Gamecover season is upon us, therefore we have created a short guide to achieving the best crop for your shoot.
Deciding on the right crop
Deciding on the right gamecover crop to suit your shoots needs, can be tricky. There are a number of factors to consider such as height and longevity of the crop, as well as the soil type and land suitability. To achieve the best results from your gamecover crop, it is advisable to speak to a Wynnstay specialist about the options that are available. This will highlight the various factors which need to be considered and ensure that you are selecting the correct crop for your individual situation.
Sowing & establishment
There is a fairly wide sowing window when it comes to gamecover. The general rule of thumb is to sow between the early May and to early June. However it is more important to make sure the conditions are right, than to concentrate on the month you are in. Most gamecover crops will require a warm seedbed (approx. 10˚C), therefore sowing into lower temperature soils may hinder establishment.
When establishing gamecover, it is key to focus on seedbed conditions. This will mean studying any potential compaction issues, pH levels and looking at the existing level of organic matter that is in the soil. This will ensure that you can provide the crop with the right amount of nutrients which it requires to get off to a good start.
Weeds, pests & diseases
It is important to create a sterile seedbed when drilling gamecover, as there are no many herbicide options for gamecover mixes - therefore it is advisable to spray, plough and cultivate the land to encourage weeds to germinate. This means that on the second round of spaying, problematic weeds can be sprayed-off. This can be repeated to limit weed growth and to create ideal seedbed conditions. By doing this, it will reduce the amount of weeds that compete against the gamecover mixture for moisture and light.
For more information, download The Wynnstay gamecover brochure which provides a guide to our portfolio of gamecover seeds. From straights to pre-formulated mixtures, and a crop solutions chart to help solve establishment issues, such as pests eating the crop to site difficulties, our guide has all the information you will need.
