Question for the Agronomists on here. I have sown wild bird cover for GLAS for the past 3 years in two plots, Seed is premixed by Bright Seeds UK bought locally. Four species, Triticale, Linseed, Mustard and Phacelia. The first year it had fantastic colour and all four seemed to grow well. However last year it was mainly the triticale grew and the rest barely showed at all, I put that down to the drought. This year they all seem to be starting all right but i have a lot of weeds. I have been afraid to spray it because of the risk of killing off any of the four. Any advice on a cheap spray to use that will be able to kill weeds but not affect any of the four mentioned?
First photo is July Year 1, second and third photo are current state with the weeds. Any advice welcome.
Thanks Sissons, I had been going along those lines including no fert but now feel the crop would be better without the weeds. Open to other views.I may be wrong but I think you are not allowed spray any pesticides on wild bird cover , only to kill it off after the end date
I have been using that mix from Bright Seeds as well for the
Good idea to mix them. I considered changing over to Johns delight this year but it's a good bit more expensive for the lot. I wouldn't mind using some next year like you did.I have been using that mix from Bright Seeds as well for the last two years but this year replaced one third of the seed with John’s Delight which is the same as the GLAS mix but includes poppy ,crimson clover ,gold of pleasure (whatever that is ) and cornflower for added brownie points!
There was notice sent out to all farmers in the Burren River Catchment in Carlow about a meeting at KEARNEY s pub and undertakers in Fenagh . It is to do with sustainability of agricultur and water quality. The catchment is sampled five times a year at different points This guy is doing a net sample and stirs up the river bottom for three minutes and puts the catch in a white tray and counts the catch . The nature of the catch reflects the pollution level of the river and it is given a score . They will be visiting farms and if you are polluting the river they will give you a hug . There were people from Teagasc Glanbia and the Local Authorities.
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Seen this today,Frogs have Spawned.
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Saw some near 2 weeks ago, never thought to take picture. Very early I thought.Seen this today, View attachment 74927
Not such a happy spot, hard to know what's keeping the frogspawn from heading to the Atlantic.Seen this today, View attachment 74927
A list of the birds seen by a Birdwatcher on the home farm.
Couple of Buzzards and Yellowhammers, speckled wood, orange tip and small tortoiseshell butterflies.
Woodcock. Snipe. Meadow pipit. Song thrush. Blackbird. Yellowhammer. Kestrel. Blackcap. Lesser black backed gull. Rook. Hooded crow. Linnet. Magpie.
Wheatear