The way to more efficient, sustainable farming is having access to high-quality data so farmers can make better decisions and take action.

Combining Yara’s agronomic expertise and John Deere’s precision technology and advanced machinery, the new partnership will help farmers increase yields while improving nutrient use efficiency.

Thanks to advanced connectivity between the John Deere Operations CenterTM and Yara’s Atfarm digital platform, farmers will be able to get tailored crop nutrition recommendations rooted in agronomic precision, so they know that their crops are getting the right amount of nutrients where and when they are needed.

The Atfarm platform uses Yara’s N-sensor algorithm and satellite technology, enabling farmers to monitor crop growth and nitrogen uptake in their fields throughout the season. The algorithm looks for growth differences and creates variable rate application maps for N-fertilisation that farmers can access.

Through the partnership, this data can now be shared seamlessly and securely with the John Deere Operations CenterTM as a Workplan. Farmers can add field and crop information, and wirelessly synchronise their Workplan and recommendations to any machine which has a John Deere Gen4 or G5 Display.

Interpreting variable rate maps is often perceived as being complicated, but the John Deere/Yara collaboration removes the complexity, and helps farmers improve the productivity of their fields.

Field trials have shown that implementing Yara’s expert agronomic advice has resulted in up to seven percent yield increase and savings of up to 14 percent Nitrogen due to optimised fertiliser use.

The new connectivity is set to be piloted by a group of farmers in the UK, Germany, and France from spring 2024. Alongside this new collaboration, Yara and John Deere will continue to work together on further opportunities to improve nutrient use efficiency for farmers.

“Achieving the [EU] Farm to Fork Strategy’s goal of reducing nutrient losses by 50% by 2030 requires the industry to work together,” said James Craske, from VP Digital Solutions Europe at Yara International.

“Through partnering with John Deere, UK farmers will be able to use our recommendations in an easy, practical way. This contributes to more sustainable food production without adding complexity for farmers.”

Katharina Nies, marketing manager for Precision Ag at John Deere, added: “For small grain producers, crop nutrition is one of the largest opportunities for optimisation.

“We are excited to partner with Yara, as this is a unique combination of science-based fertilisation recommendations together with John Deere’s connected, highly precise, and intelligent machines. With that, farmers can achieve the highest levels of nutrient use efficiency.”

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A new approach to fertilisation with Supersoil

Adam’s journey towards sustainability led him to discover Supersoil, an organic fertiliser with a difference. Composed of healthy soil microbes and organic plant matter, Supersoil not only enhances soil health but also promotes grass regrowth. The fertiliser breaks down organic matter to release vital nutrients to the sward.

A tale of two paddocks

Adam’s experiment began with a meticulous approach. He measured the dry matter in two paddocks, both initially registering at around 1,800 kg of dry matter per hectare. One paddock received Supersoil, while the other received the usual slurry application.

Promising results from organic fertiliser

Even in the face of challenging weather conditions with no rain for a week, the results spoke volumes. In just one week, the paddock treated with Supersoil exhibited a remarkable 9.5% increase in growth rate compared to the one receiving slurry. This initial boost in grass regrowth was a promising sign of what Supersoil could deliver.

A month of transformation

The positive impact of Supersoil continued to manifest over the course of a month. Adam noticed an impressive overall increase of 420kg of dry matter in the paddock treated with Supersoil compared to the one receiving slurry. Not only did Supersoil enhance growth, but it also contributed to a lush and even sward, adding to the overall visual appeal of the pasture.

Optimal timing for first-time users

While Supersoil has already proven its worth in enhancing dairy farming practices, its timing of application can optimise its benefits for first-time users. Applying Supersoil at the back end of the year, during the land’s resting phase, allows for the multiplication and establishment of beneficial soil microbes. These microbes work diligently over the winter months, converting organic matter into vital nutrients and priming the soil for the growing season.

Microbial establishment

The key to Supersoil’s effectiveness lies in its microbial community. By applying it at the back end of the year when the land is in a resting state, farmers allow these beneficial microbes to multiply and establish themselves in the soil. This crucial preparatory phase ensures that the soil is brimming with microbial activity, ready to kickstart the growing season in spring.

