Advice on fertilisers

[Ratbadger2]

Hi guys

Last year I had our haylage fields soil tested it.
We have very sandstone/clay ground
The ph is 5.4
And it is low on calcium,potassium,sulphur,sodium,copper and zinc
Which isn’t great for horse haylage. I’m looking for a bit of advice if anyone knows any product that would address the balance. Thanks in advance

 

[FIL46]

Lime is what you need to balance the ground out, plus the right fertiliser, I would give that results to some fertiliser suppliers and see what they recomend

 

[C.J]

It only needs Lime - by raising the pH to between 6.0-6.5 most of the trace elements will become more available.

 

[Agrivator]

How many acres are you talking about. You need the 2t/acre of ground Limestone, and not Magnesian lime because the Magnesium level already is more than adequate.

But a contractor won't be able to spread less than 15 acres, because loads normally come in artics at about 28t. If you are only talking about a few acres, you could either use the very expensive liming products that you can spread yourself, or ideally a local contractor might be able to accommodate you if he is also spreading for a near neighbour.

The Borders Machinery Ring will be able to give you the contact numbers for local lime spreaders. Or phone Hogarths at Kelso.

 

[Ratbadger2]

Thanks. The main field is 10 acres but I have another couple that would take it up to between 18 and 22 acres I’m waiting for my neighbor to get back from Norway to see what his plans are this year

 

[Ratbadger2]

I was trying to look into a while ago calcified seaweed don’t know if you can still get it or not?

 

[Formatted]

It only needs Lime - by raising the pH to between 6.0-6.5 most of the trace elements will become more available.

That is great, where is that from?

 

[deleted user 837354]

Lime first. P and K and S and N after. In that situation I would buy a small amount of compound and do the lot in one go.

 

[upnortheast]

ph level that low it may need 2 x 2 tonnes / acre Calcium lime 12 months apart. As above Not mag lime

After that depends how much production you want. 2 bags (100kg ) 20 . 10 .10 acre should get it started. Might be worth getting one that included Sulphur if available

Note - Production depends a lot on grass / weed species already there.

I would not worry too much about sodium,copper and zinc levels I would wait 18 months after the lime & retest to check those trace element levels . You may find they have improved with the better ph conditions

 

[Boohoo]

Lime first then something like 22-4-14+S would be my choice. You may need to look at extra potash in the future due to the amount of potash that's removed by the crop.

 

[le bon paysan]

Old fashioned I know but is basic slag still available? It is possible to buy it here with added P and K