According to the Midlands Machinery Show, more and more farmers are making the move from solid to liquid fertilisers, but what are the pros and cons? We hear from the professionals below…
“It is about efficiency,” says Darren Glegg, liquid and foliar product business manager at Yara. “Machinery has gotten bigger; when farmers are making such a major capital investment, they want to get the most out of it and be able to apply liquid fertiliser as well as ag chem. With a sprayer just one person is needed whereas with solid fertiliser an additional person is needed to bring bags to the field.”
Using a liquid fertiliser can increase fertiliser application accuracy ‘up to 20% at field edges’ Mr Glegg continues.
However, he adds that you have to ‘weigh up the best system for your farm’ as some sites may have the shed space for a fertiliser spreader, while others may find that liquid fertiliser tanks are more convenient.
Gavin Pell, Chandlers managing director, says that the benefits of using liquid fertiliser is that it is not applied like plant protection products: “It is applied with a spray nozzle producing a much larger droplet size, which is less affected by wind and weather conditions. This means it can be applied in a wider range of weather conditions than would be possible with granular fertiliser.”
Because of which, Mr Pell highlights that you will be able to dose more accurately with liquid fertiliser, so leaching and fertiliser wastage is less likely.
For farmers switching to liquid fertilisers, application accuracy is essential and so applicator choice is most important. Billericay Farm Services director Simon Nichols says: “Our liquid fertiliser applicator selection allows for consistency, accuracy and enables you to achieve professional and productive results, no matter what the task.”
For those considering the switch, there will be a whole host of mounted, trailed and self-propelled sprayers available to view at the Midlands Machinery Show.
Show visitors will also be able to claim two NRosO and two BASIS points for attending. Either fill in your membership number, name and address when you register for the show by clicking HERE or visit the NRosO/BASIS point stand at the Midlands Machinery Show.
For more information or to register for free entry to the Midlands Machinery Show, visit www.midlandsmachineryshow.com/.
