg 80kg Spring September - February 1 Season 1 - 2 15 - 25 80 40 96

Partridge Mix 22 25kg 25kg Spring September - February 1 Season 1 - 2.5 12 - 16 30 75 75

General Purpose Rearing Pen Mix 22 13kg 13kg+ 13kg+ Spring / Autumn All Year 5yr+ 1 15 - 20

Deer Lawn Mixture 22 15kg 15kg+ 15kg+ Spring / Autumn All Year 5yr+ 1 15 - 20

Traditional Game Cover Mixture 23 10kg 10kg B/C Only April - June September - February 1 Season B/C B/C 80 40 96

Northern Star Game Mix 23 20kg 20kg Spring September - February 1 Season 2.5 - 3 15 75 37 37

Four Ten Mixture 23 14kg 14kg Spring September - February 1 Season 6 75 185 90 220

Sundown Mixture 23 13kg 13kg April - June September - February 1 Season 5 - 6 75 - 100 60 60

Evaluation of New Crops6

Kales from New ZealandSorghum types Wild Bird Seed MixturesMaize types Forage Rye typesEnergy Fodder Beet types

The production of energy is becoming increasingly important and so therefore are the crops required to

feed the Biogas plants. There are now approximately 60 digesters in the UK with planning applications for

many more. The most popular crop currently grown for this purpose in the UK is maize but also grown are

grass, cereals, fodder beet, forage rye and forage sorghum. At our trialling site between 2012 and 2014 we

will be evaluating all the above plus other species in extended replicated trials. Samples will be taken for

methane evaluation and next year’s catalogue will contain a table of results so far obtained.

Each year at Hailes Farm, Gloucestershire trialling

site and in consultation with many of our customers,

we experiment with different products and mixtures.

This enables us to observe and evaluate their

performance so that we can select the best varieties

and mixtures for future use.

BIOMASS CROPS NEW VARIETIES & MIXTURES

Game cover crops will only reach their

full potential if they are well managed

right from the start. A successfully

managed shoot is both profitable and

rewarding to landowners and the

local community, as it contributes

positively to the countryside and the

overall environment. It is hoped the

following notes will help and guide

you to a successful establishment of

game cover crops; any regional or

particular soil conditions have not

been taken into consideration as it is

preferable to take advantage of local

knowledge. If you would like more in

depth information please contact your

local seed specialist, who will be able

to give advice for your own particular

farm/situation.

CROP ROTATIONRotations are essential to help reduce soil-borne disease

such as Club Root in brassicas. A rotational system will

also help to improve soil fertility and structure as each

crop can benefit the soil in different ways, each requiring

different trace elements. Crop rotation is essential where

weeds and/or disease have become a persistent problem.

CULTIVATIONSA well prepared seed bed is essential for crop health and

development, as a rapidly growing game cover crop has

more chance of resisting pest attack. Generally, ploughing

and rapid consolidation to conserve moisture is the ideal

start for these crops. Ensure the seed bed is fine and firm

to help reduce the risk of slug activity.

SOWINGWhere possible we recommend drilling game cover crops.

This ensures accurate seed depth and row width and will

provide maximum seed to soil contact that will encourage

a speedy establishment. Sowing at the correct row width

will also improve bird holding and driving capability.

Each growing season is completely different, but try not

to sow too early to ensure the soil temperature is warm

enough to encourage a quick successful germination.

FERTILISER Soil testing is essential to determine the fertility of the

soil, which can then be managed accordingly to maximize

its potential. Farmyard manure is an excellent way of

improving soil structure and adding fertility. Fertiliser

will also be required at the early stages of establishment

to maximize the output of your game cover crop. Lime

may be required for some acid soils to balance the soil pH.

WEED CONTROLThe stale seed bed technique is a well proven weed control

system and allows early control of weeds. The technique

involves spraying, ploughing and cultivating to encourage

weed seeds to germinate in a first flush, then re-spraying;

this can be repeated as often as you feel it is required

to help achieve a clean seed bed. This technique is very

useful where mixtures are grown and no herbicide can be

recommended. (For chemical weed control see tables on

pages 8 and 9).

7

Establishing Game Cover Crops

Game Cover Chemicals 20128

Note: This is not a complete list of products which can be used on these ‘crops’. In some cases information is based only on limited data so should be used with caution. SOLAs and LTAEU off-label uses are at GROWERS OWN RISK

# 1 Radish Markate 50 SOLA 20080204 #2 Swede and turnip Markate 50 SOLA 2010. Disclaimer: Agrovista cannot accept any responsibility for any loss, damage or accident arising from the use of information in this report.

Stale

SeedbedPre-emergence herbicides Post emergence herbicides Insecticide

Species Notes Rou

ndup

Ulti

mat

e

(SO

LA 2

0082892)

Ava

dex

Exce

l

But

isan

S /

Rap

san

1.5

l/ha

Gam

it 36C

S (

SO

LA 2

0091280)

Ker

b Fl

o (S

OLA

20082942)

Nov

all 2

.5 l/

ha (

AU

TUM

N u

se)

Cin

der

(S

OLA

20092208)

Agr

itox

Ava

dex

Exce

l

AR

AM

O (

SO

LA 2

0082813)

Bas

agra

n (S

OLA

20082819)

But

isan

S /

Rap

san

1.5

l/ha

But

ryflo

w

Cap

ture

Fusi

lade

Gal

era

Lase

r

Jest

er (

SO

LA 2

0100322)

Jubi

lee

SX

(S

OLA

2859/2

008)

MIR

CA

M P

LUS

Nov

all 2

.5 l/

ha

Sta

rane

(S

OLA

2925/2

008)

Spr

ingk

ok 2

.5 A

UTU

MN

onl

y

Cin

der

(S

OLA

20092208)

Ker

b Fl

o (S

OLA

2410/2

008)

Not

rtro

n Fl

o (S

OLA

20082919)

Dep

itox

(SO

LA 2

0082843)

Axi

al (

SO

LA 2

0082815)

Lent

agra

n W

P (

SO

LA 2

0090788)

Mar

kate

50

Canary GrassLTAEU - products used on

cereals or forage maizeSOLA No No No No

low rate from

2-3 leaf

low rate from

2-3 leafNo No No No

max 20g

from 3 leafNo No

max

3.3No No

Chicory SOLA No No max

2.5l/haNo No No No No No No No No

max

2.5

Giant SorghumLTAEU - products used on

cereals or forage maizeSOLA No No max 3.75 No No No from 2-3 leaf No No No

max 6g

from 3 leafNo

max 0.75 from

2-3 leafNo

max

3.75No No No

Kale SOLA No No No No No No No No No No No No

Millet RedLTAEU - products used on

cereals or forage maizeSOLA No max 1.7 No max 2.5 No No No No No No No

max

3.3No

Millgame Millet Mix

(mix red + white)

LTAEU - products used on

cereals or forage maizeSOLA max 1.7 No max 2.5 No No

low rate from

2-3 leaf

from 3 leaf

max 0.8No No No

max 6g

from 3 leafNo No

max

3.3

max 2.0

from 3 leafNo

Millet WhiteLTAEU - products used on

cereals or forage maizeSOLA No No No

max

3.75l/haNo No

low rate from

2-3 leaf

from 3 leaf

max 0.8No No No

max 6g

from 3 leafNo No

max

3.75No No

Mustard SOLA AUTUMN No No No No No No No No Autumn No

QuinoaLTAEU - products used

on OSR SOLA

max 1.5

AUTUMNNo No No No No No No

max 6g

from 3 leafNo No Autumn No

max 1.7

from 3 leafNo

Fodder Radish SOLA No No No No Nolow rate from

2-3 leafNo No No No No No No #1

SunflowersLTAEU - products used

on OSR SOLA max 1.7 AUTUMN No No No No No No No No No No No No No

max

3.3

Swede SOLA No No No No No No No No #2

Yellow Blossom

Clover

LTAEU - products used

on OSR SOLA AUTUMN max 2.5 No No No No No

from

3 leafNo No No No No No No

max

2.5

max 1.7

from 3 leaf

Texel Greens SOLA No No max 3.3 No No No No No No No No No No No No

Stubble Turnip SOLA No No No No No No No No No #2

SOLAs Game Cover

LTAEU OK

OK to apply but some transient crop effects might be observed

Blank fields = no information

Yes ok to use

Yes when established

Yes from 3 leaf stage

No - do not useThe chart below was kindly

supplied by Agrovista UK Ltd

KEY

9

Maize Herbicides 2012Susceptible

Moderately susceptible

Moderately resistant

Resistant

An

nu

al M

ead

ow

Gra

ss1.5

L/HA

2-4

TL(2

LVS)

Bla

ckg

rass

Co

mm

on

Co

uch

Ryeg

rass

Vo

lun

teer Cerea

ls

Wild

Oa

ts

Am

ara

nth

us

An

nu

al M

ercury

0.7

5L/H

A

( )

Bla

ck B

ind

weed

1.5

L/HA

2-4

TL

Bla

ck N

igh

tsha

de

2-4

TL0

.75

L/HA

Bu

glo

ss2-4

TL

Ch

arlo

ck2-4

TL

Clea

vers1.5

L/HA

1.5

L/HA

2-4

TL

C.C

hick

weed

2-4

TL

C. Field

Sp

eedw

ell2-4

TL0

.75

L/HA

C H

emp

Nettle

Co

mm

on

Po

pp

y2-4

TL

Cra

ne's B

ill

( )

Co

rn M

arig

old

Creep

ing

Bu

ttercup

Do

ck

Fat H

en2-4

TL0

.75

L/HA

Field B

ind

weed

Field P

an

sy2-4

TL0

.75

L/HA

Foo

l's Pa

rsley

Forg

et-me-n

ot

2-4

TL

Fum

itory

2-4

TL

Gro

un

dsel

2-4

TL

Hen

bit D

ead

Nettle

1.5

L/HA

Sp

eedw

ell, Ivy-leaved

2-4

TL

Kn

otg

rass

1.5

L/HA

1.5

L/HA

2-4

TL

Ora

che

2-4

TL0

.75

L/HA

Pa

le Persica

ria2-4

TL0

.75

L/HA

Pa

rsley Piert

Pen

nycress

1.5

L/HA

2-4

TL

Pin

eap

plew

eed1

.5L/H

A2

-4TL

0.7

5L/H

A

Po

pp

y2-4

TL

Red

Dea

d N

ettle2-4

TL

Red

sha

nk

0.7

5L/H

A

Sm

all N

ettle2-4

TL

Sca

rlet Pim

pern

el

Scen

tless Ma

yweed

2-4

TL0

.75

L/HA

Sh

eph

erd's P

urse

2-4

TL

So

w T

histles

Stinking M

ayweed

1.5

L/HA

2-4

TL0

.75

L/HA

Th

istle Creep

ing

Vo

lun

teer OS

R2-4

TL

Vo

lun

teer Po

tato

Wild

Ra

dish

1.5

L/HA

0.7

5L/H

A

Do

se rate litre/h

a

2.7

Stomp Aqua 3.3

Cinder 3.75

4.0

0.85 g/kg

1.4

2.5

1.5

1.5

2.5

0.75

1.0

1.0

50 g

500g

Cro

p Tim

ing

Pre-emergence up to

4 leaves

Pre-emergence up to

4 leaves

Pre-emergence up to

4 leaves

Pre-emergence

Pre-emergence

Pre-emergence

Pre & Post - emergence

Pre & Post-emergence

Post emergence

Post emergence

Post emergence

Post emergence

Post emergence

Post emergence

Pro

du

ct

Bullet XL

Pendimethalin

Wing-P

Cadou Star

Dual Gold

Templar

Calaris

Callisto

Templar

Samson Extra 6%

Butryflow

Gal Gone

Titus

Jester

KeyLitre quantity indicates effective application rate

The chart below was kindly supplied by Agrovista UK Ltd

( ) = Based on trials

DISCLAIMER Agrovista cannot accept any responsibility for any loss, damage or accident arising from the use of information in this report

FLEA BEETLE MANAGEMENTBrassicas (Kale, Rape, Texsel Greens, Jonty) and Linseed

are vulnerable in hot weather conditions to attacks of Flea

Beetle. Chemical insecticide treatment will be required

immediately if ‘shot holes’ are seen in the young leaves.

Increasing soil fertility and structure helps speed the crop

through critical growth stages to minimize attack.

