Gelli Goll Project Update - July 2024

Establishment of the crop started on 25 April with the following field operations taking place: 

• Spray off existing Sward using 4 litres/ha of Glyphosate
• Ploughing
• Apply Seed - seed rate of 100kg/acre of Western Seed’s Sovrein Combicrop
• Fertiliser at establishment - 125kg/acre of 20.10.10

The two photos below show the crop growth on both fields within the project, Red Farm and Lime Kiln Field in June. 

Figure 1. Crop Growth at Red Farm 17th June 2024

Figure 2. Crop growth at Lime Kiln Field 25th June 2024

Next steps?

• Visual assessments will be carried out by the farmer throughout the growing season until ready for harvest
• The aim is to ensil the crop at 15 weeks in order to create a Wholecrop Silage. Once fermented the crop will be analysed for its feeding value. (estimated harvest date should fall week commencing 5 August, weather permitting). The crop will then be ensiled as Wholecrop before it is ready to feed out in the winter ration
• Following quality assessments, a winter feeding ration based on the Wholecrop Silage along with a ration as a control option
• Cattle DLWG will be recorded in order to monitor performance and feeding value of the Wholecrop Silage