Nutrient release

Supersoil’s microbes excel at breaking down organic matter, releasing nutrients that would otherwise remain locked away. By introducing organic fertiliser during the dormant winter months, these microbes have ample time to work their magic, converting organic matter into readily available nutrients for the upcoming season.

Reducing dependency on chemical fertilisers

The strategic application of Supersoil at the end of the year allows farmers to reduce their reliance on chemical fertilisers during the growing season. As the soil becomes enriched with nutrients, the need for synthetic additives diminishes. This contributes to a more sustainable farming approach.

Improved grass regrowth

When the first signs of good growing conditions arrive in the spring, pastures treated with year-end Supersoil application show a remarkable boost in growth. This initial advantage can set the tone for the entire season, resulting in healthier and more abundant forage for livestock.

Long-term soil health

Applying Supersoil towards the end of the year fosters long-term soil health. The microbial population establishes a robust ecosystem within the soil, contributing to improved soil structure, nutrient cycling, and overall resilience.

More than a fertiliser

Adam Holman’s experience with Supersoil underscores the importance of sustainable farming practices in modern agriculture. Dairy farmers like Adam can achieve improved grass regrowth, healthier livestock, and a greener, more sustainable future for their farms. In doing so, they also reduce the reliance on chemical fertilisers and harness the power of organic alternatives like Supersoil.

Supersoil is more than just a fertiliser; it’s a symbol of innovation and commitment to the land. As we look toward the future of farming, sustainable solutions like Supersoil are set to play a pivotal role in creating a harmonious balance between agricultural productivity and environmental stewardship. Farmers like Adam Holman are leading the way, proving that sustainable farming practices are not just a choice but a necessity for a thriving agricultural industry.

By applying Supersoil at the back end of the year, farmers can maximise its benefits, leading to healthier pastures, reduced reliance on chemicals, and long-term soil vitality, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable and prosperous future for farming.

How to get your Supersoil organic fertiliser

Take advantage of Supersoil’s organic fertiliser before the year is out; visit the Supersoil website to make contact.

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Farmers and buying co-operatives must prepare for changes in the law which will require them to provide photo ID when purchasing ammonium nitrate (AN) fertiliser from 1 October.

The new regulations follow the Home Office’s amendment of the Control of Poisons and Explosives Precursors Regulations 2023 to include additional substances, such as AN with a nitrogen content of 16% or more. This applies to compounds, blends, and mixtures including NPK fertiliser containing ammonium nitrate at or above the nitrogen content threshold.

Businesses are encouraged to make use of AIC’s downloadable A5 resource, which can be printed and displayed or offered to farmers and growers to raise awareness of the forthcoming legal requirement to provide photo ID when ordering AN fertilisers.

To download the free informative flyer and for further details on the legal changes, visit the AIC website.

Jo Gilbertson, AIC’s head of fertiliser, commented: “AIC is concerned that unless farming customers can show distributors their photo ID, they legally will not be able to place an order and we may see a situation where there is a de facto ban on AN fertiliser sales from October.

“AIC will be working with farming unions to ensure that the practicalities of this new legislation are better understood by farmers across the UK, making sure that they are well prepared for the changes.”

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New green fertilisers and digital tools will give farmers something to consider when assessing their crop yields.

“The new facility will be a production facility for YaraVita, our range of specialist micronutrients and biostimulants,” says Jari. “It will be the largest plant in Britain and one of the largest in the world, reflecting the growth in demand for those particular nutrients not just here but globally.”

The new plant will be located in Howden, just 18 miles south of Yara’s current site at Pocklington. 95% of what is produced will be exported to the European and wider global overseas markets. So why did Yara choose Britain as the home of its new plant?

“We already have the skill and expertise for this kind of production in the UK at our Pocklington site and we really wanted this to continue,” says Jari. “Also, glasshouse testing is done in the UK and if we look at the innovation side of things, we have patents either granted or applied for, for our current operations at Pocklington. This ensures we have a pipeline of new products for continued growth.”

The shift to green fertiliser production

Jari Pentinmäki in his element.

Along with investments in its own growth, Yara is invested in operating according to its mission; to feed the world and protect the planet. The development of green fertiliser is a key part of its plans to transform the food system and reduce carbon emissions.

