If you have not done so in the recent past, now is the ideal time to soil sample as it will provide vital information on the soil fertility status of your farm. This is according to Ciaran Beatty, a Teagasc advisor based in Castlerea, Co. Roscommon.
Many farmers in the past have expressed disappointment with yields from fertilisers which were used on their lands.
A correctly taken soil sample will cut out the guessing game and bring real accurate information to the table.
Grass is the cheapest source of feed on our farms today with it being up to three times cheaper than silage and up to five times cheaper than concentrates.
On any farm, grass supply and grazing season is dependent on location, weather, stocking rate but most importantly the fertility status of the soil on your farm.
The more grass you can grow and utilise, the more efficient and cost effective your enterprise can become.
- Soil sample every 2 -4 ha;
- Take sample to the correct depth of 10cms with appropriate corer;
- Leave 3-6 months between sampling and last application of chemical fertilisers or slurry;
- Avoid unused spots such as old fences; ditches; drinking troughs; dung or urine patches; areas with feeders;
- Take a representative sample by walking in a ‘W’ shaped pattern across the field;
- Place cores in sample box, well filled and mark location on map and send for analysis.
Fertiliser Plan
The resultant soil analysis report will provide us with vital information on soil pH (lime level) along with phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) levels.
We can then target each area with the appropriate and correct fertiliser as well as pinpointing where exactly our slurries can have the best effect.
Lime
Lime is hugely important in that it’s the cement in the mix of NPK that makes them available to promote plant growth and can also unlock stored nutrients in the soil.
Lime has to be right or you are just wasting money. Indeed this is the first step for many farmers; they will apply lime, based on soil results, to try to improve the pH of the soil thus improving the effectiveness of the fertiliser being applied.