Covercrops which last for a couple years?

[Prawn]

I was wondering if anybody knew some good and reliable cover crops for pheasants that last well for a couple years without needed to be redrilled etc.

 

I heard some variants of kale can be used http://www.countrywidefarmers.co.uk/pws/Content.ice?page=GCKale&pgForward=businesscontentfull

 

I saw this mix (206) http://oakbankgc.co.uk/game-cover/oakbank/gamecover-mixes

Which says it can last for 5 seasons. Does anyone have any experience with a mix like this?

 

Thanks

James

[scolopax]

Chicory lasts many years, as do artichokes and canary grass. Kale is the best game cover for pheasants but can be the devil to get established but once it is it is good for two season, possibly a third , but by then the weeds were starting to build up which can cause long term problems with future drilling.

 

My next game cover may well have to last several seasons so I think it will be chicory with a shelter belt of canary grass along the windward side.

[Konnie]

firstly I would look at what you want from your cover and what type of shoot it is with climate and conditions kale good for two years but hard to establish, and hard

to get through second year. mischanthus is very good on a commercial scale but best look at your shooting and what you want. look at the job then choose tool

not the tool you like then try and make it do the job good luck

[JDog]

Try Miscanthus sinensis. Properly managed it could last indefintely.

[Alycidon]

We have used chickory for the last 6 or 7 years.

 

Year 1, it needs a nursery crop with it as it wont product enough cover on its own.

 

Year 2 and 3, really good game cover.

 

Year 4, May be ok, will certainly be patchy by the end of the season.

 

Year 5, Plough up and drill with Kale or a kale mix, that should last 2 years if you get it established ok.

 

 

I have shot as a guest on shoots with large fields of Miscanthus, 8 feet high, lost my dog for an hour when she went for a hen that dropped maybe 20 yards in. In smaller blocks in may be ok but would be hard to get birds out of.

 

I have also been to shoots using canary grasses, no experience myself but it certainly held well. My host said it had been in for several years, and had minimal maintenance.

 

A