When to apply fertiliser to grassland

[PiranB]

Hi All,

This has likely been discussed ad infinitum but here we go again as I can't seem to find a relaxant thread on the subject.
When to apply 20-10-10 to grassland now that T sum 200 is no longer published?
OK conventional wisdom states "March time" but is there anything more scientific out there than that? I also can't seem to find much in the way of area specific local temperature data otherwise I could work out my own T sum number (we're based in Shropshire). If anyone has any pointers or can provide some sage advice then it would be most welcome!
Many thanks to all in advance.

 

[Nearly]

When daffodils start to flower.
Nature's soil temperature indicator.

 

[Kiwi Pete]

Good call ^^^

 

[Loftyrules]

Farmers Weekly has an article this week. Apparently when the soil temp is over 5oC

 

[Derrick Hughes]

20 10 10 is an interesting choice

 

[Werzle]

Seems to be alot of threads on here lately taken from the farmers weekly! My daffs are out but i wouldnt be bothering with fert for another month atleast.

 

[sheepdogtrail]

10 C you mean. Don't you?

I use at least 7 days out of the last 10 where soil temps where at least 50 F or 10 C

 

[Hfd Cattle]

Seems to be alot of threads on here lately taken from the farmers weekly! My daffs are out but i wouldnt be bothering with fert for another month atleast.

There were some here on Christmas Day !

 

[Derrick Hughes]

Seems to be alot of threads on here lately taken from the farmers weekly! My daffs are out but i wouldnt be bothering with fert for another month atleast.

Same here , depends how intensive you farm and hight about sea level as well

 

[Hfd Cattle]

Putting 185 Kilos on Westerwold grass today if I can get my 'new to me ' spinner working . ( nitrogen)
I wouldn't be putting 20/10/10 on grassland before end of March early April

 

[sheepdogtrail]

Same here , depends how intensive you farm and hight about sea level as well

Yes, we have them year round here. Certainly not fields of them year round, but those that are evolving are flowering year round.

 

[sheepdogtrail]

Putting 185 Kilos on Westerwold grass today if I can get my 'new to me ' spinner working . ( nitrogen)
I wouldn't be putting 20/10/10 on grassland before end of March early April

That should make that pop in 7 weeks. You will have more grass than you can shake a stick at.

 

[Hfd Cattle]

That should make that pop in 7 weeks. You will have more grass than you can shake a stick at.

Got to get it mowed off for spuds to go in

 

[sheepdogtrail]

Got to get it mowed off for spuds to go in

Sharpen your blades and grease your PTO then. You will need your kit sooner than later.

 

[Hfd Cattle]

Sharpen your blades and grease your PTO then. You will need your kit sooner than later.

I don't understand what this word 'grease' is ! Heard a lot of talk about it !

 

[M-J-G]

20 10 10 is an interesting choice

Why?

 

[Derrick Hughes]

Why?

Because I was isterersted by his choice, call it plain nosey if you like , it won't be for livestock grazing will it

 

[Bill dog]

Mate of mine has a very scientific method of working out if the soil is warm enough for fert.
Drop yer pants and sit down . Ifyou get back up in a hurry going “ oh ya fecker!” , it is too cold( or you’ve sat on a thistle! )
If it’s not too bad, get the fert on !

 

[Hilly]

Daffs hardly grow here too exposed .

 

[Loftyrules]

A guide to applying nitrogen on grassland early in the season - Farmers Weekly

Applying fertiliser in February can provide grazed grass at less than half the cost of the silage on a dry matter (DM) equivalent basis, providing the

www.fwi.co.uk