Pencwm Project Update July 2024
Three treatment options were drilled on the 18th of June:
Plot 1
60% Tetraploid Italian ryegrass – grazing quality and ground cover
16% Spitfire Hybrid Brassica - grazing quality and ability to regrow
16% Crimson Clover – high protein feed that will fix nitrogen
8% Plantain – high protein feed that will regrow & improve soil condition
Sowing rate 12kg/acre
Plot 2
80% Forage Rye - grazing quality, ground cover, nitrogen scavenger & soil improver
14% Winter Vetch - high protein feed that will fix nitrogen
2% Stubble Turnip – high protein feed with rapid establishment
2% Plantain - high protein feed that will regrow & improve soil condition
2% Tillage Radish – soil improver, deep tap root that will break up compaction, tops will provide a fairly high protein feed
Sowing rate 50kg/acre.
Plot 3 - Control Crop - Kale (Maris Kestrel Variety)
Next steps?
The impact of these mixes will be investigated pre and post crop establishment and the following will be monitored over the coming months:
- Soil compaction and visual assessment (VESS)
- Soil microbiology
- Crop growth over the growing season until ready to introduce stock.
For each plot grazed, we will also monitor the cleanliness of the cattle. Front legs, back legs, flanks, belly and back will be scored on a scale of 1 - 4 biweekly where;
1 = very good (clean, dry skin)
2 = good (some loose dirt or wet spots)
3 = quite dirty (partly dirty or moist and dirty)
4 = very dirty (very dirty and very wet)
At the end of the trial all scores will be added up to give a total cleanliness score.