Cranfield Posted September 16, 2014 Report Share Posted September 16, 2014 Checking with local farmers on the crop plans for the Winter drilling it seems that most of them are putting significant acreage down to "cover crops", which will be the seed bed for next years Spring drilling. The "cover crop" includes plants like, forage radish, mustard, oats, clover, etc. Has anyone had any practical experience of whether this produces pigeon shooting during the Winter ? Theoretically it could, especially when combined with the big reduction of Winter rape being grown, which will take away a major food source. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted September 16, 2014 Report Share Posted September 16, 2014 I saw birds on fodder radish in June when it first came through. I have no other experience of the crop as a source of winter feed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted September 16, 2014 Report Share Posted September 16, 2014 In norfolk the mentioned pratice used , was called "soil improvers".....Lupins...mustard...lucern...and all the other stuff you mentioned...........because of the cost of fuel and doing cultivations now...this practice is no longer carried out a real pity if you ask me.........when it was done in the 70's....the partridge shooting was second to none and a lot of english partridge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harnser Posted September 16, 2014 Report Share Posted September 16, 2014 Had some good days on mustard . My farmers neighbour had a contract to supply mustard seed for a very well known mustard maker . I was allways getting the call from the neighbour to shoot the pigeons . They will take it at any stage of the growth and I have seen massive flocks dropping into it . Harnser Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malkiserow Posted September 16, 2014 Report Share Posted September 16, 2014 Not sure if it is connected but I thought the rules on fertiliser use are changing meaning that increasing amounts of nitrogen fixing plants need to be grown. Can anyone shed any light on this as it may be connected with the OP's question? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B725 Posted September 16, 2014 Report Share Posted September 16, 2014 We have all of them in our cover crops but pigeons have never bothered with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted September 16, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 16, 2014 Not sure if it is connected but I thought the rules on fertiliser use are changing meaning that increasing amounts of nitrogen fixing plants need to be grown. Can anyone shed any light on this as it may be connected with the OP's question? It is a direct result on the pressure from Government( Europe) to reduce pesticides. This Farmers Weekly article sums it up, http://www.fwi.co.uk/articles/13/03/2012/131916/cover-crops-what-are-the-benefits.htm . It is not confined to my area, this is coming to a farm near you very soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pistolgrip Posted September 16, 2014 Report Share Posted September 16, 2014 clover has always served me well with pigeon come the winter months clover in the morning mast in the evening Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sako751sg Posted September 17, 2014 Report Share Posted September 17, 2014 A few winters ago when we had some severe snow and frost there were huge numbers on some game crops but it was about the only thing still visible so they didnt have much choice.Apart from that cant really say ive scoped them on it much at all. Out of interest,are there any game crops you can hand sow by hand without the need for breaking the ground in? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squirrelhall Posted September 17, 2014 Report Share Posted September 17, 2014 A few winters ago when we had some severe snow and frost there were huge numbers on some game crops but it was about the only thing still visible so they didnt have much choice.Apart from that cant really say ive scoped them on it much at all. Out of interest,are there any game crops you can hand sow by hand without the need for breaking the ground in? Mate of mine broadcasts mustard into standing wheat 2 or 3weeks before harvesting it. Have to get the straw baled pretty quick though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sako751sg Posted September 17, 2014 Report Share Posted September 17, 2014 Mate of mine broadcasts mustard into standing wheat 2 or 3weeks before harvesting it. Have to get the straw baled pretty quick though Cheers fella.Would like to how many you actually could sow straight on and would grow nay probs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie_79 Posted September 17, 2014 Report Share Posted September 17, 2014 There is a fair bit of clover down my way not seen pigeons in it for a long time, I expect it to pick up a little in winter but not expecting anything special from it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossy835 Posted September 20, 2014 Report Share Posted September 20, 2014 on my farms i have more winter rape than last year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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