“Yara premium fertilisers already have a low carbon footprint but their production is currently dependent on fossil fuels,” says Jari. “But this is about to change. This year, Yara is introducing fossil free green fertilisers that are produced using renewable energy sources like water power, instead of fossil fuels like natural gas.”

Switching from natural gas to renewable energy sources will create a more resilient food system that is less dependent on fossil fuels.

“Producing fertiliser using renewable energy sources is enabling an 80-90% reduction in carbon emissions compared to fertilisers made from natural gas,” says Jari. “This allows us to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and work towards a food system that’s free from carbon emissions.”

Embracing green fertilisers throughout the food chain

To achieve the desired impact, collaboration at all levels of the food system is crucial.

“There has to be collaboration at all levels,” says Jari. “It needs to take place at the industrial level, for example in the setting up of green fertiliser production units, but I think that it’s also very important that the food chain is collaborating. We are very active in building partnerships with food companies, most recently with Simpsons Malt where we were looking at producing low carbon malt for the whisky industry.”

Collaboration is worth it, and the benefits of moving from traditional fertiliser to green fertilisers are substantial.

“Moving to green fertiliser means we are able to reduce the overall footprint of food by about 20%,” says Jari. “It’s quite a substantial reduction. If we take that all the way up to an individual slice of bread, for example, it will be on the market with 12% less carbon footprint.”

Building resilient crops through nutrient management

Coping with climate change is also about producing more resilient crops. As farmers deal with increasingly extreme weather, nutrient management is an important way to cope with changing conditions.

“Farmers are keen to improve nutrient use efficiency (NUE),” says Jari. “Plants need 16 different nutrients and Yara is working to help them optimise those nutrients. By doing so, they can grow crops that are more resilient to climate change.”

The YaraVita range is a crucial tool to help farmers improve NUE.

Climate change continues to drive the need for more resilient crops.

“YaraVita products are crop specific, so farmers can choose products that match their cropping plan,” says Jari. “Applying the products according to our recommendations builds that resilience and can increase yields by between 3 and 9%.”

Biostimulants will also play an important role in the growing of more resilient crops in the future. The biostimulant market is growing by around 12% year on year, and Yara already has five products available in the UK.

“We are continuously developing our biostimulant portfolio and a lot of our effort goes into looking at how biostimulants and crop nutrition products are working together,” says Jari. “We want to be a holistic solution provider that looks at the entire system of crop nutrition, not just one product at a time.”

Digital tools are ready for testing

An increasingly important part of improving resilience to climate change on farm is data. Yara has developed its own digital tools such as Atfarm, N Sensor, and N-Tester to help farmers make good management decisions. The advice for farmers? Start testing them and see how they work for you.

“I would encourage farmers to start testing these tools which are freely available at the moment,” says Jari. “So for example, if you want to optimise your nitrogen application, you can download these apps and start testing how they could help you produce a good harvest and reduce your application rate by ensuring you apply it in the right place in the field.”

Yara is keen for farmers to test the new digital tools available to them.

A well-rounded package

For farmers and agronomists who want to take a holistic approach to nutrient management, Yara has the solutions.

“We have a whole suite of fertiliser products from nitrate products to micronutrients, and now biostimulants as well,” says Jari. “Our customers also have access to our latest digital tools like Atfarm, N-tester, and N Sensor, as well as soil and leaf sampling services, and a tank mix service.”

About Yara

Yara grows knowledge to responsibly feed the world and protect the planet, to fulfil its vision of a collaborative society, a world without hunger and a planet respected. To meet these commitments, it has taken the lead in developing digital farming tools for precision farming. It also works closely with partners throughout the whole food value chain to develop more climate-friendly crop nutrition solutions.

In addition, it is committed to working towards sustainable mineral fertiliser production. It fosters an open culture of diversity and inclusion that promotes the safety and integrity of our employees, contractors, business partners, and society at large.

Founded in 1905 to solve the emerging famine in Europe, Yara has a worldwide presence of about 17,000 employees and operations in over 60 countries. In 2018, Yara reported revenues of USD 13.1 billion.

The post How can green fertilisers transform the food system? appeared first on Farmers Guide.

As the UK’s agri-supply trade association, which represents UK fertiliser and agronomy companies, the Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) is raising concerns that as of 1st October 2023 tens of thousands of farming customers could be barred from placing orders of ammonium nitrate (AN) unless they can first submit photo ID to the retailer.

