How to Make Fertiliser Last This Season
How to maximise yield potential in cereals in a year where fertiliser prices are high, and stocks are low.
In a year that is set to be dominated by rising input costs, farmers and agronomists are being encouraged to consider every fertiliser application with increasing scrutiny. Considering if the crop needs the ‘usual’ dose, the type of fertiliser and the weather conditions – all are factors which could save producers money without impacting yields, as Timac Agro UK’s technical manager, David Newton explains.
Taking it back to basics
As a starting point I would encourage everyone with crops in the ground to ‘walk their crops’. Don’t just rely on doing things the way you’ve always done them, as this could to lead to unnecessary applications or missed opportunities.
For example, many parts of the country experienced relatively mild temperatures during the first half of the winter. This means some crops could be further ahead in growth stages than expected.
As a result, these crops may not actually require an early nitrogen boost, and in some instances if one is made it could cause plants to become more vulnerable later on, this is where useful savings can be made without impacting the yield.
However, in some instances, crops that were exposed to the hard frosts in the winter may be showing signs of ‘stress’, which could impact crop performance. So, instead of a traditional nitrogen application I would recommend using an early application of a biostimulant, such as Fertiactyl Starter, which can support the crop by enhancing rooting and tillering. This should in turn encourage early nutrient absorption, so you’re making the most of every kilo of nitrogen applied throughout the season. It will also increase the crops resilience to climate stresses, for example drought, if it’s faced with such conditions later in the season.
- Poor rooting,
- Poor tillering,
- Yellowing due to poor nutrient uptake,
- Die-back of young growth
- Disease and pest attack
Reacting to soil conditions
To make the most out of every kilo of fertiliser, it’s incredibly important that you react to your soil conditions. The weather experienced throughout the season will be different depending on where you are in the country, reiterating the importance that there is no single one-size-fits-all approach.
The Timac Agro team can help you take a bespoke approach on a farm-by-farm basis, assessing application timings and rates. To find out more about our range of enhanced fertilisers and soil conditioners click here.