Yara crop nutrition knowledge and experience can help maximise crop yield and quality. Find out more about all aspects of crop nutrition at www.yara.co.uk/crop-nutrition
Yara UK Ltd
- Thread starter Chris F
- Start date
- Location
- Kirriemuir
Sulphur helps win Yara Grass Prix for Scottish farmers
www.yara.co.uk/grass-prix
Applying the right amount of sulphur helped Scottish farmers Margaret and Drew Wilson from Greenhead farm, Forfar win the 2016 Yara Grass Prix by smashing the previous records result in terms of both yield and quality.
Drew and Margaret Wilson from Greenhead Farm, Forfar, Angus claimed the winning title for the 2016 Yara Grass Prix after a very closely fought competition.
Mr and Mrs Wilson achieved a record cumulative result in terms of both yield and quality, not only setting the standard for the 2016 competition throughout, but smashing all previous records. Over two cuts the yield was 21 T DM /ha with a cumulative energy yield of 218,699 MJ/ha and a protein yield of 3,385 kg/ha, together worth £2,295/ha - compared to standard concentrate feeds.
This is the second year Mr and Mrs Wilson have taken part in the Grass Prix, coming sixth in 2015 with a respectable yield of 13.4 T DM/ha, for 2016 they raised this by 7.6T DM/ha.
Running-up in a very close second place is the leading Irishman as Colm Diggins from Tralee, County Kerry with a yield of 20.6 T DM/ha with a value of £2,250 just £45 behind Mr Wilson, a result which would have won in any of the previous years of the Grass Prix competition.
Third place goes to Willie Watson from Mauchline, Ayrshire who previously won the 2014 Grass Prix and came second in 2015. Mr Watson achieved a yield of 18.5 T DM with a value of £1,851, which ironically is his highest yield over the three years.
So, what did the winners do different this year?
Looking at the results of the nutrient analysis conducted on the grass the answer could very well be sulphur. The grass samples taken from Greenhead farm in 2015 had an average N content of 2.8% and an S content of only 0.18% giving an N:S ratio of 16:1 which indicated a sulphur deficiency.
This year, Mr Wilson applied a total of 100kg SO3 split over two applications, whereas in 2015 only 40kg SO3 was applied over the whole season. Samples taken this year had similar average levels of N at 2.6% but double the S content of 0.36% giving an N:S ratio of 7:1.
In addition to the sulphur, the other noticeable difference is that this year slightly more nitrogen was applied for the second cut to bring it closer to the optimum.
Securing a good return on investment
As a result, reprioritising fertilizer spend to focus on sulphur and to apply the optimum nitrogen for the second cut cost an additional £30/ha over 2015, but this achieved an extra 7.6 T DM/ha over the two cuts, worth an extra £830. These fantastic results are further evidence that taking a measured approach to growing grass can really pay off.
Sulphur is essential for nitrogen to be used efficiently and if this is deficient will be reducing both yield and quality of all crops. Yara recommends you apply a minimum of 40 kg SO3/ha with each cut and supply a complete range of YaraBela NS and YaraMila NPKS fertilizers specifically for grassland.
www.yara.co.uk/grass-prix
www.yara.co.uk/grass-prix
Applying the right amount of sulphur helped Scottish farmers Margaret and Drew Wilson from Greenhead farm, Forfar win the 2016 Yara Grass Prix by smashing the previous records result in terms of both yield and quality.
Drew and Margaret Wilson from Greenhead Farm, Forfar, Angus claimed the winning title for the 2016 Yara Grass Prix after a very closely fought competition.
Mr and Mrs Wilson achieved a record cumulative result in terms of both yield and quality, not only setting the standard for the 2016 competition throughout, but smashing all previous records. Over two cuts the yield was 21 T DM /ha with a cumulative energy yield of 218,699 MJ/ha and a protein yield of 3,385 kg/ha, together worth £2,295/ha - compared to standard concentrate feeds.
This is the second year Mr and Mrs Wilson have taken part in the Grass Prix, coming sixth in 2015 with a respectable yield of 13.4 T DM/ha, for 2016 they raised this by 7.6T DM/ha.
Running-up in a very close second place is the leading Irishman as Colm Diggins from Tralee, County Kerry with a yield of 20.6 T DM/ha with a value of £2,250 just £45 behind Mr Wilson, a result which would have won in any of the previous years of the Grass Prix competition.
