Made ground worse!

[Carrigbawn texels]

Hi folks,
Got soil test results back today, this was one big block of 25odd acres, I divided it with one permanent fence up the middle, I drained and limed one side and left the other side untouched so far. Only grazing ground but the index levels are gone very bad for the bit I’ve actually put a bit of work into, got rid of most rushes, kept topped, looks well but the other side is wild with rushes and weeds but on paper more fertile! I brought the ph too high on maintained bit now!
What would ye recommend for doing with the sample marked “A, left of fence”. What fertiliser to put out to optimise grass growth.

Any advice much appreciated.

 

[Skintagain]

Hi folks,
Got soil test results back today, this was one big block of 25odd acres, I divided it with one permanent fence up the middle, I drained and limed one side and left the other side untouched so far. Only grazing ground but the index levels are gone very bad for the bit I’ve actually put a bit of work into, got rid of most rushes, kept topped, looks well but the other side is wild with rushes and weeds but on paper more fertile! I brought the ph too high on maintained bit now!
What would ye recommend for doing with the sample marked “A, left of fence”. What fertiliser to put out to optimise grass growth.

Any advice much appreciated.

Just top it then weed wipe if you don’t want to re seed.

 

[Spencer]

Hi folks,
Got soil test results back today, this was one big block of 25odd acres, I divided it with one permanent fence up the middle, I drained and limed one side and left the other side untouched so far. Only grazing ground but the index levels are gone very bad for the bit I’ve actually put a bit of work into, got rid of most rushes, kept topped, looks well but the other side is wild with rushes and weeds but on paper more fertile! I brought the ph too high on maintained bit now!
What would ye recommend for doing with the sample marked “A, left of fence”. What fertiliser to put out to optimise grass growth.

Any advice much appreciated.

Ammonium Sulphate to acidify it a bit.. 500kg/ha. Grass should grow a bit

 

[Old apprentice]

Ammonium Sulphate to acidify it a bit.. 500kg/ha. Grass should grow a bit

That is 4 vet per acre 84 units of n per acre plus a good dollop of so3.

 

[Derrick Hughes]

you need potash on it

 

[Boohoo]

Have the indices dropped on the improved bit because it has produced more grass and more has been taken out without being replaced, rather than being made worse.
I wouldn't worry about the pH, it'll soon drop by itself.
You need potash and phosphate in the ratio of 4:1 but your unlikely to get that in compound fertiliser, most will be around 2:1 or 3:1 so it's a case of finding out what's available in your area and choosing the closest to what you need. High potash compounds usually designed for silage like 24:6:12 or 22:4:14 would be the sort or thing you're looking for.

 

[neilo]

I certainly wouldn't be worrying about that pH. Needs P&K on it though. Can you get any slurry/muck to it, or Fibrophos?

 

[Cab-over Pete]

Apart from the fact you’ve spent a bit too much on lime, there is absolutely no scientific reason why the pH will cause an issue.

There’s plenty of land with a natural pH over 8 that grows great crops.,

 

[Anymulewilldo]

Wants a good smothering of straw box muck to replace what’s been taken in cuts. I’d be happy with that pH mine spends more time trying to stay below 6 than above 7!

 

[buttercup]

Have you got you labels mixed up ?

 

[Carrigbawn texels]

you need potash on it

Your the second one to tell me that, I will put that out later in the year around November hopefully, appreciate your reply

 

[Carrigbawn texels]

Have the indices dropped on the improved bit because it has produced more grass and more has been taken out without being replaced, rather than being made worse.
I wouldn't worry about the pH, it'll soon drop by itself.
You need potash and phosphate in the ratio of 4:1 but your unlikely to get that in compound fertiliser, most will be around 2:1 or 3:1 so it's a case of finding out what's available in your area and choosing the closest to what you need. High potash compounds usually designed for silage like 24:6:12 or 22:4:14 would be the sort or thing you're looking for.

Very useful info there, thank you, I haven’t cut anything from it other than topping! The sheep are grazing on it most of the year but other than that nothing is taken from it. I’ve bought 18-6-12+s and that is going out at 2bags to the acre and I’ve spread 3000gallons per acre of watery cattle slurry on it the weekend so by next weekend it should be ok for fert to go out and we’ll see how it progresses after that. I’ll put on the potash at a bag to the acre back end of the year and I think I can say I’ve tried my best with it after that

 

[Carrigbawn texels]

I certainly wouldn't be worrying about that pH. Needs P&K on it though. Can you get any slurry/muck to it, or Fibrophos?

Hi neilo, I’ve just given it a right good going of slurry this weekend, 3000gallons per acre of watery slurry and parlour washings. I looked up fibrophos but I need to look for the equivalent here in Ireland!
Thanks for the input and information, very much appreciated

 

[Carrigbawn texels]

Have you got you labels mixed up ?

No, the side that has got lime the ph is higher on so I think the labels are correct unfortunately

 

[Carrigbawn texels]

Wants a good smothering of straw box muck to replace what’s been taken in cuts. I’d be happy with that pH mine spends more time trying to stay below 6 than above 7!

Cheers for the reply, I can get mushroom compost pretty easily, would that help if I spread it?

 

[Carrigbawn texels]

Apart from the fact you’ve spent a bit too much on lime, there is absolutely no scientific reason why the pH will cause an issue.

There’s plenty of land with a natural pH over 8 that grows great crops.,

Thanks for the reply, that’s handy to know. All new info for me. I was a bit keen with the lime no doubt but lesson learnt!!! It still gets good grass but I do notice it’s back on what it used to be,

 

[Anymulewilldo]

Cheers for the reply, I can get mushroom compost pretty easily, would that help if I spread it?

Definitely won’t do any harm, but I don’t know how it stacks up nutrient wise