Weed Control If coming from Tillage, spraying is probably not necessary. If coming from Grass or heavy weeds, spraying is vital. Perennial weeds have to be killed before cultivating. I use about 4L/Ha or use a similar herbicide.

Cultivating Plough about 2 weeks after spraying, if conditions are suitable. Aim to sow in early May. Power harrowing or rotavating is necessary if not sowing with a One Pass Drill. A fine firm seedbed is essential for good establishment.

Sowing Rate Sowing rate is 88kgs/Ha. Available in.25Ha bag of 22 Kgs. Glas Wildbird Cover Crop contains; 75 kgs Triticale 7.5 kgs Linseed 5 kgs Mustard.50 kgs Phacelia.

Sowing with One Pass If sowing with a One Pass, this can be done directly after ploughing. This fertilises, cultivates, sets, covers and firms all in one operation. After this close the gate and walk away. Just keep the corvids off it for a week or so.

Broadcasting Other sowing options such as broadcasting or seed drills all work but the ground must be cultivated first and the seed must be covered with a light cultivating after sowing. Rolling is not necessary but would help to bury the seed if conditions are dry. Corvids need to be kept off for a week because some seeds will be visible after these methods.

Fertiliser This is not a hungry crop. If coming from grass or tillage no fertiliser is required in year one as the ground will be rich in nutrients. You need to keep this land fertile for when the scheme is finished and it is best to apply a certain amount every year. 150 kgs of a basic fertiliser such as /Ha. Too much fertiliser will only force the crop and cause lodging later.

Tramlines Using the One Pass, tramlines could be put in every pass as birds and wildlife like corridors for travelling through the crop. A thick mass of vegetation is not as attractive to some ground birds such as pheasants and partridge. Spraying is not allowed post planting.

Mustard in flower The mustard will be first to flower. This will be the start of the wildlife benefits for wild birds. As well as providing cover, the flowers will attract a huge array of insect life.

Insect Life Like the example shown each Mustard or Kale flower will hold many beneficial insects which will feed chicks of all brood rearing birds during the summer.

Linseed & Triticale The lovely blue flowers of the Linseed among the Triticale. The Linseed will flower over a long period of the summer giving a nice visual appearance to the crop.

Trial Plots The GLAS mixture on the left. Phacelia on right. This GLAS mixture contains a very small amount of Phacelia adding colour and attracting bees.

John’s Delight Will qualify for GLAS. It is a superior mix with extra varieties and benefits. Contains, Triticale, Linseed, Gold of Pleasure, Mustard, Phacelia, Corn Flower, Crimson Clover and Poppy. More expensive and colourful. Attracts more insect life and is the best option should the participant be interested in wildlife or attracting game birds. Sowing rate 57kgs/Ha. Available only in 1 acre bags of 23kgs.

The crop in Winter Either crop will attract hundreds of finches in winter. Note: Its seed supply for the wild birds will be fully devoured over the winter. In February/March the crop will be very easy to pulverise as there will only be the straw left.

Kale A 2 Year crop but only half of the plot is allowed to be kale. The same ground preparation applies for kale but addition of lime is essential. A Ph of 6.5 to 7.0 is needed. Also requires more fertiliser. N.100 Kgs/Ha. P. 50 Kgs/Ha. K 175 Kgs/Ha.

Sowing Sowing rates is only about 4kgs/ha. Often set with a fertiliser spreader but should be evenly mixed with some fertiliser granules so that you don’t loose all the seed in the first pass. Careful calibration. Can be done with the One Pass also.

Covering the seed A very light covering is all that is required using for example a grass harrow. A simple home-made device such as this old ESB pole pulled behind a tractor is ideal for covering the seed. Rolling would be sufficient also. Be very careful not to bury the seed too deep. 10mm is ample.

Bright Seeds Team 2015 Training day in Salisbury. A full day’s training for all agents and staff is provided every year by Bright Seeds. A presentation of new crops and an exchange of new ideas are brought to the table. Existing crops are discussed and comparisons made form different areas.

About John Howard Irish Agent for UK based Bright Seeds. Attends training days regularly with Bright Seeds in Salisbury. Over 10 years experience in trialling and experimenting with cover crops to suit Irish schemes and conditions. Ex fruit farmer with a keen interest in shooting and conservation. ; Phone;