Third place goes to Willie Watson from Mauchline, Ayrshire who previously won the 2014 Grass Prix and came second in 2015. Mr Watson achieved a yield of 18.5 T DM with a value of £1,851, which ironically is his highest yield over the three years.
So, what did the winners do different this year?
Looking at the results of the nutrient analysis conducted on the grass the answer could very well be sulphur. The grass samples taken from Greenhead farm in 2015 had an average N content of 2.8% and an S content of only 0.18% giving an N:S ratio of 16:1 which indicated a sulphur deficiency.
This year, Mr Wilson applied a total of 100kg SO3 split over two applications, whereas in 2015 only 40kg SO3 was applied over the whole season. Samples taken this year had similar average levels of N at 2.6% but double the S content of 0.36% giving an N:S ratio of 7:1.
In addition to the sulphur, the other noticeable difference is that this year slightly more nitrogen was applied for the second cut to bring it closer to the optimum.
Securing a good return on investment
As a result, reprioritising fertilizer spend to focus on sulphur and to apply the optimum nitrogen for the second cut cost an additional £30/ha over 2015, but this achieved an extra 7.6 T DM/ha over the two cuts, worth an extra £830. These fantastic results are further evidence that taking a measured approach to growing grass can really pay off.
Sulphur is essential for nitrogen to be used efficiently and if this is deficient will be reducing both yield and quality of all crops. Yara recommends you apply a minimum of 40 kg SO3/ha with each cut and supply a complete range of YaraBela NS and YaraMila NPKS fertilizers specifically for grassland.
www.yara.co.uk/grass-prix
Last edited:
- Location
- Kirriemuir
Why soil analysis should be in your plan this autumn.
www.yara.co.uk/soil-analysis
It has been a difficult year on many farms but now is the time to review last season and start planning for next season.
The first thing you need to look at is soil fertility and structure and now is the time to take a soil sample before the main cereal planting gets underway. Soil analysis gives you a basis for planning the fertilizer programme for the season ahead but also for the correction of low pH soils through the application of agricultural lime.
Your soil analysis results often give strong clues to the previous year’s crop performance and of surprise on how indices may have dropped. This may well be the case this year following a very good 2015 harvest where last season’s fertilizer applications were not sufficient to replace those nutrients removed in 2015. A yearly soil analysis is not a luxury but a necessity for planning the year ahead, it may not reduce your fertilizer costs but it enables you to target application to areas of higher yield potential.
Has poor soil structure and/or biology affected the previous year’s yield? Investigating the physical aspects requires time but is rewarding as we can see with our own eyes at what depth compaction and compression is present at but also the frequency at which earthworms and other soil fauna can be found. If soil conditions are dry then now is the time to tackle compaction mechanically however improving biological activity might start with the addition of organic matter.
More information www.yara.co.uk/soil-analysis
www.yara.co.uk/soil-analysis
It has been a difficult year on many farms but now is the time to review last season and start planning for next season.
The first thing you need to look at is soil fertility and structure and now is the time to take a soil sample before the main cereal planting gets underway. Soil analysis gives you a basis for planning the fertilizer programme for the season ahead but also for the correction of low pH soils through the application of agricultural lime.
Your soil analysis results often give strong clues to the previous year’s crop performance and of surprise on how indices may have dropped. This may well be the case this year following a very good 2015 harvest where last season’s fertilizer applications were not sufficient to replace those nutrients removed in 2015. A yearly soil analysis is not a luxury but a necessity for planning the year ahead, it may not reduce your fertilizer costs but it enables you to target application to areas of higher yield potential.
Has poor soil structure and/or biology affected the previous year’s yield? Investigating the physical aspects requires time but is rewarding as we can see with our own eyes at what depth compaction and compression is present at but also the frequency at which earthworms and other soil fauna can be found. If soil conditions are dry then now is the time to tackle compaction mechanically however improving biological activity might start with the addition of organic matter.
More information www.yara.co.uk/soil-analysis
- Location
- Kirriemuir
Don't forget about sulphur
Sulphur was often overlooked in the past but today it is recognised as an essential nutrient and considered just as important as nitrogen.
www.yara.co.uk/sulphur
Is sulphur now the second most important nutrient?
