Is it too early to spread 10-10-20

johnnyw20

I'm a bit of a newbie to spreading fertiliser. I've 25 acres to put a bag and half of 10-10-20 out in. With the weather warming up this week would it be a good time to spread it or is it too early in the year still?

Who2

johnnyw20 wrote: »

I'm a bit of a newbie to spreading fertiliser. I've 25 acres to put a bag and half of 10-10-20 out in. With the weather warming up this week would it be a good time to spread it or is it too early in the year still?

Leave it in the bag for another while, could you throw out a light coat of urea to get things moving?

Username John

Who2 wrote: »

Leave it in the bag for another while, could you throw out a light coat of urea to get things moving?

Why would you recommend putting out urea and not 10-10-20?

Just wondering...

Who2

Username John wrote: »

Why would you recommend putting out urea and not 10-10-20?

Just wondering...

I just always held compounds till things were moving right. Urea will work away sooner and better bang for your buck.

Username John

Who2 wrote: »

I just always held compounds till things were moving right. Urea will work away sooner and better bang for your buck.

I put out 18-6-12 two weeks ago...

I didn't think people only put out urea early?

johnnyw20

Who2 wrote: »

Leave it in the bag for another while, could you throw out a light coat of urea to get things moving?

Already have half a bag of urea out 4 weeks ago but soil tests have come back since saying I'm low on p and k. There has been good response to the urea so far but I'd like to get the compound out soon too. I'd be grazing it in about 4-6 weeks time so might leave it till after it's grazed

charolais0153

Teagasc advise to use straight nitrogen until March when you can then apply your compound fertiliser

rangler1

charolais0153 wrote: »

Teagasc advise to use straight nitrogen until March when you can then apply your compound fertiliser

Is your soil fertility good or is that teagasc advice for your farm
I'd imagine that if your P or K is low, you'd get a better response with a compound....

charolais0153

rangler1 wrote: »

Is your soil fertility good or is that teagasc advice for your farm
I'd imagine that if your P or K is low, you'd get a better response with a compound....

https://www.teagasc.ie/publications/2017/february-brings-on-the-calving-season-to-suckler-farms.php
First paragraph. You had me fairly looking through my history;D

cute geoge

Can anyone tell me what soil temperature is at ,it needs to be over 6 degrees for any growth

Username John

charolais0153 wrote: »

https://www.teagasc.ie/publications/2017/february-brings-on-the-calving-season-to-suckler-farms.php
First paragraph. You had me fairly looking through my history;D

Interesting...

Although do I remember before, that the advice was to put out the '0's as early as possible (0-10-20, 0-7-30) ?

I think that's what was done at home years ago anyways...

Or maybe that's what was done, but not necessarily what was recommended - which could have happened too

Username John

Who2 wrote: »

I just always held compounds till things were moving right. Urea will work away sooner and better bang for your buck.

It's all a bit chicken and egg then too - urea is a better bang for your buck as you say, if your p and k are in order and can take up the N
(I think)

Green farmer

cute geoge wrote: »

Can anyone tell me what soil temperature is at ,it needs to be over 6 degrees for any growth

Have a root around the Met eireann website. They have it up for a load of different locations around the country.

Username John

Green farmer wrote: »

Have a root around the Met eireann website. They have it up for a load of different locations around the country.

http://www.met.ie/latest/agricultural.asp

rangler1

It was 6 degerees here a week ago, it's now 4 degrees, could be under 6 for the next 8 weeks like some years, where's the nitrogen then

Farrell

Very interesting thread
What I'm taking is get 2500gal/ac slurry out by end of Feb at latest for grazing 1 month later, put 1/2 bag urea/ac on rest for grazing inside the next month
Have I taken this up right

I said

rangler1 wrote: »

It was 6 degerees here a week ago, it's now 4 degrees, could be under 6 for the next 8 weeks like some years, where's the nitrogen then

