tosca2701 Posted April 22, 2013 Report Share Posted April 22, 2013 Hi Guys, Just wondered whether anyone had any experience using short rotation coppice for cover crops/game crops/drives? We are looking at putting in some blocks of willow or similar, and are trying to incorporate it into the shoot, to replace existing cover crops, some of which need to be sown on an annual/bi-annual basis (triticale, kale, etc). All the timings seem to fit, with regards to planting/harvesting etc. Seems too good to be true. Any help/advice/experience would be hugely appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieT Posted April 22, 2013 Report Share Posted April 22, 2013 Almost impossible to beat or flush birds from. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted April 23, 2013 Report Share Posted April 23, 2013 It is if grown as a crop Charlie but as cover you could space the rows so you can beat between them but personally it isn't ideal as you have nothing of food value in there, have you thought of something like artichokes or canary grass of you don't want to re seed ovcasionally Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tosca2701 Posted April 23, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 23, 2013 Thanks CharlieT. Sort of figured that would be the case, but just wanted to check. Seemed to be too easy. We have planted some of our cover with willow, but only in strips to break up the cover crop. Getting a feed crop established on an annual basis (other than some trit) is a non starter, so thought I would invstigate this option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tosca2701 Posted April 23, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 23, 2013 al4x, we have both artichokes and canary grass in some cover crops already, which work well. In this day and age where everything involved in country sports so expensive, I was just exploring the possibility of trying to claw back a penny or two from the crops, and get the best of both worlds. We have very little feed value in most of our crops anyway, and they are all hand fed on a daily basis. perhaps a half way house might be achievable? Slightly wider spacing, with slightly less of a crop taken off? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted April 23, 2013 Report Share Posted April 23, 2013 possibly but willow really is only of real use as biomass and the thing that may well throw the idea is the harvesters spacings, and the acreage you would need to grow to make it worthwhile harvesting. Really the income potential is pretty low you would probably be better depending on acreage putting down more birds and selling a day or two and making some money that way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieT Posted April 23, 2013 Report Share Posted April 23, 2013 Have a look at Perennial Chicory and Canary grass as a mixture or grown in alternate rows. It won't provide an income but will reduce your tilling costs. It certainly stands the winter weather well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.