It’s always interesting at this time of year to see what happens to fertilizer spreaders after the seasons work is over. Most seem to get put in the barn and left until needed in spring which is a bit ungrateful bearing in mind what these machines do. In round terms, fertilizers and spreaders used properly double crop yields and both need more respect than they sometimes get. New recommendation systems like the Fertiliser Manual and PLANET always get a lot of publicity but work spent on deciding what and how much to apply is wasted if the decision isn’t put into practice. Some recent calculations have shown that, at current prices, improving a spreaders performance from a CV of 30% (often found before tray-testing) to 10% (achievable under field conditions) can increase margin on wheat by £59/ha and oilseed rape by £43/ha. The cost of professional tray-testing, around £200, would be recouped over 4-5 ha. Unfortunately these saving are all too often disregarded when, to be fair, £200 is a large sum to part with.
Then what about manure and slurry spreaders – these are spreading fertilizers too and how well are they treated? At the very least, they should be overhauled and brought back to proper working condition every winter. Every year, UK livestock produce enough manure to cover the M4 from London to Bristol to a height of 100 feet so it’s no wonder spreaders get tired and need an overhaul. Any attention they get will pay for itself many times over. Manures are really valuable but undervalued. The Fertiliser Manual shows that applying cattle slurry at 30m3/ha can save around £95/ha in fertilizer costs. There are some big cost savings to be had but only if the spreading is accurate. Above all, manures are fertilizers, not wastes and need to be used, not disposed of.
Now is also a good time too to check fertilizer storage because there won’t be time after winter. Good storage is just common sense for valuable products but there are some special points about fertilizers particularly ammonium nitrate. Stores should be secure, away from public access and AN should be kept away from any combustibles. Stores need to be checked regularly and any losses reported to the police immediately. All the necessary hazard and oxidizing agent signs need to be checked and replaced if necessary. There is good advice at www.secureyourfertiliser.gov.uk, including the Ten Point Plan.
Ian has over 30 years experience in fertilizer use and crop nutrition. He now runs his own consultancy, Ecopt, involved in all aspects of nutrient management, including provision of the FACTS technical information service and he is also a member of the steering groups for revision of RB209 in 1999 and the Fertiliser Manual from 2007.
No comments have been made.