Naive question, sorry....

[db90]

We have an old field which we have reinstated from an overgrown wilderness. We have put some sheep on it to graze it for the first time and we're thinking of using some Paddock Royal fertiliser to help boost the grass without causing excessive growth. Is it ok to keep the sheep grazing on the field, as we don't have an additional field to put the sheep in? I know the official guidance is to allow for 10 days break after application before allowing grazing but this is in relation to horses. Constructive advice very welcome

 

[Sharpy]

It will be fine.

 

[roscoe erf]

sheep don't need an excuse to die

 

[The Seeker]

With spring just around the corner you might get grass growth without the cost of fertiliser as long as is not to stocked

 

[Bury the Trash]

'paddock royal ' wow, sounds like its endorsed by the Queen ?

 

[Highland Mule]

What’s the spec on your fertiliser? Most branding is guff, and a simple 17-17-17 or whatever would do the same job. Find out what the ground needs before you spend money on it.

 

[Werzle]

We have an old field which we have reinstated from an overgrown wilderness. We have put some sheep on it to graze it for the first time and we're thinking of using some Paddock Royal fertiliser to help boost the grass without causing excessive growth. Is it ok to keep the sheep grazing on the field, as we don't have an additional field to put the sheep in? I know the official guidance is to allow for 10 days break after application before allowing grazing but this is in relation to horses. Constructive advice very welcome

Be fine as long as you are not putting stupid amounts on, stock might be miserable for abit if they stop grazing fully because they dont like the taste, time it just before some rain

 

[curlietailz]

Is this the stuff and it’s £740 a tonne !! Plus VAT.

 

[db90]

Is this the stuff and it’s £740 a tonne !! Plus VAT.

 

[db90]

We were certainly not planning on spending that much, but were aware of this site's prices! Thanks for the replies so far even those not that constructive! - all appreciated

 

[onesiedale]

How big is the field? And more importantly, how many sheep?

 

[Danllan]

We were certainly not planning on spending that much, but were aware of this site's prices! Thanks for the replies so far even those not that constructive! - all appreciated

Best of the above is to either not to bother, give it a season without fert and see what happens, or if you must apply some get on before some decent rain.

If there haven't been stock on it and it hasn't been cut for a long time, there is probably a fair bit of fertility in the soil. I'd give it a season to itself and see what you get.

 

[db90]

Best of the above is to either not to bother, give it a season without fert and see what happens, or if you must apply some get on before some decent rain.

If there haven't been stock on it and it hasn't been cut for a long time, there is probably a fair bit of fertility in the soil. I'd give it a season to itself and see what you get.

 

[db90]

Thanks Danllan, they was my initial thoughts but thought second opinions might help. Was planning on undertaking a soil test at some point to identify any potential nutrient shortfalls. Located in the Scottish Borders rain is generally not a problem - especially this year . Very little snow however, but that's true of most parts of Scotland this year

 

[Kiwi Pete]

Do a pH test first, even a simple one.
The thing is, if you put some [rather expensive] fert on and spring comes along, the grass will grow and you'll arrive at the conclusion that it was the fert that dunnit.
However if the pH is really low, then your fert will just be locked up - and thus a complete waste of money (even if it was cheaper).

Generally, fields that have been well rested (rewilded) have tons of fertility but often they're just a bit sour, if it was me I'd probably just get the pH tested and for a small area, bang on a little bit of prilled lime to sort out the acidity... and graze it.

If you find the pH is above 5.8 or so, that's when you'll see a return on using fertiliser, not before.

Whoops should have read @Danllan's post first