Why ph Matters. Dr George Fisher

Transcription

1 Why ph Matters Dr George Fisher

2 Today s talk... Is there enough interest / knowledge on lime from farmers? Liming and productivity The ph status on soils on grassland farms Soil structure is fundamental British Grassland Society, Unit 32C, Stoneleigh Deer Park, Stareton, Kenilworth, Warkwickshire, CV8 2LY

3 Lime interest / knowledge in the grassland farming community - Practical - Useful - Farmer friendly - Calculator British Grassland Society, Unit 32C, Stoneleigh Deer Park, Stareton, Kenilworth, Warkwickshire, CV8 2LY

4 Arla/Morrisons Producer Board A dozen dairy farmers plus Arla and Morrisons technical and business representatives Represent the interests of the direct supply farmers for this milk chain Commissioned previous reports on Renewable Energies and Crossbreeding Wanted a report to answer their questions on soil and nutrient management for grassland Consulted the milk chain producers (over 1,000)

5 The Questions The well informed and forward thinking The disappointing The hold-your-head-in-your-hands 54 questions in total - left as they were - no dumbing down or sexing up!

6 The well informed and forward thinking What are the options to increase efficiency of fertiliser use? Strategic N applications to manipulate grass growth, including timing of N and when to first apply N in the season? What types of lime should be used: NV, speed of availability and application rates?

7 The disappointing What are the short and long-term options for improving soil condition? How should soil be sampled? When should liming be carried out?

8 The hold-your-head-inyour-hands Why should we consider organic manure nutrients? Why is soil management important? Why does soil ph matter?

9 Liming and productivity ph matter because: You can t optimise your system for profit without getting this basic right and keeping it right! That means: 4,500 5,000 litres milk per cow per year from grass and forage 700 kg liveweight gain/ha/year from grass and forage British Grassland Society, Unit 32C, Stoneleigh Deer Park, Stareton, Kenilworth, Warkwickshire, CV8 2LY

10 Liming and productivity It also means: - Nutrient use efficiency (N and P) - Cost reduction (feeds and fertilisers) - Minimising risks to the environment It s a win/win/win/win stupid just take it! British Grassland Society, Unit 32C, Stoneleigh Deer Park, Stareton, Kenilworth, Warkwickshire, CV8 2LY

11 Soil ph and grass/clover growth From Hopkins et al. (1990) Grass and Forage Science

12 The ph status of soils on grassland farms Professional Agricultural Analysis group (PAAG) (180,000 soil samples) NRM Ltd. (11,000 soil samples from grassland) British Grassland Society, Unit 32C, Stoneleigh Deer Park, Stareton, Kenilworth, Warkwickshire, CV8 2LY

13 Soil ph The state of play in UK grassland soils

14 Soil ph The state of play in UK grassland soils 5 30% DM yield loss? Reduced NPK efficiency? Increased risk of N/P loss?

15 Soil ph Same pattern in all managements Courtesy of NRM Ltd.

16 Soil ph is basic Soil structure is fundamental British Grassland Society, Unit 32C, Stoneleigh Deer Park, Stareton, Kenilworth, Warkwickshire, CV8 2LY

17 Impact of 5 t/ha lime dependent on soil structure

18 Impact of 5 t/ha lime dependent on soil structure Less compacted More compacted

19 Sq 2.6

20 Sq 4.5

21 ph matters because supports grass and forage yield and quality a basic in making a profit from a farming grassland system nutrient use efficiency reduced losses of N and P to the environment British Grassland Society, Unit 32C, Stoneleigh Deer Park, Stareton, Kenilworth, Warkwickshire, CV8 2LY

22 Future BGS meetings Profitable and Sustainable Grazing Systems Moving Forward With Science A conference to address key issues in grazing management. Organised jointly by the BGS and the British Society of Animal Science Abbey Hotel, Great Malvern February 2013 BGS R&D Conference SRUC, Crichton Royal Farm 2 3 September British Grassland Society, Unit 32C, Stoneleigh Deer Park, Stareton, Kenilworth, Warkwickshire, CV8 2LY