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Game Cover

 

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GAME MAIZE

Game Maize planted and established in the correct conditions provides excellent shooting cover.  Birds can move freely and will benefit from the nutritious feed value of the cob. 


Maize should not be sown until the average soil temperature reaches 10°C. 



Maize is such an important part of a shoot, choice of right plant type and variety is critical. We do not believe Maize for gamecover is just “any old Game Maize”, so we now have six brands to cover different situations and requirements: 

DOUBLE GOLD
SILVER SHOT
RAPID FIRE
LATE SHOT
TRIPLE MAIZE
ORGANIC

MAIZE TREATMENT

All game maize seed is treated with Mesurol subject to availability Mesurol is an insecticide dressing against Frit Fly and other soil borne pests We recommend this treatment as standard to ensure good establishment

 

LATE SHOT - VERY LATE MATURING MAIZE

• May produce a small immature cob
• Very green plant
• Appears to be of less interest to rabbits and rats, where standard varieties have been decimated.  It is to be hoped this will still be the case at the end of the shooting season
• Mesurol treated - subject to availability
• Pack size 1 acre  

 

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DOUBLE GOLD – GRAIN TYPE

• Excellent standing power for the whole season
• Short plant
• Very good early vigour
• Also used as a Grain Maize in the UK
• Mesurol treated
• Pack size 1 acre  

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SILVER SHOT- COMPACT STAY-GREEN TYPE

• Short and compact plant
• Proven over many years as a UK forage and game variety
• Stay-green characteristics
• High drought tolerance
• Mesurol treated
• Pack size 1 acre 

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RAPID FIRE

• Good standing ability
• Low cob carriage
• Good early vigour
• Mesurol treated – subject to availability
• Pack size 1 acre 

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TRIPLE MAIZE BLEND

• Varieties maturing at different times lengthen the period of usage
• Blend of varieties adds interest and increased bird holding capacity
• Mesurol treated - subject to availability
• Pack size 1 acre

 

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ORGANIC MAIZE

• Forage type tested in UK
• Excellent standing power
• Very limited supply
• Pack size 1 acre

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SUNFLOWERS 

DWARF SUNFLOWER

• A stiff-stemmed short Hybrid variety
• An effective feed crop for southern shoots
• May be difficult to utilise by game birds if not swiped down
• Best results when sown as part of a game mix or with a genuine cover crop such as Kale
• Fungicide treated
• Pack size 1 acre (5kg)

Standard Sunflowers are also available 

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*NEW*

DIAMOND SUNFLOWERS

 

• Super dwarf with excellent standing ability
• Good flowering heads
• Shortness of plant makes seeds readily available for ground feeding birds
• Pack size 1 acre (5kg)

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SUNDOWN MIX

11.50 kg	Game Maize
1.50 kg	Dwarf Sunflower
13.00 kg

BENEFITS

• Combines the feeding potential of both species
• Sunflowers better utilised than when if alone
• Not recommended for marginal areas
• Fungicide treated Sunflowers
• Pack size 1 acre (13.00kg)

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BRASSICAS

KALE

• Will thrive and produce good cover on a wide range of conditions and sites
• Provides a leafy canopy to protect birds from the elements
• Clean stems allow birds to travel freely beneath the canopy
• A very Winter hardy species providing full season cover
• A biennial crop (lasts 2 years) providing regrowth in the second year
• Rovral, Thiram and Sepiret treated seed as standard
• Combicoat treatment available on Keeper and Thousand Head
• Pack size 1kg
  

NB. Flea Beetle treated seed must be drilled not broadcast. Crop will still require regular inspection in case of post-emergence Flea Beetle attack as the treatment is only effective for approximately one week.

