Farming Talk: Use the correct equipment and save money

Limits on organic manure application are a major restriction of Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ) regulations but many farmers may unwittingly be further restricting the amount of nitrogen available from each application by using inappropriate equipment.

Getting NVZ compliant has been a time consuming and expensive exercise for most farmers in England and Wales.

After investing in slurry stores and the necessary paper exercises, it is tempting to overlook advances in manure application equipment, which have been proven to maximise output from organic fertilisers.

Traditional application methods such as slurry tankers and muck spreaders only deliver nutrients to the surface of the soil which can result in the available nitrogen being reduced to 10 per cent.

Prior to NVZ regulation this wasn't an issue as bigger applications could be made to account for nutrient losses at application. But the NVZ regulations have changed all that.

Unless a specific derogation is in place, the whole farm limit for manure applications is now 170kg/ha for land in an NVZ. Calculating the nutrient content of slurries and manures when they are taken from the store either by using standard values or sample analysis does not account for losses at application. This could mean that the available nitrogen could be as little as 10 per cent, which equates to 17kg/ha.

The latest application methods focus on delivering nutrients directly to the growing crop. Equipment such as injectors and dribble bars can increase nitrogen availability to 45 per cent, which equates to 77kg/ha.

At current fertiliser prices, the difference between splash plate and injection could equate to £21/ha. The increased cost of direct application is offset by the additional nitrogen derived from manures and increased crop yield, representing a significant cost saving.

This is one of many nutrient management solutions being highlighted at a regional event we have organised. Muck & Soil Northwest 2012 will feature live demonstrations of best practice manure applications supported by Livestock Northwest, free one-to-one NVZ clinics with Harvey Hughes Limited supported by the RDPE Skills Programme and more than 40 trade stands from companies at the forefront of the industry.

Attendees can also benefit from free soil and manure analysis and BASIS professional register points. The event is being hosted at Reaseheath College, Nantwich, tomorrow between 9.30 and 4pm.

James Turner is a farming consultant with Harvey Hughes Limited