Making sure soil is pH perfect

6:38pm Monday 12th May 2008

Analysing soils for pH levels is one of the most worthwhile investments arable growers in Pembrokeshire can make.

Farmers attending an arable conference at Haverfordwest this week were told that getting the pH level right can lead directly to improved yields and establish precisely the fertiliser needs of the land.

When a pH level drops from 6.5 to six it can reduce wheat yields by a quarter of a tonne, says CCF's arable manager, Richard Carlisle.

And at a level of 5.5 only half of any phosphate applied to the land is taken up by the crop.

"At today's cereal and fertiliser prices it makes financial sense for every farmer to get their soils tested. If I was farming I would have a pH test done every year, it's invaluable," said Mr Carlisle.

Hundreds of tests recently analysed by CCF revealed pH levels of between 4.5 and five.

"These were for farmers who wanted to grow arable crops but they shouldn't even consider it unless the soil has a pH level of six or above," added Mr Carlisle.

The conference, hosted by CCF, was designed to better inform Pembrokeshire's arable growers in a climate of volatile grain and fertiliser markets.

One of the speakers, Yara agronomist, Mark Tucker, says farmers must make every kilo of inputs count.

He said farmers should establish exactly what inputs are necessary to avoid wasteful over-application - and also consider a single application of nitrogen, potash and phosphate in the spring to save on fuel costs.

But he warned against cuts in nitrogen inputs.

"The best returns will come from applied nitrogen so farmers should avoid cutting back on this," he recommends.

He said farmers should consider other sources of NPKs, such as manure and slurry.

Another speaker at the conference, Simon Borthwick, of Witney Grain, says 2008 will be a very profitable year for arable growers because they bought inputs at last year's prices and grain prices have remained firm.

But prices have dipped since February and few farmers are willing to sell at £130/t because they expect the price to rise. Mr Borthwick advises against complacency.

"We can't be complacent about markets going up because they can come down just as quickly," he said.

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