VARIETIES

KEEPER

• Good leafy canopy of average height
• Stiff stems reduce lodging
• Very Winter hardy
• Available with Flea Beetle Treatment

 

PINFOLD

• A taller variety
• Excellent protective canopy held high on stem
• Good Winter hardiness

 

THOUSAND HEAD

• Traditional game cover variety
• Medium/tall in height
• Good lodging resistance
• Good Winter hardiness    
• Small to medium size leaves, very hard fibrous stems

 

 

SUREFIRE KALE BLEND  50%  Pinfold or Thousand Head Kale    50%  Keeper Kale The height combination of the two varieties helps to create space and bird runs Will provide superb cover through to February Rovral, Thiram and Sepiret treated Pack size 1 acre (2kg) Back to Top

JONTY Rovral, Thiram and Sepiret treated Brassica with the benefit of rapid bolting tendencies Will provide cover within 6 weeks of sowing (Autumn seeding) Pack size 1kg Back to Top

TEXSEL GREENS Frost hardy cover crop superior to Mustard Easy to establish. Rapid growth helps success weed ingression Rovral,Thiram and Sepiret treated Pack size 1kg Back to Top   *NEW*  ZOOM BRASSICA MIX   50%   Napoleon Forage Rape  50%   Winfred Hybrid Brassica Very vigorous and quick growing mixture Can be easier to establish than Kale Do not plant too early, otherwise will get too big and lodge Sowing time May-July May suffer Flea Beetle attack like Kale, but vigorous establishment and rapid early growth can reduce the effects of Flea Beetle Flea Beetle Seed Treatment available (limited) Pack size 5kg   Back to Top

 

GRASSES

WHITE MILLET

• Will produce a plentiful supply of small seed for birds
• Often sown in conjunction with Maize or Kale to provide feed and flushing areas
• White Millet is thicker leaved and has a better standing power than Red Millet
• Ideally suited as a windbreak or flushing point e.g. around Maize
• Pack size 1 acre (5kg)

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AMBUSH MILLET MIX

3.00 kg	White Millet
2.00 kg	Japanese Reed Millet
5.00 kg/acre

• Reed Millet provides cover for flushing throughout the season
• White Millet will provide feed to hold birds in cover
• Ideally suited for use as a wind-proof belt or flushing point around Maize
• Very Winter hardy
• Pack size 1 acre (5kg)

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MILLGAME MILLET MIX

2.50 kg	Red Millet
2.50 kg	White Millet
5.00 kg/acre

• The combination of two types of millet extends feeding period
• Red Millet matures earlier than White Millet
• White Millet supports the weaker stemmed but higher yielding Red Millet
• Millgame can provide up to 2 tonnes of high protein feed per acre
• Pack size 1 acre (5kg)

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GIANT SORGHUM

• Produces tall dense cover reaching 2 - 2.5m
• Will provide cover in the key Winter months
• Deep roots aid drought resistance
• Can create a shelterbelt for warmth around Maize
• Useful as a flushing crop
• Fungicide treated
• Pack size 1 acre (12kg)

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DWARF SORGHUM Easy to establish large leaved species Excellent standing power throughout the season Great cover providing birds with warm holding area  Will grow approximately 1 - 1.25m tall Good companion to Maize Fungicide treated and recleaned only (limited) Pack size 1 acre (8kg)  Back to Top SPRINT 11 - INTERMEDIATE SORGHUM Intermediate height (between Dwarf and Giant) Attractive seed head Benefits from early sowing - early to mid May Could be used as a windbreak With further evaluation may prove to be a replacement for Giant Sorghum Fungicide treated and recleaned only (limited) Pack size 1 acre (8kg) Back to Top   HOLDFAST CANARY GRASS (Phalaris Aquatica) A valuable perennial nesting cover, which can also be grown on poor exposed sites Once established will provide 2m tall, thick, clumpy plants Suitable for holding, driving and nesting cover Leave at least 75cm between rows to allow for bird runs Will require annual management Pack size 1 acre (2.5kg) Back to Top   REED CANARY GRASS (Phalaris Arundinacia) Similar characteristics to conventional Canary Grass but with the following benefits: Suitable for use in exposed northern sites with its very good frost and Winter hardiness Strong stems and thick leaves provide reliable cover Pack size 1 acre (2.5kg) Back to Top

 

 

MISCELLANEOUS  

ARTICHOKES

A versatile plant in terms of type and geography.

