Urea spreading date

[Two Tone]

I believe that comment was in reference to applications April-on.

Even so, my comment still holds true, no matter what month it is applied.
I’ve been using it since 1983.

 

[David.]

The danger is with a starving crop looking at the dry granues on the surface, and unable to access the N.

 

[Two Tone]

The danger is with a starving crop looking at the dry granues on the surface, and unable to access the N.

There are a few things to be aware of when using Urea:
It takes longer to work compared to AN. So you need to get in on 1-2 weeks sooner.
However, because of the slowness, at least one application less is needed than AN. Normally only two on Winter cereals and one, pre em on Spring Cereals.
It doesn’t leech during wet weather anything like as much as AN.
It won’t work or activate itself during cold temperatures. Very occasionally (I’ve known it twice in 40 years) it is warm enough for the crop to grow, but too cold for Urea to be active.
If the weather remains dry, it will sit there until sufficient moisture arrives. But it won’t take much to activate it.
It will only volatilise on damp, bare soil above 26 degrees C. Even when the air temp in July might be above that, below the canopy at ground level (the soil not being bare) surface soil temperatures will not be above 26 degrees C.
Consequently, there is no need whatsoever to use coated Urea in the UK (see more later).

Most Countries around the world are forbidden to use AN, because of its explosive abilities, therefore they have to use Urea.
This includes many hot Countries like Australia and India.
Countries with low rainfall, hot summers but snowy winters often apply all their Urea on the snow, to ensure it is available to the growing crop when needed, relying on the melted snow to move the Urea into the soil.

Manufacturer’s of AN in Countries where Urea isn’t made (such as the UK) have done their level best to rubbish Urea.
Urea has always been cheaper than AN, thus they have tried to deliberately make Urea more expensive so that AN can compete. Therefore encouraging the use in inhibitors (sometimes made of Arsenic!).
Inhibitors really are not needed in the UK. If they were, WTF would Australia be allowed to use un-inhibited Urea?

 

[Gong Farmer]

You only need one application of urea on winter cereals but that tends to be impractical.

Agree inhibitors are a con. In a dry spring they can even lock up the urea and make it unavailable.

 

[Two Tone]

You only need one application of urea on winter cereals but that tends to be impractical.

Agree inhibitors are a con. In a dry spring they can even lock up the urea and make it unavailable.

I’d agree with the one application and the impracticality behind it.
But I do like to get some on very early to prevent Winter Barley going Yellow.
So I tend to split mine 33%, followed by 66%.

Despite the ban on applications as from 1st April, I want all mine on by 7th April anyway to ensure it mostly gets used by this crop, not next year’s crop.
A week isn’t going to make a difference.
It certainly isn’t going to Volatilise, releasing Ammonia. That would be physically impossible!

 

[BrianV]

Watch the daffodils. Well the main season varieties. Spread when begin to elongate stem. Will be mid february. Other old wives tales available - some with a lot of science in support!

Tend to watch the stinging nettles more, once they start shooting usually make a start in spreading.

 

[David.]

Only slight observation is that in other countries, a lot of it goes down the spout, not surface applied.
Inhibitors is a total stitch-up.

 

[Bogweevil]

Even at 15C significant amounts of ammonia are lost after 10 days from urea fertiliser especially if the soil is alkaline hence the official interest, a nuisance but there we are. As I understand it inhibitors are governed by retained EU law so I very much doubt they will contain significant levels of arsenic.

In regions where explosive misuse is an issue CAN can be used if urea does not suit - I like CAN as it does not acidify soils but it does cost more. Very popular in Germany for some reason.

 

[David.]

That doesn't entirely surprise me, because after 2wks, spring drought.applied granules are degraded smudges on the soil. The rest must have gone somewhere, and I doubt that dew has done enough to take it all downwards.
I try and apply it before rainfall always, and do not worry at all if that turns out to be 20mm.

 

[JCfarmer]

All osr had urea 50kg/N 10 days ago and some 2nd wheats a week ago then wind!