Arable Crops Fertiliser Information Guide

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Fertiliser ChoiceOptimising yield and quality on arable crops

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Together, wheat, barley and oilseed rape represent around 80% of arable cropping in the UK. These crops are therefore central to the future success of UK agriculture.

One of the most important aspects of successful nutrition is the availability of the major elements, Nitrogen (N), Phosphorous (P), Potash (K) and Sulphur (S). N is the key yield builder. It is responsible for protein production as well as the production of chlorophyll, the essential ingredient for photosynthesis. P is needed for good root development, whilst K and S are both essential if the crop is to use N efficiently.

In this booklet, we highlight the principles of good crop nutrition. These, together with the tools and products available from CF Fertilisers, allow advisers and farmers to develop their own Blueprint for Growth, taking account of the specific requirements of each field to maximise performance and profit with minimum impact on the environment.

Blueprint for Growth

N Price Crop Price (£/t)

£/t 80 100 120 140 160 180 200

150 5 4 4 3 3 2 2

200 7 6 5 4 4 3 3

250 9 7 6 5 5 4 4

300 11 9 7 6 5 5 4

350 13 10 8 7 6 6 5

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The Importance of Soil Nitrogen Supply (SNS)Most agricultural soils contain too little naturally occurring plant available N, and will therefore require some fertiliser N. Product selection however, depends on the amount that will come from the soil – in other words, the Soil Nitrogen Supply.

While the SNS level will affect the amount of N fertiliser required, the level of S needed often remains unchanged and applying a product such as DoubleTop® or one of our NPKS range will satisfy the crop's full requirement.

The economic optimum yield response to N is affected by the cost of the fertiliser in relation to the value of the crop. All N recommendations are based on this principle and any large shifts in the value of the crop or the cost of N fertiliser mean that recommendations should be adjusted (see Defra Fertiliser Manual 8th Edition p106). The break even ratio (BER) is the crop yield (kg) needed to pay for 1kg of N and the table below illustrates how changes in prices affect it.

Soil NitrogenSupply (SNS)

=Soil Mineral Nitrogen (SMN) + N already in the crop + N that will mineralise from the soil over the growing season

Break Even Ratio (BER) = Cost Per Kg N ÷ Cost Per Kg Wheat

*Highlighted cells indicate N-Calc and fertiliser manual based recommendations on the BER 5.

Winter Wheat

Winter wheat, whether it is for milling, feed or more recently high starch varieties for bioethanol production, is the mainstay of many UK arable businesses. Optimising yield and quality for these crops is therefore a priority.

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Product Average loss of N Range of losses of N

Nitram 3% 0 to 10%

Urea 24% 2 to 43%

Urea + Urease Inhibitor 6% 2 to 17%

Application rateThe rate to apply depends primarily on the SNS and the likely yield. The chart on page 6 illustrates some likely rates and application timings based on low, medium and high SNS levels.

Nitrogen (N)

For farm profitability and the environment, independent research has proved that an Ammonium Nitrate product, such as Nitram is the best choice under UK climatic conditions. When compared with all other N products on the market, Nitram delivers the N in the best form for optimum productivity.

Key products: Nitram®, DoubleTop

Alternatives:SingleTop®, spring applied NPKS – Heartland® Sulphur, KayNitro® Sulphur

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Sulphur (S) Systems

To protect milling premiums an annual application of S is essential regardless of deficiency risk. For feed crops, S should be applied to protect yield where deficiencies are likely on lighter/medium soils.

TimingSingleTop

Product rate kg/ha N kg/ha kg SO3 /ha

GS 14-24 200 54 24

GS 25-30 200 54 24

SingleTop fits well where the farmer’s preference is to stock just one fertiliser product.

Little and often using SingleTop Approach 1

Replace the first application of Nitram with DoubleTop.

TimingDoubleTop

Product rate kg/ha N kg/ha kg SO3 /ha

GS 14-24 175 47 52.5

One application of DoubleTop Approach 2

Spring-applied NPKS products are very effective when applied to balance P and K indices. Products like Heartland Sulphur reduce the autumn workload and can deliver an extra 0.2 to 0.3 t/ha. The trend towards the use of sewage sludge and other wastes has seen soil Phosphate levels rise. In such circumstances, KayNitro Sulphur should be the product of choice.

Spring-applied NPKS using Heartland Sulphur or KayNitro Sulphur Approach 3

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Winter Wheat Rates and TimingsThe scenarios below for winter wheat are provided as illustrations only.

The precise farm specific Blueprint for Growth is best calculated using the CF Fertilisers N-Min® Service and N-Calc system and with your FACTS Qualified Adviser (FQA) see page 11.

If your target yield is below 9 t/ha

If your target yield is 9 – 11 t/ha*

If your target yield is above 11 t/ha

What is your SNS status? What is your SNS status? What is your SNS status?