Why is sulphur such an important nutrient?
Where does sulphur in the soil come from?
How much sulphur do crops actually need?
What should I consider when choosing a sulphur fertilizer?
Find the answers to all these questions at:
www.yara.co.uk/sulphur
Sulphur was often overlooked in the past but today it is recognised as an essential nutrient and considered just as important as nitrogen.
www.yara.co.uk/sulphur
Is sulphur now the second most important nutrient?
Why is sulphur such an important nutrient?
Where does sulphur in the soil come from?
How much sulphur do crops actually need?
What should I consider when choosing a sulphur fertilizer?
Find the answers to all these questions at:
www.yara.co.uk/sulphur
- Location
- Kirriemuir
How much straight nitrogen do you actually need? - Maybe not as much as you think!
Before ordering your straight nitrogen it is worth considering how much you actually need as it may be you actually need NS or NPKS grades instead.
www.yara.co.uk/straight-nitrogen
As usual the pre-harvest discussions have had a fair dollop of nitrogen talk. With the new season market well underway, prices are considerably lower than 12 months ago. With the Return on Investment potentially 60% higher, it is crucial to ensure you actually buy what you need.
This may sound trivial, but it is always surprising when next spring comes along, as to the number of discussions that will take place as to how to use this pile of nitrogen that had been purchased, when actually NPKS and NS were also required.
The decision as to what nitrogen product is agronomically correct is easily filtered down. Firstly the question to answer is “Do I need sulphur?” and if “Yes” how am I going to manage it? It is pretty clear, with deposition at extremely low levels, the majority of crops will respond to sulphur with increased yields and improved quality.
There are three other sources of sulphur; soil reserves, organic wastes, and mineral fertilizer. Soil reserves do not build easily. When the organic sulphur mineralises it is often lost via leaching before the crop picks it up, and organic sources of sulphur are unpredictable in their release pattern. This issue has been demonstrated in grassland management where responses to sulphur from mineral fertilizer have been seen even where high levels of manures have been applied.
Sulphur containing mineral fertilizer is the most common method for preventing deficiency. The form of this sulphur is important as data has shown that sulphate sulphur is the most reliable as opposed to elemental sulphur that requires an oxidation process before becoming plant available.
This process takes time and is dependent on prevailing soil and weather conditions. Whilst being similar to nitrogen when in the soil (i.e. mineralisation and mobility), in the plant sulphur, is very different. Nitrogen is easily remobilised by the plant, moving from old leaves and into new as growth and development progresses. Sulphur is the opposite to nitrogen, remaining in the older leaves with deficiency showing in the youngest leaves first.
Sulphur should be applied 'little and often' using N+S fertilizers
In view of this the correct strategy for managing sulphur is to apply multiple, smaller, applications coincidental with the splits of nitrogen. Applying smaller applications in line with crop demand through March, April and May ensures maximum return from the investment.
Trials have shown the yield increase from this approach to be approximately 4% higher than single, large applications early in the season at approximately 0.38 t/ha in wheat and 0.5 t/ha in oilseed. Single, large applications should also be avoided as they create other negative, nutrient interactions, solving one agronomy challenge but creating another. The aim is to maintain a balanced nutrient management strategy that meets the crop demand throughout the growing season. A classic example here is the interaction with molybdenum causing deficiency and a subsequent yield penalty of approximately 0.4
The next question to address is “What is the rate of sulphur required?” This has been a topic of conversation over recent years with some advice suggesting high rates of application are correct. Trials have been conducted to try and validate such recommendations. The results of these have not confirmed this and therefore current advice would be to target 45 - 50 kg SO3/ ha in cereal crops and 50-75 kg SO3/ha in oilseed. Again ensure this is applied in two applications bringing improved nutrient use efficiency. At these rates we will avoid the negative nutrient interactions which occur as we go towards 100 kg SO3/ha and above.
What return on investment (ROI) can you expect from taking the correct approach of multiple applications, and supplying the optimum rates? In cereal crop trials yield increases of 0.3 t/ha have been observed, whilst in oilseed this has been higher at 0.5 t/ha. Using a granulated nitrate plus sulphate product will result in an ROI of between £2 and £10 return for every £1 invested.
