Soil sample results

DJ98

Recently soil sampled a couple of fields and got the results back as follows, phosphorus =0.99 mg/l, potassium = 53 mg/l, lime requirements per Ha = 11.25, pH = 5.8

What would be the best course of action now to improve these results, will start by applying 3 tonne of lime to the acre as soon as weather permits, any other suggestions?

Micheal H

I wouldn't go with any more than 2t of lime per acre in a single application - little and often is the mantra here. You only need 4.5t/ac in total anyway, so 2 now and another 2 the year after next will get you very close to where you need to be.

Is there no fertiliser requirement/recommendation with your results? There's usually one given when I've got samples, but maybe it depends on where you get it done. From looking at the figures I make it you're index 1 for P and hovering between 1 and 2 for K, so you're pretty much on the money there for grassland.

More info here on how to interpret soil results:
https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/soil--soil-fertility/soil-analysis/interpretation-of-results/

DJ98

Micheal H wrote: »

I wouldn't go with any more than 2t of lime per acre in a single application - little and often is the mantra here. You only need 4.5t/ac in total anyway, so 2 now and another 2 the year after next will get you very close to where you need to be.

Is there no fertiliser requirement/recommendation with your results? There's usually one given when I've got samples, but maybe it depends on where you get it done. From looking at the figures I make it you're index 1 for P and hovering between 1 and 2 for K, so you're pretty much on the money there for grassland.

More info here on how to interpret soil results:
https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/soil--soil-fertility/soil-analysis/interpretation-of-results/

How did you calculate the lime requirement from hectare to acre?

majoco

DJ98 wrote: »

How did you calculate the lime requirement from hectare to acre?

Lime requirement (t/ha) can be calculated as:

(Base pH - Measured pH) * 12.5

Base pH for grassland is about 6.7 so based on your results the lime requirement is:
(6.7-5.8) * 12.5 = 11.25 t/ha

Divide by 2.47 to get t/ac:
11.25/2.47 = 4.55 t/ac

davidk1394

Two splits of lime is the best, leave it 12 months apart. Had the same issue here with pH.

Castlekeeper

DJ98 wrote: »

Recently soil sampled a couple of fields and got the results back as follows, phosphorus =0.99 mg/l, potassium = 53 mg/l, lime requirements per Ha = 11.25, pH = 5.8

What would be the best course of action now to improve these results, will start by applying 3 tonne of lime to the acre as soon as weather permits, any other suggestions?

It depends on what you hope to do with the land as, unless you have some enterprise to make profit, it is probably in a pretty stable state as it is.

patsy_mccabe

Lime is very cheap on an average per acre annual cost. It actually costs you money not to spread it, regardless of what enterprise you have.

High bike

patsy_mccabe wrote: »

Lime is very cheap on an average per acre annual cost. It actually costs you money not to spread it, regardless of what enterprise you have.

when is the best time to spread Patsy?

patsy_mccabe

High bike wrote: »

when is the best time to spread Patsy?

Any time, just not before silage. Around here, it's whenever the land is driest.