The Better Grass Program

[sherg]

Had this lot ring me the other day and agreed they could send us some stuff through the post to read, now whilst the sceptic in me dismisses a lot of it because they're just trying to sell me something the other half of me is impressed with some of their claims, is anyone on here using the program and how do you find it?

 

[Great In Grass]

One of many companies, I inquired with another company earlier in the year who offer this type of service for my customers but to busy and it's not got off the ground.

I was talking to these people: http://www.fieldscience.co.uk/

Can't argue with the fact that grass cannot draw nutrients from the soil that are not there. I'd suggest treating half a field and see what unfolds.

 

[Cab-over Pete]

Can't comment specifically on how well it works, but I have spread it on several farms in the last few years.

Only one of them has used it twice. He didn't use it a third time.

Most times it looks mostly slag, but the last I spread looked mostly salt.

 

[neilo]

I've used it this year, having known I was going to have to lime some more anyway and the Bettergrass Extra is based on slag. Grass definitely looks better this year, but then all grass looks better this year. First forage test came back showing much better TE levels in the grass, but awaiting more tests on forage & soil later in the year.

It's certainly not cheap, but it replaces P fert & lime, which would also be a hefty bill on deficient soils if you are trying to correct them. Mostly slag & salt by the looks of it, but multiple TE in there which wouldn't stand out so much visually.

I have trouble believing some of their biological sales pitch, but I can get my head round the idea of balancing Ca & TE's. @sherg, I think a lot of the DD forum contributors use their services, perhaps it might be worth asking over there?

 

[sherg]

Cheers all, same as you @neilo I like the idea of trace elements being balanced should have better conception rates, scanning rates, grow more grass and be able to get lambs off the farm quicker

 

[Stevt]

We have used it. Good theory but expensive. (Return is unmeasurable). Personally I think a blanket application of sodium and know what trace elements are deficient is as important. Supplies little or no P and K which is no use on 3 cut systems. We suffer copper deficiency so bolus every calf under 12 months in spring before turnout. They do graze fields cleaner on the system though!!!

 

[Thick Farmer]

A mate of mine used it. It looks like the sort of stuff you would mix with concrete to make cement!

 

[johnb5555]

Are you planning to use it again this year. @neilo

 

[neilo]

Are you planning to use it again this year. @neilo

The forage & soil samples we've taken this year have seen a substantial lift in TE levels, particularly Co, Se & Na. Soil Phosphate levels have increased and pH has been maintained/lifted very slightly. The stuff has definitely worked in that respect, and done what was claimed.

However, my biggest problem here is sky high Molybdenum levels locking Copper up completely, despite adequate soil levels. I can't see that adding more of anything is going to counter that and the results I've seen from boluses has been incredible, so will I am planning on using those as routine. If I do that they contain Co & Se too, so little point in spending £'s raising levels in the soil too. That's my thinking anyway, and the reason I'm not planning on using it this year, but going back to lime to raise pH and soil Ca levels. Sodium is relatively straightforward and cheap to spread as Ag salt.

 

[Gilchro]

Customers of mine that used it previously would say there was little extra yield. However, the silage analysis that came back from them was always very good with high levels of energy and protein compared to previously

 

[Steevo]

SFS do both arable and grassland programmes it seems, though little is ever spoken about them by those who use it. I've never really heard bad reports about it, but those who start it seem to carry it on. You rarely seem to hear glowing reports either.

 

[Cab-over Pete]

I have customers who have used it. They seem to say it works, but only one customer has used it twice.

 

[Steevo]

I have customers who have used it. They seem to say it works, but only one customer has used it twice.

Make me even more curious reading that...!

 

[Cab-over Pete]

 

[john432]

Farm opposite me have a testimonial for the Better Grass program on the web site. "We've never had so much grass since we started using better grass" ? my eyesight isn't what it was!

 

[johnb5555]

Yeah that was one of my problems with it when I looked at it. Why would you want to add more of the minerals that you were already high. Though the reports from those who had used it a few years everything seemed to balance out.
My other problem was the cost, would of worked out at £6000 for the whole farm and same every year after.
However Robert does talk a good talk.

 

[neilo]

My other problem was the cost, would of worked out at £6000 for the whole farm and same every year.

To be fair, you would be spending £6k on that, instead of any P fert and lime. Would it be far out, if you compared with the cost of regular maintenance dressings of both?

 

[johnb5555]

That could be where im going wrong.