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Why are 75% of beef & sheep producers missing out on better returns?
Good nutrient management and soil analysis can save time, money, and improve your returns, so why are only a quarter of soil samples at target index?
At EBLEX we discovered this statistic as part of the PAAG study. Overall in 2009/10, just 29% of grassland soil samples analysed were at target index for phosphate, dropping to 26% for potash.
We want to get those figures much higher, so we’ve teamed up with the Environment Agency and the Farming Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG) to offer 5,000 free soil analysis samples and advice to farmers in selected river catchment areas.
If nutrient levels are high, time and money can be wasted applying manure or fertiliser that isn't needed, as well as heightening the risk of water pollution and emissions of nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas. If they are low, grass yields and financial returns will be suffering.
Yet only 27% of LFA and 37% of lowland grazing farms regularly test their soils, compared to 94% of arable farms according to the Defra Farm Practices Survey in 2009.
We’re hoping that this project will encourage more beef and sheep farmers to routinely test their soil and to act on the results to ensure it is correctly balanced to produce good yields of grass.
Seemingly small changes, like moving the pH from 5.5 to 6 through the application of lime, can increase yields by as much as 9%. But only one in 30 fields monitored for grass growth in the EBLEX GrassWatch project last year had perfect soil test results - pH of 6.0-6.5, phosphate of Index 2 and potash of Index 2. See Eblex's Grasswatch site for more info.
So there are huge benefits for most farmers from knowing their soil analysis.
We’ll be co-ordinating nine nutrient management workshops in February and March where local FWAG advisors will discuss the results from farmers in the area, as well as offering practical 'next steps' advice. For details of the events and how to attend, visit our events page or ring 01904 771213.
Dr Liz Genever is Beef and Sheep Scientist for EBLEX
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