Making the most of limited rainfall, protecting soil moisture and keeping establishment costs under control

Following an exceptionally dry harvest and a challenging summer, the team at Claydon have been assessing cover crop establishment, soil moisture and the benefits of minimising soil disturbance.  With rainfall remaining limited, the farm’s latest operations demonstrate how a combination of chopped straw, cover crops and low-disturbance establishment techniques can help make the most of the available moisture.

By the 18th September, the Claydon family farm had received just 57mm of rainfall since the end of August.  With soil remaining extremely dry beneath the surface, establishing cover crops has been a challenge.  However, the results seen in the fields have been encouraging, providing a useful opportunity to compare different establishment methods and assess how the soil is responding to the conditions.

Making the Most of Limited Rainfall

Cover crop establishment began around the 20th August, following the first small amount of rainfall.  The farm was keen to get its Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) cover crops established, but the dry conditions meant that evert millimetre of moisture counted.

The limited rainfall highlighted the importance of retaining moisture in the soil profile.  In fields where the combine had left chopped straw on the surface and had been straw harrowed to even out the residue, the residue helped shield the soil reducing exposure to ultraviolet rays, and dehydrating wind and heat and allowing the ground to make better use of the moisture received.

Despite the lack rain, the cover crops have established more successfully than might initially have been expected.  The farm has seen encouraging growth from a mixture including buckwheat, phacelia, vetch and linseed, alongside volunteer oats and wheat.

Although growth has been relatively slow because of the dry conditions, the presence of a living crop is encouraging.  The roots will help support soil biology and contribute to soil structure, while the cover provides an opportunity to keep living roots in the ground ahead of the next crop.

Combining Drilling with Broadcasting

One of the main objectives on the farm this year has been to compare different methods of establishing cover crops.  Alongside using a drill, the team has trialled broadcasting seed onto the surface before following with a straw harrow.

The comparison is particularly interesting in a season when soil moisture is limited and cultivation can be costly.  Rather than relying on more intensive soil movement, the trial looks at what can be achieved by keeping disturbance to a minimum whole creating suitable conditions for seed establishment.

In the drille area, the rows of cover species were clearly defined and visible.  The drill’s front tine was kept relatively shallow, working to approximately 3 inches, because the deeper operation in such dry conditions risked brining large clods of soil to the surface.

The broadcast area, established using a Kuhn Aero Spreader and a 15m Claydon straw harrow also showed encouraging results.  Cover crop species and volunteer oats were emerging despite the soil having been moved very little.  The surface had a fine tilth in places, while the chopped straw helped protect the ground.

The two methods will provide a useful comparison as the season progresses.  The intention is to return to the field and direct drill winter wheat into both areas, allowing the team to assess how the different establishment methods influence the next crop.

Looking Beneath the Surface

Digging into the soil revealed just how challenging the conditions have been.  Although the upper layer contained some useful moisture and had developed a fine tilth, the ground became increasingly dry and firm with depth.

I the drilled area, the spade entered the soil more readily to the depth worked by the front tine.  In the broadcast and straw harrowed area, the surface was also workable but the soil beneath it remained extremely dry.

Importantly, the firm appearance of the soil did not necessarily indicate compaction.  The team observed wormholes and roots running through the soil, suggesting that biological activity and a good soil structure were present, despite the lack of moisture.

The difference between the surface and the soil below illustrates why careful assessment is important before deciding what soil to move and where.  with little moisture available, unnecessary soil movement risks disturbing the surface without delivering meaningful improvement in conditions for the next crop.

The cover crop roots should help support the soil structure over time, while further rainfall will be needed to replenish moisture deeper in the profile.

Keeping Establishment Costs Low

Fuel consumption remains an important consideration, particularly when diesel prices are as high as they are today.  The farm’s trials have demonstrated the potential to establish cover crops without committing to multiple cultivation passes.

The team estimated that establishing the broadcast cover crop required approximately 2-5 litres of diesel per hectare.  The drilled area (6m Claydon Evolution & Fendt 942) used around 7 litres of diesel per hectare.  These figures illustrate the relatively low fuel requirement associated with the establishment approaches being tested.

The next stage will involve returning to the field to establish winter wheat.  The expectation is that direct drilling will require approximately 10-11 litres of diesel per hectare, followed by rolling and an appropriate pre-emergence herbicide.

Keeping establishment costs under control is particularly important when working with unpredictable weather and variable crop performance.  Reducing unnecessary operations can help protect margins while retaining the flexibility to respond when conditions improve.

Preparing for Bamford Winter Wheat

The next step is to establish winter wheat directly into the respective trial areas.  Before drilling, volunteer oats and frass weeds will be taken out by a dose of Glyphosate.

The farm will be looking for sufficient rainfall to improve moisture availability without creating conditions that make fieldwork difficult.  The objective is to give the wheat the best possible start while avoiding unnecessary disturbance and moisture loss.

Although yields were lower than hoped following the dry season, the farm still achieved between 8-9 tonnes per hectare.  With crop establishment costs carefully managed, the team remains focused on maintaining profitability and improving the performance of future crops.

A Practical Approach to Challenging Conditions

The latest work at the Claydon farm reinforces the importance of adapting establishment decisions to the conditions in the field.  With only 57mm of rainfall since the end of August, the priority has been to retain moisture, establish cover crops and successfully and avoid unnecessary cultivation.

The comparison between drilled cover crops and broadcasting will continue to provide useful information as the winter wheat develops.  Both approaches have shown encouraging early results, and the coming months will help demonstrate how they perform through the next stage of the rotation.

In a season where moisture is limited and input costs remain significant, the farm’s focus is clear: protect the soil, make the most of available rainfall and establish the next crop with as few operations as possible.