Planting a SUMMER COVER CROP To Improve SOIL HEALTH - Using A Vaderstad Rapid!

Finally we’ve got a weather window to get this years summer cover crop drilled. The cover crop will be grazed by sheep and cattle all summer before the field is direct drilled with wheat in the autumn. In this video I explain the thought process behind establishing the crop and what’s in it. It’s also the first proper run out for our new John Deere 120M so I’ve done a quick review on that. Enjoy!

[@FarmerEdKB]

Hi there, I’ve recently started watching your videos and I find them really interesting. I find the regen techniques you’re using very informative and inspiring. Keep doing what you’re doing 👍

[@billylewis6084]

Thanks!

[@7rixee]

Woulda thought the 120m a touch small on the rapid, it pulls well then huh?

[@johnsimpson8652]

How do you rate the Rapid drill ,presumably it is not up to direct drilling ,as you use a JD one for that ,is that a contractor ?

[@billylewis6084]

We’ve basically got the rapid for planting cover crops/grass. It does an awesome job at that and it’s such a simple reliable piece of kit. And will go straight into stubbles really well when you have the system disc in an inch or so. Direct drilling with one is possible and we have done it successfully before, both planting cereals and over-seeding grass but it’s not ideal and wouldn’t always work. So when we drill cereals we get contractors with direct drills to do that.