• Plant in ridges
• Pack size 25kg

Please book early to avoid disappointment as stocks are limited.

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BUCKWHEAT

• A quick growing feed and cover crop
• Produces an abundance of nectar which attracts insects, providing interest for game birds especially partridge
• Pack size 5kg

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MUSTARD

• Quick to establish with flexible sowing dates and rates.  Also useful as a green manure
• Not Winter hardy but will provide excellent early cover
• Pack size 5kg or 25kg
• Organic 25kg bags available (limited)

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FODDER RADISH

• Extremely fast growing catch crop
• Useful as green manure
• Good immunity to Brassica Sickness
• Rapid establishment provides good competition with weeds
• Not Winter hardy
• Pack size 5kg

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FORAGE RAPE

• An alternative to Kale that establishes and grows rapidly
• See Roots Crops 
• Pack size 5kg and 25kg

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PERENNIAL CHICORY 

• Excellent for wild bird shoots, to create habitat areas or as a barrier/perimeter crop
• First year will look like a large dandelion plant, second year will bolt and produce a  “flowering hedge”
• Good drought resistance
• Does not like very wet ground
• Pack size 2kg

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QUINOA Capable of providing 1 tonne per acre of high protein seed Often grown with Kale to support plants heavy with seed (see Overdrive Mixture) Can be used as a break crop against Brassica Sickness Pack size 1kg Back to Top     YELLOW BLOSSOM SWEET CLOVER A crop that will last up to 2 years Pheasant and partridge can move easily between stems with the dense canopy providing shelter Pack size 1kg Back to Top   LINSEED Very attractive to all game birds particularly partridge Useful when sown as a mixture e.g. with Kale or Triticale - see new Partridge Mix Pack size 25kg Back to Top     TRITICALE – True Spring Type Very good cover and feed in marginal low fertility areas, especially where Maize or Millet are not options Unique in its tolerance of rabbit attack True Spring species therefore no risk of non vernalisation Ideal where Brassica Sickness is a problem or in drought prone areas Pack size 25kg Back to Top     GOLD OF PLEASURE A fast maturing free-branching plant Seeds attract birds especially partridge Suited to poorer and nutrient deficient soils Good results when sown as part of a mixture – see Partridge Mix Pack size 5kg  Back to Top

 

GAME COVER MIXTURES

As a result of extensive trialling at the Inkberrow site, we have improved the range of specially formulated mixtures to ensure you will be able to achieve the best from your cover crop. 

 

OVERDRIVE - Quinoa/Kale Mix

1.25 kg	Quinoa
1.25 kg	Keeper Kale (Flea Beetle treated)
2.50 kg/acre

• Kale provides excellent cover
• Quinoa produces high quality feed
• Eligible on Set-Aside ground as wildlife cover
• Pack size 1 acre (2.5kg)

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LATE COVER MIX

0.35 g	Mustard
3.00 kg	Forage Rape
1.65 kg	Stubble Turnips
5.00 kg/acre

• A rapidly establishing and maturing mixture providing Winter cover
• Will grow to a height of between 2-3 feet
• This mixture will tolerate drought conditions
• Pack size 1 acre (5kg)

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KWIK FIX

1.50 kg	Mustard
3.50 kg	Fodder Radish
5.00 kg/acre

• Flexible crop can be used to patch failed Spring game covers
• Mustard increases the cover element and prolongs the cover period
• Will not provide full season cover
• Pack size 1 acre (5kg)

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TRADITIONAL GAME COVER

1.50 kg	Red Millet
1.75 kg	White Millet
0.75 kg	Dwarf Sunflower
3.00 kg	Game Maize
1.50 kg	Buckwheat
1.00 kg	Kale
0.25 kg	Mustard
0.25 kg	Forage Rape
10.00 kg/acre

