Brassicas

[dbltree]

Tiny brassica seed (unlike larger soybean seed) does not spread very far nor is it possible to see, so it's always best to cut rate in 1/2 and walk/drive crossways to the first to insure even coverage.

I can't be certain but looks like foxtail coming up in one pic so I would nuke that with clethodim mix mentioned previously :way:

 

[NWBuck]

Does that seeder handle fine seed like clover?

I seeded all of our turnips and rape with it and it is coming up nicely as well. Like dbltree said though, it doesn't throw as far as the larger seed, so hitting the plot in a couple of directions is good advice.

NWBuck

 

[jjohnson]

Ive got that same seeder. Love mine.

 

[impactarcher]

I've got quite a bit of volunteer rye growing in my brassica plot. I fertilized heavily so is it still necessary to spray the rye to kill it?

 

[Sligh1]

I've got quite a bit of volunteer rye growing in my brassica plot. I fertilized heavily so is it still necessary to spray the rye to kill it?

oh ya, you better blast that with clethodim & crop oil for sure.

 

[dbltree]

I've got quite a bit of volunteer rye growing in my brassica plot. I fertilized heavily so is it still necessary to spray the rye to kill it?

Rye will compete for more then just nutrients, including sun and moisture but it's up to you, certainly not imperative but the brassicas will do better without the competition

 

[stevep]

I went and checked on my Turnip, GHR, Rape mix yesterday and I have a question. The field looks "spotty"....some areas look great, with green tops and the ground already covered, yet some areas are still bare. The parts that have come up to be honest with you I'm surprised they look as good as they do, considering the marginal amount of rain. (We've only had about half an inch of rain since planting...I planted them about 3 weeks ago).

Can I expect the other areas to catch up if we get some decent rain? EVERYTHING was done the same for this field, and I'm 100% sure I didn't miss the spots I'm referring to.

Thanks!

(Just a note....nothing was planted to the left of the tree...).

 

[dbltree]

Uneven soil moisture due to low soil organic matter typically causes uneven germination, seeds may have germinated and died or simply didn't germinate from lack of moisture.

A good rain will tell but without it those spots will likely remain bare.

 

[stevep]

So would it be smart of me to fill in the spots with something else? The pic is deceiving, there are a few large bare areas.

I just planted 3 other acres to winter rye / clover. Is there anything you'd recommend for putting in the areas that didn't do so well? I'd be interested on doing something other than the winter rye, just for variety, but if that's the best option, then so be it.

Thanks!

 

[dbltree]

So would it be smart of me to fill in the spots with something else? The pic is deceiving, there are a few large bare areas.

I just planted 3 other acres to winter rye / clover. Is there anything you'd recommend for putting in the areas that didn't do so well? I'd be interested on doing something other than the winter rye, just for variety, but if that's the best option, then so be it.

Thanks!

If rain is imminent you can add more forage radish because it grows quickly, otherwise add rye in a week or so, it's about the easiest to germinate on top of the ground.

 

[arrrgh11]

Went and checked my brassicas today and they are withering away. SE Iowa needs some rain badly. Might have to buy some extra rye as an insurance policy in case the brassicas don't make it. Two weeks ago I had nice looking plots - not so much now.

 

[dbltree]

Went and checked my brassicas today and they are withering away. SE Iowa needs some rain badly. Might have to buy some extra rye as an insurance policy in case the brassicas don't make it. Two weeks ago I had nice looking plots - not so much now.

10 day forecast looks bleak...droughts are a way of life here though which is why we build soil organic matter with rye and red clover, it's drought insurance! Brassicas are pretty drought tolerant if they get tap roots down to subsoil moisture and if they can follow last years rye root channels they quickly reach moisture.

Let's hope we get rain soon!:way:

 

[arrrgh11]

10 day forecast looks bleak...droughts are a way of life here though which is why we build soil organic matter with rye and red clover, it's drought insurance! Brassicas are pretty drought tolerant if they get tap roots down to subsoil moisture and if they can follow last years rye root channels they quickly reach moisture.

