Fertiliser
MMN January 2025 – Spring Sulphur Applications to Boost Grass Growth
Sulphur is an essential nutrient often overlooked by livestock farmers. It plays a vital role in nitrogen use efficiency and protein formation. Although light sandy soils are most vulnerable to sulphur losses, research suggests that deficiencies can also occur in heavy textured soils in early spring. The application of sulphur can boost dry matter yields…
MMN November 2024 – Winter Slurry Storage Contingency Planning
With the cows housed and the night’s drawing in, we can be sure that the weather will also turn sooner rather than later. This winter will mark the last before the 22-week storage requirement comes into effect for those operating livestock on a slurry system. Therefore, now is a good time to take stock of…
Understanding Fertiliser
There are many different terms used in the measuring of fertiliser applications, such as hundredweight/catchweight/bag (cwt) per acre, units per acre or kilograms per hectare. Here we explain the difference and how to calculate what you are putting on. Handy conversions 1 cwt = 50kg 1 cwt x 2.47 = kg product/ha Units/acre x 1.25…
Reducing Fertiliser Use and Improving Soil Health – A Case Study
Owned by the Birkbeck family and managed by farm manager James Marshall, Hoddom and Kinmount Estate, near Annan in Dumfries and Galloway farms approximately 2,035 hectares, which includes 714 hectares of woodland. Charlesfield is the main farming unit which is farmed along with six other land blocks. Over the past year the business has started…