DIABROTICA BEETLE (WESTERN CORN ROOTWORM) Diabrotica is a serious pest of maize. The Colorado beetle

is ranked number 10 as the world’s most destructive pest;

Diabrotica beetle comes in at number 3 so that gives a

perspective as to its destructive ability. The pest has been

migrating through Europe for the last few years and

has now reached the UK. The larvae can be devastating

to maize crops. It has been detected in successive years

in areas around Gatwick and Heathrow. If a field is in a

DEFRA identified “Risk Area”, farmers are required to

rotate maize with crops that do not act as a host or it is

requested that seed is treated with a specialist insecticide

such as Cruiser, Gaucho or Poncho. Numbers of

Diabrotica are on the increase and everyone must keep an

eye open for their presence. This is as important in game

maize crops as it is for forage maize crops.

WIREWORMThis pest is normally a problem after grass, especially

long-term leys. The standard maize insecticide seed

treatment, Mesurol, does not control Wireworm. Cruiser/

Gaucho/Poncho Seed treatments do have an effect on

Wireworm, but it is important to use vigorous varieties,

prepare a good seed bed and give the crop every chance to

establish fast to limit the damage from this pest.

FRIT FLYA key UK pest of maize, especially in grassland areas.

This is easily and cheaply controlled with Mesurol whilst

available, which also has some bird repellent properties.

EUROPEAN CORN BORERThe corn borer is a pest native to Europe which has been

spotted in the British Isles in the 2011 maize crop. The

moth lays clusters of eggs on the underside of the leaf

which hatch into caterpillars causing damage to the ears

and stalks of maize, chewing tunnels which can cause the

plants to fall over. Control is difficult as the maize is too

tall to spray by the time the damage occurs.

OTHER PESTSGame cover is often sown in the spring near to woods

and trees and therefore is very attractive to crows, pigeons,

slugs, rabbits, hares, deer, badgers and caterpillars. Game

cover crops need to be checked regularly and relevant

action needs to be taken quickly to prevent further attacks

from these pests. Mesurol seed treatment, whilst still

available, can help reduce Corvid damage to maize crops.

Pests & Diseases in Brassicas & Maize10

N.B. Flea Beetle treated seed should be drilled

not broadcast as it can be toxic to people

and wildlife. Also if left on the surface of the soil the

effectiveness of the chemical against Flea Beetle will

be reduced.

Wireworm

Diabrotica BeetleFlea Beetle

European corn borer damage in maize

Diseases in Brassicas

CLUB ROOT(Plasmodiophora brassicae)

Club Root is a serious and widespread disease of brassica

plants. It is very difficult to control and once present in

the soil, is virtually impossible to eradicate. Roots affected

by Club Root are swollen and distorted thus reducing the

flow of water and nutrients to the plant; leaves become

yellow and wilt causing severe stunting of growth. Sowing

crops in the autumn when the soil is cooler reduces the

risk of attack. Increasing soil pH through liming, ensuring

good drainage and maintaining long rotations between

brassica crops (at least four years) are the best methods to

manage the disease.

Diseases in Maize

MAIZE SMUT

(Ustilago maydis)

This fungus can be seed or soil borne and is also a disease

of barley. Common Smut often appears in hot dry years

and is characterised by irregular shaped ‘puffy’ balls on

the cobs and stems of the plant. These puffy balls are eaten

in Mexico as a delicacy! This disease rarely affects yield

or feeding value and does not present a health hazard to

livestock.

EYE SPOT(Kabatiella zeae)

Another fungus which can be a problem in coastal areas

especially in cold wet seasons. Seen as severe dark lesions

on stems and leaves. The disease is hosted by maize trash,

so with any occurrence, field rotation and variety selection

should be considered for future sowings. Deep burying of

trash from previous cropping is a must.

RUST(Puccinia sorghi)

Although sometimes seen in the UK, normally at the end

of the season, Rust is not a major threat. It is observed as

dark brown/red rust pustules which develop on the upper

leaves. Even when present, this disease has not been a real

problem.

STALK ROT(Fusarium spp)

This is a fungus normally developing in late maturity

causing premature senescence. It can weaken plants

rapidly and cause lodging, especially if harvesting at 30%+

dry matter content.

11

Eye SpotMaize Smut

Game Maize is still one of the most

popular crops used for cover and feed.

Nearly all maize varieties used for

game cover have at some stage been

commercial forage or grain varieties.

As these varieties are superseded by

newer hybrids, stocks of those being

replaced diminish and we carefully

select the most suitable of these for our

game cover purposes.

The selection criteria a breeder would use for a new forage maize are:

High yield potential

Maturity

Resistance to lodging

Very good early vigour

Resistance to disease

Most of these attributes are just as important for our

game cover crops and as breeding evolves the varieties we

supply will continue to improve.

Every year seems to be difficult for growing maize for one

reason or another and 2011 was no exception! Most areas

experienced very dry conditions causing various degrees

of plant stress, with some counties such as Shropshire

suffering from drought so badly that the plants resembled

brown cardboard. However, in those areas where rain

finally did fall, the crops compensated remarkably well.

The brand ‘Late Shot’ has increased in popularity,

producing an immature crop with unripe cobs at harvest,

therefore not suffering from the damaging attentions of

badgers and rodents. (see photo on p 13)

For game cover purposes, a crop of maize can always be

relied upon to provide the perfect hiding cover for game;

birds can move easily through it and the cob will provide

valuable feed.

Variety selection is as important a factor as when and

where to sow and we have a choice of five brands to suit all

locations and requirements.

Game Maize12

Mr Ed John, Gower Peninsula November 2011

Biomass Maize varieties available

Game Maize

13

RAPID FIRE

Rapid Fire is still our biggest selling brand of maize.

Varieties are chosen which have very good standing

ability, early vigour and a low cob carriage.

Pack size 50,000 seeds Mesurol treated

DOUBLE GOLD – GRAIN TYPEDouble Gold is still our first choice variety in the UK

and Europe for grain production. As it is used for grain it

has excellent standing power, which is very important to

withstand a whole shooting season. It has excellent early

vigour which is always important but even more so in

difficult sowing conditions.


SILVER SHOTSilver Shot is a very short, compact plant and has been

sown in large shoots for several years. It is a stay-green

variety with high drought tolerance which may have

impact in the future!


TRIPLE MAIZE BLENDTriple Maize Blend is a mixture of varieties, normally

three different types of early, mid and late. This will

give differing rates of maturity as cobs ripen at different

times, thus providing cover throughout the whole of the

shooting season.


LATE SHOTThis plant is extremely late to mature and could not feature

anywhere on a UK Maize List due to its lateness. It will

produce an immature cob that rarely develops past the

‘bright white stage’. Due to its very late maturity Late Shot

seems to be of less interest to rats and rabbits, so where

standard varieties have been decimated, Late Shot should

still be looking good at the end of the shooting season.


N.B. Height of maize may vary depending

on seasonal and management variations.Comparing immature Late Shot (cob on left) to

earlier Rapid Fire (cob on right) in October

Kale is still one of the most popular

cover crops used today. The main

advantage of Kale is that it will

provide cover for the whole shooting

season. Pheasants particularly like the

combination of a good canopy and bare

ground which allows easy movement

in a relatively dry environment.

Kale requires soil with a pH of around 6.5, so it is very

important to conduct soil analysis prior to sowing. Kale

is a very hungry crop and benefits from the application

of farmyard manure/slurry prior to sowing. Care should

be taken with continuous Kale as the ground can become

“brassica sick”; Club Root (Finger and Toe) will inhibit

or prevent the growth of brassica crops but this can be

prevented by growing Kale and another crop such as

Maize in adjacent strips and alternating the strips from

one year to another.

Kale is frequently grown in conjunction with other crops

such as Quinoa and Yellow Blossom Clover. Selection of

any such mixture should take into account the required

length of time for which the crop is grown and the

potential weed control that may be required.

Kales14

GOLDENEYE KALEwith clubroot tolerance

Goldeneye is a giant type kale especially bred for the game

cover market, selected for the optimum combination

of height and leaf production. It has a leafy top, strong

stem, good winter hardiness and good field tolerance of

disease, making it the ideal choice for game cover usage.

In a trial conducted at the Scottish Agricultural College,

Aberdeen, Goldeneye achieved a higher vigour score than

Caledonian kale and equal or better club root tolerance.

Pack size 1 kg, untreated

OUTSTANDING PRODUCT OF THE YEAR

THOUSAND HEADTraditional medium tall variety with medium-branched

stems. Good winter hardiness and good standing ability

make this variety a popular choice.


SUREFIRE KALE BLEND A combination of three excellent game cover kale varieties,

to provide a tall varied canopy. This blend will give superb

cover over an extended period and will give second year

growth with various bolting times. The flowering kale

attracts insects and provides shed seed, all helping to draw

both game and song birds.

0.75kg Thousand Head/Goldeneye0.75kg Gruner Angeliter0.50kg Keeper

2kg/acre

Pack size 2kg, (1 acre packs) untreated

GRÜNER ANGELITERTall variety with good winter hardiness. Grüner Angeliter

looks to be a significant improvement in the game crop

sector. In difficult growing conditions this is by far the

best looking variety in the game cover sector.

High leaf canopy. Thick strong stem with a branching-out

umbrella-like canopy, with plenty of room for the birds to

run underneath.


SOVEREIGN Sovereign is a medium-tall forage kale with excellent

yield potential and is the leading variety in New Zealand.

Being late flowering and with a good leaf-to-stem ratio,

the variety has the potential to maintain good quality

production over a longer usage period.

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JONTYJonty is a fast growing brassica, which will provide cover

within 6 weeks of sowing. Due to its rapid bolting tendency

Jonty is best planted in early autumn as a rescue crop.

Pack size 1kg, Thiram & Sepiret treated

TEXSEL GREENSTexsel Greens are an easy to establish, frost hardy cover

crop. Their rapid growth is ideal for suppressing weeds.

Pack size 1kg, Thiram & Sepiret treated

FORAGE RAPE Forage Rape is particularly useful in that it can be used

as a rescue or catch crop, continuing until the New Year

when it flowers and goes to seed. A well grown crop with

adequate spacing between rows will provide good cover

for holding, driving and feeding. It is largely unaffected

by frost and wet weather.

Sowing rate 2.5 - 4kg/acre

Pack size 5kg and 25kg untreated

Cruiser treatment available (limited)

See page 34 for Clubroot tolerant variety

AKELA ORGANIC FORAGE RAPEWidely grown in Europe, Akela is a leafy, palatable plant

with high protein content, high dry matter yield and good

winter hardiness. It is another very late flowering variety

which performs well whether sown for summer, autumn

or winter use.

Pack Size 25kg untreated organic seed (limited)

ZOOM BRASSICAMIXTUREZoom is a blend of Winfred Hybrid Brassica and Forage

Rape. This is a very vigorous and quick growing mixture

which is ideal for replacing failed crops or patching

spring sown crops. High seedling vigour gives a reliable

establishment of a high leaf to stem ratio crop with

carefully selected varieties that have good disease and

bolting resistance.

Pack size 5kg.

Cruiser Flea Beetle treatment

15

Miscellaneous Brassicas

Flea Beetle treated seed must be drilled and not broadcast. Flea Beetle seed treatment greatly reduces the effect of Flea Beetle damage in the early stages of establishment,

however regular monitoring of the crop is still required as further action may be needed in the event of heavy attack.

Texsel Greens Jonty

Mr Jim Chattaway, Nevill Holt Estate,

Leicestershire 5th December 2011

Sunflowers traditionally have been

grown in the more southerly parts

of the UK due to their requirements

for early spring sowing and warm

sunshine. The standard types of

sunflower have a seed-head that is

too high for pheasants to reach easily

and so the selection of dwarf and

super dwarf varieties has improved

the utilisation of this crop. In most

situations sunflowers are now grown

in conjunction with many other game

crops, either in mixtures or adjacent

blocks. They provide highly nutritious

seed of a high oil content that all

game and song birds enjoy. The young

seedlings are very vulnerable to slug

attack, so a close eye must be kept on

the newly planted crop.

STANDARD TYPE

Variable height, but generally tall. For best utilisation of

this crop it should be “swiped down” to enable game birds

to reach the seeds.

Pack size 1 acre (5kg) untreated

DWARF TYPE A short hybrid variety with good standing ability. The

seed-heads tend to be larger than those of the standard

type. These are also best “swiped down” to enable birds to

reach the large seed-heads.

Pack size 1 acre (5kg) Fungicide treated

SUPER DWARF TYPE ‘DIAMOND’

A true super dwarf variety with a short, very strong stem

which supports huge seed-heads. The shortness of the

stems makes the seed-heads readily available to game

birds. Excellent standing ability.


Sunflowers16

Diamond SunflowersDiamond Sunflowers

AMBUSH MILLET MIX Ambush Millet Mix is a combination of White Millet and Japanese Reed Millet. The Reed Millet being a stronger plant and more winter hardy provides cover while the White Millet produces plentiful seed to hold the birds in the cover. It is an ideal mixture for use as a wind-proof belt on the outside of a block of maize or as a flushing point at the end of maize.

