In the current uncertain climate, healthy soil is vital in reducing input costs while at the same time increasing productivity, sustainability and profitability. Assessing every field individually is important, looking specifically at fertility, soil structure and biology.
Soil sampling provides invaluable information on nutrient levels and allows decisions to be made regarding deficiencies and offers the potential to get the most from any crop. It will allow better planning on fertiliser and manure applications and ensure nothing is wasted or under-applied which is good for your business and the environment.
Soil sampling can be carried out at any time of the year although it should be avoided for a couple of months after compound fertiliser or organic manure has been applied. It is a relatively cheap and easy exercise to carry out and offers numerous benefits. A representative sample should be collected from the field aiming to take around 25 cores in a W pattern. It is crucial that the main elements pH, phosphate, potash, magnesium, and calcium are all at target levels and action should be taken to rectify any deficiency.
One of the easiest ways of finding out what is going on in your soil is to grab a spade and have a look, to assess the soil and root structure and any potential compaction issues. Poor soil structure will always lead to reduced yields, increased tillage costs and a higher fertiliser bill. There should be 10 worms per cubic foot in the soil and if there aren’t any there is problem! The aim is to create as robust a soil as possible and well drained soils with good structure have the potential to cope better with extreme weather patterns. Make sure that you know your soil texture and how it varies across the farm and make decisions to complement it.
The best way of dealing with compaction is trying to avoid it in the first place. Only use as heavy a tractor as you need for the given job and reduce the tyre pressures. Try to manage grazing intensity and reduce numbers at wetter times of the year when the soil is vulnerable. If action is needed to alleviate compaction an appropriate machine should be used to target the specific depth of the problem.
Soil biology should be forefront to any management decision and the least impactful option should be used whenever possible. Ploughing is still appropriate in some circumstances, but direct drilling may be a quicker, cheaper, and less damaging method to achieve the same results. Consider diverse species using herbs and deeper rooting grasses within swards where suitable and green manures and cover crops during a rotation.
A healthy functional soil is the foundation of any productive farming system. Through soil sampling, soil evaluation and careful management soils can be improved leading to better fertiliser utilisation, improved drainage, increased carbon storage, reduced tillage, better nutrient availability, water retention and a more profitable farm.
