Which type of fertilizer to use?

[Alice100]

Hello

I was just wondering what sort of fertilizer people use on their fields. I have been told that NPK 20 10 10 is pretty standard...is that correct?

Thanks in advance

 

[Miss L Toe]

no, N is Nitrogen, and will get a lot of lush green grass, not what is wanted for horses
you should use potato fertililiser, low Nitrogen, P and K depend on local soil and grassland management, farmers are used to fattening cattle, you need to be sure hat they fertilise and lime according to the needs of the field and health of horses, is lots of fibre over a longer grazing period,
Potato fertiliser is 14-14-21 but if you can I would advise an organic fertiliser as horses live a long time and natural is better than chemical.

 

[Alice100]

Thanks very much Mrs D123, that makes perfect sense what you said - please exuse my ignorance but what organic fertilizer do you use?

Thanks in advance

 

[Zuzan]

we've just used Carr's Paddock Choice... made from marine deposit with added calcium... we need the calcium as our soil is naturally acidic... but also means that the souring of grass by horses is neutralised.

 

[Mike007]

we've just used Carr's Paddock Choice... made from marine deposit with added calcium... we need the calcium as our soil is naturally acidic... but also means that the souring of grass by horses is neutralised.

An expensive and very unenvironmental (destruction of marine habitat) way of doing this. Much better and more efficient to lime separately and yes the potatoe fertiliser is ideal.

 

[horserugsnot4u]

I would advise you have a soil analysis done - it doesn't cost very much £10-£20 but could save you a fortune (well the cost of fertiliser anyway!). I had two areas done earlier this year and although both needed lime, only one field needed fertiliser, which is the most expensive bit. I think that if your soil is lacking in lime/high acidity nutrients can't be taken up by the grass so sometimes no additional fertiliser is required, once the ph is sorted out. I agree with earlier posts that high nitrogen is a no-no for horse grazing, as are some varieties of rye grasses, which can be too rich, especially for native/good doers.

 

[Dry Rot]

These days some soils are deficient in sulphur which prevents the normal uptake of fertiliser (as does a deficiency of lime). Not a problem in the past when there was plenty of sulphur from industrial and other pollution! I had fertiliser with added sulphur last time and it has certainly made a difference. Just a thought.

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

we leave it to the guy who has done our land even before we bought it he knows the land well.

i would get a soil sample done or find some one good like we have who can look closely and see what it needs , its hard to ask others what it needs when they don't see it , could be totally wrong information..

 

[marmalade76]

Only natural stuff, horse, sheep and cattle shite!

 

[FairyLights]

With fert remember its "TOP, BOTTOM, ALL AROUND" so the first number [ N - nitrogen] is for top growth,second number [ P =Phosphate] is for root growth and the last number [ K = potash] is for all around good health.
So , 20:10:10 is for hay fields. I use this on my hay fields
On my grazing paddocks [and the hay field after mowing] I use triple 16. ie 16:16:16.
This gives a good sward for horses with good root growth to help cope with the poaching/tearing effects of the hoof.
Its more expensive than 20:10:10 as it has more P and K withich are dearer than N.
Your agri supplier may sell it as potato fertilizer,as its used in potato fields.
And dont forget to have a pH test done. Your fields may need liming,but if they dont and you do lime them you will cause a lock up of minerals such as copper.
Your local agri merchants will advise. Mine do a free pH test.