Spring fertiliser applications are well underway on the 70-ha Grassland 2005 site at Stoneleigh, Warwickshire. In the first of two applications all six fields making up the site received 300kg/ha of the granular compound fertiliser Kayenne Sulphur with a further 200kg/ha to be applied late April.

“We soil sampled the whole site last autumn,” says Ross Leadbeater of Kemira GrowHow. The Grassland Event is run by Haymarket Land Events in partnership with Kemira GrowHow. “It's a sandy/loam site with a low potash index ranging from 1 to 2-, but, in general, high phosphate.

“Some maintenance phosphate was added in autumn on sites where the index was 2, along with potash where the index for this was very low. A 0:16:36 fertiliser was applied here with the remaining fields receiving muriate of potash to balance the nutrients.”

With no further phosphate required across the site, the fertiliser analysis this spring is 25% nitrogen, 13% potash and 7% SO3, providing in total 125kg/ha of nitrogen, 65kg/ha of potash and 35kg/ha of SO3.

“These fertiliser recommendations will avoid phosphate loss, which can cause environmental problems. The cost benefit of matching fertiliser applications with the soil's requirements has also been considered in making the recommendations.”

Prior to spring fertiliser applications the site was rolled and will be topped to prevent the grass heading too early, ahead of the Event in mid May. “We are aiming for yields of 25t/ha at 25% dry matter from the short term ley mix with Italian ryegrass and Italian hybrid varieties,” adds Mr Leadbeater.

Taking advantage of the grass sites will be 46 working demonstrations including a wide range of grassland machinery exhibitors working hectare plots. Grassland 2005 takes place on 18/19 May and advance tickets are available at the discounted rate of £10 per adult via the website www.grassland2005.org.uk or call 01926 337607 for an information pack. Tickets on the gate will cost £12 per adult, or £10 per student.