Is this any different from AN apart from less N and some Calcium? obviously it needs to be cheaper to compensate for less N. Does anyone use it apart from those that have to (Northern Ireland?) or people that value the Calcium and the fact that it has a less acidifying effect? Sample I saw looked like it would throw better than ordinary AN. Thoughts welcome, especially users. Have you investigated this at all @Feldspar ?
CAN
- Thread starter Flat 10
- Start date
To me it seems a very expensive way of supplying calcium to a crop but you’ve listed the main reasons for using it.
My main sources of Ca are Fibrophos and sewage cake then my N goes on separately with sulphur and nothing else. It would be worth costing out what the calcium costs you vs top grade urea or quality AN.
My main sources of Ca are Fibrophos and sewage cake then my N goes on separately with sulphur and nothing else. It would be worth costing out what the calcium costs you vs top grade urea or quality AN.
Feldspar
Member
- Location
- Essex, Cambs and Suffolk
Never even given it a minute's thought because we already have so much calcium.
ollie989898
Member
Waste of time. Bugger all calcium in it to have any neutralising effect and an expensive way of supplying calcium that is for sure.
John Slejpner
Member
- Location
- Brick clay near Bedford
The calcium in CAN is not pretending to fix pH.
It is there to facilitate uptake of the AN and / or Ca ions.
I have 85-92% Ca saturation TEC high chalk clay, pH 7+ except for the top 2 inches, which, due to direct drilling, is a different animal altogether with a ph typically 6 to 6.5. I can easily grow crops a bit short of Ca, especially in a dry spring. Price is the only reason i don't use lots of CAN, and a lorry load "to try" is on the To Do list.
- Location
- the brecks norfolk
I've used CAN a lot in the past but only when it's cheaper than AN.
This year my spring top up was CAN, I paid £170 Ton which is equivalent to AN at £217 and at the time AN 230 odd.
The stuff I use has always been a lovely product,very consistent and no dust.
@flat10 who showed you the sample?
This year my spring top up was CAN, I paid £170 Ton which is equivalent to AN at £217 and at the time AN 230 odd.
The stuff I use has always been a lovely product,very consistent and no dust.
@flat10 who showed you the sample?
And you were obviously happy with the crops?
- Location
- the brecks norfolk
Yep very happy, wb had all urea, WB had last dose as CAN,spring barley had second N as CAN and beet had all CAN.
It seems to get into the plant fairly quickly but without the sudden lush growth you sometimes with AN iykwim.
It seems to get into the plant fairly quickly but without the sudden lush growth you sometimes with AN iykwim.
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Then carry on. You must have a good source!
- Location
- the brecks norfolk
We have!!!! [emoji6]
Calcium is a macronutrient for crops like Magnesium is. Many growers have plenty in the soil though this doesn’t always mean it’s in sufficient levels in the plant.
IMO if the pence/kg for the N is comparable to AN and the quality is good enough for a decent spread then it would be a good choice especially on a non calcareous soil. CAN is usually much more expensive so isn’t popular.
IMO if the pence/kg for the N is comparable to AN and the quality is good enough for a decent spread then it would be a good choice especially on a non calcareous soil. CAN is usually much more expensive so isn’t popular.
- Location
- S E Glos
No difference to AN in efficiency of N delivery.
That’s what I wanted to hear.
Here CAN is always better performance of N uptake on crops compared with AN. We have a lot of soils where aplaying CaCo3 is must to do bbut short land rent contracts is only limiting for this job. And last 3 seasons its always cheaper Better spreading quality , no dust ... For this season got it for 173eiro without VAT. 27N +25caco3
We used all CAN for six or seven years when it was priced on the N and the calcium was free.
Saved us 25k or so on lime.
And then BASF finally wised up.
So, if you've now found an alternate source, Robbie, congratulations!
Posting it here would only destroy your competitive advantage
- Location
- the brecks norfolk
The calcium part does worry me a bit. Most of our soils are in the 7s with one field at 8.2.
How much CAN would move soil ph half a point?
How much CAN would move soil ph half a point?
Don't know. Wouldn't have thought would make much difference. We have white hills here that are just chalk (calcium) and the pH isn't much over 8. I think our source's must have less Ca in as it has some Mg in.
CAN is almost exactly neutral for soil ph, with the calcium nitrate bit balancing the ammonium nitrate bit.
Whereas we always find with straight AN that we need at least 1/2tonne of lime per tonne AN.