Why will photo ID now be required when buying fertiliser?

The Home Office has amended the Control of Poisons and Explosives Precursors Regulations 2023 to introduce new substances to the lists of regulated explosives precursors and poisons, including AN with a nitrogen content of 16% or more. This applies to compounds, blends and mixtures such as NPK fertiliser containing ammonium nitrate above the nitrogen content threshold.

The new rules mean businesses supplying regulated explosives precursors to professional users and other businesses will need to take additional steps to verify the legitimacy of the individual or business. The photo ID provided can be for anyone working for the farm business who is authorised to make the purchase.

Visit the GOV.UK website for full details of the forthcoming changes.

Threat to AN fertiliser accessibility

Jo Gilbertson, AIC’s head of fertiliser, said: “While we will always support efforts to further minimise the public safety risks of fertiliser falling into the wrong hands, the Government has failed to understand how ammonium nitrate products are bought and sold within agriculture.

“Fertiliser orders are often made by farmers and growers over the phone, not over a shop counter, making it impractical to meet the new requirement to show a passport, driving licence or other photo ID.

“AIC is concerned that unless farming customers can show distributors their photo ID, they legally will not be able to place an order and we may see a situation where there is a de facto ban on AN fertiliser sales from October.

“AIC will be working with farming unions to ensure that the practicalities of this new legislation is better understood by farmers across the UK, making sure that they are well prepared for the changes.”

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Field trials of Twoxo in wheat.

Cambridgeshire-based arable farmer, Russ McKenzie, confirmed he has seen a .3 – .35 t/ha yield improvement on his winter wheat using Unium Biosciences’ Twoxo signalling compound.

“It may seem like a modest yield improvement, but we have trials to prove it and Twoxo gives a good bang for its buck,” he said. “We use it growth stage 32 to boost N uptake in the wheat at a key time. It’s a no brainer product to build the foundations of a good yield.”

Mr McKenzie runs a 140ha arable farm near Huntingdon on which he operates a no-till system, and believes biologicals have helped reduce N applications on the farm by getting the plant to work for itself.

“We’ve reduced N from the standard 200kg/ha to 180kg/ha and biologicals have helped us to trim it back,” he added.

Mr McKenzie is currently using Twoxo on winter wheat that has good rooting and said the crop is looking healthy. For crops that are struggling, he suggested considering a different product, but if there is good rooting, Twoxo can help increase N use efficiency (NUE) and enhance carbon sequestration.

John Haywood from Unium Bioscience, who has been working with Russ to trial a number of different products, said Twoxo can be used between growth stages 30 and 37, with the optimum timing being at stages 31 and 32.

“There are two enzymes that play an important role in nitrogen metabolization, glutamine synthetase (70% in cereal crops) and asparagine synthetase (30% in cereal crops).

“Twoxo works 100% on the glutamine pathway and what scientists proved with over 30 years of research was the link between carbon and nitrogen metabolism in this pathway,” he explained.

“The product has two modes of action, the first is when the plant photosynthesises and fixes carbon, the TWOXO signals to the plant to upregulate the N uptake to bond to the carbon. It can also upregulate photosynthesis to bond carbon to N,” he added.

“The carbon helps to keep the balance in the assimilation. We know that excess use of N causes lush floppy growth, making cells extend rather than divide, and carbon is central to optimising N use in the plant. Also, if excess N is exuded off the leaf it encourages pathogens and bugs,” Mr Haywood said.

Wheat trials point to product efficiency

Independent winter wheat trials conducted Nottingham University have shown a 25% increase in NUE in plants treated with Twoxo in conjunction with the endophyte Tiros and a polymer.

Meanwhile, the results of 2021 field trials in Essex showed Twoxo was the highest-performing biostimulant at T1 stage, resulting in a yield of 8.61t/ha – a 19% yield increase on the control.

Further field trials in Lincolnshire run by Niall Atkinson on KWS Cochise spring wheat showed a 4% yield increase and higher performance on all yield components when Twoxo was used, including 14.08% protein compared with 12.81% in the control.