When phosphate and potash are required use an NPKS fertilizer
Now of course the yield benefit from sulphur will only be expressed if this is the limiting factor. If other nutrients are an issue they need addressing as well. In early spring (February, March) when soils are cold and wet Phosphate and Potassium are typically at their lowest point of availability. This is where a ‘Spring Starter’ fertilizer should be considered to promote early spring growth of roots and shoots. This fresh spring growth of roots enables the plant to explore the soils phosphate reserves whilst at the same time building above ground biomass that is essential for high yield attainment. This adds a further complication into the product selection, but is simple to resolve.
Rather than using a granulated nitrate plus sulphur product then all that is required is to switch the first spring application to an NPKS Complex Compound Fertilizer (CCF). The target should be to apply 35 – 50 kg P2O5 and K2O / ha along with 50 kg N/ha and 20-25 kg SO3/ha . This nutrient combination is ideal to give arable crops the best possible start in the spring as they look to recover root and shoot growth which has often been lost over the winter period. Investigations into the benefit of this approach have been on-going for many years, across a range of sites / countries and a consistent yield increase that can be expected is a further 0.25 – 0.3 t/ha, above the expected sulphur response.
The answer therefore to the question posed that was ‘How much straight nitrogen do you actually need?’ is ‘very little’ in that 25% of the nitrogen should be in the form of an NPKS Complex Compound Fertilizer and 50-75 % will be in the form of a nitrate plus sulphate fertilizer.
www.yara.co.uk/straight-nitrogen
Before ordering your straight nitrogen it is worth considering how much you actually need as it may be you actually need NS or NPKS grades instead.
www.yara.co.uk/straight-nitrogen
As usual the pre-harvest discussions have had a fair dollop of nitrogen talk. With the new season market well underway, prices are considerably lower than 12 months ago. With the Return on Investment potentially 60% higher, it is crucial to ensure you actually buy what you need.
This may sound trivial, but it is always surprising when next spring comes along, as to the number of discussions that will take place as to how to use this pile of nitrogen that had been purchased, when actually NPKS and NS were also required.
The decision as to what nitrogen product is agronomically correct is easily filtered down. Firstly the question to answer is “Do I need sulphur?” and if “Yes” how am I going to manage it? It is pretty clear, with deposition at extremely low levels, the majority of crops will respond to sulphur with increased yields and improved quality.
There are three other sources of sulphur; soil reserves, organic wastes, and mineral fertilizer. Soil reserves do not build easily. When the organic sulphur mineralises it is often lost via leaching before the crop picks it up, and organic sources of sulphur are unpredictable in their release pattern. This issue has been demonstrated in grassland management where responses to sulphur from mineral fertilizer have been seen even where high levels of manures have been applied.
Sulphur containing mineral fertilizer is the most common method for preventing deficiency. The form of this sulphur is important as data has shown that sulphate sulphur is the most reliable as opposed to elemental sulphur that requires an oxidation process before becoming plant available.
This process takes time and is dependent on prevailing soil and weather conditions. Whilst being similar to nitrogen when in the soil (i.e. mineralisation and mobility), in the plant sulphur, is very different. Nitrogen is easily remobilised by the plant, moving from old leaves and into new as growth and development progresses. Sulphur is the opposite to nitrogen, remaining in the older leaves with deficiency showing in the youngest leaves first.
Sulphur should be applied 'little and often' using N+S fertilizers
In view of this the correct strategy for managing sulphur is to apply multiple, smaller, applications coincidental with the splits of nitrogen. Applying smaller applications in line with crop demand through March, April and May ensures maximum return from the investment.
Trials have shown the yield increase from this approach to be approximately 4% higher than single, large applications early in the season at approximately 0.38 t/ha in wheat and 0.5 t/ha in oilseed. Single, large applications should also be avoided as they create other negative, nutrient interactions, solving one agronomy challenge but creating another. The aim is to maintain a balanced nutrient management strategy that meets the crop demand throughout the growing season. A classic example here is the interaction with molybdenum causing deficiency and a subsequent yield penalty of approximately 0.4
The next question to address is “What is the rate of sulphur required?” This has been a topic of conversation over recent years with some advice suggesting high rates of application are correct. Trials have been conducted to try and validate such recommendations. The results of these have not confirmed this and therefore current advice would be to target 45 - 50 kg SO3/ ha in cereal crops and 50-75 kg SO3/ha in oilseed. Again ensure this is applied in two applications bringing improved nutrient use efficiency. At these rates we will avoid the negative nutrient interactions which occur as we go towards 100 kg SO3/ha and above.
