Winter is a good time to test soil under grass and forage crops, as long as it has been two months since lime, manure or fertiliser was spread, according to Dr Mary Vickers of EBLEX.
“Like animals, plants need nutrients to grow. If any are in short supply, development will be compromised and performance disappointing,” she said.
“Sampling regularly - at least once every five years – highlights any additional nutrients required to maximise crop yield.”
Healthy, fertile soil is a dynamic, living system consisting of biological, physical and chemical components. One gram of healthy soil contains one billion organisms including 10,000 different types of bacteria.
Humus, derived from the microbial breakdown of organic matter, plays a crucial role in supplying nutrients for crops and ensuring a good environment in which they can grow.
A soil test will help decide how many additional nutrients are required, allowing a more targeted approach to fertiliser use, saving time and money.
Take into account nutrients that will be supplied in manures and slurries, and make up any shortfall with artificial fertiliser where appropriate.
How to test:
- Twist a sampling auger/soil corer down to 7.5cm
- Walk the field in a ‘W’. Avoid gateways/feeding areas
- Collect 25 plugs of soil
- Seal soil in plastic bag and label
- Send to soil laboratory (via local co-op, fertiliser merchant or independent company).
Click here to download our improving soils manual.
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