3.00 kg White Millet2.00 kg Japanese Reed Millet5.00 kg/acre


MILLGAME MILLET MIXMillgame Millet Mix uses both Red and White Millet and is useful as the Red matures earlier than the White, therefore extending the feeding period. This mixture can produce huge amounts of high protein feed per acre and when combined with maize creates an excellent cover and feed crop.

2.50 kg Red Millet2.50 kg White Millet5.00 kg/acre


WHITE MILLETWhite Millet is best suited to more southerly regions of the UK as it is a sunshine loving plant and is not frost hardy. It provides warmth, shelter and feed to game birds and will attract wild seed-eating birds such as finches. Millet is particularly attractive to grey and red-legged partridges and if sown alone can be used for early holding cover. When required to last longer into the season it performs well if sown with Maize but will combine well with a variety of other game cover crops.


RED MILLETRed Millet is earlier maturing than white and does not stand well when sown alone. However it is a good partner to use with White Millet as it extends the feeding period (see Millgame Millet Mix). As with other millets, it is susceptible to frost.

Pack size 1acre (5kg) untreated

CANARY GRASS(Phalaris aquatica)

Canary Grass provides excellent medium to long term nesting cover for pheasant and partridge and can be used to both hold and drive birds. It is useful in areas where annual planting is not an option, either because it is uneconomic or too difficult and is a good choice to use between tree rows in newly established woods. Care must be taken to drill in wide enough rows to prevent the Canary Grass becoming too dense and therefore impassable to the birds. Annual management should be undertaken to keep the rows clear and topping is beneficial if the grass becomes too tall, with the debris being removed.

Pack size 1 acre (2.5kg) untreated

JAPANESE REED MILLETJapanese Reed Millet is a stronger plant than other members of the millet family and is more winter hardy. When mixed with White Millet it provides an excellent cover and feed crop (see Ambush Millet Mix)

Pack size 1acre (5kg) untreated

REED CANARY GRASS(Phalaris arundinacea)

Reed Canary Grass is similar to Phalaris aquatica but is more suitable for use in exposed northern regions as it is a much hardier plant and will tolerate a wide range of soil types. It not only offers nesting and cover to pheasants but also provides wild birds with nesting sites. The crop is purely for cover and does not provide feed so bare patches may be left unplanted or later cut out to provide areas for artificial feeding. As with Phalaris aquatica drilling in wide rows is necessary rather than broadcasting or the crop will become too dense and annual management should be undertaken to keep the rows clear. Topping is beneficial if it becomes too tall, with the debris removed.

Pack size 1 acre (2.5kg) untreated (limited availability)

17

White Millet

Millets & Canary Grasses

Sorghum is a tall semi-tropical,

non-cob producing, maize-like plant

which will provide cover throughout

the shooting season. It thrives best in

warm, sunny growing conditions and

therefore is suited to the more southerly

regions of the UK. Sorghum is a very

slow establishing plant that does not

begin to flourish until late July.

GIANT SORGHUMGiant Sorghum is a Sorghum x Sudan grass hybrid

standing approximately 2 metres tall or more and

therefore is extremely useful as a windbreak to protect

more vulnerable crops. Its deep rooting system enables it

to withstand drought conditions. Useful as a flushing crop

even though the Giant Sorghum is prone to lodging later

in the season.


INTERMEDIATE SORGHUMIntermediate Sorghum as suggested by its name, is in

between giant and dwarf in height, approx 1.5m. Useful as

a windbreak around other game cover crops, it provides

pheasants and partridges with protection from overhead

predators. Has an attractive seed-head.

Pack size 1 acre (8kg) Fungicide treated plus untreated

(limited)

DWARF SORGHUMDwarf Sorghum has a short, sturdy, broad-leaved stem

and a substantial seed-head, providing birds with warm

cover throughout the shooting season. Often sown as a

companion to Maize with the bulkier, shorter Sorghum

plants giving protection to the birds below the taller

growing maize plants (see Four Ten on p23) Average

height 1 - 1.25m


OVER N’ UNDERSORGHUM MIXTUREA combination of two differing heights of sorghum. The

shorter Dwarf Sorghum will give the birds protection

from predators with the taller Giant Sorghum acting as

a windbreak.

4.00 kg Giant Sorghum4.00 kg Dwarf Sorghum8.00 kg/acre


Sorghums18

Over n’ Under Sorghum Mixture

N.B. Height of Sorghum may vary depending

on seasonal and management variations.

Giant Sorghum

ARTICHOKESProvide tall, dense cover which tolerates adverse growing

conditions and remains green well into the autumn.

Gradual die-back will occur but game can be held until

the end of the shooting season if well managed. Best

grown in ridged rows which will provide sheltered

tunnels to protect the birds. Requires annual thinning

of rows and re-ridging to prevent the crop becoming too

dense. Once established they are difficult to eradicate.

Can combine with a feed crop such as millet. It is essential

that artichokes are planted within 48 hours of delivery to

farm.

Sowing rate 500kg/acre

Minimum order 250kg

Book early to avoid disappointment

Pack size 25kg untreated

BUCKWHEATA rapidly growing short term crop highly attractive to

pheasants, partridge and deer both as cover and feed. The

large amount of nectar produced attracts bees and insects

which in turn provide added interest for game birds. It is a

useful component to add to mixtures due to its bulkiness

and its ability to continue to provide holding cover and feed

after the first frosts when the crop has fallen. Buckwheat

thrives best in sunny rather than shaded areas.



MUSTARDMustard is a relatively inexpensive and highly versatile

cover crop either sown alone or as a companion to other

species. It is ideal for early cover and although killed off

by frost, the fallen woody stems will create shelter for the

birds below. This is especially useful when sown with seed

producing species which alone would provide no cover.

Popular as a green manure crop (see green manure section).




Organic seed available (limited) in 25kg packs

BROWN MUSTARD A green manure crop with biofumigation properties, i.e.

it suppresses soil-borne pests and diseases. It is an easy

to establish 50 - 70 day crop that can be sown between

April and September and unlike conventional varieties

of mustard it is winter hardy. It will improve the health

of the soil by increasing organic matter and acts as an

excellent weed suppressant. It is also especially useful

as over-wintering green cover after maize, potatoes and

sugar beet crops, reducing soil erosion, fertiliser leaching

and water run-off.

Sowing Rate 2kg - 3kg/acre


19

Miscellaneous Crops

Artichokes Brown Mustard

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FODDER RADISHA fast growing cover crop, its prime usefulness

being where brassica sickness is a problem due to its

immunity to the disease. Other qualities are its speed

of establishment which aids weed suppression, and its

use as a green manure crop. It is useful as a catch crop

in northern regions if sown in July as it will be ready to

provide cover within six to eight weeks, just as birds are

losing cover from the cereals being combined. Due to

its fast growth it is valuable as a replacement for failed

crops. Fodder Radish is not winter hardy, but continues

to provide cover right through the season. In addition,

it holds its seed in pods which shed in late winter/early

spring, thus providing feed during that all important

‘hungry gap’.

Sowing rate 2.5kg/acre


OUTSTANDING SPECIES OF THE YEAR

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2011SPECIES OF THE YEAR

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PERENNIAL CHICORYCreates tall, dense cover, bolting in its second year to

create a flowering hedge, useful where a perimeter barrier

is required. It has good tolerance to drought, acid soils

and major pests (but does not like very wet ground) and

has a high mineral content including zinc, potassium and

copper.

Sowing rate 2 kg/acre


BORAGE Borage, also known as Starflower, is an annual herb, growing

to a height of 2-3 feet with bright blue flowers; there is also

a white flowered variation. The crop was traditionally

grown for culinary and medicinal uses, although the crop

is commercially grown today for its oil content.

Borage can be used in companion planting. If planted near

tomatoes it is said to improve the tomatoes’ flavour and

growth. The crop, because of its large leaves and succulent

growth, can be used as a green manure crop if sown in the

spring, the leaves providing an abundant source of easily

digestible material which will readily break down when

incorporated into the soil without reducing the mineral N

content within the soil structure.



YELLOW BLOSSOM CLOVERA biennial plant which can persist for several years due to

its self-regenerating properties. Owing to its sweet smell

and copious production of nectar it is highly attractive

to insects, which in turn attract game birds and wildlife.

Sowing with Kale will help to provide cover in the first

year, with the tall, woody-stemmed clover taking over in

the second year. Yellow Blossom Sweet Clover can thrive in

the poorest of soils and being leguminous and deep rooting

it is invaluable for improving soil structure and fertility.

Sowing rate 2.5 kg/acre


LINSEEDTraditionally grown for its oil, Linseed has become

popular in recent years as game cover and is particularly

attractive to partridge. It is an easy to grow crop and is

tolerant of many soil types, performing well on thinner

soils e.g. Cotswold Brash. Although not frost hardy it will

continue to provide cover and interest well into the winter

especially if sown as part of a mixture. It is also another

option where Brassica Sickness has been a problem.


Pack size 25kg Chinook treated

TRITICALEA wheat/rye hybrid cereal providing good cover and feed

in marginal low fertility areas where it will thrive with little

input. Useful in situations where maize and millet are not

options and where Brassica Sickness is a problem. Further

important advantages are its ability to withstand rabbit

attack, its winter hardiness and good disease resistance.

When sowing in the spring, a true spring type must be

used which does not require a period of vernalisation,

otherwise the plant will not produce grain.



GOLD OF PLEASURE - CAMELINAAnother crop well suited to poorer and nutrient deficient

soils. It is a fast maturing free-branching plant producing a

seed very attractive to birds, especially partridge. A useful

mixture for exposed areas is produced by combining

Gold of Pleasure with Triticale, Barley and Linseed.

See Partridge mix page 22.



QUINOA

Quinoa is capable of producing a plentiful amount of

seed and therefore is a popular choice of crop for holding

partridge and pheasants. Many species of seed-eating

song-birds are also attracted to the crop. Commonly

grown with Kale, the Quinoa provides cover and feed

until it begins to collapse in the first frosts with the Kale

providing more permanent cover. Useful as a break crop

where Brassica Sickness is a problem and Maize is not an

option.



Miscellaneous Crops20

Quinoa

21

Our range of game cover mixtures are

specially formulated to ensure you

will be able to achieve the best from

your cover crops. Combining different

species into a mixture can extend

the utilisation period, help to attract

and hold specific types of game and

provide feed and cover where both are

required.

However, there are sometimes

instances when none of the above will

fit the bill for one reason or another.

In these cases, specialised mixtures to

suit individual specific requirements

can be arranged.

OVERDRIVE

A superb combination of winter hardy cover provided by

the Kale and high quality feed provided by the Quinoa.

This mixture is excellent for holding birds.

1.25 kg Quinoa

1.25 kg Grüner Angeliter Kale

2.50 kg/acre

Sowing rate 2.5kg/acre

Pack size 2.5kg

LATE COVER MIXTURE

A rapidly establishing and maturing mixture providing

winter cover to the height of 2 - 3 feet. It is often used

as a patching crop where spring crops have failed. This

mixture will tolerate drought conditions.

3.00 kg Forage Rape

1.50 kg Stubble Turnips

0.35 kg Mustard

0.15 kg Fodder Radish

5.00 kg/acre



KWIK FIXThis is a flexible cover crop which can be used to patch

failed spring game covers. Mustard increases the cover

element and prolongs the cover period. This mixture will

not provide full season cover, but it is more winter hardy

than straight Mustard.

3.50 kg Fodder Radish

1.50 kg Mustard

5.00 kg/acre



Game Cover Mixtures

DEER LAWN MIXTUREA mixture blended to provide a wide and very diverse

blend of forage which will suit the needs of most deer

species found in the UK. The grasses will provide the

bulk of the forage, Meadow Foxtail being one of the

species particularly favoured by deer. The wide selection

of leguminous plants provides good levels of protein

and minerals adding variation and interest to the diet.

Mixtures such as these can be sown into cleared areas of

woodland where soil types and structures are not always

ideal and where deer may graze without disturbance.

38% Meadow Fescue

15% Timothy

15% Intermediate Perennial Ryegrasss (Diploid)

5% Late Perennial Ryegrasss (Diploid)

5% Smooth Stalk Meadow Grass

3% Black Medick

3% Lucerne Pre-inoculated

3% Sainfoin

2.5% Common Bent Grass

2.5% White Clover

2% Red Clover

2% Fenugreek

2% Perennial Chicory

1% Meadow Foxtail

1% Plantain

100%


Pack size 15kg

GENERAL PURPOSE REARING PEN MIX

A mixture of species which provides a perfect rearing/

release pen mixture. This mixture establishes rapidly

and forms a hardwearing sward which will withstand

intensive stocking. The legumes included will fix nitrogen

and attract insects.

