Direct Versus Conventional Drilling

Looking to establish new pasture ? One of the decisions you face is whether to sow the grass seed by conventional sowing, or by direct drilling. Many crop specialists favour the direct drilling method. Here’s why:

Direct drilling involves using knockdown herbicides, instead of soil cultivation, to control weeds prior to sowing. The advantages over conventional sowing are:

• Reduced soil degradation. Organic litter is available for longer since it breaks down more slowly at the surface.

• The soil is generally kept moist due to surface mulch.

• The mulch insulates the soil from temperature extremes.

• All this is good for the earthworms.

To get a good pasture established, the paddock needs to be free of weeds, insects and trash. The double spray technique is commonly used to eradicate weeds.