Game cover crops and SFI

[Gudgeon]

Hi all,
I've not long had a small farm shoot, 30 bird days for the boss and a few days for friends etc. The farm has had a shoot intermittently for ever. Farmer tells me this week that 3 areas of maize cover are being replaced with SFI cover because he needs the money!
Any experience with wild bird food and winter bird food type covers?
BTW its Norfolk, so very flat, cold and windy!
Thanks

 

[Bo Diddley]

Good luck, we have the same problem, went from maize to Wild Bird Cover and it's bloody hard work and ruined the shoot in my opinion, the WBC never seems to come to much, to thick and green when the birds are young and finding their feet, ok for a couple of weeks as it dies back, then by the time we get into a couple of days it's all as flat as a witches tit...

 

[Penyard]

I had my best season ever this year with all 5 drives planted with Kings Take Off mix which is SFI. I cut a few narrow rides in it to open it up a bit when partridge first go out. The kale is still standing well now and could do a second season but I will replant as I think the seed, millet in particular, does a great job holding birds.

 

[jall55]

Hi all,
I've not long had a small farm shoot, 30 bird days for the boss and a few days for friends etc. The farm has had a shoot intermittently for ever. Farmer tells me this week that 3 areas of maize cover are being replaced with SFI cover because he needs the money!
Any experience with wild bird food and winter bird food type covers?
BTW its Norfolk, so very flat, cold and windy!
Thanks

We have been using wild bird plots to hold our game birds for years and TBH its great
I buy the "base" from kins - something like moir mix or wild songbird mix - then add a bit of stuff like chiccory / phacelia or buckwheat
Sad as it might sound i really really look forward to seeing the covers planted and then growing and flowering - the insects and wild birds using them is incredible
We had snow this year in November and it did hammer them - but we have good woods too

 

[Greenmist]

Speak with Kings seeds, also if you can get to Allerton (GWCT) they have cover crops etc and all the info on them, good day out as well

 

[Frank Homes]

Have a look at AB9/AHL2 One Year Wild Bird Cover mix which contains the following ingredients:
15% Sunflower
60% Spring Triticale
5% Fodder Radish
5% Linseed
8% Mustard
7% Millet

We had this unintentionally on a big commercial shoot and the pheasants loved it to the detriment of some of the drives.

 

[Rhodesianjess]

You have a PM.

 

[old keeper]

Unexpectedly, we had a field planted with wild bird cover; it proved to be a pheasant magnet and made a significant difference to the season. Hopefully, there will be more next season!

 

[Gudgeon]

Many thanks for all the info, feel a bit happier about it now. I think I'm getting Oakbank Game Mix 416 (Tritical, cereals, sorghum, millet) and Kings Campaign Mix which looks similar but is for a specific bit of ground. Apparently will be drilled on a wider setting to help the birds get around. I'll let you know how I get on!!

 

[Gudgeon]

I see from the news that the SFI scheme is now closed, so I hope he already had his application in. There doesn't seem to be anything that the current government won't do to stick the boot in on the farmer.

 

[Fez]

Unfortunately the SFI scheme has been withdrawn,with immediate effect. Not great from the government but that labour ****s for you. I had just sprayed of 10 acres of grass Togo into honey bee mixes