Urea spreading without inhibitor after March with facts advisor recommendation

[yellow belly]

Any one looking at what is needed
ie temperature soil type and rainfall

I would say the science backs very low volatilisation when spreading with temperature below 12 c on a clay soil with rain forecast

do we just need the evidence it was the correct conditions

under these conditions inhibited urea would be too slow to get into the crop

 

[Spencer]

Can you soil incorporate it after March?

 

[SilliamWhale]

Quite frankly you should write down that you put all of urea on in March and then just use your brain to use it at exactly the right time for the crop

 

[Gong Farmer]

You're right to avoid an inhibitor in April, but even without it urea is a bit dodgy at this time. Most important factor, as you say, would be to ensure rainfall within hours.
Why wait till April anyway? A March application is equivalent in efficacy to an April AN dose.

 

[Against_the_grain]

Yes if you are Facts qualified or if a Facts qualified advisor can justify not using inhibitors in low volatilisation situation after the 1st April then it is not a requirement. Quite frankly the evidence is weak at best for any sort of volatilisation of Urea in moderate conditions so it's an easy call to make.
Where I would be using inhibitors is onto bare soil in warm conditions in May for example

 

[Hindsight]

Any one looking at what is needed
ie temperature soil type and rainfall

I would say the science backs very low volatilisation when spreading with temperature below 12 c on a clay soil with rain forecast

do we just need the evidence it was the correct conditions

under these conditions inhibited urea would be too slow to get into the crop

Have you asked a FACTS adviser - that seems the first place to start. Ask what conditions would lead to them signing off a recommendation after March 31st. And ask how good is there Professional Indemnity Insurance.

 

[Against_the_grain]

Have you asked a FACTS adviser - that seems the first place to start. Ask what conditions would lead to them signing off a recommendation after March 31st. And ask how good is there Professional Indemnity Insurance.

It's a pretty easily justifiable decision if conditions are right imo. You have to applaud the regulators in this case for allowing qualified decisions to be made based on conditions.

 

[Hindsight]

It's a pretty easily justifiable decision if conditions are right imo. You have to applaud the regulators in this case for allowing qualified decisions to be made based on conditions.

Yes, don't disagree. I take it you have the FACTS ticket and will be signing off.

 

[Against_the_grain]

Yes, don't disagree. I take it you have the FACTS ticket and will be signing off.

If applicable yes

 

[Hindsight]

If applicable yes

That's great. Will see how the season develops and how much non inhibited urea and UAN is on farm.

 

[crazy_bull]

It's a pretty easily justifiable decision if conditions are right imo. You have to applaud the regulators in this case for allowing qualified decisions to be made based on conditions.

has there been any advise from FACTS on this situation, hope there is….. I was wanting to advise it but not seen anything in writing yet and not brave enough to go rouge in the first year!!!

C B

 

[BenAdamsAgri]

Good thing I got my FACTS last year, I won't be buying any inhibitor rubbish

 

[Steevo]

Good thing I got my FACTS last year, I won't be buying any inhibitor rubbish

£50/t extra soon pays for FACTS!

 

[Luke Cropwalker]

has there been any advise from FACTS on this situation, hope there is….. I was wanting to advise it but not seen anything in writing yet and not brave enough to go rouge in the first year!!!

C B

I haven't seen anything, was hoping for some guidance from BASIS or at least from anyone in the trade who sells uninhibited urea, in theory it can be done but I think the RT inspectors will be uneducated for a change. In the real world I am sure most farmers will just realise that urea really needs to be applied by the end of March anyway.

 

[David.]

Good thing I got my FACTS last year, I won't be buying any inhibitor rubbish

You could probably put all of yours on amongst the stones now, without much ill effect.

 

[Against_the_grain]

has there been any advise from FACTS on this situation, hope there is….. I was wanting to advise it but not seen anything in writing yet and not brave enough to go rouge in the first year!!!

C B

If you are a Facts qualified adviser you should be knowledgeable/qualified enough to make this decision

 

[yellow belly]

If you are a Facts qualified adviser you should be knowledgeable/qualified enough to make this decision

agree

the least risk of volatalisation is
soil ph below 7 low free caco3 levels in the soil
soil temperature below 20
rain fall forecast
crop cover

my usual conditions are
clay soil ph 6.5 very low caco3
temperature below 14 c
notill planted in september
or cover crop prior to spring crops

my biggest concern using AN and then getting half an inch of rain
today high drain flow any AN spread this last week will be in the north sea by the week end

 

[David.]

1.5" here since Monday.

 

[Bogweevil]

I haven't seen anything, was hoping for some guidance from BASIS or at least from anyone in the trade who sells uninhibited urea, in theory it can be done but I think the RT inspectors will be uneducated for a change. In the real world I am sure most farmers will just realise that urea really needs to be applied by the end of March anyway.

Of course your FACTS advisor might advise against applying untreated urea in March if the weather is warm and dry - just saying.

 

[ollie989898]

Of course your FACTS advisor might advise against applying untreated urea in March if the weather is warm and dry - just saying.

You aren't going to see significant volatilisation from urea in March in my view. If there is evidence that this is incorrect I'd be very keen to see it.

I consider urea a superior form of nitrogen compared to AN in my view because it is gentler on the soil and inherently somewhat safer to store/handle.