Having recent test results can either help yield potential or cost reduction, or both.

While spring planting may still seem like a long way off, it is important to have the results on hand to guide fertiliser purchase and use. Combine drilling is particularly important where soil P or K levels are low.

Beans can be planted in January or February. It can take a few weeks from taking samples to getting test results so take them now or get someone else to take them for you.

Soil pH remains the most critical factor – having this wrong limits the potential benefit from all other inputs because it impacts on yield potential and fertiliser use efficiency. So test or abandon!

Remember, soil tests must be no more than four years old and if you don’t have a recent test your P Index defaults to Index 3 for official purposes.

Read more

Tillage management: weather relatively dry

Tillage management: slugs and rabbits