3.00 kg Amenity Perennial Ryegrass

2.50 kg Late Perennial Ryegrass

2.00 kg Timothy

2.00 kg Meadow Fescue

2.00 kg Creeping Red Fescue

1.00 kg Birdsfoot Trefoil

0.50 kg White Clover

13.00 kg/acre


Pack size 13kg

DECOY GAME MIXTUREA combination of six small seed producing species

which will provide excellent cover and feed and will last

throughout the season. It is easy to sow and establish as

all the seeds are of similar size and offers an excellent

alternative to our Traditional Game Cover mixture.

Decoy mixture can be used in ELS as a Wild Bird Seed

Mixture option.

2.0kg Linseed (chinook treated)

2.0kg Buckwheat

1.5kg Red Millet

1.5kg White Millet

0.5kg Fodder Radish

0.5kg Mustard

8.00 kg/acre


Pack size 8kg

EF2 450 points per ha - See page 25

PARTRIDGE MIXTURE

A very hardy mixture that thrives on colder, poorer soils.

This mixture has an open canopy that encourages and

holds partridges and is useful as a break crop from Kale.

Partridge mixture can be used in ELS as a Wild Bird Seed

Mixture option.

12.50 kg Spring Triticale

7.50 kg Spring Barley

3.75 kg Linseed (chinook treated)

1.00 kg Gold of Pleasure

0.25 kg Kale

25.00 kg/acre


Pack size 25kg

EF2 450 points per ha - See page 25

Game Cover Mixtures22

Partridge MixDecoy Game Mix

Mr Paul Turnock, Pewit Hall October 2011

23

Mr John Murrie is involved in the agronomy, establishment and management of many successful shoots

in Angus.

TRADITIONALGAME COVER MIXTUREA traditional mixture of species specially selected for their

feed and cover qualities. This mixture is designed for a full

season of cover that will provide holding, feed and cover

for all game birds. The Sunflowers add an attractive splash

of colour. Due to the variance in seed size, broadcast to

achieve optimum establishment but ensure good seed/

soil contact so the treated seed is covered by harrowing

and rolling.

3.00 kg Game Maize

1.75 kg White Millet

1.50 kg Red Millet

1.50 kg Buckwheat

1.00 kg Kale

0.75 kg Sunflower

0.25 kg Mustard

0.25 kg Forage Rape

10.00 kg/acre


Pack size 10kg various treatments

NORTHERN STAR GAME MIXTURENorthern Star Game mixture is ideal for use in colder,

more exposed areas. This mixture will provide cover and

feed as well as being a haven for wildlife throughout the

season. The Triticale in the mixture is beneficial where

rabbit damage is a potential problem. It is advisable to sow

in wide rows to enable birds to have free access.

10.00 kg Triticale

7.00 kg Tic Beans

1.50 kg Forage Rape

1.00 kg Kale

0.50 kg Yellow Blossom Clover

20.00 kg/acre



FOUR TEN MIXThis mixture will provide cover and feed throughout

the season. Dwarf Sorghum will provide added warmth

and cover below the Maize. Both species have similar

husbandry techniques.

10.00 kg Game Maize

4.00 kg Dwarf Sorghum

14.00 kg/acre


Pack size 14kg Fungicide treated

SUNDOWNMIXTUREA carefully blended mixture of Game Cover Maize and

Sunflowers that combines the fantastic feeding potential

of both species. This mixture provides full season cover

and feed. It is not recommended for marginal areas.

11.50 kg Game Maize

1.50 kg Dwarf Sunflower

13.00 kg/acre


Pack size 13kg Fungicide treated

Traditional Game Cover Mixture Northern Star Mixture

e free accaccaccessessss. .

2011MIXTURE OF

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The Future of Our Countryside

Our countryside has always been a sight to behold, and those of us who spend our lives in this idyllic environment might just think that the overall appearance of the landscape could never be improved upon. We have had just a little over 11 years of Environmental Stewardship in one guise or another and whilst the overall views of what we see might not have changed greatly, time moves more slowly when nature is involved and there have been many improvements which to the naked eye are a little more difficult to discern. Farmers have gradually seen that high input farming in many instances is not always as profitable as first thought, and that a more considered view as to land management and animal husbandry does have its benefits. We need a vibrant, ecological countryside for mankind to continue its presence on this planet. However, man must be very careful not to indulge himself into making sweeping changes to the landscape as we know it. It has taken many thousands of years to evolve and has, during that process, given every species whether plant or animal the chance to evolve at its own pace and hence keep its place in the fragile structure of the planet.Many of the noble aims for the protection of our countryside need time to come to fruition; if we rush this, it will be at the expense of not only the countryside but also of its people. If we are to halt the advance of global warming then it is incumbent on every state to try somehow within the bounds of good husbandry and good environmental practice to produce sufficient food for its population. To consider the alternative of importing food as a means of protecting the countryside will add further strains on an already susceptible planet and will use up its natural resources far more rapidly; such remedies will just compound the problem. The forecast for world population increase will give rise to even further pressure on food production so we must proceed into the future with a measured step, one which will secure the countryside for future generations and one which will support its people.

The current Third Edition Entry Level Stewardship Environmental

plan for England which came into effect in February 2010 has made

a number of changes from the original scheme. These are : a new

Uplands ELS Strand, 2 options under Boundary features, 3 options

under Trees and woodland, 2 options under Buffer strips, 3 options

for Arable land and 5 options under Protection of soil and water.

In addition to this there are 2 amendments to the options for the

encouragement of crop types; these apply to 2 options in the old

scheme which have been upgraded for the improvement of a food

source for wild birds and a clarification of what can and cannot be

used under these headings.

Higher Level Stewardship has seen fewer amendments and it is just

the addition Management of high environmental ditches Section

HB14 which has now been included. Much if not all of HLS is

prescriptive and the Natural England advisors detail the requirements

for the protection or propagation of endangered species.

Organic ELS has similar new options as are agreed for the standard

ELS scheme. The only differences are 2 new options under Arable

and rotational land and 4 Options under Protection of soil and

water. Similarly the old options for wild bird mixtures and nectar

flower in grass land are amended.

To comply with the legislation within the schemes we have amended

a number of our standard mixtures. The various scenarios in which

they may be used and the mixture compositions for each selected

category can be seen on pages 25 - 27.

24

Environmental Stewardship

Mr Mark Wood, Herefordshire November 2011

25

Environmental Stewardship Selector

Mixture Options Straight Options

ELS & HLS Description Buffer Strip Mixtures Nectar Rich Mixtures Wild Bird Seed Mixtures Not Winter Hardy Winter Hardy

ELS

Code

CFE

ELS

Option

HLS

Code Description ELS

& H

LS

Poin

ts/h

a

BG

M 1

with

Coc

ksfo

ot

BG

M 2

no

Coc

ksfo

ot

BG

M 3

with

Coc

ksfo

ot &

Clo

ver

BG

M 4

with

Wild

flow

ers

BG

M 1

RC

BG

M 2

RC

SR

G S

peci

es

Ric

h G

rass

SR

G w

ith 1

5%

Wild

flow

ers

But

terfl

y &

Bum

bleb

ee M

ixtu

re

WF1

Polle

n &

Nec

tar

with

Gra

ss

Nec

tar

Ric

h

Bro

nze

Nec

tar

Ric

h

Gol

d

Dec

oy M

ixtu

re

Part

ridg

e M

ixtu

re

WB

S 1

WB

S 2

WB

S 3

Nor

ther

n W

BS

1

WB

A 1

Pha

celia

Mus

tard

Fodd

er R

adis

h

Vetc

h

Fora

ge R

ye

Bar

ley

Italia

n C

atch

Cro

p

Spr

ing

Oils

eed

Rap

e

Options for trees and woodland

EC24 HC24 Hedgerow tree buffer strips on cultivated land 400 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

Options for buffer strips

EE1 HE1 2m Buffer strips on cultivated land 300 ✓ ✓ ✓

EE2 HE2 4m Buffer strips on cultivated land 400 ✓ ✓ ✓

EE3 HE3 6m Buffer strips on cultivated land 400 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

EE8 HE8 Buffering in-field ponds in arable land 400 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

EE9 HE9 6m buffer strips on intensive grassland next to a watercourse 400 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

HE10 Floristically enhanced grass buffer strips (non-rotational) 485 ✓ ✓

Options for arable land

EF1 HF1 Management of field corners 400 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

EF2 HF2 Wild bird seed mixture 450 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

EF4 HF4 Nectar flower mixture 450 ✓ ✓

EF7 HF7 Beetle banks 580 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

EF22 Extended overwintered stubble 410 ✓ ✓ ✓

Options to encourage a range of crop types

EG1 HG1 Undersown spring cereals 200 Grass and legume mixture

Options to protect soil and water

EJ2 HJ2 Management of maize crops to reduce soil erosion 18 ✓

EJ9 HJ9 12m buffer strips for watercourses on culitvated land 400 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

EJ10 HJ10 Enhanced management of maize crops to reduce soil erosion & run off 94 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

EJ13 HJ13 Winter cover crops 65 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

DISCLAIMER Any Information provided in this table is given in good faith and to the best of our knowledge. If you would like any further advice please contact your local Natural England AdvisorCompatible with current CFE Schemes

Entry Level Stewardship table with options that are also available under Higher Level Stewardship Scheme

26

Environmental StewardshipMixture Options

BGM1 with Cocksfoot

20% Hard Fescue

20% Creeping Red Fescue

20% Cocksfoot

20% Timothy

20% Tall Fescue

100%

Sowing rate 20kg/ha

Pack size 20kg

BGM3 with

Cocksfoot and Clover

20% Hard Fescue


20% Timothy

15% Cocksfoot

15% Tall Fescue

5% Birdsfoot Trefoil

5% Small White Clover

100%

Sowing rate 20kg/ha

Pack size 20kg

BGM2 no Cocksfoot 20% Hard Fescue 20% Creeping Red Fescue 20% Chewings Fescue 20% Timothy

20% Tall Fescue

100%Sowing rate 20kg/ha

Pack size 20kg

BGM4 with Wildflowers 20% Meadow Fescue 15% Hard Fescue 10% SSMG 10% Creeping Red Fescue 8% Chewings Fescue 7% Common Bentgrass 7% Sainfoin 5% Crested Dogstail 5% Tall Oat Grass 3% Birdsfoot Trefoil 2.5% Black Medick 2% Meadow Foxtail 2% Red Clover 1.5% Ox-eye Daisy 1% Black Knapweed

1% Yarrow

100%Sowing rate 20kg/ha

Pack size 20kg

BGM 1 RC Red Clover

and Cocksfoot 20% Hard Fescue 20% Creeping Red Fescue 20% Timothy 20% Tall Fescue 15% Cocksfoot

5% Red Clover

100%

Sowing rate 20 kg/ha

Pack size 20kg

BGM 2 RC Red Clover

No Cocksfoot

20% Hard Fescue


20% Timothy

20% Chewings Fescue

15% Tall Fescue

5% Red Clover

100%

Sowing rate 20 kg/ha

Pack size 20kg

Species-Rich Wild

Flowers (SRGWF) 15% Ox-eye Daisy 15% Black Medick 10% Ribwort Plantain 10% Black Knapweed 10% Yellow Rattle 10% Meadow Buttercup 10% Self Heal 5% Yarrow 5% Common Sorrel 5% Red Campion 5% White Campion

100%

Sowing Rate variable

Species-Rich Grass

(SRG) 20% SSMG 20% Red Fescue 20% Meadow Fescue 20% Common Bentgrass 10% Sheeps Fescue

10% Hard Fescue

100%


Pack size 20kg

Pollen & Nectar with Grass

20% Meadow Fescue

10% Tall Oat Grass

10% Cocksfoot

10% Timothy

10% Tall Fescue

9% Sainfoin


6.5% Black Medick

6% Early English Winter Vetch

6% Alsike

3% Late Flowering Red Clover

1% Black Knapweed

0.5% Musk Mallow

100%

Sowing Rate 20kg/ha

Pack Size 10kg

Nectar Rich Bronze

50% Sainfoin


10.5% Alsike


8.5% Late Flowering Red Clover

3% White/Red Campion

100%

Sowing Rate 10kg/ha

Pack Size 10kg

Nectar Rich Gold

40% Sainfoin


10% Late Flowering Red Clover

10% Alsike


10% Lucerne (Inoculated)