What return on investment (ROI) can you expect from taking the correct approach of multiple applications, and supplying the optimum rates? In cereal crop trials yield increases of 0.3 t/ha have been observed, whilst in oilseed this has been higher at 0.5 t/ha. Using a granulated nitrate plus sulphate product will result in an ROI of between £2 and £10 return for every £1 invested.
When phosphate and potash are required use an NPKS fertilizer
Now of course the yield benefit from sulphur will only be expressed if this is the limiting factor. If other nutrients are an issue they need addressing as well. In early spring (February, March) when soils are cold and wet Phosphate and Potassium are typically at their lowest point of availability. This is where a ‘Spring Starter’ fertilizer should be considered to promote early spring growth of roots and shoots. This fresh spring growth of roots enables the plant to explore the soils phosphate reserves whilst at the same time building above ground biomass that is essential for high yield attainment. This adds a further complication into the product selection, but is simple to resolve.
Rather than using a granulated nitrate plus sulphur product then all that is required is to switch the first spring application to an NPKS Complex Compound Fertilizer (CCF). The target should be to apply 35 – 50 kg P2O5 and K2O / ha along with 50 kg N/ha and 20-25 kg SO3/ha . This nutrient combination is ideal to give arable crops the best possible start in the spring as they look to recover root and shoot growth which has often been lost over the winter period. Investigations into the benefit of this approach have been on-going for many years, across a range of sites / countries and a consistent yield increase that can be expected is a further 0.25 – 0.3 t/ha, above the expected sulphur response.
The answer therefore to the question posed that was ‘How much straight nitrogen do you actually need?’ is ‘very little’ in that 25% of the nitrogen should be in the form of an NPKS Complex Compound Fertilizer and 50-75 % will be in the form of a nitrate plus sulphate fertilizer.
www.yara.co.uk/straight-nitrogen
Later sown cereals need more P and K
Some winter cereals are being sown much later than they were traditionally so it is important to make sure these crops have the all nutrition they need to help them establish quickly and then grow away in the spring.
Blackgrass problems across the country mean that winter cereals are often being sown much later than they traditionally were. With some not sowing until mid-late November it is important that these crops have the nutrition they need in the soil reserves; for which soil testing is key.
A wheat crop sown in September will have 12 leaves by spring, where as a crop sown in November will have about 9 leaves coming into spring. Each leaf equates to 2 roots therefore the earlier sown wheat would have 6 more roots than the later sown; meaning it is more able to pick up nutrients in the soil.
What are the P&K indices of your soils?
If the P&K indices are less than 1 then these later sown crops may struggle to get established, especially in colder soils. Soil statistics from LanCrop for 2016 show that 27% of soils are index 1 or below for P and 30% for K.
Phosphate is important for root development and the later the crops are sown the more help with rooting is required going into winter. Potash is important for photosynthesis and protein production and therefore key to establishment too. It is therefore essential to ensure your soil reserves are sufficient.
If P&K are required in the autumn then placing them at drilling is an ideal way to ensure that the seed is able to access these nutrients. Phosphate in particular is very immobile in the soil, moving only a couple of millimetres, therefore it is essential that is it placed where the roots can grow through to it.
Soil and Leaf Analysis Services
Some winter cereals are being sown much later than they were traditionally so it is important to make sure these crops have the all nutrition they need to help them establish quickly and then grow away in the spring.
Blackgrass problems across the country mean that winter cereals are often being sown much later than they traditionally were. With some not sowing until mid-late November it is important that these crops have the nutrition they need in the soil reserves; for which soil testing is key.
A wheat crop sown in September will have 12 leaves by spring, where as a crop sown in November will have about 9 leaves coming into spring. Each leaf equates to 2 roots therefore the earlier sown wheat would have 6 more roots than the later sown; meaning it is more able to pick up nutrients in the soil.
What are the P&K indices of your soils?
