Anyone had a soil analysis done …

[canteron]

…. and how useful was it.

Looking at my mossy poached fields, I think they need attention in the Spring, overseeding, fertilising, etc.

Was it worth the investment and does it help you understand what minerals may be lacking in the grazed horses diet?

And could you get hold of the right products for a small acreage?

 

[photo_jo]

Yes and very. It's sandy around me so minerals do leach out. It's old pasture so not been ploughed in over 100 years and I wanted to put lime on it. The local place who does liming suggested I had it properly tested - not an over the counter test- an't remember exactly how much £75 ish. He took about six samples. Fibre content was high as was the carbon sequestered in the land.
We spread lime, sodium (sweetens the grass), I'll have to look what else we put on but it was all to improve the base and quality, not to grow richer grass - definitely everything was done to optimise grass for horses.

 

[silv]

100% useful, can save a lot of money if you are putting the wrong fertiliser on. Lime is a great starting point but it might benefit from something else also.

 

[SEL]

Yes, very although if using Progreen get your sample in early otherwise you get lost amongst all the farms in Spring.

Showed my top field was low in manganese which explained (I think) why hoof growth slowed last year. I got the results back too late to address it last year so we'll get the foliage spray on this Spring.

When I first bought the yard a lot of the grass was very yellow and that turned out to be a sulphur deficiency. Addressed that quickly - pellets - and I've had much nicer grass since.

I do also return my well rotted muck heap to the fields on rotation.

 

[Mari]

How do I find out where I can get my soil tested?

 

[silv]

How do I find out where I can get my soil tested?

Local farm store should do it or a fertiliser company

 

[FieldOrnaments]

How do I find out where I can get my soil tested?

Soil testing companies | Soil Association

www.soilassociation.org

 

[terrierliz]

I have used Progreen but as already mentioned you have to chase them

 

[Exasperated]

…. and how useful was it.

Looking at my mossy poached fields, I think they need attention in the Spring, overseeding, fertilising, etc.

Was it worth the investment and does it help you understand what minerals may be lacking in the grazed horses diet?

And could you get hold of the right products for a small acreage?

Yes, it’s a really sensible routine to adopt, probably most effective way is now RHIZA, but wildly uneconomic for a few acres.
Fertiliser companies usually offer this, you do a W trek through the pasture, taking individual samples from the ground, for their analysis.
You might be better asking a paddock management business to come and do the lot - sampling, interpretation, advice and implement what’s most necessary for your needs. Sometimes see these advertising in horse / smallholder type media, obviously identified a market, and likely to work out cheaper than trying to hire / buy / store grassland maintenance equipment. Could probably ask at agri colleges, just bound to be someone doing a relevant thesis. Good luck.