2% Black Knapweed

1% Musk Mallow

100%

Sowing Rate - 10kg /ha

Pack Size 10kg

WF1

42% Sainfoin


11% Black Medick

11% Red Clover

6% Black Knapweed

6% Ox-eye Daisy

6% Yarrow

4% Red Campion

2% White Campion

100%


Pack Size 1kg

Butterfly & Bumblebee Mixture


15% Sheeps Fescue

10% Common Bent Grass

10% Hard Fescue

9% Smooth Stalked Meadow Grass

6% Lucerne (Inoculated)

5% Rough Stalked Meadow Grass

5% Yorkshire Fog

4% Kidney Vetch

3% Tufted Hair Grass


2% Phacelia

2% Agrimony


2% Ribwort Plantain

2% Devils Bit Scabious

2% Sheeps Sorrel

1.75% Red Clover

1% Wild Pansy

0.25% Common Nettle

100%


Pack Size 1kg

Buffer Strips Mixtures Nectar Rich Mixtures

nt Grass

ed Meadow Grass

culated)

d d

Butterfly & B

15% Creepin

10% Comm

10% Hard F

9% Smooth

6% Lucern

h

ebee Mixture

d Fescue

Bumble


15% Sheeps Fescue

10% Common Bent Grass

Fescue

h Stalke

ne (Inoc

lk d

WBS 1

1 Year Spring Sown

Attracts Tree Sparrow

50% Spring Triticale

30% Spring Barley

9% Linseed (chinook treated)

4% White Millet

3% Quinoa

3% Red Millet

1% Fodder Radish

100%

Sowing Rate 40kg/ha

Pack size 20kg

WBS 2

2 Year Spring Sown

Attracts Grey Partridge


30% Spring Barley

8% Kale

4% Quinoa

4% Fodder Radish

4% White Millet

100%

Sowing Rate 40kg/ha

Pack Size 20kg

WBS 3

1 Year Spring Sown

Attracts Finches & Buntings


25% Spring Barley

5% White Millet

5% Red Millet

5% Mustard

5% Fodder Radish

100%

Sowing Rate 40kg/ha

Pack size 20kg

WBA 1

1 Year Autumn Sown

40% Winter Triticale

30% Winter Barley

20% Winter Vetch

10% Winter Oilseed Rape

100%

Sowing Rate 40kg/ha

Pack Size 20kg Oilseeds

treated

Northern WBS1 (1 year)


30% Spring Barley

15% Linseed

(chinook treated)

4% Mustard

4% Spring Oilseed Rape

3% Quinoa

3% Phacelia

1% Fodder Radish

100%

Sowing Rate 40kg/ha

Pack size 20kg Oilseeds

treated

Partridge Mixture


30% Spring Barley

15% Linseed

(chinook treated)

4% Gold of Pleasure

1% Kale

100%


Pack size 25kg

Decoy Mixture

25% Linseed

(chinook treated)

25% Buckwheat

18.75% Red Millet

18.75% White Millet

6.25% Fodder Radish

6.25% Mustard

100%


Pack size 8kg

27

Wild Bird Seed Mixtures Organic Mixtures

Organic Wild Bird Seed Mixture

1 Year Spring Sown

65% Organic Triticale

15% Spring Barley

8% Kale

4% Quinoa

4% Fodder Radish

4% White Millet

100%

Sowing Rate 40kg/ha

Pack size 20kg

Organic Nectar Flower Mixture

30% Organic Early English Winter Vetch

25% Organic Lucerne (Inoculated)

20% Sainfoin

10% Organic Red Clover

7.5% Birdsfoot Trefoil

7.5% Alsike

100%

Sowing Rate – 10kg/ha

Pack Size 10kg

RSPB - Steps to support your farmland birds.

If you want to see genuine wildlife benefits from your

agri-environment scheme, as well as the income, then the

Farmland Bird Package is the best model to follow on your

arable land. Healthy farmland bird populations could be

achieved by managing as little as 3-4% of arable farmland

for them by creating high quality habitats. The three essential requirements

you can provide are a wealth of seeds, insects and safe nesting habitat.

A potential new option to benefit farmland birds on farms dominated by

improved grassland is to allow ryegrass to set seed in the summer. This

option should be available in schemes in England in the future, and is

currently being trialled in Wales and Northern Ireland.

For advice and information contact your local RSPB advisor and sign

up to the RSPB farming e-newsletter at www.rspb.org.uk/farming or

e-mail [email protected] with your specific requirements.

Bir

d P

ho

tos

by

Tim

Mar

low

28

Make the Most of Environmental Stewardship

Natural England is here to conserve and enhance the natural environment, for its intrinsic value, the well-being and enjoyment of people and the economic prosperity that it brings.

Environmental Stewardship has a proven track record of helping farmers deliver a range of environmental benefits on their land. Scheme options that require seed mixes include pollen and nectar strips and wildflower mixtures to encourage pollinating insects and other beneficial wildlife, grassland mixes to help conserve soil and water and forage mixes for farmland birds. Other options can protect the historic environment of your farm, help restore traditional meadows and pastures and help adapt and mitigate the effects of climate change.

Why your farm is important

for farmland birds and wildlife

Farmers and the farming community play a vital role in reversing the fortunes of farmland birds and wildlife across England. The land management skills and knowledge that farmers use to run their farm businesses are crucial to this. Farmland birds and wildlife need your continued help and expertise.The birds on your farm are a good indicator of the overall health of biodiversity, as they sit high up the food chain. If bird populations are doing well then it indicates that the plants and insects on which they feed are thriving too. Research and past experience of schemes shows that farmland bird populations can respond positively and quickly when these simple measures are put in place across the farmed landscape. These measures can work alongside existing farm practices and fit within the needs of your farming business.

Making a difference

Through the use of Environmental Stewardship, or voluntary options of the Campaign for the Farmed Environment (CFE), a number of simple management measures can be put in place that will make a huge difference to farmland birds and wildlife.For instance, by adopting the Farmland Bird Package you will provide the three main things needed by farmland birds to survive and thrive: winter bird seed, nesting habitat, and spring chick feed source. If you provide the following three things per 100 hectares of arable farmland, then farmland birds will thrive on your farm:

1. Nesting Habitat. For example, 20 skylark plots per 100 hectares of arable land would halt the decline of skylarks, and lapwings would benefit greatly from a 1 hectare fallow plot.

2. Winter Seed Food. For example, overwintering of stubbles, or using wild bird seed mixtures in cases where farming policy is unable to allow for this, would provide food during the winter and early spring.

3. Summer Insect Food. For example, using nectar-rich flower mixtures to provide insect-rich habitats across the farm, vital to many birds during the breeding season.

The benefits of Environmental

Stewardship

Regular farm income:Financial incentives are available through Entry Level Stewardship (ELS) to provide a 6 monthly income for environmentally friendly land management that supports farmland birds and wildlife.

Realise the wildlife potential of less productive areas:Make awkward corners, small fields and wet areas of farms work better by entering them into ELS options. The least productive areas of a farm are often (with the correct management) the best for birds and wildlife.

Contribute to climate change mitigation:Those options which involve creating grass buffers and field corners in arable fields will lead to reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. This is due to reduced nutrient inputs and increased temporary carbon storage within the created grassland.

Need further help and information?To arrange a farm visit

from an adviser or book

on to a farm event in your

region, please contact:

Natural EnglandTel: 0300 060 1695

Email: [email protected]

www.naturalengland.org.uk/farmevents

For further information on Environmental

Stewardship and to apply for any of the

schemes:

Tel: 0300 060 0011

www.naturalengland.org.uk/es

Campaign for the

Farmed Environment

Tel: 024 7685 8892

Email: [email protected]

www.cfeonline.org.uk

Our Stewardship mixtures are planted at Hailes Farm Gloucestershire to be used for training days

29

Higher Level Stewardship

Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) will be combined with

Entry Level Stewardship (ELS) or Organic Entry Level

Stewardship (OELS) options and aims to deliver significant

environmental benefits in high priority situations and

areas. HLS is discretionary and concentrates on the more

complex types of management, where land managers

need advice and support and where agreements need to

be tailored to local circumstances.

The five primary aims of Higher Level Stewardship are:

• Wildlife conservation

• Maintenance and enhancement of landscape quality

and character

• Natural resource protection

• Protection of the historic environment

• Promotion of public access and understanding of

the countryside

There are two secondary objectives where spin off benefits

are sought from management designed to achieve the five

primary aims. These are:

• Flood management

• Conservation of genetic resources

The majority of sections which will involve the use of sown seed will be advised by the Natural England project officers, who will design mixtures to promote the particular environmental object which has been identified as being in need of protection, or of improvement or replacement, so as to redress the balance within the environment.

The options which come into this will be found in the sections that follow.

HE, HF & HG Options for arable land which include

Floristically enhanced margins, Enhanced wild bird plots,

low input scenarios, Brassica over wintered stubbles and

options for the re-creation of a more varied arable mosaic.

HJ Options for Soil and water protection, which includes

reversion mixtures for erosion prevention and this can be

coupled to a low fertiliser input version. The prevention of

soil erosion is a major part of the environmental concept;

this prevents the blocking of water channels and in high

fertiliser input situations helps to reduce the leaching of

nitrates into major water courses.

HK Options are broken down into three basic sections,

Species Rich and Semi Natural Grasslands, The

management of Wet Grasslands and the Management of

Grassland for target species.

HK6, HK7 & HK8 Options cover the maintenance,

restoration and creation of species rich semi-natural

grassland. The creation of such habitats is usually

prescriptive and it is always worth asking if there are

options within the plant species required because of

seasonal problems with native production.

HK9, HK10, HK11, HK12, HK13 & HK14 are options

for wet grassland beneficial to wading birds and wildfowl.

Once again the maintenance, restoration and creation of

these habitats are covered by the above options.

HK15, HK16, HK17 are options for the management of

grassland for target species. This covers the maintenance

of existing grasslands, the restoration of grasslands and

the creation of new grassland for specific target species.

HK18 provides a haymaking supplement which if to be

beneficial to stock may have to be created and this may

lead to an opportunity to use a more traditional mixture,

based on the less aggressive grass species such as fescue,

meadow grasses, timothy and some older native species.

HE11 option for target species on intensive grassland is

used to provide additional wildlife habitat by managing

buffer strips in intensive grass leys. Management involves

using a specified seed mixture of wildflowers and grasses

and is tailored to each site based on the species targeted.

The HLS Scheme is in the main prescriptive as we have

mentioned before, especially where the need for new

established grass or legumes is concerned. Many of the

species of plants used in the ELS scheme will also be

used in the higher scheme. For this reason we have ‘for

your help and guidance’ included wherever possible

dual references within our tables as we feel this will help

simplify some of the possible options.

JPF Clay Farms, Herefordshire November 2011

30

Stewardship Schemes for Scotland

Scotland Rural Development Programme

The SRDP is the Scottish Government’s umbrella

programme providing grant funding for the rural areas. It

is a £1.6 billion programme of economic, environmental

and social measures designed to develop rural Scotland

over the period 2007 – 2013. The programme brings

together a wide range of formerly separate support

schemes including those covering the farming, forestry

and primary processing sectors, rural enterprises and

business development, diversification and rural tourism.

The main emphasis of the SRDP is on:

• Improving business viability and competitiveness

• Enhanced landscape and biodiversity

• Improved water quality

• Adaptations to mitigate climate change

• Supporting thriving rural communities

These funding measures will be delivered through

the following schemes and initiatives:

• Rural Development Contracts (RDC)

- Land Managers Options (RDC-LMO)

- Rural Priorities (RDC-RP)

• Various other grants covering Crofting, Food

Processing and Co-operation, Forestry, Skill

development, the LEADER initiative and Less

Favoured Areas

Rural Development Contracts (RDC) - Land Manager Options (LMO)

This is a non-competitive scheme open to land managers

in Scotland who are registered with the Integrated

Administration and Control Scheme (IACS) and have a

business reference number. There is no approval process,

but each participant will have a maximum annual

allowance based on the area of land they manage. The

LMO scheme replaces the Land Managers Contract Menu

Scheme which was introduced in 2005. There are 22

options available with this scheme, 2 of which are relevant

to this seed catalogue.

Wild Bird Seed Mix / Unharvested Crop

Option 9 5 Year

This option provides support for the practice of leaving

areas unharvested over the winter after spring sowing a

mixture of seed bearing crops. These areas provide both

cover and feeding areas for wild birds. Either-

1. Spring sow a mixture of annual crops, including at

least one cereal, which will provide seed for the targeted

species and do not plough down until after 15 March the

following year.

Mixture Option:

Northern WBS 1

Sowing Rate 40kg/ha

OR

2. Spring sow a mixture of at least two crops, one of

which must seed in the first year and one in the second, e.g.

Kale. Plough in after 15 March following last seeding year.

