Yara, one of the biggest chemicals and fertiliser companies in the world, has done a lot of work to explore how important spreading accuracy is with fertiliser. Their simulations show that it can increase yields by an average of 3.0%. In monetary terms, it can mean an extra £20-£100 per hectare. So, it is definitely worth it to look carefully at what they are doing.

Farmers should ensure that they are spreading effectively. In fact, it should be best practice. It will increase their yields and also help to avoid various issues. Crucially at a time when prices are rising, it can also reduce the volume of fertilisers that go to waste.

Top tips

There are a number of things farmers can do to improve spreading. Let’s have a closer look at three main ones.

Don’t waste it

Firstly, every farmer should ensure they are being very careful with how they handle and apply fertiliser. The goal should be to put it in the right place at the right time to achieve the best results. Plus, make sure it is stored and managed correctly. All of this can reduce wastage.

Ensure you spread evenly

Uneven spreading can cause a number of issues with crops. One of the worst is lodging. What happens here is some crops get excess nitrogen. As a result, they grow tall and skinny. This can cause big losses as the plants may be too feeble to support themselves. Plus, they can end up being too tall for harvesting, meaning even more yield losses.

Uneven spreading also means there can be irregularity in crop maturity. Parts of the plot that get more nutrients will mature faster than others. Therefore, when you harvest you could face an issue of some parts being mature while others aren’t there yet. Or you could get a situation where parts of the crop are past their best. It can have a big impact on quality, potentially even sending it below industry standards.

Keep an eye on fields

One thing every farmer should be doing is monitoring their fields to ensure even growth. Signs of lodging are easy to see. If you notice them sooner, you then have a better chance to make adjustments. Most crucially, you should be trying to ensure even protein levels in the crops.

Speak to us to order fertiliser

JS Hubbuck Ltd is a company with a long history and a fantastic reputation. We’re a family business, and work to deliver the very best services every time. With us you get quality products, access to our extensive knowledge, and fast, reliable delivery.

So, if you need any fertiliser, speak to us to learn more about what we have in stock and prices.