Placing Fertiliser with seed?

[Wil M]

Anyone (or everyone) out there applying seedbed fertiliser alongside seed?
Having had my first years experience of direct drilling experimentation, results so far- 1 complete disaster in SB- 1t/ac harvested, and an average crop of wheat (3.5t/ac) in part of a field, and likewise average SB crop (2.5t/ac) following TGRS. Quite happy to accept that this is a learning experience, so certainly not throwing the towel in at this stage!
Very slow emergence- both WW and SB, which led to additional slug pressure has been main problem I see which needs to be countered. Also extreme dry spell at time of SB sowing caused particular problem in 2017 in my part of the country.
Would placement of fertiliser with seed help to get the crop through the ground quicker?
Would appreciate to hear of other's experiences.

 

[Farmer Roy]

standard practice here for as long as I care to remember, placing "starter" fertiliser ( generally a NPK or MAP / DAP type ) down the same tube as seed, with all crops, "conventional" or zero till, cereals, oil seeds, legumes, winter crops, summer row crops . . .

only issue is damage / toxicity if fert rates are too high, but the narrower the row spacing is, the higher the rate you can safely go ( narrow rows mean less concentration in plant row for same amount / sq m )

 

[Farmer Roy]

slow emergence could also result from poor seed placement / depth control, poor seed - soil contact or limited moisture ?

 

[MF 168]

There seems to have been a bit of resurgence in this very topic this side of the pond in recent years. In general it does appear on the surface at least to improve a crops establishment. Interesting to see what others think here.

 

[SilliamWhale]

I didnt drill spring cereals with fert for the first 5 years of no till but i have done for the last 5 years and always feel happier for doing it.

Usually aim for about 20-30 units acre

I use whatevers handy which is usually urea or AS. But i doubt the reason you had 1t acre of barley was a lack of seedbed fert!

 

[neilo]

My Spring Barley didn't average anything like 2t this year, and that wasn't DD (was min-tilled) and fert applied on the seedbed (along with muck already placed by sheep overwinter). Late drilling before a prolonged dry spell is what buggered mine, followed by several weeks of rain as soon as I'd sprayed it off for harvest, so a lot of the heads didn't get to the combine anyway.

 

[i dont belief it]

Have a word with the horsch salesman he will be able to put you in touch with others in your area putting fert next to seed with good results (Jimmie Carver)

 

[Wil M]

I didnt drill spring cereals with fert for the first 5 years of no till but i have done for the last 5 years and always feel happier for doing it.

Usually aim for about 20-30 units acre

I use whatevers handy which is usually urea or AS. But i doubt the reason you had 1t acre of barley was a lack of seedbed fert!

I don't expect that fert placed with seed would have saved my SB disaster either. Lack of moisture after drilling, slugs, inadequate weed control, serious aphid infestation, BYDV all thrown in for good measure!
One big learning experience as I said, but as you have commented, having fert next to the seed is a useful insurance when other factors go against establishment.

 

[parker]

I always apply some starter fert with sb,just gives it a leg up in my opinion as I am always following a cover crop which hasn't started to breakdown at drilling time.

 

[Colin]

Have a word with the horsch salesman he will be able to put you in touch with others in your area putting fert next to seed with good results (Jimmie Carver)

It helps but it's not the be all and end all. It doesn't pay on my soils (light high P) and you're better to not try and put all the fertility down with it either. All you need is some n and p. Do a search lots of info on the web.

 

[SimonD]

Apply N with WOSR and will look to use it with SB next year. A lack of mineralisation is my main reason for wanting to add some and it’s an element of assurance for WOSR, I wouldn’t drill without it.