Got nutrient plan from teagasc during the week get slurry out on parts of the farm that have never seen it asap.And go with urea and 18-6-12.All to do with early spring grazing according to them that's alright in free draining soils and in the sunny southeast fcuk all good to me except for this year.
Tis easy come up with a plan looking at a map different story on the ground as they say.
Great in theory throwing out fert around here this time of the year when all I'd be doing is more harm than good.Will wait till mid march as most years.

farawaygrass

Op I put out 10-10-20 4 and a half weeks ago and was scratching my head since wondering the same as you. A few people I talked to said I went too early. But all I can say is that it seems to be working nicely. And this is my own thinking-but if you p and ks aren't up to scratch and you put our urea, them surely you are not getting the full benifit if that urea? When you are at the optimum level of p and k then I would be thinking urea now and maybe a compound later on in the year for maintenance. The only thing I'd say is put out enough 10-10-20 that you are still putting out enough n. I was aiming for 2 bags to the acre but had the shaker set a bit tight and only went about 1.7 bag to acre. Might be leaving myself a bit short.

Bass Reeves

rangler1 wrote: »

It was 6 degerees here a week ago, it's now 4 degrees, could be under 6 for the next 8 weeks like some years, where's the nitrogen then

Hopefully in the roots of the grass. There is a 10 day gap between the application of N especially urea based N and it availability for growth. There a number of factors in our favour. Land is quite dry considering that we are at mid February. It is unlikely that temperatures will remain below 6 for that long. Dry ground heats up fast.

Biggest issue is whether we get a lot of rainfall over next 6-10 weeks. If it dry it will be frosty but nights are getting shorter so sunshine could counter that . Biggest factor is whether weather comes from SW orE/N. Overcast dry weather should mean ground temperatures above 6C

charolais0153

It might not be practical for some people but the 135 here spreads all the manure. Leaves barely a trace if you don't go flying around corners ,our john Deere won't see the ground for a while until ground hardens up sbit albeit its not too soft now. Only disadvantage is the no doors or soft seat etc

jimmy G M

My understanding is that the P & K you spread largely stays in the ground (barring a run off of fert due to heavy rain or leaching) and is available for uptake by the grass plant over the course of the season.

The nitrogen in Urea is a slightly different form than in CAN and regular compounds. It is slower to release and more stable than the other forms and more suitable for spreading in early spring.

You will get a faster reaction from the nitrogen in CAN & compounds than urea provided the conditions are right for grass growth, however in early spring Urea is a more stable and persistent form of nitrogen than CAN and compounds.

I expect Jennifer Anniston or some other Whizz will come in soon and explain the science bit much better than me...:rolleyes:

Green farmer

Bass Reeves wrote: »

Biggest issue is whether we get a lot of rainfall over next 6-10 weeks. If it dry it will be frosty but nights are getting shorter so sunshine could counter that . Biggest factor is whether weather comes from SW orE/N. Overcast dry weather should mean ground temperatures above 6C

So even though SW is milder , will have more rain, better with cold EN as drier ?

Bass Reeves

Green farmer wrote: »

Bass Reeves wrote: »

Biggest issue is whether we get a lot of rainfall over next 6-10 weeks. If it dry it will be frosty but nights are getting shorter so sunshine could counter that . Biggest factor is whether weather comes from SW orE/N. Overcast dry weather should mean ground temperatures above 6C

So even though SW is milder , will have more rain, better with cold EN as drier ?

No it is all about balance E/N would be very cold and maybe no growth. Remember was it spring 2014.

Green farmer

Bass Reeves wrote: »

No it is all about balance E/N would be very cold and maybe no growth. Remember was it spring 2014.

