Moss in meadows Lime correction?

[Farmer_Joe]

Ive got lots of moss in meadows that were reseeded in 2014/15/16 used different seed suppliers different years and were speced for upland areas. Started off very well and they have had plenty of shite and fert, but last 2 years there been more moss especially noticeable at this time of year. They are well drained too, just grazed generally. aprox 220m above sea level north yorkshire.

I was considering getting some lime, last time it was checked it was slightly acidic and has had lime historically,

got a quote today £20 a tonne delivered/spread, this is for calcium lime, he did however say he could do magnesium lime much cheaper im not really familiar with this so input would be much appreciated.

He gonna come do a ph test obviously before to check application rates

 

[Top Tip.]

Ive got lots of moss in meadows that were reseeded in 2014/15/16 used different seed suppliers different years and were speced for upland areas. Started off very well and they have had plenty of shite and fert, but last 2 years there been more moss especially noticeable at this time of year. They are well drained too, just grazed generally. aprox 220m above sea level north yorkshire.

I was considering getting some lime, last time it was checked it was slightly acidic and has had lime historically,

got a quote today £20 a tonne delivered/spread, this is for calcium lime, he did however say he could do magnesium lime much cheaper im not really familiar with this so input would be much appreciated.

He gonna come do a ph test obviously before to check application rates

Check your magnesium levels while your at it see if you need mag lime.

 

[Farmer_Joe]

had a read around im on heavy clay so unlikely to be short on mag, will get test done anyway though

 

[ollie989898]

Soil test properly, broad spectrum, not just pH. Waste of time just doing pH.

 

[Bury the Trash]

try not to overgraze ....and try to leave longer covers

Try a pass with a spikey aerator when its dry enough to do of course.

 

[Agrivator]

What's the clover content?

 

[Yale]

try not to overgraze ....and try to leave longer covers

Try a pass with a spikey aerator when its dry enough to do of course.

Yes,

And if you can try to rotationally graze it so longer covers can be left to shade out the moss.

 

[Farmer_Joe]

got a white clover content is seed, not sure on percentage cant see much left in it now to be honest.

Not particularly heavily grazed, been rotating sheep across fields so its had a few decent brakes.

Surface it quite hard been mole trapping and first 6 inch very tough, (nice and soft beneath) might hire and airator and give that a try

cheers for help

 

[Macsky]

More muck wouldn’t do any harm either.

 

[livestock 1]

got a white clover content is seed, not sure on percentage cant see much left in it now to be honest.

Not particularly heavily grazed, been rotating sheep across fields so its had a few decent brakes.

Surface it quite hard been mole trapping and first 6 inch very tough, (nice and soft beneath) might hire and airator and give that a try

cheers for help

We’ve used mag lime extensively here in the past but lately any soil tests revealed high mag which could lock up trace elements. Consequently agrominists have advised Calcium lime which I always thought was a waste of time in the past. However I have gone along with them and after a year or so I can see a big difference. Calcium lime here is £17 a tonne spread Mag lime is nearer £27 a tonne spread, it may be location and haulage that makes values opposite way round for me. Get a soil test done. I’ve been putting some triple super phosphate on with great results MAP DAP with good results too but not soil tested for this. Ground rock phosphate was a bloody waste of time and money here. If you get Calcium lime make sure it’s fine stuff or it takes ages to work there’s a size it’s meant to be. You can also use chalk if it’s cheaper. New slag is a good buy as it limes as well as puts phosphate on too, but it’s no good if ph is too far out like mine was.

 

[ollie989898]

Show me a picture of these reseeded leys and a list of what was sown and how. Take one photo at head height and one close enough so I can see the individual grass plants.

By the sounds of it you have an issue with water not getting through the soil profile fast enough.

I cannot stress this enough do not buy a tonne of anything without a full spectrum soil test first. One per field.

 

[livestock 1]

Show me a picture of these reseeded leys and a list of what was sown and how. Take one photo at head height and one close enough so I can see the individual grass plants.

By the sounds of it you have an issue with water not getting through the soil profile fast enough.

I cannot stress this enough do not buy a tonne of anything without a full spectrum soil test first. One per field.

Do those slitter things work?

 

[ollie989898]

Do those slitter things work?

I know people who swear by them but they do nothing to alleviate a pan or similar below their working depth. They seem able to remediate the damage caused by cattle grazing, not anything mechanical.

 

[livestock 1]

I know people who swear by them but they do nothing to alleviate a pan or similar below their working depth. They seem able to remediate the damage caused by cattle grazing, not anything mechanical.

There’s a firm up here sells pan busting gear for grassland it could be Erth Engineering Robert Taylor Allendale Hexham Northumberland

 

[primmiemoo]

Sheep can cause a sort of capping in some years on fine soils with the clay. I've noticed a similar mossy thatch here in a run of wet years.

Soil test (your clover could be hungry for P and K, and being singed by too much N in the muck), and pH.

Scarifying works, and one field really bounced back after aeration followed by a good old scratch.

Lime's never a bad idea if agreements, etc allow - but what ollie says about the testing for the right type.

 

[Farmer_Joe]

I know people who swear by them but they do nothing to alleviate a pan or similar below their working depth. They seem able to remediate the damage caused by cattle grazing, not anything mechanical.

I am begins to think the is the issue I’ve done a hell of a lot of mole trapping this year and the mossy reseed are really tough for first 4 inch then nice and loose other fields just normal I will get pics and find old seed bag for mix,

Again thank you everyone for your input

 

[Farmer_Joe]

We’ve used mag lime extensively here in the past but lately any soil tests revealed high mag which could lock up trace elements. Consequently agrominists have advised Calcium lime which I always thought was a waste of time in the past. However I have gone along with them and after a year or so I can see a big difference. Calcium lime here is £17 a tonne spread Mag lime is nearer £27 a tonne spread, it may be location and haulage that makes values opposite way round for me. Get a soil test done. I’ve been putting some triple super phosphate on with great results MAP DAP with good results too but not soil tested for this. Ground rock phosphate was a bloody waste of time and money here. If you get Calcium lime make sure it’s fine stuff or it takes ages to work there’s a size it’s meant to be. You can also use chalk if it’s cheaper. New slag is a good buy as it limes as well as puts phosphate on too, but it’s no good if ph is too far out like mine was.

Ha ha my late father got some ‘mineral mix’ looks like rock salt really expensive all went hard I mixed it in with much heap and spread it that way!

I will get soil test done ph last time was ever so slightly acidic, the lime I have been quoted for is the fine powder stuff.

How much does everyone pay for soil tests last time I was quoted was 12.50 a box or something last time

 

[upnortheast]

Robert Taylor Allendale Hexham Northumberland

that is http://www.dalesagrisalesagency.co.uk/
Sometimes on here @tractorbob

 

[Coximus]

Your up the road from me. Mag lime can be collected for 3 a tonne ex quarry at Tadcaster and 12.50 for calc lime abit furher afield. Avoid tarmac calc lime.lime . rom Grassington - they send utter shute with over half larger than 2mm. They also want an obsene price usually.

 

[Farmer_Joe]

Got some pics

Caught that twit too girls very happy ha ha