Fertiliser for dummies.

[JHT]

Hello- probably a silly question but here goes. We have a big block of upland sheep grazing that’s been pretty neglected the last few years. Always put bagged fert (20-10-10) on every spring but gave up 5 or 6 years ago and it’s really started to show the last couple of years.
We are looking at going on with 16-16-16+5s annually or possibly Fibrophos every 3 years rotating round the block.
Obviously the nitrogen side of the fert doesn’t last long but I was wondering how long the P+K from the bagged fert lasts in the ground?
Any other thoughts appreciated! Thanks.

 

[livestock 1]

Hello- probably a silly question but here goes. We have a big block of upland sheep grazing that’s been pretty neglected the last few years. Always put bagged fert (20-10-10) on every spring but gave up 5 or 6 years ago and it’s really started to show the last couple of years.
We are looking at going on with 16-16-16+5s annually or possibly Fibrophos every 3 years rotating round the block.
Obviously the nitrogen side of the fert doesn’t last long but I was wondering how long the P+K from the bagged fert lasts in the ground?
Any other thoughts appreciated! Thanks.

TSP did most for ours than anything else.

 

[Clive]

Hello- probably a silly question but here goes. We have a big block of upland sheep grazing that’s been pretty neglected the last few years. Always put bagged fert (20-10-10) on every spring but gave up 5 or 6 years ago and it’s really started to show the last couple of years.
We are looking at going on with 16-16-16+5s annually or possibly Fibrophos every 3 years rotating round the block.
Obviously the nitrogen side of the fert doesn’t last long but I was wondering how long the P+K from the bagged fert lasts in the ground?
Any other thoughts appreciated! Thanks.

test and apply based on results

 

[Pringles]

Get the block of land soil sampled then you will know what it actually needs.

 

[livestock 1]

Definitely get it tested

 

[Dave6170]

Lime first

 

[David1968]

Might be lime as much as anything else. As said, testing is key.

 

[neilo]

As above, soil test so you know what you're dealing with.
How long applied P&K will last will depend what you're taking off. Any mowing ground will get deleted quickly, grazing far less so.

Unless you are applying lots of N, which is a job to justify for sheep imo, then you won't be applying much P&K via compounds.
Fibrophos is a cracking product for P&K ime, although the price shot up with other feet and seems to be slower coming back down.

 

[Pieces_of_Eight]

We have a big block of upland sheep grazing that’s been pretty neglected the last few years.

Do you blood test for trace elements?

 

[JHT]

Do you blood test for trace elements?

We have done in the past. Very low on cobalt and copper as is mostly the way in our area. Ewes are Bolused twice a year and lambs done in July.

 

[deleted user 837354]

Soil test or you are just going to be completely in the dark.

If P and K low, correct this via fibrophos. Also sort any pH issues.

You should definitely be buying products containing nitrogen and sulphur and using that as your baseline application to bring on more growth. P and K may be required for subsequent cuts but you need to be careful with this where grazing is involved because of the risk of staggers.

Blood testing animals for trace elements is ok but you need to follow the advice of a vet and supplement the animals directly: Under no circumstances should you attempt to correct micronutrient deficiencies in livestock by messing with products you apply to soil/crops.

 

[Sheep]

I'd echo the above.


Test test test. I've got some farmers wanting to apply 20-10-10 despite having P and K indexs of 3 & 4. Lunacy for grazing, wasting money and causing problems.

 

[JHT]

Soil testing booked up.
I should have said that the land has never seen a muck spreader so P&K is notoriously low. Only what had been spread in compound fert over the years and my father used some Gaspha Rock Phosphate years ago. It’s all grazing. Silage bales are fed over winter which are imported from our home farm. It’s black/peaty soil so is usually pretty low PH. High rainfall as well which I guess doesn’t help. I’ll let you know the results and what the plan is.

 

[Y Fan Wen]

If it's black peaty soil with impeded drainage, raising the ph might cause a rush infestation. Did for me ayway!

 

[deleted user 837354]

Soil testing booked up.
I should have said that the land has never seen a muck spreader so P&K is notoriously low. Only what had been spread in compound fert over the years and my father used some Gaspha Rock Phosphate years ago. It’s all grazing. Silage bales are fed over winter which are imported from our home farm. It’s black/peaty soil so is usually pretty low PH. High rainfall as well which I guess doesn’t help. I’ll let you know the results and what the plan is.

Sounds likely that you will be low in P and K across it.

 

[Handy Andy]

Farmer down the road who I spread fertiliser for has just asked me to put a bag of 0:24:24 on one of his permanent pasture fields when I go there tomorrow to do his barley. He said he'd had the soil tested and the P and K levels were very low, index 1. Takes a cut of hay July time weather permitting then sheep sheep and more sheep. Last time it was tested was apparently 10 years ago when he used to keep cattle as well and P and K levels were more like index 3. I think he's left it a bit late in the season for the 0:24:24 but he's got in the shed and wants to use it.

 

[deleted user 837354]

Farmer down the road who I spread fertiliser for has just asked me to put a bag of 0:24:24 on one of his permanent pasture fields when I go there tomorrow to do his barley. He said he'd had the soil tested and the P and K levels were very low, index 1. Takes a cut of hay July time weather permitting then sheep sheep and more sheep. Last time it was tested was apparently 10 years ago when he used to keep cattle as well and P and K levels were more like index 3. I think he's left it a bit late in the season for the 0:24:24 but he's got in the shed and wants to use it.

You are right he should have probably done it last autumn but hey ho. The regrowth after his cut of hay should be good.

 

[Handy Andy]

You are right he should have probably done it last autumn but hey ho. The regrowth after his cut of hay should be good.

I think it’s his cut of hay he's most concerned about; wants it for his liveries.

 

[deleted user 837354]

I think it’s his cut of hay he's most concerned about; wants it for his liveries.

Well it will be better than a poke in the eye but then nags don't tend to want the bestest ever rocket fuel hay?