The dock beetle was back in force this year. Leaving these dock infested fields alone all spring gives them a chance to multiply and munch their way through the plant. Although this helps reduce the quantity of docks in the silage it isn’t actually fixing the issue that’s enabling the dock to grow.
I have to create a plan for these couple of small fields to address the compaction. The dock has a mighty tap root so if it has been present for a few years now it isn’t breaking up the soil sufficiently enough. I can either plant more varieties of deep rooting plants alongside other varieties with strong feathery roots or I consider machinery. This could be an option to help create better conditions to plant into.
I have a mole drain I could try and I’m tempted to consider a shakerator. This machine has a blade which goes under the surface and vibrates the soil open.
But it's so dry and hard right now I'm not sure I could get them dragged through the soil.
I also have a large roller with spike plates on it. It is supposed to open the top 4” with the spike but the weight should create a friction impact to create a crack reaching 2 foot or so deep down. The conditions need to be just right and we have never used it when the soil is so dry but I am tempted to try it at the minute.
If anyone has any experience of these for a clay/silt soil that hardens like a brick when it’s dry please send me your thoughts! 😀
I always had my doubts about the spike roller idea until that meeting at yours Bronagh with Neils Corfield. Worth a go and seeing. We have always used and will use hopefully this week an erth panbuster on some compacted ground here. Works well, but is slow by comparison.
I think nature will sort out any compaction in the top 6 inches plus this year.
Interesting about the beetles. Thankfully my EasyCares eat docks when grazed at the right stage.