Last year wasn't great either. Was end of May here before grass started really moving. Forecast to get milder from Tuesday onwards

kay 9

Put out urea a week or two ago where the sheep will be in for lambing, it's working well on most parts but few fields that have less shelter are stunted the last few days.
I'd wait if I was you, Fertiliser is too dear to be fookin out and not doing what it should due to temps and weather variations.
I'd prefer to spread heavier when weather suits better.

farawaygrass

charolais0153 wrote: »

It might not be practical for some people but the 135 here spreads all the manure. Leaves barely a trace if you don't go flying around corners ,our john Deere won't see the ground for a while until ground hardens up sbit albeit its not too soft now. Only disadvantage is the no doors or soft seat etc

Is she able for the half tonne ok?

Username John

farawaygrass wrote: »

Is she able for the half tonne ok?

We have similar - 135 but a smaller (6 bag) vicon spreader...

Max that I can put in is 3 bags, anything more than that it starts to spill out over the side driving across the hill...

We don't have much ground - which is just as well says you, at that rate you'd be back to the yard every minute

White Clover

Username John wrote: »

We have similar - 135 but a smaller (6 bag) vicon spreader...

Max that I can put in is 3 bags, anything more than that it starts to spill out over the side driving across the hill...

We don't have much ground - which is just as well says you, at that rate you'd be back to the yard every minute

You should get a bigger tractor John and a bigger spreader too!!!

charolais0153

farawaygrass wrote: »

Is she able for the half tonne ok?

We use small bags. You'd empty 8 bahs into it and out 2 bags on top if u wanted at home on flat land but on the hilly land we wouldn't out in more than 6

larthehar

I.ve always gone by this!
http://www.fertilizer-assoc.ie/faqs/

Really depends on soil type and application rates imo, i went with p and k a month ago. I had lime out so can't go with urea, can out yesterday. I am in the sunny southeast so i know fellas in the west can't look into fields!

Username John

White Clover wrote: »

You should get a bigger tractor John and a bigger spreader too!!!

Ah - sure I pose I should buy a bigger farm too while I'm at it...

I'm happy enough with my little farm, and my little tractor and my little spreader....

Don't I lose money quick enough with them

Reggie.

Username John wrote: »

Ah - sure I pose I should buy a bigger farm too while I'm at it...

I'm happy enough with my little farm, and my little tractor and my little spreader....

Don't I lose money quick enough with them

Yeah put there are ways for ya to lose money quicker

Green farmer

Mild weather on the way over the next few days. Warm air from Florida apparently.

Bass Reeves

Lads that have fertlizer out are begining to benefit from it. It takes about 10 days from spreading fertlizer to it begining to work. Lads that spread in early February will really benefit from it over next two weeks. I hope to go again around March 1st with 18-20 units of N/ acre. Will hope to turn out cattle late next week.

johnnyw20

I've seen some growth from urea. I ran out of urea in one field and missed a small patch. You can really see some difference in it. Mine went out on the 19th of January and was well worth it. Just need to decide now am I brave enough to go out with 10-10-20 next week if the weather holds. Have a couple of index 1 fields which need a boost

Bass Reeves

You need 2 dry days after spreading for fertlizer to get into ground. This prevents it from getting washed away in wet weather. Weather looks dry over next few days where I am. Watch forecast and get it out ASAP. With ground being g so warm N will work even on old pastures if P&K are anyway right. It will not grow grass in the bag

jack o shea

Has anyone purchased fert in the last Week? Is it still going up in price by the Hour?

IH784man

10 acres that hasn't seen fertiliser in god knows,don't want to do a soil sample but would 18-6-12 be a good general fertiliser for it? Grazing only

freedominacup

IH784man wrote: »

10 acres that hasn't seen fertiliser in god knows,don't want to do a soil sample but would 18-6-12 be a good general fertiliser for it? Grazing only

Soil sample is around the same price as the bag of fert. The second best return on soil fertility after lime. Why not sample. If there's nothing in it, spun out conacre ground why leave anything behind you. Soil sample and you'll know exactly what to apply for your needs.

rangler1

freedominacup wrote: »

Soil sample is around the same price as the bag of fert. The second best return on soil fertility after lime. Why not sample. If there's nothing in it, spun out conacre ground why leave anything behind you. Soil sample and you'll know exactly what to apply for your needs.

