Forums
New posts
Forum list
Search forums
What's new
New posts
New resources
Latest activity
Trending Threads
Resources
Latest reviews
Search resources
FarmTV
Farm Compare
Search
Tokens/Searches
Calendar
Upcoming Events
Members
Registered members
Current visitors
New Resources
New posts
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles only
By:
New posts
Forum list
Search forums
Menu
Log in
Register
Navigation
Install the app
Install
More options
Contact us
Close Menu
Forums
Regenerative Agriculture and Direct Drilling
Regen Ag Crops & Agronomy
Not happy
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Message
<blockquote data-quote="DrWazzock" data-source="post: 2977306" data-attributes="member: 2119"><p>There's a lot of mileage in getting the chemistry of the soil right in terms of improving structure. Liming was the traditional way and this is effective. I think a lot of clay soils aren't adequately limed, as they are usually naturally alkaline but can still be short of calcium. Ours are rich in aluminium hydroxides which raises pH, even though calcium can be low. I also wonder if adding some kind of physical conditioner such as vermiculite type substance, gravel or slag would achieve faster improvement in structure than organic matter which is constantly decaying and needs replenishment. But this a different subject almost in to the realms of hydroponics and vast quantities would be needed to make a difference. We have ploughed straw in for thirty years and the effect is insignificant, despite warnings back in those days from some professor that we would overload the soil with organic matter!!</p><p></p><p>I do get the point of zero till and do my best to make it work. I am still looking for solutions but at the end of the day I can't afford too many big bald patches in the crops or too much clatting around to achieve a result. The plough and power Harrow system is simple, most resilient and foolproof in my experience though maybe not ideal. It falls down for us on the sand with the possibility of wind erosion so the sand is no tilled if possible. Horses for courses.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="DrWazzock, post: 2977306, member: 2119"] There's a lot of mileage in getting the chemistry of the soil right in terms of improving structure. Liming was the traditional way and this is effective. I think a lot of clay soils aren't adequately limed, as they are usually naturally alkaline but can still be short of calcium. Ours are rich in aluminium hydroxides which raises pH, even though calcium can be low. I also wonder if adding some kind of physical conditioner such as vermiculite type substance, gravel or slag would achieve faster improvement in structure than organic matter which is constantly decaying and needs replenishment. But this a different subject almost in to the realms of hydroponics and vast quantities would be needed to make a difference. We have ploughed straw in for thirty years and the effect is insignificant, despite warnings back in those days from some professor that we would overload the soil with organic matter!! I do get the point of zero till and do my best to make it work. I am still looking for solutions but at the end of the day I can't afford too many big bald patches in the crops or too much clatting around to achieve a result. The plough and power Harrow system is simple, most resilient and foolproof in my experience though maybe not ideal. It falls down for us on the sand with the possibility of wind erosion so the sand is no tilled if possible. Horses for courses. [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Forums
Regenerative Agriculture and Direct Drilling
Regen Ag Crops & Agronomy
Not happy
This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
Accept
Learn more…
Top