Slurry analysis

Boysground

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
Wiltshire
I have it done IIRC its about £40 a sample. I do it for 2 reasons firstly I know that my slurry has a lower N figure than the standard figures. This means I can apply a greater volume without going over NVZ limits. I keep the analysis results which the EA have seen and they are happy with this. Without the analysis I would have to put the standard figures down. I also put the applied amount in the ADAS MANNER program and take the available N off the amount of nitrogen I apply, this is most useful on wheat.

P and K results not as much of an issue as I haven't needed to buy any for years.

Bg
 

Dod_1985

Member
We already soil test which is certainly worthwhile doing. We got quiet a shock when we got the ph levels of some of our fields. Put a lot of sand on and had big improvement in silage quality.
 

Luke Cropwalker

Member
Arable Farmer
We already soil test which is certainly worthwhile doing. We got quiet a shock when we got the ph levels of some of our fields. Put a lot of sand on and had big improvement in silage quality.
I assume you have applied ground limestone to correct pH levels. Is the farm in an NVZ? are any of the fields particularly low or high in P or K ?
 

Dod_1985

Member
Ph levels are fine we actually used beach sand due to the fact it's free. Takes longer to work but seems to have done the job.
We're not in a Nvz zone. Have a few that's a bit low maybe. How often do sample your soil?
Was hoping sampling our slurry I would get a better idea if we are putting enough on or are putting on too much fertiliser and maybe save a pound or 2.
 
Last edited:

Luke Cropwalker

Member
Arable Farmer
Ph levels are fine we actually used beach sand due to the fact it's free. Takes longer to work but seems to have done the job.
We're not in a Nvz zone. Have a few that's a bit low maybe. How often do sample your soil?
Was hoping sampling our slurry I would get a better idea if we are putting enough on or are putting on too much fertiliser and maybe save a pound or 2.

I would be sampling around 20% of the farm each year and aim to get round every field every 4 or 5 years, this will give you an idea if P & K levels are being maintained, often on stock farms the fields that are convenient for spreading manures can have very high indices but outlying fields could benefit more from the manures. It is probably a good idea to sample the manures is it solid or slurry, remember the method of spreading, crop, month when spread etc will affect how efficiently the N within the manures is used.
 

Dod_1985

Member
Thanks for taking the time to reply. I think we need to be doing more regular sampling. We're probably quiet guilty of sampling when a field has a visible problem. Mainly slurry spread in April then again in June after 1st cut and again sept at 2500 gallon a acre ruffle. Any reseed usually gets plenty of dung and slurry is spread with tanker and splash plate
 

SFI - What % were you taking out of production?

  • 0 %

    Votes: 115 38.3%
  • Up to 25%

    Votes: 115 38.3%
  • 25-50%

    Votes: 42 14.0%
  • 50-75%

    Votes: 6 2.0%
  • 75-100%

    Votes: 5 1.7%
  • 100% I’ve had enough of farming!

    Votes: 17 5.7%

Expanded and improved Sustainable Farming Incentive offer for farmers published

  • 199
  • 1
Expanded Sustainable Farming Incentive offer from July will give the sector a clear path forward and boost farm business resilience.

From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and The Rt Hon Sir Mark Spencer MP Published21 May 2024

s300_Farmland_with_farmFarmland_with_farmhouse_and_grazing_cattle_in_the_UK_Farm_scene__diversification__grazing__rural__beef_GettyImages-165174232.jpg

Full details of the expanded and improved Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) offer available to farmers from July have been published by the...
Top