Fibrophos or granular?

[Stw88]

Just had some soil sampling done and our p and k values are very low 0-1. Fert rep is suggesting 2.5cwt of 15-15-20 pre silage but im starting to wonder wether fibrophos would be better and lift values quicker with the bonus of all the trace elements? I have my own lime spreader so spreading isnt an issue. Anyone else been in the same situation?

 

[Dave6170]

@Brisel
Hes knows his stuff regarding p and k

 

[Davy_g]

What is the ph?
Less than 1 is pretty deficient. Has the field had any dung or slurry recently. Might do it good to be grazed rather than cut this year. I think chemical fertiliser is only a short term fix.

 

[Dave6170]

I used 1 27 0 powder last year. Going to use fibrophos this year. P was really low here. K wasnt as bad.

 

[Yale]

@neilo

 

[Stw88]

Its 5 diffrent fields totaling 90acre, ph between 5.6-5.9 used calcifert couple of years ago but it hasnt held the levels up long. Will all get proper lime this year at some point. Do try to muck/ slurry all fields in spring then ones closest get slurry after silage. Did expect values to be higher the amount of muck they get. All have been reseeded within the last 6 year.

 

[Brisel]

Just had some soil sampling done and our p and k values are very low 0-1. Fert rep is suggesting 2.5cwt of 15-15-20 pre silage but im starting to wonder wether fibrophos would be better and lift values quicker with the bonus of all the trace elements? I have my own lime spreader so spreading isnt an issue. Anyone else been in the same situation?

Thanks for the tag @Dave6170

Fibrophos might not be the quickest to fix a deficiency but if the alternative to the finely ground powder (with a high surface area) Fibrophos is a blend involving large granules of TSP then that will be very slowly available. Something highly soluble like DAP would be best and it is well priced at the moment though you’d need some additional K. MOP would be in the blend and is readily available.

To answer your question, I’d put a high dose of Fibrophos on. Buy it by the artic lorry load and get it on ASAP to rebuild your soil indices. Any muck or slurry available?

 

[neilo]

Just in terms of P and K, I can get Fibrophos delivered & spread by the spreader loaf, for exactly the same price as buying 0:24:24 (which I then have to spread).
If I had my own belt spreader and bought an artic load, it would be 2/3 of that price, and we’re in one of the areas where haulage makes it expensive.

That’s without taking into account the sulphur, sodium and Mag supplies, all of which we need.
A no-brainer imo.

 

[pauld]

A bit surprised at low levels if muck and slurry applied. Did the fert rep do the sampling?
Getting your own samples analysed, plus I would do trace elements, might be the best money spent.

 

[Agrivator]

As others have said, Fibrophos would be my choice, but keep it dry before spreading so that you don't end up with too many clods, which are not particularly beneficial to inquisitive lambs.

 

[Dave6170]

As others have said, Fibrophos would be my choice, but keep it dry before spreading so that you don't end up with too many clods, which are not particularly beneficial to inquisitive lambs.

Can it handle rain when dumped in a heap?

 

[Brisel]

Yes, but it won’t spread as well. It sticks to the vanes though will soon clear itself if it hasn’t soaked the entire heap.

 

[Agrivator]

Can it handle rain when dumped in a heap?

The surface gets wet and won't spread evenly. But it won't blow over the fence onto your neighbour's land, so that's small consolation.

 

[Will 1594]

The surface gets wet and won't spread evenly. But it won't blow over the fence onto your neighbour's land, so that's small consolation.

Does it need to be flat calm to spread. , been spraying and was going to spread a bit but bit of breeze now ,

 

[neilo]

Does it need to be flat calm to spread. , been spraying and was going to spread a bit but bit of breeze now ,

It doesn’t drift as much as ground limestone, but more than granular fert.

 

[Extreme Optimist]

Just had some soil sampling done and our p and k values are very low 0-1. Fert rep is suggesting 2.5cwt of 15-15-20 pre silage but im starting to wonder wether fibrophos would be better and lift values quicker with the bonus of all the trace elements? I have my own lime spreader so spreading isnt an issue. Anyone else been in the same situation?

Speak to Lee Henzell 07843 441888. He supplies Fibrophos and other alternative sources of P & K

 

[upnortheast]

Speak to Lee Henzell 07843 441888. He supplies Fibrophos and other alternative sources of P & K

Not sure which end of the county you are but there is also Ross Corbett at Otterburn can supply

 

[Cowabunga]

Just had some soil sampling done and our p and k values are very low 0-1. Fert rep is suggesting 2.5cwt of 15-15-20 pre silage but im starting to wonder wether fibrophos would be better and lift values quicker with the bonus of all the trace elements? I have my own lime spreader so spreading isnt an issue. Anyone else been in the same situation?

With indexes as low as that, I'd be considering 4.0 of 15-15-21 in the Spring and another four for second cut. Luxury uptake of potash shouldn't be an issue at that level of application I don't think.
For grazing, at least 30P and 30K is needed annually for maintainance. Another 60 of K after a heavy cut. That's after normal indices have been restored. Use fert with sulphur.
Unless there has been a specific deficiency noted in soil samples, trace elements will be the least of problems.

 

[Cows 'n grass]

I'm using annual doses of 0:9:18 (1t/ha) fibrophos and biannual doses of sewerage sludge (25t/ ha) of some very run down ground. It's not a quick process but I am seeing a real difference now.

 

[milkloss]

With indexes as low as that, I'd be considering 4.0 of 15-15-21 in the Spring and another four for second cut. Luxury uptake of potash shouldn't be an issue at that level of application I don't think.
For grazing, at least 30P and 30K is needed annually for maintainance. Another 60 of K after a heavy cut. That's after normal indices have been restored. Use fert with sulphur.
Unless there has been a specific deficiency noted in soil samples, trace elements will be the least of problems.

I always find these sort of posts interesting..... we have quite a tired farm and I’m always learning. Is that 4.0=4cwt and is that 30 units P and K?

trouble is that raising indices is quite an expensive job when you’ve got plenty else to be spending money on!