Winetech Technical Yearbook 2022

Moby forage barley Arvika forage peas Tajuna fodder radish Total mix

Cereal Legume Brassica

30 20 2 52

3.7 0.0 1.9 5.6

3

Weeds

0.0

Forage barley and peas performed relatively well, but the radish was unsuccessful. Weed suppression was very good. Cost: R885/ha

* DM = Dry Matter Production (tons/hectare). The difficult soil type was the reason for selecting this site. Good rainfall experienced in 2021 (550 mm, January - September 2021) and seedbed preparation are likely to have contributed to the success of the cover crops at this demo. The mixtures at this site produced good biomass overall. Interestingly the grower has achieved a relatively good stand and cover across the work row in the adjacent block where prairie grass (bromus), has been sown and encouraged. Although native to South America, this grass is now naturalised in many other locations.

REGION: BREEDE RIVER VALLEY District: Robertson Site: De Wetshof Soil description: Red Karoo Vineyard irrigation: Drip (intensive) Sowing date: Late May/early June Sowing method: By hand Harvested: Early October

Seeding rate (kg/ha)

DMP (t/ha)

Plot

Variety/species

Type

Observations

Barpower forage rye Scala brown mustard Total mix

Cereal Brassica

35 2 37

3.1 0.1 3.2

1

Weeds

0.2

This mixture’s performance was average to good. The forage barley produced a relatively good DM. Weed suppression was relatively good. Cost: R820/ha

Moby forage barley Stala phacelia Total mix

Cereal Forb

40 3 43

5.3 0.0 5.3

2

Weeds

0.0

This mixture had reached the end of its growth cycle and was flat on the ground when harvested. It produced a very good biomass of over 5 t/h and created a decent mat of material. The phacelia was outcompeted by the forage barley. Cost: R930/ha

Barsaia saia oats Tajuna fodder radish Haymaker grazing vetch Total mix

Cereal Brassica Legume

25 1 6 32

5.9 0.0 0.0 5.9

3

Weeds

0.0

This mixture produced the highest yield at this site, just under 6 t/ha. The oats dominated the mixture and was harvested before its peak weight. The fodder radish and grazing vetch were unsuccessful or outcompeted by the oats. Weed suppression was excellent. Cost: R840/ha

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WINETECH TECHNICAL YEARBOOK 2022