Mixture Option:

Northern WBS 2

Sowing Rate 40kg/ha

Management of Grass Margins and Beetlebanks in

Arable Fields Option 14 5 Year

This option will encourage the creation of grass strips in

and around arable fields to benefit biodiversity and water

quality. Grass strips can serve a dual purpose of reducing

soil erosion and supporting wildlife. Insects overwinter

on grass strips and they can provide food and cover for

birds and small mammals.

Sow a suitable mixture of grass seed with at least one

nectar producing species. Strips should be between 1.5m

– 6.0m in width.

Mixture Option:

BGM 1RC - with Red Clover and Cocksfoot

Sowing Rate 20kg/ha

OR

Mixture Option:

BGM 2RC - with Red Clover, but No Cocksfoot

Sowing Rate 20kg/ha

OR

Mixture Option:

BGM 3 - with White Clover and Birdsfoot Trefoil

Sowing rate 20kg/ha

Wild Bird Seed Mix/ Unharvested Crop

Axis 2 Option 2 5 Year

This option provides support for the practice of leaving

areas unharvested over the winter after spring sowing a

mixture of seed bearing crops. These areas provide both

cover and feeding areas for wild birds. Either:

1. Spring sow a mixture of annual crops, including at least

one cereal, which will provide seed for the targeted species and

do not plough down until after 15 March the following year.

Mixture Option: Northern WBS 1 Sowing Rate 40kg/ha

2. Spring sow a mixture of at least two crops, one of which

must seed in the first year and one in the second, e.g. Kale.

Plough in after 15 March following last seeding year.

Mixture Option: Northern WBS 2 Sowing Rate 40kg/ha

This option in the RP section is exactly the same as in the LMO section.

Grass Margins and Beetlebanks


You must establish a grass margin strip (between 1.5m

and 6m in width) by sowing a suitable mix of grass seed,

including at least one species of a nectar-rich plant such as

red clover.

Mixture Option: BGM1 RC, BGM2 RC or BGM 3

Sowing Rate 20kg/ha

Creation and Management of Species-Rich Grassland


The aim of this option is to convert arable ground to

species- rich grassland. This option has been split for 2012.

Option A for wildlife

The wildlife option requires at least 15% mixed native wild

flowers with 85% non aggressive fine leaved grasses

Mixture Option: Option A use mixture SRG + WF

Sowing Rate: 20 kg/ha

Mixture Option: Option B for Bees, Moths, Butterflies

and other Invertebrates. This is a much more prescriptive

option, so please contact our Scottish office at Leith.

Arable Reversion to Grassland


The grassland must be established by sowing a suitable mix

of grass seed, which should include one or more species

of nectar- feeding plants, such as red clover, into a sterile

seed bed. A normal medium to long term grass ley mixture

would be suitable, provided that it has a component of

seeds of flowering plants. Examples of nectar plants are red

clover, knapweed, ox-eye daisy, yarrow and common vetch.

Mixture Option: BGM1 RC or BGM 2 RC or any

standard mix + 5% Red Clover

31

Species-Rich Grass

and Wildflower Mixtures

Minimum 15% Wildflower inclusion

Species-Rich Wild Flowers

(SRGWF) 15% Ox-eye Daisy 15% Black Medick 10% Ribwort Plantain 10% Black Knapweed 10% Yellow Rattle 10% Meadow Buttercup 10% Self Heal 5% Yarrow 5% Common Sorrel 5% Red Campion 5% White Campion

100%

Species-Rich Grass (SRG) 20% SSMG 20% Red Fescue 20% Meadow Fescue 20% Common Bentgrass 10% Sheeps Fescue 10% Hard Fescue

100%

Grass Margin/ Beetlebank

Mixtures

BGM 1 RC Red Clover

and Cocksfoot

20% Hard Fescue 20% Creeping Red Fescue 20% Timothy 20% Tall Fescue 15% Cocksfoot 5% Red Clover

100%

Sow at 20 kg/ha

BGM 2 RC Red Clover

No Cocksfoot 20% Hard Fescue 20% Creeping Red Fescue 20% Timothy 20% Chewings Fescue 15% Sheeps Fescue

5% Red Clover

100%

Sow at 20 kg/ha

Scottish Mixtures 2012Rural Development Contracts (RDC) – Rural Priorities (RP)

Northern WBS1 (1 year)


30% Spring Barley

15% Linseed (Chinook)

3% Quinoa

4% Mustard

4% Spring Oilseed Rape

3% Phacelia

1% Fodder Radish

100%

Sowing Rate 40kg/ha

Pack size 20kg Oilseeds treated

Northern WBS 2 (2 year)


30% Spring Barley

10% Kale

10% Quinoa

5% Red Clover

5% Sweet Clover

100%

Sowing Rate 40kg/ha

Pack size 20kg

Northern WBS 2

- Non cereal

This small seed mixture

without cereals has been

formulated for those who

have access to home grown

cereals and therefore only

require the small seed

element of WBS2.

33% Kale

33% Quinoa

17% Red Clover

17% Sweet Clover

100%

Sowing Rate 5kg/ac

Pack size 5kg

Northern Wild Bird Mixtures

These WBS mixtures are recommended for those parts of

the country where more frost hardy species are required

and species such as millet are less likely to survive.

See pages 26 & 27 for

other mixtures BGM3,

WBS1, WBS2 and

WBS3 as per England

These mixtures have been designed after consultation with both

RSPB Scotland and the Bumble Bee Conservation Trust.

Glastir is the new All-Wales Agri-

Environment Scheme being introduced

by the Welsh Assembly Government. It

is a 5 year whole farm sustainable land

management scheme available to farmers

and land managers across Wales. From

2012, Glastir will replace the four existing

agri-environment schemes, Tir Gofal,

Tir Cynnal, Tir Mynydd and the Organic

Farming Schemes.

Glastir will ensure that future environmental challenges can be met by:

• combating climate change

• improving water management

• maintaining and enhancing biodiversity

It is designed to deliver measurable outcomes at both a farm and landscape level in a cost effective way.

Glastir consists of three elements:

• All-Wales Element (AWE) - a whole farm land management scheme which is open to

application from all farmers and land managers throughout Wales. It is designed to provide

support for the delivery of environmental benefits that meet today’s challenges and priorities.

Successful applicants will make a commitment to deliver environmental goods for five years

under a legally binding contract.

• Targeted Element (TE) – a part farm scheme intended to deliver significant improvements to

the environmental status of a range of habitats, species, soils and water that might also require

changes to current agricultural practices. In order to achieve these specific improvements and

outcomes, financial support from the Welsh Government will be targeted at locations where

action will lead to the required result.

• Common Land Element (CLE) - designed to provide support for the delivery of environmental

benefits on common land.

There is also an additional funding source for an Agricultural Carbon Reduction and Efficiency Scheme (ACRES)

available to farmers who have a contract under the All-Wales Element.

32

Glastir Welsh Environmental Scheme

Option 32 Plant unsprayed root crops on improved grass and arable land

• White Turnips - see Stubble Turnip varieties

and Green Globe Turnips on page 35

• Soft yellow turnips

• Hardy yellow turnips

• Swedes - see page 38

• Fodder beet - see page 37

Option 33 Establish a wildlife cover crop on improved grass and arable land

For mixture options see WBS 1, WBS 2 and

WBS 3 on page 27, Partridge Mix page 22

These mixtures are designed to provide

both nesting sites and a food source for

overwintering birds such as Tree Sparrow,

Finches, Buntings, Skylark, Grey Partridge,

Yellow Hammer and Barn Owl.

Forage Root Crops Selector

Forage root crops provide an extremely

cost effective way of supplementing

livestock rations during times when

fodder may be scarce, during dry spells

in summer and the cold winter months.

They will supply substantial quantities

of palatable material at relatively low

production costs, balancing the amount

of bought-in feed required.

33

DISCLAIMER These tables are given in good faith and intended for general guidance only. Weather, local conditions and crop rotations must always be taken into account.

ICON KEY

CropPage No.

Pack Size

Average Sowing Rate kg per Acre Sowing Date

GuideUtilisation

Period

Average Drill

Depth cm

Average Row

Width cm


Fertiliser (kg) ha


Forage Rape 345kg & 25kg

4 2.5May - end of September

July to December 1 - 2 n/a 20 40 40

Stubble Turnip 355kg & 25kg

3 2April - mid September

June to December 1 - 2 n/a 75 40 40

Main Crop Turnip 35 1kg 2 1 - 1.5 May - JulyOctober to February

1 - 2 n/a 40 80 100

Kale 36 1kg 3 1 - 2 April -July September to March 1 - 2 50 100 50 120

Fodder Beet 371 acre

(50,000 seeds)

-Precision drill

50,000 seed/acreMarch - May October to March 2.5 - 3 50 - 60 110 50 50

Swede 38500g

& 1kg2

Precision drill 150-350g/acre grade H

Direct drill 1April - June August to March 1 - 2

45 - 70 graded

40 natural40 80 100

Rapid Root Mixture 39 5kg 2.5 2.5Mid April - mid

SeptemberJuly to December 1 - 2 n/a 60 50 50

Winter Graze Mixture 39 5kg 2.5 2.5Mid July - mid

SeptemberPost Christmas

grazing1 - 2 n/a 60 50 50

LIFTINGSHEEP

GRAZING

Stock should be introduced gradually over a two week period and an area of grassland should be available for animals to return to; water, hay or straw should also be made available. Please contact your supplier for further guidance.

CULINARY USE

CATTLEGRAZING

34

Forage Rape

EMERALD

A rapidly establishing, medium-to-tall, palatable variety

with above average dry matter yields and good general

disease resistance.

Pack Size 5kg & 25kg untreated


AKELA ORGANIC FORAGE RAPEWidely grown in Europe, Akela is a leafy, palatable plant

with high protein content, high dry matter yield and good

winter hardiness. It is another very late flowering variety

which performs well whether sown for summer, autumn

or winter use.

Pack Size 25kg untreated organic seed

SPARTA FORAGE RAPEwith good clubroot tolerance

Another new introduction to our portfolio, Sparta is a

high yielding, late flowering rape with the huge advantage

of having clubroot tolerance, enabling it be sown where

clubroot is a problem and there are no alternative sowing

sites. Its late flowering habit allows for sowing flexibility

offering an extension to the feeding period. As with other

forage rapes, it matures ten to twelve weeks after sowing.


GREENLAND FORAGE RAPEwith good aphid tolerance

Greenland is a versatile, high yielding rape of medium

height, suitable for all stock types. Very late flowering, it is

a leafy, palatable plant with aphid tolerance, maturing ten

to twelve weeks after sowing. Spring sown, it will provide

summer/autumn grazing with the scope for regrowth for

winter; sown from late summer/autumn it will provide late

autumn/winter grazing. This flexibility of sowing times

means that the crop can be more effectively managed with

usage taking place when feeding value is at its highest.


ZOOM BRASSICA MIXTURE

A blend of Winfred Hybrid Brassica and Forage

Rape. This is a very vigorous and quick growing

mixture which is ideal for replacing failed crops or

patching spring sown crops. High seedling vigour

gives a reliable establishment of a high leaf to stem

ratio crop with carefully selected varieties that have

good disease and bolting resistance.

Pack size 5kg.

Cruiser Flea Beetle Treatment

Forage Rape has the advantage of

being a very fast growing crop, suitable

for grazing by sheep or cattle. An ideal

catch crop for boosting midsummer

forage production for livestock farmers

when planted in the spring, it is suitable

for fattening lambs in the autumn/winter.

Forage Rape extends the grazing season

in the autumn and is superb for flushing

ewes.

Forage Rape can be mixed with Stubble

Turnips and Kale to combine the benefits

of these crops (see page 39).

Forage Rape Yield and Feed Quality

Average dry matter yield 3.5 tonnes/ha

Average fresh yields 24 - 35 tonnes/ha

Dry matter 12 - 14%

Crude protein 19 - 20% (mainly leaves)

Digestibility value 65D

Metabolisable energy 10 - 11 MJ/kg DM


Stubble turnips are a fast growing

catch crop, popular with livestock farmers.

They may be sown after first cut silage for

summer grazing or after winter cereals

for autumn usage. When planting a large

acreage it is advisable to stagger sowing

dates, increasing the seed rate in dry

conditions. If using for dairy cow grazing

it is important to take into consideration

the distance between the field and the

milking parlour. Strip grazing is advisable

if possible to limit wastage.

There are two types of stubble turnip:

bulbing (see Barkant and Vollenda) and

non bulbing (see Tyfon)

BARKANTA winter hardy, highly digestible variety with high dry

matter. This is a proven and reliable stubble turnip.