• A traditional mixture of species specially selected for their feed and cover qualities
• Designed for a full season of cover
• Will provide effective holding, feed and cover for all game birds
• Due to the variance in seed size, broadcast to achieve optimum establishment
• Eligible for Set-Aside under the wild bird cover option
• Pack size 1 acre (10kg)

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NORTHERN STAR GAME MIX  10.00 kg  Triticale   7.00 kg  Tic Beans   1.00 kg  Kale   0.50 kg  Yellow Blossom Clover   1.50 kg  Forage Rape 20.00 kg/acre   Will provide cover and feed as well as being a haven for wildlife throughout the season Triticale is beneficial where rabbit damage is a potential problem Northern Star is eligible for Set-Aside under the wild bird cover option Wide drilling spaces are advisable to enable birds to have free access Pack size 1 acre (20kg) Back to Top   FOUR TEN MIX 10.00 kg  Game Maize   4.00 kg  Dwarf Sorghum 14.00 kg/acre   Dwarf Sorghum will provide added warmth and cover below Maize Will provide cover and feed throughout the season Both have similar husbandry techniques Sowing date - late Spring Treated seed Back to Top     PARTRIDGE MIX  20.00 kg  Triticale   3.00 kg  Linseed   2.00 kg  Gold of Pleasure 25.00 kg/acre   Very hardy mixture, thrives on colder poorer soils Open canopy encourages and holds partridges Useful to use as a break crop from Kale Pack size 1 acre (25kg) Back to Top

 

DECOY GAME MIXTURE *NEW

1.5 kg	Red Millet
1.5 kg	White Millet
2.0 kg	Dwarf Sorghum
3.0kg	Intermediate Sorghum
8kg/acre

• A mixture designed for excellent cover and feed on the same principle as the popular Traditional Game Cover Mix but minus the maize and sunflowers
• Due to the variance in seed size, broadcast to achieve optimum establishment
• Eligible for set-aside under the wild bird cover option
• Pack size 1 acre (8kg)

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REARING MIXTURES

GENERAL PURPOSE REARING PEN MIX

 

A mixture of varieties which will provide a perfect rearing/release pen mixture. The mix establishes rapidly and forms a hardwearing sward.

2.50 kg	Late Perennial Ryegrass
3.00 kg	Amenity Perennial Ryegrass
2.00 kg	Timothy
2.00 kg	Meadow Fescue
2.00 kg	Creeping Red Fescue
1.00 kg	Birdsfoot Trefoil
0.50 kg	White Clover
13.00 kg/acre

Seed rate 13kg/acre
Pack size 1 acre pack

• Quick and easy to establish
• Will produce a hardwearing sward that will withstand intensive stocking
• Legumes will fix Nitrogen and attract insects

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DEER LAWN MIXTURE

37%	Meadow Fescue
15%	Timothy
15%	Late Perennial Ryegrasss (Dip)
5%	Smooth Meadow Grass
5%	Common Bent Grass
2.5%	Meadow Foxtail
5%	White Clover (Small leaved)
3%	Lucerne (Grazing type)
3%	Sainfoin
1%	Perennial Chicory
1%	Plantain
2.5%	Black Medick
2%	Red Clover
3%	Fenugreek
100%

   

Seed rate 15kg – per acre

Pack size 1 acre pack

• A mixture blended to provide a wide and very diverse blend of forage which will suit the needs of most deer species found in the UK
• The grasses will provide the bulk of the forage, Meadow Foxtail being one of the species favoured by deer
• The wide selection of leguminous plants provides good levels of protein and minerals and will add variation and interest to the diet
• Mixtures such as these can be sown into cleared areas of woodland where soil types and structures are not always ideal and deer may graze without disturbance

 

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EVALUATING FOR 2009+

 

 GRÜNER ANGELITER KALE

• Tall Kale - Marrow Stem type
• Excellent game cover variety as forms a great canopy for the birds
• Good Winter hardiness
• Game cover and forage variety
• Cruiser treatment available (very limited)

AND

Three kales

Quinoa

Sorghums - Dwarf and Intermediate

Maize - Grain and Forage types

Leafy Turnip

New type Forage Rape

 

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