Are qualifications required to use tractor mounted fertiliser spreaders

[DrWazzock]

I am just wondering when the RT Gestapo will be able to serve a search warrant on us and go through the place with a fine tooth comb looking for stuff that doesn't comply.

Meanwhile, if the caravan club should take something way into their encampment then there is absolutely nothing we can do about it sir, absolutely nothing.

The country has gone down the pan in my opinion. Newts and badgers have more rights than country folk, and that's a fact.

 

[Mur Huwcun]

The slight problem with this now will be that the consultant will be googling for fertilizer qualifications!!! Three guesses what comes out on top with google!!!!!!!

 

[spin cycle]

theoretically and being very pedantic you could argue tnat AN could be used as a herbicide...put to much on and you can kill plants....growrth hormone weedkiller

 

[Old McDonald]

Just hide it and tell them you spread fertiliser with a fiddle

Now that is an extremely interesting, and possibly dangerous, thing to post.

It is many years since I used a fiddle, but are there any regulations about calibrating a fiddle? A fiddle could very easily be used for spreading insecticides, moluscides and various other poisons as well as seed and fertiliser, so is a fiddle covered by regs? If it is, what is the situation about spreading things by hand?

Last December I planted a bit more than 800 young almond trees from about three-quarter litre pots. Obviously they have extremely limited root growth. More than half of them are flowering, and I am about to begin applying N. I want no more than an ounce of N per application per tree. It would be an awful waste of money to use a spreader, or even a fiddle, so I will use a cup holding 200g of 20.5% N (allow for inefficiency of uptake) and apply a cupful per tree close to the root area several times through the summer. Do I need to calibrate my hand and cup under EU regulations?

 

[Clive]

Technically your fiddle would have to have calibration and spread pattern tested and recorded comply with RT

 

[FarmyStu]

Do a bit of contracting , company concerned employ a health and safety parasite ( consultant)
He said I need pa4 to apply fertiliser , specifically ammonium nitrate .
Never heard of this before !!!
Right or wrong .
Even crop assurance don't request this . -

Clearly he's got this wrong. Search out and print the relevant regulations that show this (whatever you do, don't say he's wrong cos some blokes said so on TFF). Properly brief yourself up so you really sound like you know what you're talking about. Then approach him and explain. You'll be doing him a favour. He might even keep coming to you for advice.

Hopefully, the next time you commit some sackable H & S offence, he'll look after you . Well possibly anyway. Better to have friends at work than enemies.

 

[dolf_lundgren]

I would do it the other way, as him to show you why you need it. You are paying him, so why do the work for him?

 

[Still Farming]

You'll need a certificate to get out of bed shortly ?

 

[landslave the 2nd]

Now that is an extremely interesting, and possibly dangerous, thing to post.

It is many years since I used a fiddle, but are there any regulations about calibrating a fiddle? A fiddle could very easily be used for spreading insecticides, moluscides and various other poisons as well as seed and fertiliser, so is a fiddle covered by regs? If it is, what is the situation about spreading things by hand?

Last December I planted a bit more than 800 young almond trees from about three-quarter litre pots. Obviously they have extremely limited root growth. More than half of them are flowering, and I am about to begin applying N. I want no more than an ounce of N per application per tree. It would be an awful waste of money to use a spreader, or even a fiddle, so I will use a cup holding 200g of 20.5% N (allow for inefficiency of uptake) and apply a cupful per tree close to the root area several times through the summer. Do I need to calibrate my hand and cup under EU regulations?

Much quicker and easier.... is to get a 10 lts empty spray can....add a 2feet long pipe ( 3/4 inch diameter) to the thread put 1 tube clamp 2 inches away the next clamp 4 inch away.....fill the gap between with fert ...weigh it...move clamp number 2 further or closer to get correct amount.....then point end of pipe at Base of plant....open clamp to release then shut ....open top clamp to refill ......( dam that took longer to write than do the job.....but hope you get the gist )
Know it works as I did 1200 young plants with an empty sheep wormer bottle with harness and used a funnel to fill it with fert

 

[Will 1594]

Much quicker and easier.... is to get a 10 lts empty spray can....add a 2feet long pipe ( 3/4 inch diameter) to the thread put 1 tube clamp 2 inches away the next clamp 4 inch away.....fill the gap between with fert ...weigh it...move clamp number 2 further or closer to get correct amount.....then point end of pipe at Base of plant....open clamp to release then shut ....open top clamp to refill ......( dam that took longer to write than do the job.....but hope you get the gist )
Know it works as I did 1200 young plants with an empty sheep wormer bottle with harness and used a funnel to fill it with fert

Make sure you take labels off said chem drum , or you will be wrong for using it , cannot remember exact words accs man quoted about using chem cans for other uses ,but ok if no labels as it's just another container then

 

[Tarw Coch]

You'll need a certificate to get out of bed shortly ?

I ain't got one, what should I do!

 

[Barleymow]

Make sure you take labels off said chem drum , or you will be wrong for using it , cannot remember exact words accs man quoted about using chem cans for other uses ,but ok if no labels as it's just another container then

What does one do with the labels? Do they need to be disposed of correctly

 

[Courier]

A small handful for 1 bag an acre, and a big handful for 2 bags an acre Maybe they will test your gloves?

Grass seeds ; finger and thumb = 22 lb per acre (undersowing) . 2 fingers and thumb = 40 lb per acre for a direct re-seed. [emoji41]

 

[Tarw Coch]

Grass seeds ; finger and thumb = 22 lb per acre (undersowing) . 2 fingers and thumb = 40 lb per acre for a direct re-seed. [emoji41]

It's all in the wrist action, I've met a few inspectors who'd be good at sowing grass by hand!

 

[Old McDonald]

Technically your fiddle would have to have calibration and spread pattern tested and recorded comply with RT

My plastic cup is my "fiddle". Holds 214g of the 21-17-0 I will be using. As mentioned later by Tarw Coch, the wrist action could be important.

Make sure you take labels off said chem drum , or you will be wrong for using it , cannot remember exact words accs man quoted about using chem cans for other uses ,but ok if no labels as it's just another container then

I sometimes wonder if there might be a check on all the chems purchased in say the last 5 years and you have to show that you have properly disposed of all the containers - and lids of course.

What does one do with the labels? Do they need to be disposed of correctly

My info, when I acquired my Grandfather's rights certificate was that the labels are to remain attached and the seal under the screw top, plus screw top itself have to be disposed of correctly. Here all are returned to the supplier and they issue a receipt.

@landslave the 2nd Thanks for the idea, but I want to spread my cupful over about a square yard/metre. Not sure I could manage that through a tube. As an example, have you ever tried writing your name in the snow through your tube?

 

[choochter]

gosh, I'm learning a lot today
I think we need pictures

 

[deere66]

You'll need a certificate to get out of bed shortly ?

Or take a

 

[Wombat]

Just done a cal and distribution on ours. 7 yr old used it as a maths project really enjoyed collecting and weighing the trays and I get to tick an assurance box with the results

 

[Cowabunga]

No need for a Pa4g or any other qualification to apply fertiliser currently so the consultant is talking out of his backside. As a few people on here are now aware of I am an instructor for Pa4g/s amongst other things so if the consultant doesn't believe you then feel free to send him in my direction.

There was talk about introducing a qualification for fertiliser application but nothing has ever come of it..........yet!

Oh for gawd's sake! What next? Its not bloody rocket science. If it is, I'm way underpaid and undervalued.