Let's hope we get rain soon!:way:

Only owned the property for 2 years. These are new fields - this is the first year of the rotation. The brassicas that get at least some shade are doing ok - the ones in full sun are not...

 

[dbltree]

Yes...I understand, we run into the same problem with new farms, have to start somewhere but droughts make it real tough!! Some times we have to drill the rye mix into the brassica stand when drought persists.

 

[vman]

I think that's what I'll be doing to my turnips this year. No rain, no growth. Glad I buried the beans that were there. Not... This week is going to hurt everything I'm afraid.

 

[stevep]

Here are a few pics of my brassicas so far. Spotty germination, but where they came up they're looking good. (Although with no rain in the forecast that may be about to change...). All the rain we got here in Missouri missed the property by about 20 to 40 miles. Could have used one of those thunderstorms!!!!

A year ago this whole area was 20+ years of overgrown pasture, so I'm not necessarily complaining... we've made a lot of progress this year... Hopefully we'll hit a few rains and get things growing!

 

[dbltree]

Brassicas are surprisingly drought tolerant once established so keep us posted on how yours do this fall :way:

 

[stevep]

Will do.

Do you consider the plot that I posted pictures of "established"? I don't know what the criteria for that would be.

 

[dbltree]

Will do.

Do you consider the plot that I posted pictures of "established"? I don't know what the criteria for that would be.

Yes...they have sent taproots down in search of water so with an occasional drink of water they should do ok

 

[dbltree]

August 24th 2013

It's been a hot dry August and in our county, zero rainfall since planting so this is where the soil building benefits of cereal rye really shine! Brassicas growing despite the drought...



This field has poor soil that we have been working on for a number of years now and fortunately did receive rain in early August



These fields did not receive rain after planting but have been in a rye/red clover, brassica rotation for 5 years now



Once an old run down pasture, we have slowly built up organic matter over the years and that helps make the brassicas impervious to drought



Nearly 400 miles of rye root systems and 2.5 tons of biomass per acre from red clover help store precious moisture. The rye roots drill down 3-4' into the subsoil, then decompose and the brassica roots follow those channels to both moisture and subsoil nutrients.



In stark contrast are first time fields where no rye has yet been grown, germination is spotty and growth limited



Hopefully these areas will tolerate the continuing drought but yields will not be anything remotely like those following winter rye.



Why grow rye?? The benefits to both whitetails and soils are glaringly obvious but choose what you feel is right for you and your program....

Plant ALL in one plot in strips or blocks

Alice, Kopu II, Durana (or comparable) white clover 10% of plot, sow at 6#'s per acre with the rye combination in the fall or in the spring with oats and berseem clover. Correct Ph and P&K with soil tests

Brassicas in 45% of plot

Purple Top Turnips 2.5#
Dwarf Essex Rape 2.5#
GroundHog Forage radish 5#

Plant in mid to late July in most Midwest states, or 60-90 days before your first killing frost, Use 200#'s of 46-0-0 urea and 400#'s of 6-28-28 per acre. Follow the dead brassicas with oats and berseem or crimson clover in mid spring at 50#'s oats and 12-15#'s berseem clover an/or same of crimson clover and/or 50#'s of chickling vetch)

Cereal Grain combo in 45% of plot...I use 50# each rye, oats and peas along with radish and clover seed all plant in half of each feeding area

I use 50#'s each of the following:

Winter rye 50-80#'s per acre (56#'s = a bushel)
Spring oats 50-120#'s per acre (32#'s = a bushel)
Frostmaster Winter Peas or 4010/6040 Forage peas 20-80#'s per acre

Red Clover 8-12#'s per acre or white clover at 6#'s per acre (or 20-40 pounds hairy vetch and 20-30#'s crimson clover on sandy soils)
Groundhog Forage Radish 5#'s per acre

Plant in late August to early September, if following well fertilized brassicas use 100 - 200#'s of urea, if starting a new plot add 400#'s of 6-28-28 but for best results soil test and add only what is necessary.

Rotate the brassicas and rye combo each year