Why Do People Spread Slag?

mikefoxo

I've heard of people spreading slag a few times but never thought much about it. What's the purpose in doing it? Is it for organic matter, or does it replenish some nutrient or some-such-like?

awaywithyou

mikefoxo wrote: »

I've heard of people spreading slag a few times but never thought much about it. What's the purpose in doing it? Is it for organic matter, or does it replenish some nutrient or some-such-like?

High in phosphorus...

Farmer Pudsey

High in phosporus and it is also a quick acting granlime type product. Some slags are high in trace elements/minerals. You can apply the slag and not have to account for the P which is another avantage. it is also used in organic farming as a P source as iy is considered a natural form of P.

freedominacup

Farmer Pudsey wrote: »

High in phosporus and it is also a quick acting granlime type product. Some slags are high in trace elements/minerals. You can apply the slag and not have to account for the P which is another avantage. it is also used in organic farming as a P source as iy is considered a natural form of P.

When you think about that statement you'd have to we wonder what the unnatural sources of N P K are. They are all naturally occurring elements.

tabby aspreme

This has been asked before but here goes again, has anybody spread slag recently, either the granulated slag or bulk super slag

Farmer Pudsey

freedominacup wrote: »

When you think about that statement you'd have to we wonder what the unnatural sources of N P K are. They are all naturally occurring elements.

I agree and you could consider tahtthe P and trace elements in slages ae artifically produced as opposed to the production of p from Rock sulphate and K taht is mined

Username John

tabby aspreme wrote: »

This has been asked before but here goes again, has anybody spread slag recently, either the granulated slag or bulk super slag

Would be very interested in hearing this too...

Where do you even go to get it / price it?

Conmaicne Mara

Username John wrote: »

Would be very interested in hearing this too...

Where do you even go to get it / price it?

If I am thinking of the right stuff, isn't it in bags under the name "Basic". Merchant could probably order it in, how much it costs or whether there's better than it I haven't the foggiest.

Only saw the bags out in a field, looked smaller than the normal 50kg gran fert bags, is it normally granulated or powdered?

tabby aspreme

Years ago slag used to come in a powder, like cement only it was black in color , now its granulated in bags , there is also a slag / lime blend for sale on DD called super slag which according to the sales pitch is the greatest thing ever

Gillespy

Slag comes from iron smelting, it's iron content can cause problems in wet, acidic soils iirc. One of the earliest forms of fertilizer and people still think highly of it, but back then anything would give a great response.

Username John

tabby aspreme wrote: »

Years ago slag used to come in a powder, like cement only it was black in color , now its granulated in bags , there is also a slag / lime blend for sale on DD called super slag which according to the sales pitch is the greatest thing ever

Yeah, it was the bulk stuff I was thinking of (i didnt know it came in bagged gorm)
I saw it on donedeal before, and the sales pitch is so good twould leave you wondering...

I'd like to try it, as am low in P - but I dunno would I be so brave to do so without knowing of a good reliable report of not first

Conmaicne Mara

Gillespy wrote: »

Slag comes from iron smelting, it's iron content can cause problems in wet, acidic soils iirc. One of the earliest forms of fertilizer and people still think highly of it, but back then anything would give a great response.

I've heard it said that the slag now isn't a patch on what it used to be years ago due to changes in the iron processing. My Dad will be 80 this year and has very high praise for it, saying he seen it turn bad land into good.

Brown Podzol

tabby aspreme wrote: »

This has been asked before but here goes again, has anybody spread slag recently, either the granulated slag or bulk super slag

You'll know any fellow who has spread slag recently, he'll be as black as the ace of spades, if it's the same stuff I used to spread as a young lad.

Username John

Rang the crowd in donedeal selling slag yesterday.

They deliver 30 ton loads, or 1 ton bags with 5 ton minimum.

To be honest, I thought the price was a bit too high for a bit too much of an unknown. (I don't want to put the price up here, when they dont have it up themselves on their donedeal ad)

MANSFIELD

Username John wrote: »

Rang the crowd in donedeal selling slag yesterday.

They deliver 30 ton loads, or 1 ton bags with 5 ton minimum.

To be honest, I thought the price was a bit too high for a bit too much of an unknown. (I don't want to put the price up here, when they dont have it up themselves on their donedeal ad)

How much are the 1 ton bags ?