“The 2-Oxoglutaramate (TWOXO) assimilates N and builds it into amino acids, and then when it’s assimilated in the biomass, in the next flag leaf, you must convert it to yield and that’s when you apply T6P,” Mr Haywood said.

He added the key is knowing what farmers want to achieve in a particular crop and understanding the biostimulant must be used as part of a programme, in which T6P helps to get the nutrition balance right and regulate carbohydrate levels.

The post Biologicals offer a cost-effective solution to reducing nitrogen applications appeared first on Farmers Guide.

Group 3 winter wheat Bamford outyielded LG Astronomer, despite early N sampling tests recording the Astronomer crop as containing a higher amount of N.

Independent seed breeder Elsoms Seeds, in collaboration with German seed breeder Saaten Union, launched a series of trials in 2020 looking at N efficiency in all their candidate varieties and near market lines, Elsoms technical manager George Goodwin confirmed.

“Elsom’s company ambition is ‘Grow more from less’ and the best way to achieve that is to observe how varieties react to Nitrogen in response to differing timings and volumes,” he said.

According to Mr Goodwin, the trials aimed to identify how far N inputs could be reduced without having a drastic effect on yield or quality. Other than determining which varieties are the most N efficient, the findings also revealed the reasons for this increased efficiency, enabling the team to isolate specific genetic traits for future cross breeding.

“The key benefit to our growers is that we can then offer them specific husbandry advice when the variety becomes commercialised, saving them money on the cost of N and potentially time, if we can reduce the number of N applications from 3 to 2 on certain varieties,” he added.

Having run the trials across two sites over the last three years, Saaten Union UK cereal product manager Andrew Creasy believes the data set will enable arable farmers to increase crop productivity while reducing artificial inputs.

“Over the last 3 years, we’ve annually assessed 10 different winter wheat varieties including 3 controls, across 4 different Nitrogen regimes. The rates we looked at were zero N, 85kg of N – early applied, 150kg of N applied in 2 splits, and finally 200kg of N applied in 3 splits of 50, 100 and then 50kg.

“Trials were replicated twice each year, on heavy soils at our Cowlinge trial site, and then on lighter soils at our site near Bury St. Edmunds in Suffolk to give us the widest performance comparison across different soil types,” he added.

While the research is still ongoing, Mr Creasy revealed several important discoveries that have already been made.

“One significant result is that of the varieties we’ve trialled, many with French and German parentage, have yielded better when 150kg of N is applied early in the season in 2 splits, than under the longer 3-phase approach of applying 200kg of N.

“Given the recent predominance of dry spring and summer weather it’s clear that much of the late applied N is not getting into the plants due to a lack of soil moisture. However, there’s also enough evidence in the data to suggest that the varieties with German and French parentage perform much better when N is front loaded, regardless of weather conditions – given that not every year has been consistently dry between 2020 and 2022.

“The 2021 N efficiency trials also gave us a revealing insight into optimising yields from the Group 2 milling wheat Mayflower. When 85kg of N was applied early, Mayflower outyielded competitor variety KWS Extase and when both varieties received 150kg of N, applied early across 2 splits, there was no difference in yield between the 2 varieties,” he explained.

Alongside Mayflower, other varieties have also demonstrated positive effects, Mr Creasy added.

“In the 2022 trial, the Group 3 wheat Bamford outyielded LG Astronomer, despite early N sampling tests recording Astronomer as containing a higher amount of N than Bamford at the early flag leaf growth stage.

“This demonstrated that Bamford was able to make better use of its N than Astronomer in the same growing conditions, and across all input regimes, in 2 different sites,” he remarked.

The performance of Bamford and LG Astronomer in the 2022 trials is illustrated in the graph below:

Graph comparing Bamford and Astronomer yield based on 2022 trials.

Commenting on the results, Mr Creasy said: “Taking varieties out of their comfort zone to find their optimum level of N for yield and quality is a significant step forward when looking to develop new varieties that are able to express the same use efficiency characteristics.

“Our future objective will be to pass this key husbandry advice onto agronomists and growers to support them in their variety decision making process,” he concluded.

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The source of sulphur applied makes a big difference. Elemental sulphur has to undergo an oxidation process before it becomes plant-available, this is weather-dependent and could take up to 6 weeks in the spring. Sulphur in the sulphate form is plant-available and therefore the crop can utilise it quickly and efficiently.