If the P&K indices are less than 1 then these later sown crops may struggle to get established, especially in colder soils. Soil statistics from LanCrop for 2016 show that 27% of soils are index 1 or below for P and 30% for K.
Phosphate is important for root development and the later the crops are sown the more help with rooting is required going into winter. Potash is important for photosynthesis and protein production and therefore key to establishment too. It is therefore essential to ensure your soil reserves are sufficient.
If P&K are required in the autumn then placing them at drilling is an ideal way to ensure that the seed is able to access these nutrients. Phosphate in particular is very immobile in the soil, moving only a couple of millimetres, therefore it is essential that is it placed where the roots can grow through to it.
Soil and Leaf Analysis Services
Last edited by a moderator:
Can yield predict the optimum nitrogen rate?
Looking at the results of this years trials there is a wide variation in the optimum rate of nitrogen but how does this allow a prediction of the optimum rate in future?
It is interesting to look at the nitrogen trial results this year and see, yet again, a wide variation in the optimum rate. The average optimum rate of nitrogen on winter wheat in 2016 was 237kg N/ha only slightly higher than the long term average of 230kg N/ha. However, this average hides a huge variation as over the last three years the optimum rate of nitrogen at individual sites has varied from 155 to 290kg N/ha.
What is the reason behind such variable response to nitrogen ?
Nitrogen use efficiency is a measure of how well the crop is able to use applied nitrogen and includes the crops ability to take up nitrogen from the soil as well as its ability to utilise the nitrogen effectively once it has been taken up.
A crops ability to take up nitrogen from the soil depends on how well the root system is able to interact with the soil and is influenced by factors relating to the soil itself, such as soil structure, compaction or drainage. If these are not optimum they should be investigated and the best starting point is generally a spade. Nutrition can also influence this, a crop lacking available phosphate or growing in an acidic soil will already have a compromised root system and will struggle.
Factors within the plant also restrict its ability to utilise nitrogen, particularly deficiencies of other nutrients such as sulphur. This was also demonstrated in trials when the application of sulphur at the, same rate of nitrogen, increased both the crop yield and the nitrogen use efficiency.
Yield alone cannot predict the optimum rate of nitrogen
So, although there is a mathematical link between nitrogen requirement and yield there is no clear relationship and it is inadvisable to predict the optimum rate of nitrogen based on yield alone.
It is possible to compensate for a low nitrogen use efficiency by simply applying more nitrogen and conversely if the crop has a particularly high nitrogen use efficiency then less nitrogen can be applied: Both of these alternatives have cost implications.
The solution is to firstly ensure that no other factors are restricting nitrogen use efficiency and then to apply the correct rate of nitrogen based on the crop requirements since the crop itself will always give the best estimate of its needs.
Looking at the results of this years trials there is a wide variation in the optimum rate of nitrogen but how does this allow a prediction of the optimum rate in future?
It is interesting to look at the nitrogen trial results this year and see, yet again, a wide variation in the optimum rate. The average optimum rate of nitrogen on winter wheat in 2016 was 237kg N/ha only slightly higher than the long term average of 230kg N/ha. However, this average hides a huge variation as over the last three years the optimum rate of nitrogen at individual sites has varied from 155 to 290kg N/ha.
What is the reason behind such variable response to nitrogen ?
Nitrogen use efficiency is a measure of how well the crop is able to use applied nitrogen and includes the crops ability to take up nitrogen from the soil as well as its ability to utilise the nitrogen effectively once it has been taken up.
A crops ability to take up nitrogen from the soil depends on how well the root system is able to interact with the soil and is influenced by factors relating to the soil itself, such as soil structure, compaction or drainage. If these are not optimum they should be investigated and the best starting point is generally a spade. Nutrition can also influence this, a crop lacking available phosphate or growing in an acidic soil will already have a compromised root system and will struggle.
Factors within the plant also restrict its ability to utilise nitrogen, particularly deficiencies of other nutrients such as sulphur. This was also demonstrated in trials when the application of sulphur at the, same rate of nitrogen, increased both the crop yield and the nitrogen use efficiency.
Yield alone cannot predict the optimum rate of nitrogen
So, although there is a mathematical link between nitrogen requirement and yield there is no clear relationship and it is inadvisable to predict the optimum rate of nitrogen based on yield alone.
