organic farming

Grassland have this product:
https://grasslandagro.ie/soil-grass-nutrition/soil-conditioners/physiolith/

Any opinions?
Say My Name probably has a home recipe for it.

endainoz wrote: »

It doesn't seem like many people use them so, in the summer of 2019 the growth was quite good with no feet. The crop of 2020 was quite poor, had put it down to the drought but it would have been interesting to know if pellet fert would make any difference. A deep soil analysis is needed for sure.

They seem to be more aimed at high value veg crops. Still possible to go with p,k+s from the likes of rock phosphate etc, would probably be better value but still not cheap.

Water John wrote: »

One of the options that would have value is to sow some deep rooting plants. FYM also to get the worms doing the deep lifting.

FYM will certainly be going out on the ground but will be hopefully putting it out towards the back end of the year so it has time to break down properly. Will be making an attempt to add some herbages and other grass species but I feel they might have a tough time establishing in a meadow. Might chance stitching them as opposed to broadcasting.

Water John wrote: »

Must look at the option of composting the FYM myself. Make it into a potato pit shape no more than 1.5m high and wet it while making it. Then turn about once a month, result black gold.
Guy in Sligo is the best proponent and does courses.
Sorry lads if I'm repeating myself. I forget sometimes what I've written already.

If you mow tightly before it gives the seed about 17 days to get started.

I always turn the strawy sheep dung every fortnight through the summer, we're using last years now in the veggy gardens at moment...... as you say black gold
Even after six mths it's fairly composted when i spread 80% of it on the land in the autumn

Some would say put out watery slurry after sowing. I think it's the regrowth might benefit from a heavy pre sowing slurry application.

endainoz wrote: »

Yeah I'll be looking at something like that, the meadow already got a good blast of clover broadcasted on it last summer.

I suppose it would be a good idea to get a decent amount of slurry out onto it first, then a tight graze, then stich in the seed. Of course the weather will have to be in favour to do that.

A lots going to depend on what seeds your sowing and what suits, most grass and clover just need to make contact with the soil , if you can scratch up the soil with a chain harrow a few times then all the better , and ideally a damp week afterwards ...
Stitching in with a machine probably gives more options.. ( if the weather conditions aren't perfect ) ,
Slurry too close to sowing might boost the grasses already there...and you're trying to stunt them to give the new stuff a chance to establish ..

Thanks for the heads up on that. Is there a 30Ha limit on the payment?
Just looked the answer to my Q seems to be 60Ha, lazy bollix.

Might have a look to see can I lease some ground. Depends, but could see the present owner holding or receiving back some of the BPS, any opinions?

Rounders yipee, I'll have to give you a virtual hug, good news. I'd say very few followed though and stayed farming organically. Most were really pissed off, having lost production, spent money doing a plan, joining a organic accreditation org and doing an organic course.

BTW here's a good art on hedgerows:
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/feb/02/reservoirs-of-life-hedgerows-help-uk-net-zero-2050-aoe

endainoz wrote: »

Seems they are releasing more details on the scheme when it launches in March. I'd say the demand will be much higher this time around. The certification crowds will be happy with this increase anyway.

Pity no priority given to the people that got rejected last time but it does give them another chance.

Only 300 places available and the same marking scheme as before so I doubt the OCBs will be that happy. With nearly 70% of people refused entry the last time it's not gonna entice anyone to join especially beef and sheep men.

jntsnk wrote: »

Is it worth the hassle. Payment per ha is poor.

Depends how many hectares you have. Compared to most schemes I'd say payment is quite good.

But I think you'd have to be fairly into it to get things out of it. The organic tams scheme can be worth a person's while if the use it properly I think.

endainoz wrote: »

Depends how many hectares you have. Compared to most schemes I'd say payment is quite good.

But I think you'd have to be fairly into it to get things out of it. The organic tams scheme can be worth a person's while if the use it properly I think.

If you had 25 Ha you'd be up around 5 grand a year in the subsidy after paying the certification body 600. Fairly easy to transition to organic on that size farm with your standard 15 or 20 Suckler Cows without destocking. Nothing wrong with that surely.

What are the worthwhile things to by in TAMS?

endainoz wrote: »

The article says 400 to 500 new applicants, but yeah I do think a lot more than that will apply for it this time around.

Hackett is out of her wits if she thinks that 4 million will cover 500 people. If everyone has 60 ha it will barely cover 300 new entrants, 4 million covering 500 new people is a fairytale.

Why will more apply if the likelihood of them being accepted is so small? According to the press release the marking scheme is staying the same so beef and sheep farmers won't make up the 72 points that were required last time and if more apply like you think the cut off will be raised higher again. Couple that with the price of organic beef at the min and its not gonna encourage many.

tractorporn wrote: »

Hackett is off her tits if she thinks that 4 million will cover 500 people. If everyone has 60 ha it will barely cover 300 new entrants, 4 million covering 500 new people is a fairytale.

Why will more apply if the likelihood of them being accepted is so small? According to the press release the marking scheme is staying the same so beef and sheep farmers won't make up the 72 points that were required last time and if more apply like you think the cut off will be raised higher again. Couple that with the price of organic beef at the min and its not gonna encourage many.

I'm just going by what was announced in the press release regarding applicants.

As walter said with all the reforms coming I'd reckon more will apply for it this time around. I have a couple of friends looking into it who would never have considered it before.

And yeah the points system is unfair, but thats been well covered in this thread. I was very lucky to get in myself the last time.

Limestone Cowboy wrote: »

Do you have to maintain a stocking rate of 0.5 to get payment out of it?

I think so, but if you were slightly off you would only be docked a percentage rather than the whole payment or the might even let you off depending on circumstances. The couple of inspections I've had have been fine, they're not out to get you once all your paperwork is in order from my experience. Though like everything else, you might meet someone having a bad day!