Know your soil's index.

(From Irish Independent)

THE grass plant needs from 0.35-0.4pc phosphorus in the leaf to ensure dairy cows have sufficient phosphorus on a daily basis. In medium to intensive dairying, to sustain this level of P in the grass plant, the soil must be at the top end of soil Index 3. This means the soil test must have a Morgan's reading of 7 or 8.

How many of you, reading this article, know what your soil index readings are like? I would guess very few of you. And more is the pity. Phosphorus is a very important component of not only plant growth, but also the efficient production of milk from the dairy cow.

Knowing the soil P index on your farm is about …