It is possible to compensate for a low nitrogen use efficiency by simply applying more nitrogen and conversely if the crop has a particularly high nitrogen use efficiency then less nitrogen can be applied: Both of these alternatives have cost implications.
The solution is to firstly ensure that no other factors are restricting nitrogen use efficiency and then to apply the correct rate of nitrogen based on the crop requirements since the crop itself will always give the best estimate of its needs.
Is boron deficiency slowing your oilseed rape establishment ?
Oilseed rape has a high requirement for boron and deficiency can cause poor crop establishment and increased plant losses over winter followed by poorer spring regrowth and reduced yield.
www.yara.co.uk/oilseed-rape
Boron has several key roles in plants which include cell wall biosynthesis, carbohydrate and protein metabolism, cell division/elongation and also root and shoot growing points.
Root and shoot development are obviously key to establishing the plant early on to ensure that it gets off to the best start to help combat pests and diseases. Also during this period the plant is growing very rapidly and therefore having a sufficient amount of boron present is essential to keep the root and shoot development rate optimum.
Boron is the only nutrient which, when in short supply, can accelerate physiological processes instead of reduce them and therefore abnormal growth can occur. Symptoms of boron deficiency on oilseed rape start on the younger leaves of the plant and they appear crinkled, deformed and brittle. Necrotic patches may appear at the leaf margins and the plants may appear stunted. Stems can also be affected with hollow lesions occurring and splitting of the stems. Some of these symptoms can be made worse by sandy, alkaline soils low in organic matter as well as high levels of calcium present
Yara oilseed rape trials have shown yield responses of 0.2t/ha to autumn applications of boron and around 0.4t/ha if followed by a further spring application. YaraVita BORTRAC or YaraVita BRASSITREL PRO in the autumn and again in the spring would be recommended so boron deficiency doesn’t occur.
Yara Oilseed Rape
Oilseed rape has a high requirement for boron and deficiency can cause poor crop establishment and increased plant losses over winter followed by poorer spring regrowth and reduced yield.
www.yara.co.uk/oilseed-rape
Boron has several key roles in plants which include cell wall biosynthesis, carbohydrate and protein metabolism, cell division/elongation and also root and shoot growing points.
Root and shoot development are obviously key to establishing the plant early on to ensure that it gets off to the best start to help combat pests and diseases. Also during this period the plant is growing very rapidly and therefore having a sufficient amount of boron present is essential to keep the root and shoot development rate optimum.
Boron is the only nutrient which, when in short supply, can accelerate physiological processes instead of reduce them and therefore abnormal growth can occur. Symptoms of boron deficiency on oilseed rape start on the younger leaves of the plant and they appear crinkled, deformed and brittle. Necrotic patches may appear at the leaf margins and the plants may appear stunted. Stems can also be affected with hollow lesions occurring and splitting of the stems. Some of these symptoms can be made worse by sandy, alkaline soils low in organic matter as well as high levels of calcium present
Yara oilseed rape trials have shown yield responses of 0.2t/ha to autumn applications of boron and around 0.4t/ha if followed by a further spring application. YaraVita BORTRAC or YaraVita BRASSITREL PRO in the autumn and again in the spring would be recommended so boron deficiency doesn’t occur.
Yara Oilseed Rape
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New Member
Crop nutrition advice from CropTec 2016
Yara sponsored the Crop Nutrition seminar at this year's CropTec event which covered some important issues relating to the new RB209 guidance as well as exploring the importance of analytical data in making decisions on farm.
In response to RB209, Yara launched some practical guidance on how to use the fertilizer manual to achieve a healthy harvest, which we have summarised here for those of you who were unable to attend the CropTec Crop Nutrition seminar.
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'Measure to manage' approach to nitrogen
Yara has long supported the view that adopting a ‘measure to manage’ approach will allow farmers to enjoy a healthy harvest and avoid over-fertilization, to keep costs in check and protect the environment.
The new, revised RB209 guidance encourages farmers to use yield in developing their nitrogen recommendations for cereal crops. Yara is not fully supportive of this due to the very weak correlation between optimum nitrogen rates and yield.
The correlation is improved if nitrogen use efficiency is a constant from field to field and season to season. Unfortunately this is not always the case and simplifying it to this degree ignores the complexities and factors involved in how efficiently your applied nitrogen is used.