Low1 Med2 High3 Low1 Med2 High3 Low1 Med2 High3

RecommendationTotal kg N/ha 170 137 90 213 177 125 253 218 166

GS 14-24 Standard dressing of S applied as 180 kg/ha DoubleTop = 49 kg N/ha + 54 kg SO3/ha

Followed by N recommendations below as kg/ha of product**

GS 25–30 175 0 0 150 190 0 150 150 170

GS 31–32 175 255 120 200 180 220 290 195 170

GS 33–35 0 0 0 125 0 0 150 145 0

Total N kg/ha 350 255 120 475 370 220 590 490 340

*These values are based on average requirements

**To convert kg/ha N to kg N/ha, multiply by 0.345

1Low SNS = 80kg N/ha 2Medium SNS = 100kg N/ha 3High SNS = 150kg N/ha

For definition of SNS see page 3

• For milling wheat, the total applied should be increased by 50 kg N/ha, which is equivalent to 145 kg/ha of N. This additional application should be applied between GS 35 and 37.

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Oilseed rape is the most popular break crop in the UK with some 600,000 ha grown each year.

Oilseed Rape

New CF Fertilisers research has proved that using fertiliser to manage the OSR canopy delivers up to 0.4 t/ha additional yield. The approach involves adjusting the timing of fertiliser applications depending on the size of the crop Green Area Index (GAI) and works in conventional, hybrid and semi dwarf varieties. It uses the CF Fertilisers N-Min® Service (see page 11) to measure the amount of N that will come from the soil. When a large SNS is measured, the rule of thumb is to delay applications until at least stem extension.

When should N be applied early? (early = late February)

N-Min result Small GAI < 0.5

Normal GAI 0.5 -1.0

Large GAI >2.0

0-50 kg/N YES YES YES

50-100 kg/N YES YES NO

>100 kg/N YES NO NO

SulphurOilseed rape has a large requirement for Sulphur, taking up 250kg SO

3/ha by July. CF Fertilisers’ Sulphur

grades contain different amounts of Sulphur to provide timing flexibility. DoubleTop is designed to be used in early applications.

Timing Product kg/ha N kg/ha kg SO3/

ha

Late Feb 375 100 112*

Stem extension - - -

Use fertiliser manual or N-Min service to determine total N rate.

*Recommendation for very deficient site.

DoubleTop Approach 1

Product kg/ha N kg/ha kg SO3/

ha

187 50 56

187 50 56

DoubleTop Split Approach 2

Spring-applied NPKS products are very effective when applied to balance P and K indices. The trend towards the use of sewage sludge and other wastes has seen soil Phosphate levels rise. In such circumstances, KayNitro Sulphur should be the product of choice.

Spring-applied NPKS using Heartland Sulphur or KayNitro Sulphur Approach 3

Key products: Nitram, DoubleTop

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Winter Barley

Nitrogen (N)As with wheat, Nitram is the best product under UK climatic conditions for optimum N use efficiency. Application rates depend upon a number of factors but principally on the Soil Nitrogen Supply (SNS) and yield potential. New research has shown that winter barley typically needs more N than the Fertiliser Manual suggests. For every tonne of yield potential above 7 t/ha, modern varieties need an additional 20-30kg N/ha to reach their full potential. The research also showed that more N should be applied at the first application timing to maintain tiller numbers. Following the recent research can deliver up to 0.4 t/ha more grain and around 0.5 t/ha of additional straw. Applying large amounts of N early can increase lodging. Apply a robust PGR programme to reduce the risk.

Sulphur (S) SystemsWinter barley responds to S in the same way as winter wheat and it is crucial if a malting sample is required. Adequate S allows the plant to use applied N more efficiently and, by increasing the yield, this also dilutes the amount of N in the grain.

Spring-applied NPKS products are very effective when applied to balance P and K indices. The trend towards the use of sewage sludge and other wastes has seen soil Phosphate levels rise. In such circumstances KayNitro Sulphur should be the product of choice.

Use fertiliser manual or N-Min service to determine total N rate.

Timing Product kg/ha

Nkg/ha

kg SO3/ha

GS14-25 175 47 52.5

GS-30 - - -

DoubleTop Approach 1

Spring-applied NPKS using Heartland Sulphur or KayNitro Sulphur Approach 2

Key products: Nitram, DoubleTop, SingleTop

Alternatives: Spring applied NPKS – Heartland Sulphur, KayNitro Sulphur

Timing Product kg/ha N kg/ha P2O5 kg/ha K2O kg/ha Kg SO3/ha

Crop removal* - - -54.6 -39.2 -

Seedbed 300 72 24 24 24

GS 12-15 300 72 24 24 24

Total applied 600 144 48 48 48

*Grain only.

*If prefered, apply at GS11-13.

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Spring Barley

Nitrogen (N)Feed spring barley has a reasonable requirement for N and typically a proportion of N is applied at drilling with the remainder applied soon after crop emergence. If the crop is grown for malting with a target grain N concentration, it is likely that the fertiliser requirement will need to be reduced below that required to optimise yield. General advice is that N applications should be reduced by 25kg N/ha to achieve a malting sample less than 1.8%. To achieve a target grain N of 1.6% and below reduce the application by 50kg N/ha. Previous experience, local knowledge and an understanding of field circumstances are important factors in deciding whether this reduction is applicable. It is also important to recognise that delaying N applications will increase the grain N concentration.

