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6 April 2018
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Crop Production

Re-grassing checklist for autumn

Autumn is the time to decide on winter production options and start preparations for spring forage. So what should be on your checklist?



Soil testing

Agricultural soils are tested to measure the soil quality and nutrient levels for monitoring fertiliser programmes and to assist with identifying nutrient deficiency or toxicity. By taking a soil test you are measuring whether soil nutrient levels are high enough to sustain the desired level of plant growth. The test indicates any deficiency, excess or imbalance of major nutrients and provides a scientific basis on which to assess fertiliser and lime requirements of crops, pastures and turf.



Soil pH

Adjusting your soil pH by applying lime in autumn is a good option to prepare for the spring cropping period. A number of high yielding, high quality feed crops such as fodder beet or lucerne require a pH of around 6-6.5. It is nearly impossible to change your pH overnight without it being a costly experience. Lime applications in autumn allow the product to move down the soil profile, neutralising acidity and thereby lifting the pH of the paddock.



Looking ahead

Developing your maintenance and/or capital fertiliser programme before autumn is beneficial because autumn is often the most practical time to apply your maintenance or capital fertiliser in the farm calendar. The average stocking rate of your farm block is used to calculate your P-K-S balance. There are a number of options available to replace nutrients that have been mined from the soil or to build the fertility of your soil. Selecting a fertiliser product that has various phosphate, potassium and sulphur combinations is a sensible option for autumn maintenance applications. Autumn and spring are great times to apply a product that has both plant available sulphate sulphur and elemental sulphur, which is a slow release form that does not leach as readily over periods of high rainfall.



Splitting your fertiliser applications in autumn and spring provides you with multiple opportunities to lift nutrient levels. Including nitrogen to boost pasture growth and build feed covers is a cost-effective option when moving into winter, or to fill an upcoming feed gap while soil temperatures are still high and growing conditions are favourable.



Undersowing

Damage to pasture is often a consequence of a wet spring and can have a negative effect on future dry matter production from this area. Most damaged pastures do not recover to their initial state over the summer months and gaps in pastures fill with low-producing weeds and grasses. The aim of undersowing is to get productive plants established in these gaps before the weeds and the process involves drilling seed into damaged, old or failing pastures without spraying.



Completing the cycle

When your paddock has been through a number of crops and is ready to be planted back into a long term pasture option, aligning paddock preparation with ideal soil nutrient levels and cultivar selection to allow the best opportunity at longevity is critical. Crops remove large amounts of nutrients. Making sure they have been replaced over the cycle is significant for your overall pasture yield.



For advice about re-grassing for autumn, contact your local PGG Wrightson Technical Field Representative.

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