Pack sizes 5kg & 25kg untreated

VOLLENDA (Tetraploid)A large leafed, highly digestible variety with good

early vigour and good disease resistance. It retains its

palatability throughout the season, and is noted for its

yield, speed of growth and bolting resistance.

Pack sizes 5kg & 25kg untreated

TYFON

A leafy, fast growing cross between Chinese Cabbage and

Stubble Turnip, producing 50 plus tonnes per hectare. It

exhibits high frost resistance and can be utilised within

eight to ten weeks after sowing. There is potential for

regrowth.

Pack size 5kg seed treatment Thiram

Later maturing than Stubble Turnips

with a higher dry matter and better

winter hardiness. They have a growing

period of 12 - 15 weeks.

GREEN GLOBEGreen Globe turnips produce soft easily eaten roots that

are well anchored into the ground, suitable for grazing by

all types of stock. They will provide a very high fresh yield

from large bulbs and are utilised between October and

February, preferably strip grazed to reduce waste.

Pack size 1kg

Sow Late May to July

Sowing rate Drill 1-1.5kg/acre Broadcast 2kg/acreStubble Turnip Yield and Feed Quality

Average dry matter yield 3.5 - 4 tonnes/ha

Average fresh yields 38 – 40 tonnes/ha

Dry matter 8 - 9%

Crude protein 17 - 18% (mainly leaves)

Digestibility value 68 - 70%

Metabolisable energy 11MJ/kg DM

So

urc

e: N

IAB

Variety Barkant Vollenda(T) Tyfon

Relative Yield of Dry Matter 104 102 102

Dry Matter Content (%) 9.5 9.7 8.9

Root Size (9=large 1=small) 4 5 2

Root Anchorage (9=good 1=poor) 5 4 6

Bolting Resistance (early sown) (9=good 1=poor) 6 9 3

Winter Hardiness (9=good 1=poor) 7 7 5

Club Root (9=good 1=poor) 7 8 5

Powdery Mildew Resistance (9=good 1=poor) 5 5 3

Turnips

Bulbing types Non Bulbing types Main Crop Turnip

35

36

Kales

Kale is a brassica traditionally grown

for grazing by cattle in the autumn and

winter. It can also be cut and fed to stock

‘in house’ or as an alternative can be

ensiled as big bale kaleage. Kale is very

useful as it can extend the grazing season.

It is advisable to alternate sowing dates

to ensure it does not over-mature. It is

very adaptable and can grow on most sites

throughout the UK. Kale can also be used

as game cover (See page 14).

Pack size: 1 kg untreated

Variety Maris Kestrel (Control)

Gruner Angeliter

Thousand Head Keeper

Dry Matter Yield 100 111 90 80

Height cm 65 80 78 60

GRÜNER ANGELITERA very high yielding variety with good winter hardiness

and excellent feeding quality with fresh yields 15%

higher than Caledonian Kale and 10% higher than

Bittern in German trials. Grüner Angeliter has been

the mainstay forage variety of Kale in New Zealand for

many years and since its recent introduction to the UK

has become equally popular over here.

THOUSAND HEADThousand Head is a slender stemmed variety bearing leafy foliage with very high D value and dry matter content. It has excellent winter hardiness providing forage for feeding after Christmas.

SOVEREIGNSovereign is a medium-tall forage kale with excellent yield potential and is the leading variety in New Zealand. Being late flowering and with a good leaf-to-stem ratio, the variety has the potential to maintain good quality production over a longer usage period. Sovereign does not produce the large thick stems common to giant kales even at lower plant densities, therefore increasing palatability.

Dry Matter yield is a percentage of Maris Kestrel • Source: 2010 DLF Trifolium Ltd trial at Hailes Farm, Gloucestershire.

Kale Yield and Feed Quality

Average dry matter yield 8 - 10 tonnes/ha

Average fresh yields 60 – 65 tonnes/ha

Dry matter 14 - 16%

Crude protein 16 - 17% fresh,

19 - 25% ensiled


Metabolisable energy 10 - 11 MJ/kg DM

Grüner Angeliter

OUTSTANDING FORAGE PRODUCT OF THE YEAR

Mr Chris Goodfellow, Chelford, Cheshire October 2011

n

d

k

e

y

2011PRODUCT OF

THE YEAR

★ O

U

TSTANDING

★

EVALUATI

NG

FOR

2013

Fodder Beet is grown as a main root crop, which requires similar husbandry to sugar beet. It can produce substantial yields of high quality fodder and is an excellent supplement to grass silage. The roots are very palatable to stock and have superb feed quality. Specialist harvesting equipment is required to lift the roots and storage is required unless they are strip grazed in situ.

Medium dry matter varieties tend to have a higher percentage of root above ground and can be lifted with a top lifter and therefore have a relatively low dirt tare. These highly palatable roots can be fed whole to stock. High dry matter varieties tend to sit further in the ground and require a sugar beet harvester to lift them. Due to the higher dirt tare and hardness of the root, these varieties may need to be chopped and washed before feeding. After wilting, the tops may be fed to stock and can contribute a further yield of 3-4 tonnes of protein-rich dry matter per

hectare.

Pack size - 50,000 seeds per acre

Seed Treatment - Mesurol, Force Magna, Gaucho and limited untreated seed available

Fodder Beets

ALPES

The ultimate fodder beet variety from the world leading DLF Trifolium plant breeding programme. It has exceptional all round characteristics and is notably the highest yielding, cleanest fodder beet available, thus ensuring less waste and more profit. Alpes benefits from large top size and has 33% of its yellow root above ground which allows for easy lifting. Good resistance to bolting.

MAGNUMMagnum has a consistent root

size and reliable high dry matter yields. It is a very palatable variety therefore increasing appetite and dry matter intake in all stock. Higher dry matter fodder beet has been shown to increase milk yield and daily live weight gain. Due to its high dry matter content it is more frost resistant than other varieties with a high proportion of clean, white root in the ground.

KYROS

A very consistent, high yielding variety producing a clean, highly palatable and easily digestible yellow root at harvest. Kyros will provide a high energy feed whole or chopped.

TROYA

High yields of medium dry matter content. Very good establishment and bolting resistance with 62% of its yellow root in the ground, ensuring clean, easy lifting.

Fodder Beet Yield and Feed Quality



Dry matter 12 - 19%

Crude protein 12 - 13%


Metabolisable energy 12.5 - 13.5MJ/kg DM

Source: NIAB

Variety Alpes Magnum Kyros Troya

Clean dry matter yield (100=15.2t/ha) 107 107 99 103

As field fresh yield (100=100.4t/ha) 105 96 100 100

Dry matter content (%) 17.3 19.3 16.8 17.5

Establishment (9=good 1=poor) 6.9 7.4 7 6.9

Bolting (%) 0.3 0.1 0.2 0.6

Top size (9=large 1=small) 7.1 6.5 7.2 6.0

% of Root in ground 67 78 67 62

Cleanliness (9=best 1=worst) 7 6.4 6.7 6.6

Rust (9=best 1=worst) 6 4 4 6

Ramularia (9=best 1=worst) n/a 7 4 5

Root Colour Yellow White Yellow Yellow

37

Specialist Fodder BeetsNew types of fodder beet are being bred and evaluated by DLF Trifolium Ltd for high dry matter content stock feed and for biogas production. Some of these new varieties will have Rhizomania tolerance, so will be suitable for growing in the east of the country where sugar beet is an important crop, as well as in the west and other areas.

38

Swedes

Swedes are a full season root crop which are mainly fed in situ;

but can also be lifted and stored in a clamp. They do best in areas

of high rainfall, so are generally grown in the more northerly and

western areas of the UK. Swedes also need good soil conditions

and good drainage as they are sensitive to poor drainage; they do

best in soils with a ph of approximately 6.5. Varieties are generally

classed as fodder or culinary types; however there are some dual

purpose types.

All natural seed is packed in 1 kg packs

Thiram and Sepiret treated

All graded seed is packed in 0.5 kg packs

Cruiser Flea Beetle treated for culinary use

AIRLIE

Airlie is a low to medium dry matter variety with a very high fresh yield and good disease resistance. It is a dual purpose variety suitable for fodder and culinary use with purple skin and creamy white flesh. Airlie is

an early to intermediate use variety.

MARIAN

Marian is a medium dry matter variety with moderate resistance to Club Root. It is a dual purpose variety suitable for fodder and culinary use with yellow coloured flesh and purple skin.

RUTA OTOFTE

Ruta Otofte is a medium dry matter variety with good Mildew resistance. It is a dual purpose variety suitable for fodder and culinary use with purple skin and cream coloured flesh. Ruta Otofte is a popular variety

with sheep farmers.

KENMORE

Kenmore is an early maturing variety with medium dry matter, best suited as stock feed not culinary use. It has good winter hardiness which means it has a very wide utilisation window. Kenmore has bronze skin with white flesh.

Variety Airlie Marian Ruta Otofte Kenmore

Forage

Culinary

Root shape (9=globe 1=tankard) 5 4 5

Skin colour Light purple Purple Dark purple Bronze

Flesh colour Creamy white Yellow Cream WhiteSwede Yield and Feed Quality



Dry matter 9 - 13%

Crude protein 10 - 11%


Metabolisable energy 12.8 - 13.1 MJ/kg DM

Spacings Row Width

18” 20” 22” 24” 26” 28”

Spacings 2” 174 157 143 131 121 112

Spacings 3” 116 105 95 87 80 75

Spacings 4” 87 78 71 65 60 56

Spacings 5” 70 63 57 52 48 45

Spacings 6” 58 52 48 44 40 37

(For seed size grade H (1.75 - 2.00mm) 1000 seed weight grade H approx 3.2g)

Seed Rate Calculator Guide - No. of Seeds X 1000

39

Root Mixtures

The following two catch crop mixtures

combine the benefits of Stubble

Turnips and Forage Rape, excellent for

fattening lambs during autumn and

winter and providing winter keep for

all stock. These mixtures have been in

great demand over recent years and

the results from stock utilisation have

been excellent.

Packed in 5kg packs untreated

Sow 2.5kg/acre

RAPID ROOT (pre December use)

The Forage Rape element of this mixture ensures quick

establishment and high protein yields, whilst the Stubble

Turnips provide energy and stockholding capacity. The

mixture is ideal for fattening stock and will provide

grazing from July through to December. Sow mid April

- mid September

60% Forage Rape

35% Stubble Turnip

5% Kale

100%

WINTER GRAZE (post Christmas use)

A mixture of palatable, proven varieties ideal for

sowing after winter cereals. The mixture is suitable for

post Christmas grazing as it exhibits very good winter

hardiness, which is improved by the addition of the Kale.

Sow mid July - mid September

60% Barkant Stubble Turnip

35% Forage Rape

5% Kale

100%

Arable Silage Mixtures offer an alternative or additional feed to grass or maize silage and are particularly suitable for farmers wishing to increase their levels of home-produced protein and reduce their reliance on purchased feed and fertiliser. They produce a cost-effective, high quality forage of consistent quality and palatability, with high yields of dry matter even in dry seasons and cold weather. They can be self-fed from the silage-face or as bales and their early harvest allows for earlier drilling of other autumn combinable crops or reseeding of grass.

All mixtures are available packed in 250kg or 500kg bags and are untreated.

The suggested sowing rate for all mixtures is 60 - 90kg per acre. Book early to avoid disappointment.

Root Mixtures & Arable Silage

CONVENTIONAL MIXTURES

Arable Silage Pea & Barley No1

65% Spring Peas

35% Spring Barley

Arable Silage No2

40% Spring Peas

30% Spring Barley

30% Spring Oats

Arable Silage No3

35% Spring Barley

30% Spring Oats

25% Spring Peas

10% Spring Vetches

ORGANIC MIXTURES

65% Organic Pea & Barley No1 (Limited)

30% Organic Spring Peas

35% Organic Spring Barley

35% Spring Peas

65% Organic Arable Silage No2

35% Spring Peas


30% Organic Spring Oats

5% Organic Spring Peas

65% Organic Arable Silage No3


30% Organic Spring Oats

25% Spring Peas

10% Spring Vetches


Green Manuring can bring many

advantages to the farmer by adding organic matter to the

soil, increasing biological activity, improving soil structure,

reducing erosion, increasing the supply of nutrients

available to plants (particularly by adding nitrogen to the

system by fixation), reducing leaching, weed suppression

and so on. There are some disadvantages and whilst these

are few they should also be noted - lost opportunities for

cash cropping, exacerbated pest and disease problems

(green bridge effect), and the potential for green manures

to become weeds in their own right. These problems can

be overcome with thought and measured usage, and the

benefits to future crops cannot be dismissed lightly.

Green manures not only improve soil status, composition

and nutrient balance but provide a basis for a more

environmentally friendly approach to modern farming.

