Gary Zimmer, long tem US biological farmer, urges UK Dairy farmers to feed their soils as they feed a cow’s rumen.  Gary argues that both the soil and the rumen are complex biological processors of food and that the soil microbes need to be provided with easy to digest material if we want high crop yields.  He argues you don’t feed your cow’s rumen with straw and hay and expect your cow to give 60 litres of milk.

In Gary’s 40 years of experience as an organic farmer and grower, providing the soil with young cover crops is a key aspect of soil management to help provide available nutrients to the crop.  Shallow incorporation, 3-4 inches is equally important, he argues, that if left on top, the microbes are unable to make contact with their food source.

Gary also feels that all farmers need to fully understand their soil nutrient states and mineral availability, not simply pH, P K and Mg.  Understanding the levels of major and minor elements such as calcium, manganese, sodium,  zinc and boron is fundamental to deciding on a nutrient plan for the following crop, if one is to provide a crop with its requirements.

In some cases imbalances in some soil nutrients can be so serious that the only way to provide for the crop is by foliar feeding often with a cocktail of major and minor nutrients.

If you would like to discuss how you can improve your crop nutrition, please contact William at w.waterfield@fcgagric.com or your local FCG office.