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Reed Canary Grass


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As title says, I have drilled some of this, on a corner patch of a field just to fill in and provide a bit of nesting cover.

 

But due to weeds it does not seem to be doing so well, has been sprayed with CALARIS but this has clobbered it, think it will recover but may clean the lot winter plough and try and create a sterile (ish) seed bed next year.

 

Any advice,

 

I'm on grade 1 silt land, so weeds largest problem.

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I haven't grown any, but I believe it doesn't amount to much in the first year anyway, but provides good cover from the 2nd year onwards.

 

Calaris is for use on maize to control weeds, including some types of grass, so it probably hasn't done it much good? How about spraying everything off and replanting in August/September? I'm sure your seed supplier will be able to recommend a more suitable selective herbicide to control the weeds

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I did ask seed supplier about calaris and you are correct, maize spray they did say might give it a head ache but should be ok, still showing some green but as a whole think weed coverage did the damage. Just unsure if best to give it a chance or get ready to start again as no experience with this crop.

 

Thanks.

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As other have said it doesnae really establish itself in the first year but does from year 2, often in the 1st year people plant it with another cover (often tricale or something) crop to give holding cover that year so possably the weeds wouldn't have done that much harm.

 

U could replough and sow anytime now for next year too. Best bet speak to ur crop advisor and go out and have a good look at the crop and decide wether to leave or plough

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Konnie

I have drilled reed canary grass this year and i mixed it with a nurse crop of reed millet,tanker millets and sorgum. Idea being that millets will provide flushing cover in year 1 then in year 2 reed canary will take over it was drilled on 20" rows you can go to 30" rows with reed canary. You do have a bit of a choice with broad leave weeds control.

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  • 1 year later...

Hi. I've just picked up this thread and would be keen to know how the canary grass turned out, as you have described almost exactly my current situation in that I drilled about a third of an acre last spring with mustard, but is now overgrown with weeds. There are clumps of grass showing but I don't know know whether this is canary grass, or the 'ordinary' stuff. Any thoughts would be welcome. Thanks

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Some is still there but due to a change in shooting needs, syndicate gave it up, i now rough shoot this area of land so last year went for chicory mixed with canary grass. 1st year was as expected lean as it has to establish, already this year at the moment is the size of 3/4 grown sugar beet and looking good.

 

If you have canary grass by now should have broadish blades and a decent sized clump.

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We used it way back when on some conservation strips. I think the rules allowed for three different seeds ..maybe four.. to be sown and we included the reed grass with the intention of it staying there permanent as a link strip between two drives and good nesting cover in the off season. It id very well and the rules allowed us to cut strips each year which we did against the hedge and fed those strips. It was all working very well when the rules changed and it was all ploughed up. If you can get it permanent then I think it would be useful. maybe a few rows of maize on the outside edge.

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