When should I use yield in my calculations?
The simple answer to this question is: when you can demonstrate consistency in nitrogen use efficiency. Such a consistency will be driven by the following factors:
Consistent soil type and structure
Consistent rooting depth
Consistent crop rotation
Consistent drilling dates
Consistent nitrogen fertilizer type
Removal of other yield limiting issues
Top tips on using yield
If you opt to use the yield function then consistency is essential. If in a ‘Nitrate Vulnerable Zone’ (NVZ), you will already be using yield for your NVZ, Nmax calculation. It’s important that you end up with the same crop average yield figure for both NVZ and RB209 calculations.
If you don’t farm in NVZ regions, then Yara would suggest the best yield figure to use would be to look at the last five years crop and field specific harvest data, remove the highest and lowest yields, and take an average of the remaining three years. This should give you a realistic average.
What next?
Once you have committed to a particular yield, it is essential that you do all you can to achieve it That means adopting a proactive ‘measure to manage’ approach – test your soil and crops, know what deficiencies may cause problems and deal with them quickly. Using yield in your calculations makes it even more important for you to test, analyse and react to any deficiencies.
Before your last nitrogen application, it is essential to assess yield potential because you still have time to change your fertilizer application to avoid any disasters at harvest. By testing and monitoring crop growth it will give you the information you need to take remedial action if things don’t go to plan.
Information is power
Ultimately, whatever tools you use to calculate your nitrogen requirements, Yara would always encourage you to measure what you can and act on those results. Only by measuring do we know what soil and crops need, this information will allow you to make well informed and effective decisions.
Read more on Yara's 'measure to manage' approach to nitrogen management
Yara ImageIT app for nitrogen management advice in oilseed rape
Yara ImageIT is a completely free smartphone app designed to measure nitrogen uptake in a crop and generate a nitrogen recommendation based on photographs of the crop.
Quickly and easily determine the biomass and the amount of nitrogen taken up by your oilseed rape both before and after winter and receive a field specific nitrogen recommendation directly to your phone while still in the field.
Download Yara ImageIT Now
Yara N-Tester for nitrogen management of cereals
The Yara N-Tester is a hand held tool which enables quick and easy measurements to be taken through a growing crop to establish its exact nitrogen requirement.
This enables fast and accurate, field specific recommendations to help fine tune application during the growing season. This can result in more accurate field scale recommendations, improving profitability and minimising environmental effect.
Find out more about Yara N-Tester
Fertilizer Spreading Advice
To get the best results when using fertilizers, the nutrients have to be spread accurately, evenly and at the right rate across the whole spreader width.
www.yara.co.uk/fertilizer-spreading-advice
A high quality fertilizer is important, but so is how you spread it! Yara has joined forces with SCS Spreader and Sprayer Testing Ltd to bring you the latest advice on how to successfully spread your fertilizer to achieve the best results.
Specific advice when spreading sulphur fertilizers
Sulphur is well known to leave deposits in spreader vanes which can lead to uneven spreading. With an increasing demand for sulphur fertilizer products, it’s important to know how to avoid this build-up so that it doesn’t affect your spread pattern. SCS advises to clean spreader vanes every time the hopper is filled using a rag with a 'WD40' type product as oil based lubricants dissolve sulphur build up quickly.
More information at www.yara.co.uk/fertilizer-spreading-advice
To get the best results when using fertilizers, the nutrients have to be spread accurately, evenly and at the right rate across the whole spreader width.
www.yara.co.uk/fertilizer-spreading-advice
A high quality fertilizer is important, but so is how you spread it! Yara has joined forces with SCS Spreader and Sprayer Testing Ltd to bring you the latest advice on how to successfully spread your fertilizer to achieve the best results.
Specific advice when spreading sulphur fertilizers
Sulphur is well known to leave deposits in spreader vanes which can lead to uneven spreading. With an increasing demand for sulphur fertilizer products, it’s important to know how to avoid this build-up so that it doesn’t affect your spread pattern. SCS advises to clean spreader vanes every time the hopper is filled using a rag with a 'WD40' type product as oil based lubricants dissolve sulphur build up quickly.
More information at www.yara.co.uk/fertilizer-spreading-advice