Optimal nutrient application

In this article, Stehan Cloete writes about the importance of broadcast spreader technology to improve application efficiency.

- Stehan Cloete

The Amazone Easyset 2 precision spreader. PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

Nutrients, regardless of the farming practice, are of the highest cost elements in primary production. It is therefore important to know how much is needed in a specific zone in the field and that the application thereof is done accurately.

When applying nutrients, especially micronutrients, special care should be taken when determining the required rates. These rates are a function of current soil health and nutrient balances throughout your lands, and is also influenced by historic data and production strategy. Determining these ideal application rates is not where it ends; the actual application and product being applied are just as important. Band placement of nutrients has the benefit of increased efficiency in uptake, but is not always practical, and therefore the broadcast spreader still earns its rightful place on the farm.

When planning a micronutrient correction or routine nutrient application, there are several ways of implementing your recipe, although they are not all equally effective. One that is less effective is adding micronutrients to your NPK blend, then driving the tractor to the field and applying the product, only to realise after emergence or at harvest time that all the boron was applied on the first 200m. This will cause you to remove the first layer of soil and spread that across your field. Not only did you damage the crop in the first 200m, but you also missed out on the potential yield increase on the rest of the field.