Sulphur (S) SystemsOn deficient sites, spring malting barley responds extremely well to S. Trials have produced yield increases of more than 30%. More importantly because S allows N to be used by the crop, grain N levels are kept below the 1.8% maltsers’ threshold. Even sites which appeared to be S sufficient showed these same quality benefits.

Key products: Nitram , DoubleTop

Alternatives: Heartland Sulphur, SingleTop

Approach 1 DoubleTop

Approach 2 Heartland Sulphur

Timing Product kg/ha

Nkg/ha

kg SO3/ha

Seedbed* 175 47 52.5

Spring-applied NPKS products are very effective when applied to balance P and K indices. The trend towards the use of sewage sludge and other wastes has seen soil Phosphate levels rise. In such circumstances KayNitro Sulphur should be the product of choice. Example below delivers: Target yield = 7 t/ha, High SNS = 120, K index 2+, P index 2

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Blueprint for SpreadingCF Fertilisers products can spread up to 36m bout widths, however, the spreading characteristics of different spreaders and products vary. Spreaders must be in good working order and annual calibration for application rate and spread pattern for each product used is imperative. Spreading to wider widths requires suitable weather conditions to ensure optimum product performance.

Important

• Uneven land will affect spread pattern.

• Make sure operators are trained and that the spreader and tractor are well maintained and fit for purpose.

• Always calibrate the spreader for application rate and spread pattern before using each product. An optimised spread pattern saves on average £47/ha in lost yield, making it as important as adjusting your application rate.

• Choose quality products that spread evenly and do not separate out in the hopper as blended grades do.

• When applying any Sulphur-based fertiliser, wipe vanes with a clean cloth and WD40 (or similar) after approximately every two tonnes applied.

• NEVER apply fertilisers to fields where soils are waterlogged or when the ground is frozen hard or snow covered.

• Avoid direct contamination of watercourses and field margins, using headland kits where necessary, to keep fertilisers where they belong – in the crop.

• Keep appropriate records.

• Remember, if it’s too windy to spray, it’s too windy to spread.

Basic Soil Mineral Nitrogen (SMN) test

Fertiliser Manual or Farm Assessment Method

CF Fertilisers N-Min

How doyou do it? Sample down to 90cm No sampling needed

Sample down to 60cm(or 90cm for high fertility sites)

What’s measured?

Just the N in the soil at sampling

Nothing – based on historic average from numerous SMN samples across

typical UK soils

N in the soil at sampling + Additionally Available Nitrogen (AAN)

What’s estimated?

NothingSoil N using look-up tables. It is essential to know previous cropping, soil type and

texture to get a valid resultNothing

Howaccurate a predictor

is it?

PoorGood for average fields

where previous cropping, soil type and texture are known

Very goodEspecially where:1. Manures are used in the rotation 2. SNS is likely to be high3. SNS likely to be low4. SNS is uncertain

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Soil Nitrogen Supply Predictors ComparedCF Fertilisers N-Min is the only Soil Nitrogen test that includes the AAN (Additionally Available Nitrogen) measurement. This makes it the most accurate and reliable means of predicting Soil Nitrogen Supply (SNS) for cereals and oilseed rape. According to independent research funded by HGCA, CF Fertilisers’s N-Min System is particularly useful where organic manures have been used in the rotation. It is also helpful where there is uncertainty surrounding the likely SNS e.g. where previous cropping history of the field is unknown, after grass or vegetable crops where the SNS is likely to be very high or on sites with low fertility.

Visit us online to watch our N-Min video at:

www.cffertilisers.co.uk/n-min

Reassuringly British

Store fertilisers securely, at least 10 metres away from a watercourse or field drain and well away from other chemicals and organic materials, such as straw. Make sure there are no sources of ignition in the store and that up-to-date stock records and Safety Data Sheets are available. If bags have to be stored outside, they should be off the ground on pallets and sheeted to protect them from the elements.

Stack a maximum of three high and interlock bags for stability.

When using mechanical loaders, check the tines regularly to make sure there are no sharp edges which could damage bag loops. Never carry bags with the lifting tines at an angle and always drive slowly and smoothly, especially over rough ground.

Fertiliser Storage and Handling Tips

For further help and advice, please contact us

on: 0151 357 5758 or email: advice@cffertilisers.co.uk

Blue bags grow better crops

www.cffertilisers.co.uk

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CF Fertilisers UK Limited, Ince, Chester, Cheshire CH2 4LB© CF Fertilisers UK Limited 2016

CF Fertilisers UK Ltd assumes no liability for reliance on, or any errors or omissions in, the information provided in this document. For a precise farm specific recommendation please contact your FACTS Qualified Adviser.