chain harrowing

GERMAN ROCKS

what are the advanatages/disadvantages of chain harrowing a pasture grass field. heard a lot of people are doing it now. When is the best time for doing it? could one do it after a field is grazed? will it improve grass quality.

reilig

GERMAN ROCKS wrote: »

what are the advanatages/disadvantages of chain harrowing a pasture grass field. heard a lot of people are doing it now. When is the best time for doing it? could one do it after a field is grazed? will it improve grass quality.

The harrow removes old dead grass from the pasture. It allows the grass to have more space to grow and allows more air into it. I try to do it on pasture at least once per year after the pasture has been eaten. I think it gives a better regrowth. Others may do it differently though. We've been doing it for 30 years now. A harrow will last a lifetime and they are very cheap.

AtillaTheHun

great job for recreational grassland care:D and burning diesel;)

reilig

AtillaTheHun wrote: »

great job for recreational grassland care:D and burning diesel;)

Ah now, I have an 8ft one and I can pull it after the Mf35 with ease. A gallon of diesel in it would harrow 50 acres - its never under any pressure with it.

Username John

I have bits of fields that the sheep never go near (the fields should be split into paddocks, but thats another story)

There is a LOT of old dead grass, so much the grass is nearly "spongey" to walk on in places.

Whats the best (and cheapest) thing to do here, to clean it up and bring some bit of good grass into it? Long term, dividing and reseeding would be the plan. But in the meantime, what would be the best plan?

Would a grass harrow be the job?

snowman707

GERMAN ROCKS wrote: »

what are the advanatages/disadvantages of chain harrowing a pasture grass field. heard a lot of people are doing it now. When is the best time for doing it? could one do it after a field is grazed? will it improve grass quality.

advantages

better grass/silage quality and better growth

better response to fertilizer and slurry ,

best time is after grazing you need reasonable dry conditions ideally followed by a few showers



the remark about burning diesel is only bullsh1t we usually harrow with a 16ft and a IH 885, the benefits far out way the expense occurred

Tora Bora

A run of the chain harrow, is also better than rolling poached fields. You get a nice break up of the rough ground if you leave it till its fairly dry and crisp. Sometimes follow up with a light roll.

Tipp Man

Don't think we have chain harrowed in nearly 30 years.

I don't think any dairy farmer is chain harrowing now as grazing techniques have improved and grass is much better utilised now so it is unnecessary

For dry stock maybe a different story but we have never done it on the cattle land either

johngalway

Username John wrote: »

(the fields should be split into paddocks, but thats another story)

I'd be starting on that plan (helpful, I know, thank me later ). Everytime ya break the place up with a new fence you'll be closer to your goal.

AtillaTheHun

snowman707 wrote: »

advantages

better grass/silage quality and better growth

better response to fertilizer and slurry ,

best time is after grazing you need reasonable dry conditions ideally followed by a few showers



the remark about burning diesel is only bullsh1t we usually harrow with a 16ft and a IH 885, the benefits far out way the expense occurred

I can 'agree to disagree' with you but i don't think there is any need for foul language! I belive this is a 'forum'

I struggle to see the benefit of chain harrowing with modern grazing techniques.

st1979

I know of no dairy farmers doing it. John spend your money on paddocks

BeeDI

st1979 wrote: »

I know of no dairy farmers doing it. John spend your money on paddocks

Lord have mercy, but these dairy farmers, must be the most efficient farmers in the universe:rolleyes:
Follow the dairy boys and ye will all be grand.

bbam

We've never harrowed ground only during re-seeding a good few years ago.. I know of no farms in our area where harrowing is currently being done...

I've often wondered why it stopped, my parents often spoke about land round here being harrowed every year.. did folks just get lazy when fertilizer got affordable??

We're working on rushes first but would definitely give it a go at some stage..