Feldspar
Member
- Location
- Essex, Cambs and Suffolk
To get our 55 kg/ha of N for our first dose on winter cereals we are currently applying DAP @ 125 kg/ha and Double Top @ 125 kg/ha in quick succession.
I have done some research on the liquid side of things to get a liquid product that would supply the above in one dose. Such a thing is available, but to get a solution that would go through our sprayer the cost is aroun £90/ha, or £30/ha more than the solid products' cost at the time. There was a suspension that could be applied for £60-70/ha, which included application by a contractor at 24m. My main problem with this is not being keen to be relying on a contractor. This year has shown that getting N on promptly often requires being able to jump on a spreader at short notice and being prepared to abandon / change plans in real time. Easier to do this oneself.
So, two questions: firstly, how important agronomically is a fresh supply of plant available P at the beginning of the growing season? I remember a lecture by Neil Fuller who said that getting P into the plant, to allow it to build up fine root hairs which in turn can pick up more N, was very important. Is that right however?
Secondly, is there any other solid products out there that would enable me to combine the above two doses into one? Want a product with consistent spreading quality rather than a blend.
I have done some research on the liquid side of things to get a liquid product that would supply the above in one dose. Such a thing is available, but to get a solution that would go through our sprayer the cost is aroun £90/ha, or £30/ha more than the solid products' cost at the time. There was a suspension that could be applied for £60-70/ha, which included application by a contractor at 24m. My main problem with this is not being keen to be relying on a contractor. This year has shown that getting N on promptly often requires being able to jump on a spreader at short notice and being prepared to abandon / change plans in real time. Easier to do this oneself.
So, two questions: firstly, how important agronomically is a fresh supply of plant available P at the beginning of the growing season? I remember a lecture by Neil Fuller who said that getting P into the plant, to allow it to build up fine root hairs which in turn can pick up more N, was very important. Is that right however?
Secondly, is there any other solid products out there that would enable me to combine the above two doses into one? Want a product with consistent spreading quality rather than a blend.