We are supposed to be operating in a more environmentally friendly and sustainable way,  but so many farmers apply slurry in a very haphazard and very inefficient way!  I still see new splashplate slurry tankers being sold today, though under DEFRA’s clean air strategy, they will not be allowed after 2025.  There is lots of land that gets plastered in slurry that hasn’t had a simple soil nutrient test done in the last three years.  It doesn’t require lots of expense or technology.  My suggestion would be to introduce a little practical assessment and measurement of what is being applied and what nutrients the soil can take in a sustainable and efficient way.

1. Soil test for P, K & Lime cost £4/Ha for a 5Ha field.  It takes 2-3 days for results.  This will tell you how much P & K & Lime is required for the next crop.
2. Agitate the slurry tank prior to application and take a sample bucket of this slurry.  Put a simple hydrometer (costing £5-10 on ebay) in it and wait 5- 10 minutes depending on thickness of the slurry.  This will tell you the dry matter of the slurry.
3. Download the Farm Crap App on your phone or computer.  This app with calculate the available nutrient value of the slurry based on the dry matter, quantity applied, method of application, time of year, soil type etc.
4. Then comparing your soil analysis requirements to the slurry nutrient value, you can balance the nutrients and match supply with demand for individual fields.  Application rates can even be recorded by some contractors’ systems normally recorded in cubic metres(m3)/Ha.
5. It doesn’t cost a lot, just you being organised and managing your contractor!

A simple conversion of 2500 gallons (standard slurry tanker) per acre is x 4.5 = 11250m3 /ac x 2.5 = 28,125kgha or 28.1m3/Ha.

The result will be more slurry applied where it is needed and less or none where nutrients are already in excess.  The environment benefits, the soils benefit, you buy less P & K and most importantly, you grow more crop as the nutrients are better balanced all leading to increased efficiency, profitability and a lower carbon footprint.

Contact Phil Cooper, FACTS at pcooper@fcgagric.com or your local FACTS registered consultant for more information.

The App can be found on the Google Play or Apple App Store.