I was at a farm walk yesterday where they were giving out advice on fertiliser and advising to put 1.5 bags of 18 6 12 to the acre if you weren't sure of fertility or low index.
they also said that grazing would use that much P and K in the year so yu'd be unlikely to 'leave anything behind you'.
I must say that years ago I always used 18 6 12 on rented land at the start of the year and always pleased with he response, i even use it now here after letting my soil indexes drop after thinking that grazing wouldn't need much P and K

jack o shea

Is 18 6 12 a kind of safe option? Any idea of price on it?

johnnyw20

Strongly thinking of going out with 2 ton of 18-6-12 this afternoon. Land is perfectly travelable here so might take a chance. Weather looks good for the next few days. Only a couple of light showers forecast

Have 15 bags of gran lime too that need spreading so might go with them first

TPF2012

johnnyw20 wrote:

Have 15 bags of gran lime too that need spreading so might go with them first

Go with the lime first, will give the lime more time to increase the soil ph, thus giving you a better response when you apply the Npk.

johnnyw20

TPF2012 wrote: »

Go with the lime first, will give the lime more time to increase the soil ph, thus giving you a better response when you apply the Npk.

Lime is going out in a couple of paddocks that are bare so will wait for a bit of cover before I go with NPK

First time I am spreading gran lime so hopefully I can get some sort of result from it. Don't see the point in getting a contractor out to spread just over 5 acres

pedigree 6

johnnyw20 wrote: »

Strongly thinking of going out with 2 ton of 18-6-12 this afternoon. Land is perfectly travelable here so might take a chance. Weather looks good for the next few days. Only a couple of light showers forecast

Have 15 bags of gran lime too that need spreading so might go with them first

Spread the gran lime and the 18.6.12 both today.
It won't make no difference either way.
Should have been spread by right a month ago.
Time is money at this stage.

TPF2012

johnnyw20 wrote:

First time I am spreading gran lime so hopefully I can get some sort of result from it. Don't see the point in getting a contractor out to spread just over 5 acres

I did the same last year on a 5 acre field put 20 bags of lime in it, nothing else. I think I got the same growth as putting out the equivalent in 18 6 12 as I had done in years previously.
The gran lime is messy enough to spread, fierce dust off it.

Green farmer

How dry would you want the ground before spreading compounds ? Waiting to get stuff out here

Also spread gran lime last year, but got full ground lime job done recently. Got the guy to bring "dulled" stuff, found gran lime to be dustier then full job.

I said

Green farmer wrote: »

How dry would you want the ground before spreading compounds ? Waiting to get stuff out here

Also spread gran lime last year, but got full ground lime job done recently. Got the guy to bring "dulled" stuff, found gran lime to be dustier then full job.

Every place is different,teagasc would have the whole country covered in fert by 1st week of February regardless of soil type and weather conditions.Do what ya think is right for your self

pedigree 6

Green farmer wrote: »

How dry would you want the ground before spreading compounds ? Waiting to get stuff out here

Also spread gran lime last year, but got full ground lime job done recently. Got the guy to bring "dulled" stuff, found gran lime to be dustier then full job.

If you're not leaving a rut in the field with the tractor, SPREAD.

Username John

Green farmer wrote: »

How dry would you want the ground before spreading compounds ? Waiting to get stuff out here

Also spread gran lime last year, but got full ground lime job done recently. Got the guy to bring "dulled" stuff, found gran lime to be dustier then full job.

If I can get time, I'm going to go out with some 18-6-12 at the weekend if I have time.
The forecast isnt too bad, and I only have Saturdays to play with...

johnnyw20

Got my fertiliser out today. Ground has dried up a lot over the past few days. Hopefully I'll get a good response now. Weather looks great

Found the gran lime very dusty as was mentioned. I kinda like the idea of it so hopefully I'll get a return from it.