George George Idowu
As the western part of the world moves into the winter months, one of the most critical factors for ensuring the productivity of dairy farms or any farm production system is maintaining good soil fertility.
A well-maintained soil fertility status ensures efficient nutrient uptake, which in turn optimizes production and helps reduce emissions. Now is the perfect time to evaluate soil sample data and formulate a comprehensive soil fertility management plan for the 2025 growing season.
In today’s agricultural climate, with increasing restrictions on fertilizer usage and the drive to decrease reliance on chemical inputs, soil fertility is the key to future productivity. Proper soil management is essential not only for maximizing grass yields but also for meeting environmental sustainability goals.
Maintaining optimal soil fertility provides the foundation for nutrient-efficient farming.
According to Teagasc, increasing soil pH can potentially reduce nitrogen (N) fertilizer requirements by 50–70 kg N/ha annually.
This reduction significantly contributes to both cost savings and reduced environmental impact.
For farmers who aim to establish and maintain clover in their grass swards, optimal soil fertility is even more critical. Clover is a valuable addition to pastures, enhancing nitrogen fixation and improving pasture quality.
However, it requires specific conditions to thrive. Ideally, the soil pH for clover should be between 6.3 and 6.5, while phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) levels should be at an index of three or four.
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Many farmers have struggled with the successful establishment of clover in their pastures, and the primary reason often lies in suboptimal soil fertility.
Therefore, as part of any reseeding or pasture improvement plan, soil fertility correction should be a top priority.
Allowing soil fertility to decline can lead to a depletion of essential soil nutrients, which in turn will reduce nitrogen use efficiency and overall grass yields. Without proactive management, the long-term sustainability of the farm could be jeopardized. This makes it crucial for farmers to take immediate steps to protect the productivity and longevity of their land.
The first step to improving soil fertility is conducting a thorough soil test. Without knowing the nutrient levels in the soil, it’s impossible to apply fertilizers accurately and efficiently. If soil testing hasn’t been done yet, it’s important to act quickly and start the process.
Once the soil test results are in, farmers should focus on correcting the soil pH. Lime is the go-to amendment for increasing pH levels, which directly influences nutrient availability, especially nitrogen. Before applying lime, farmers can spread slurry to replenish organic matter and nutrients, but it’s essential to leave at least a 10-day gap between slurry application and lime spreading to avoid nutrient lock-up.
Additionally, slurry should not be applied after lime for at least three months. However, if lime is applied after urea, no delay is necessary; if lime is applied before urea, there should be a three-month gap before spreading urea again.
Making the most out of slurry and manure applications is another critical element of a nutrient management plan. By identifying nutrient deficiencies through soil tests, farmers can target slurry applications where they’re most needed, maximizing nutrient uptake and minimizing waste.
Finally, farmers should select suitable phosphorus and potassium fertilizers to maintain the soil’s fertility balance. With soil test results in hand, choosing the right fertilizer becomes easier, ensuring that soil reserves are replenished without over-reliance on synthetic inputs.
Soil fertility management is the foundation of a productive and sustainable dairy farm. By taking action now, testing soils, correcting pH, optimizing slurry use, and applying the correct fertilizers farmers can ensure they are maximizing grass yields and maintaining soil health for the long term In an environment where fertilizer use is increasingly restricted, soil fertility will be the driving force behind farm productivity in the years to come. Now is the time to act to secure a sustainable future for dairy farming.
