There is a lot for farmers to think about at the moment. High fertiliser prices, short supplies, and even higher costs because of the upcoming CBAM are all concerning. Difficult decisions may need to be made. However, it is also important to consider ways to potentially make nitrogen go further. We want to have a look at some of the best advice here, so read on to learn more.

Maximising efficiency

One of the most crucial things to do is ensure you maximise nitrogen efficiency. If you don’t, you won’t get the best results from applications. In fact, you could actually end up losing more of it than you should be.

The key thing for maximising efficiency is make sure other necessary elements and minerals are available to support uptake. Sulfur is arguably the most important. You may need to apply some to fields this autumn to prepare them for spring. Additionally, you may need to apply carbon to improve performance.

Inhibitors

Even if you are careful and apply an accurate amount of nitrogen, you will still lose some naturally. It is unavoidable because of nitrification and leaching. But, there is something you can do. Utilising inhibitors can be very useful. They slow down nitrification, ensuring fertiliser is stable for longer and accessible to crops.

It’s especially wise to use inhibitors if you are using certain types of fertilisers, including slurry and manure. Interestingly, there is a lot of research ongoing at the moment to explore the benefits of using digestates. These are left over after anaerobic digestion, but can contain all kinds of useful nutrients like nitrogen and sulfur. There is a lot of backing in Europe to make more use of it. Combining digestate with an inhibitor could provide great results.

Biostimulants

Another potential thing to try is applying stimulants, particularly those containing amino acids. This can massively reduce the amount of energy plants expend on making them. In turn it can translate to more efficient nitrogen absorption and better growth, making more effective use of fertiliser.

Monitoring

Technology today is better than ever before. So, you can utilise satellite imagery and even drones to get a better idea of how fields are performing. You can identify which specific areas may need a boost rather than applying fertilisers to a whole field. On top of that, you can use leaf testing to get a better idea of how crops are performing. Ultimately, it can help you to make nitrogen go further.

Making the tough decisions about fertiliser

JS Hubbuck Ltd is a proud family business with decades of experience. We know how difficult farming can be, especially key purchasing decisions and crop strategies. We’re always happy to help, giving you friendly support and quality products to ensure you can achieve your goals.

So, contact us today if you need fertiliser or various other key goods like animal feed. You can also pay us a visit in Hexham if you’re local.