Making Grassland Work Harder

The Terrafarmer biologicals study

In partnership with Terrafarmer, Sea2Soil has been involved in key biological studies taking place across Wales. Funded through Innovate UK, this nine-month study involves seven working farms - four farms through Innovate UK and three additional farms through Farming Connect - testing seven biological stimulants to answer critical questions: can biologicals reduce input costs while improving forage quality?

Results so far show an increase in kilograms of dry matter (DM)/ha, crude protein, trace element availability and microbial biomass from some of the seven products tested, when compared with a control. With Sea2Soil setting market-leading results. 

This is according to regenerative agronomist and soil consultant Will Marris at Terrafarmer, which is running the nine-month, Innovate UK-funded research project.

The Methodology: Rigorous, real-world testing

• Large 20 x 160m test strips per farm
• Seven biological treatments + control
• Baseline analysis across all sites
• Measurements: DM yield, crude protein, trace elements, microbial biomass, sugar content

How Sea2Soil Performed: Market-Leading Results

Out of seven biological products tested, Sea2Soil ranked number one for crude protein improvement, delivering 136.225 g/kg compared to all other products and the control treatment. It also ranked in the top three for improving microbial biomass.

“A number of products tested, including Sea2Soil, are improving crude proteins and sugar. If that goes into a silage clamp, you’ve got more sugars for the fermentation process. If you get a better fermentation, you get better-quality forage.” - Will Marris, Regenerative Agronomist, Terrafarmer

The Science Behind It

Sea2Soil fish hydrolysate, the first soil improver product to launch on the UK market, provides an ideal food source for soil biology by providing a naturally high source of protein and carbohydrate.

“By feeding the beneficial underground livestock in the soil – the bacteria and fungi – these in turn are helping with the mobilisation of vital trace minerals such as boron, manganese, and magnesium. Soil, leaf, and forage tests showed more of these nutrients becoming readily plant-available, moving from the soil into the leaf and therefore into the forage. This could even reduce the need to supplement trace minerals given to livestock through licks or drenches.” - Will Marris, Regenerative Agronomist, Terrafarmer 

Cost Savings in Practice: Real numbers from the trials

For a grass-based, multicut system using 250kg/ha of nitrogen:

• Standard urea application: £115/ha
• Foliar nitrogen + biologicals (molasses + Sea2Soil): £110/ha
• Additional benefit: 20% reduction in nitrogen use while feeding the soil

“You could easily reduce synthetic N fertiliser inputs starting at 25% to 50%, but that needs to be done over a few years in a managed reduction,” advises Will. 

Application Timing Matters: Getting the most from biologicals

The trials demonstrated that timing applications correctly significantly impacts effectiveness:

• Apply early morning when stomata are open
• Avoid high UV index periods (causes leaf scorch)
• Target high-humidity conditions for optimal uptake

For grassland: 

• 10 L/ha before active spring growth, followed by a repeat in May
• Multiple applications of 5-10 L/ha, 3-6 times per year – “little but often” works well

Trial Method: How the research was conducted

Data has been collected across four farms through Innovate UK and three additional farms through Farming Connect, with each farm having eight trial plots (20x160m). Products were applied using a Tow and Fert machine timed around grazing and cutting regimes.

• First application: mid-May
• Second application: mid-July
• Products were applied individually and in combination with the control plot
• Data was collected at three GPS sample points = 24 data points per farm
• Leaf, forage and biomass data collected 2-3 weeks after application
• Soil sample baseline taken before application, further samples 2-3 weeks after each application

Ready to see these results on your farm?