Ayrshire Soil & Nutrient Network: 2nd meeting – event summary

This was the second meeting of the Ayrshire Soil & Nutrient Network and the focus this time was on counting the value of slurry

Elaine Watt, SAC Consulting, led the second meeting, giving a brief 5-minute overview of what the Soil & Nutrient Network series was aiming to achieve.   She then went on to look at the financial value of slurry to a business, using standard figures (available in the Farm Business Handbook).  Elaine explained how farmers can use the Technical Notes to help them to create an effective nutrient budget, however, the importance of testing all slurries and manures cannot be underestimated as it is key to ensuring that any calculations are accurate (there can be a huge variation in nutrient value between slurries).   For a more accurate nutrient budget, it is recommended that the nutrient value of the slurry or manure you are about to apply is tested – this may mean testing it several times in the same year since depending on the application times.

Everyone was then given the opportunity to try a worked example scenario, using the step by step calculations.  Having had a trial run through during the meeting built confidence within the group to allow them to return home to calculate a nutrient budget which will hopefully show that money can be saved from reductions in artificial fertiliser requirements.  This is not only beneficial for farm profitability but will also ensure that no excess of nitrogen is applied above crop needs.

Key messages 

• Analyse slurry and farmyard manure to be applied
• Calculate the crop nutritional requirements
• Using the results from the organic manure analyses, calculate the nutrients being applied
• Comparing the crop requirements v organic fertiliser nutrients applied will show if there is any shortfall that needs to be addressed
• Don’t forget the importance of addressing any soil pH shortfall – a pH imbalance can restrict nutrients available for crop uptake

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Find out more about what has been discussed at the other Soil & Nutrient Network events here