We need to focus our minds on the twin problems of high

artificial fertiliser prices and the soil’s need for basic nutrients

with these being available in a more sustainable form.

A wide range of plants species can be used as green

manures. Different crops bring different benefits and the

final choice is influenced by many considerations. If the

most is to be made of green manuring, it is important that

they are carefully integrated into the crop rotation and

proper attention paid to their husbandry.

Green manures can be categorised as spring sown for

summer usage and autumn sown for over-winter usage,

intercropping and longer term fertility improvement.

Nitrogen (N) in legumes comes from uptake of soil N

and the fixation of N from the atmosphere. The amount

of N fixed by different legumes is determined by the

inherent capacity of the crop/rhizobium symbiosis to fix

N, modified by the crop’s growing conditions (e.g. soil,

climate, disease), crop management and length of time for

which the crop is grown. Consequently, the influence of

all these factors means that a wide range of values have

been reported by different researchers. The presence of

soil mineral N is generally thought to reduce fixation

capacity. Factors that will increase the soil mineral N

pool include manure application, cutting and mulching,

and grazing. Fixation tends to decrease with legume age,

mainly because the amount of soil N tends to increase.

Where growth of legumes is affected by nutrient

deficiency (or acidity) the potential for soil N build up is

reduced. Phosphorus, Sulphur and some trace elements

(e.g. Molybdenum) are particularly important. Where

there are large off-takes of soil nutrients as in silage crops

both P and K supplies need to be adequate for satisfactory

legume growth. These should be replaced as they are

essential to the legume to enable it to maximise the fixing

of nitrogen.

40

DISCLAIMER These tables are given in good faith and intended for general guidance only. Weather, local conditions and crop rotations

must always be taken into account.

Green Manuring

Green Manuring Selector

CropPage No.

Pack Size

Average Sowing Rate kg per Acre Sowing

Date GuideIncorporation

Period

Broadcast Direct Drill

Longer Term Crops

Lucerne 41 25kg 8 - 10Spring - Early

AutumnAutumn - Spring

White Clover 41 1kg & 25kg 2 - 3Spring - Early


Red Clover 41 1kg & 25kg 5 - 6Spring - Early


Yellow Blossom Clover 41 1kg 2.5 Spring Summer - Autumn

Agricultural Chicory 41 1kg & 25kg 3Spring - Early


Spring Sowing & Summer Incorporation

White Mustard 42 5kg & 25kg 5 - 7 2.5 - 5Spring - Early

Autumn8wks after sowing

Brown Mustard 42 5kg 2 - 3 Spring - Autumn Autumn - Spring

Phacelia 42 1kg & 5kg 2 - 3 2 April - Sept 10 - 12wks after sowing

Buckwheat 42 5kg 20 April - May Summer - Autumn

Crimson Clover 42 1kg & 25kg 4 - 5 Spring Summer - Autumn

Alsike Clover 42 25kg 25 Spring Autumn

Black Medick /Yellow Trefoil 42 1kg & 25kg 4 - 5Spring - Early


Borage 42 5kg 5+ 5 April - June Autumn

Autumn Sowing & Spring Incorporation

Forage Rye 43 25kg 50 -75 Autumn Spring

Italian Ryegrass 43 25kg 15 Autumn Spring

Cocksfoot 43 20kg 2 - 3 Spring / Autumn Autumn

Forage Rape 43 5kg & 25kg 2.5 - 3 Spring / Autumn Autumn - Spring

Vetches 43 25kg 15 - 25 Spring / Autumn Autumn - Spring

41

Grass and clover leys for long term

fertility building must ‘by their nature’

form part of the rotation. The increased

duration of the sward ensures that the

grass elements provide a very strong

root system valuable for soil aeration,

whilst the legumes with their deeper

root system will improve water filtration

through the soil structure whilst also

providing increased soil nitrogen.

Other crops include:

LUCERNEA longer term perennial clover which fixes large quantities

of nitrogen. The plant has a very long tap root and is ideally

suited to light and chalky soils as well as dry climates.

Lucerne is not one of the most competitive legumes and

in its early stages of development competition should be

kept to a minimum. All Lucerne organic and conventional

seed should be inoculated.

Pack size 25kg pre-inoculated

(Organic seed available)

WHITE CLOVERCan be used very much in the same way as Red Clover

but being shallow rooted makes little growth in dry

conditions. Continued defoliation stimulates root growth

and nitrogen fixation. The species is defined by leaf size

from small to large, with the smaller types being more

suited to grazing and the large ones more suited to

cutting. As with all leguminous crops a careful watch

must be made on the rotation as continued cropping can

lead to disease problems which are difficult to eradicate.

Pack size 1kg & 25kg untreated


AGRICULTURAL CHICORYHas a very deep tap root and when used in conjunction

with grasses and clovers will provide an extra dimension

to the quality of soil improvement. Not only will the clover

species add to the soil reserves of nitrogen but the huge

root development of grass species such as Cocksfoot will,

with the penetrating root system of the Chicory, provide

for improvements in soil drainage, water retention within

the upper strata and improvement of the soil’s capability

to provide a better tilth, coupled with improved humus

and fibre content.


YELLOW BLOSSOM CLOVERA biennial crop that will provide a full two years

production when spring sown, thus enabling the plant to

establish and fix atmospheric nitrogen in the first year. It

can then be cut and mulched on to the surface of the soil

prior to seed-set, avoiding damage to the plants’ crowns.

Leave to degrade over the winter and the following spring

it will provide a huge mass of material which can be

incorporated into the soil before the stems become woody.

Yellow Blossom Clover is drought resistant, tolerates

poor soil conditions, is a very good fixer of nitrogen and

develops a long tap root which penetrates the sub-soil, so

improving soil structure.


RED CLOVERA shorter term alternative to White Clover, Red Clover is

an aggressive plant which provides a large mass of green

vegetation plus fixing large amounts of atmospheric

nitrogen. The plant has a large tap root which penetrates

deeply into the ground, thus improving soil structure.



Green Manuring Crops

INCORPORATION OF GREEN MANURE With all green manuring crops it is important

to make sure that the plant is incorporated

when it is in its most succulent state; in this

way the amount of carbon within the plant

structure is very low. Decomposition needs

soil nitrogen to break down carbon, the

woodier the plant the greater the carbon

content and hence greater quantities of soil

nitrogen are required to break it down. It

should also be borne in mind that the main

crop should not be sown too soon after

the green manure has been turned under,

since the initial stage of decomposition

is very unfavourable for germination and

the growth of young plants. Therefore, the

incorporation and subsequent decay of the

green manure or cover crop should occur at

the time it will best serve as fertiliser for the

crop it is to benefit.

LONGER TERM CROPS

Spring sown, summer crops are

usually annual crops that as a rule

do not tolerate frost. They are quick

growing and will suppress weeds by

light deprivation as well as providing

organic material to improve soil

structure and organic status. As they

are usually fleshy crops and do not

contain high proportions of carbon

when incorporated into the soil, they

do not substantially reduce stocks of

soil nitrogen to break down the plant

structure.

ALSIKE CLOVEROf Scandinavian origin and better adapted than Red or

White Clover to wet acid soils and cooler conditions,

although lower yielding of biomass. Growth habit is

similar to Red Clover.


MUSTARDMustard comes in two forms, White (Sinapis alba)

and Brown (Brassica juncea). Both are quick growing

and therefore useful for short term scenarios. Both types

produce large quantities of biomass and are excellent

scavengers of nitrogen. They both possess biofumigation

properties (but brown mustard more so) and can therefore

help to reduce wireworm populations. Unlike white

mustard, brown mustard is winter hardy and is especially

useful as over-wintering green cover after maize, potatoes

and sugar beet, reducing soil erosion, fertiliser leaching and

water run-off.

White Sowing rate 5kg/acre Pack size 5kg & 25kg untreated

(Organic white available in 25kg packs)

Brown Sowing rate 2-3kg/acre Pack size 5kg untreated

CRIMSON CLOVERBrightly coloured crimson flowers which attract large

numbers of beneficial insects. Excellent weed suppression.

Fixes good quantities of nitrogen. Lower yields of biomass

than Red Clover but has much shorter growing period.

Crimson Clover adapts to soils of low fertility, but does

have a lime requirement. Biomass degrades very quickly

in the soil.


PHACELIA - BEE HAPPYA prolific seeder, very fast to establish and a good weed

suppressant. It produces a mass of flowers providing a

good source of nectar for beneficial insects but it needs to

be cut and incorporated into the soil before setting seed or

the stems will become woody and slow to decompose. A

good nitrogen scavenger but it can be slow to release any

N to the following crops.


BUCKWHEATA very quick growing, fast maturing annual with excellent

weed suppression. Somewhat shallow rooted but has the

capability of scavenging phosphorus from the soil and

holding this for later incorporation. The plant will re-grow if

cut after the onset of flowering so is excellent for mulching.

The plant will tolerate infertile soil but performs badly on

heavy, wet, or compacted soils. Frost tolerance is poor.


BLACK MEDICK/YELLOW TREFOILA biennial/annual legume that can give good yields even

on thin calcareous soils. It may be grazed by sheep but

its main use is as a green manure under-sown in cereals.

Because of its low growth habit it may be useful in

vegetable intercropping systems.


BORAGE Borage, also known as Starflower, is an annual herb, growing

to a height of 2-3 feet with bright blue flowers; there is also

a white flowered variation. The crop was traditionally

grown for culinary and medicinal uses, although the crop

is commercially grown today for its oil content.

The crop, because of its large leaves and succulent growth,

can be used as a green manure crop if sown in the spring,

the leaves providing an abundant source of easily digestible

material which will readily break down when incorporated

into the soil without reducing the mineral N content within

the soil structure.



42

Green Manuring Crops

FOR SPRING SOWING AND SUMMER INCORPORATION

Autumn sown crops which go through

the winter will scavenge nitrogen from

soils thus preventing “leaching” and

can be incorporated in the following

spring, or can provide a source of

forage, prior to incorporation. They

also help to control erosion especially

on late harvested maize stubbles.

Certain species can be utilised to

provide a nitrogen fixer which is then

readily available to a spring sown crop.

VETCHESA nitrogen producer for the winter months. Winter Vetch

is very valuable as autumn cover because its large seeds

enable it to be established later than most other legumes

and thus can be fitted in after the harvest of many summer

sown crops. Where vetches grow well they will provide

large amounts of nitrogen which is available to the

following crop. Always ensure that winter hardy varieties

are sown such as Early English Winter Vetch.

Pack size 25kg untreated (limited)

Organic seed available in 25kg packs

ITALIAN RYEGRASSUsed very much in the same way as forage rye but can

be used for spring or autumn sowing. Spring sowing for

autumn incorporation provides a high yield of biomass

and good root structure for soil health improvement.

Autumn sown Italian Ryegrass has one drawback in that

the plant will vernalise in periods of cold weather and this

will lead to seed head production so the grass must be cut

prior to seed shedding or it will come up as seedlings in

the following crops.


COCKSFOOTWhen used as an under-sown species at very low seed

rates into winter wheat, it acts as an excellent soil improver

on soils prone to summer drought. Over a number of

years it will provide a beneficial source of high fibrous root

development which will help improve soil structure and

composition. Sown at 0.5kgs per acre it will not present a

problem in the growing cereal crop as the species throws

very few heads in its first year of production.

Pack size 15-20kg untreated

FORAGE RAPERape is fast growing and winter hardy, making it a good

alternative to mustard if the crop is required to remain in

the ground over winter. Decomposition can, particularly

with the high glucosinolate varieties, release chemicals

into the soil which produces a bio-fumigation effect if

incorporated within 24 hours of cutting. This can be

beneficial in reducing soil-borne pathogens, pests and

weeds.



Organic seed available in 25kg packs

FORAGE RYEForage winter rye is used for scavenging nitrogen and

preventing leaching throughout the winter months. It

produces abundant growth which can be cut and mulched

into the soil providing an excellent means by which to

improve soil structure and organic content.


INTER-ROW CROPPINGSpecies such as Yellow Trefoil, Cocksfoot, Crimson

Clover and White Clover can be spring sown either into

established winter crops or as a companion to a spring

sown crop. They act as weed suppressants and in the case

of the legumes provide some fixed nitrogen plus biomass

for incorporation after harvest. We have started looking

at other forms of legume for inter-row cropping and will

evaluate these over the next few years for their suitability

under UK conditions.

Inter-row crops sown in the spring can help suppress

weeds and provide a valuable source of nutrient for the

main crop and will also provide excellent green cover after

the main crop is harvested. It is important to use legumes

which will not cause problems with the harvesting of the

main crop.

43

AUTUMN SOWING & SPRING INCORPORATION

Italian Ryegrass

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