Remove soil compaction this autumn
Acting now to remove soil compaction in grassland will bring benefits in the spring from an earlier turnout and increased grass production, according to agronomist Ian Robertson of Sustainable Soil Management.

“The deeper soil compaction caused by heavy machinery can reduce grass DM yields by up to 25 per cent. This problem requires subsoiling or sward-lifting to restore soil structure,” said Mr Robertson.
“The autumn months are the ideal time to sward-lift ground. This produces a shatter which in turn creates fissures through the soil profile, allowing the movement of air and water. While soil temperatures are above 10°C, this stimulates microbial activity, which fixes nitrogen and mobilises phosphate. These are key for plant growth, and this extra nutrient supply encourages the growth of new roots into the gaps created by the shatter.