Sulphur also increases nitrogen use efficiency, for plants to utilise nitrogen correctly sufficient sulphur levels are required, this is due to the close relationship between the two nutrients. When applying sulphur it should go on little and often, the same way you would apply your nitrogen, because it has the same leachability characteristics in the soil. The addition of sulphur applied in this way typically increases the yield by an average of 0.50-0.85t/ha for oilseed and wheat.

Quality of the product is also a key factor for buying decisions. Does it spread the required distance evenly to give a good spread pattern? Fertiliser is a big investment therefore buying a product that has a good CV, hard granules/prills (no dust), uniform size and shape (no segregation), all nutrients in one granule/prill (even nutrition in the field) and a low emissions means an overall reliable return on investment.

YaraBela Axan (27%N 9% SO₃) is a high-quality NS compound which delivers these attributes and more. It is ideal for a multitude of crops when applied throughout the growing season, reducing the requirement of straight nitrogen, for a more efficiently grown crop.

YaraBela Axan

Thinking now of phosphate, research of how P behaves in the soil shows it doesn’t become significantly plant-available until soils reach a temperature of 8°C and above. If we think of soils at the end of February, they’re not likely to have reached this temperature, therefore we are feeding the crops with nitrogen and encouraging growth without them being able to access P from the soil. Couple this with a potentially poor root system and the crop can soon begin to struggle.

The way to combat this is to apply some fresh P in the spring, even if it is a small amount such as 35kg/ha, to give the crop an available source of P whilst it’s waiting for soils to warm up, where it will then be able to access soil-P.

For a simple and effective approach, using a compound NPKS such as YaraMila 52S (20.6-8.2-11.6 + 6.5% SO₃) at the first nitrogen timing in the spring will give the crop the 4 key nutrients it requires at the start of its regrowth and set it up for increasing its biomass successfully.

YaraMila 52S into spreader

Whether you drilled cereals early or late, foliar phosphate is an efficient way of getting the nutrient into the plant to aid root growth.

Later drilled crops, in particular, don’t have as long to establish much biomass i.e. decent root systems, before the soils cool and the crops slow down growth for the winter. Phosphate is well-known for its role in plant root development but isn’t plant-available once soil temperatures start to drop. It also easily gets locked up in the soil, with up to 40% of an application of MAP/DAP locked up 2 weeks after application due to becoming attached to ions (such as Al, Fe, Ca) in the soil.

A more effective method of getting phosphate into the plant, when it has a limited root system, is to apply it as a foliar spray. Foliar phosphate uptake is much more efficient when the roots aren’t able to access soil-P, meaning that the later drilled crops can access it.

A micronutrient mixture, YaraVita Maize Boost, is a particularly useful product for application to cereals in the autumn. It not only contains P and K but also zinc and magnesium, both of which aid establishment and help reduce levels of disease infection within a plant.

Independent trial work carried out on two sites in 2021 gave an average yield increase of 1.2t/ha from an application of 3.0l/ha Maize Boost in the autumn, followed by 2.0l/ha Gramitrel in the spring. Another trial in 2022 showed that an application of Maize Boost at T0 followed by Gramitrel (same rates as before) gave 0.6t/ha yield increase. Therefore, whether you can apply Maize Boost in the autumn or early in the spring at T0, there are good returns with an average yield increase of nearly 1t/ha, making it well worth the investment.

Yara Agronomist Natalie Wood

The post Optimise your crop yield through effective fertiliser management in spring appeared first on Farmers Guide.

1. Sulphur – the all-important sidekick

The winter wheat trial compared an ammonium nitrate fertiliser (YaraBela EXTRAN) with a nitrogen and sulphur fertiliser (YaraBela AXAN). The sulphur product delivered a 0.3 tonnes per hectare yield increase. The same increase occurred on the same site when comparing urea versus urea with sulphur. “Vitally, sulphur boosts nitrogen use efficiency,” Natalie explains.

Of course, Yara is in the same boat as farmers when it comes to the weather, so it carries out its trials over several years to get an average. “One year we saw a difference of 1.4 tonnes per hectare, which is an amazing response. Yes, it’s an outlier, but it goes to show that some sites will be that responsive.” Natalie adds, “Nitrogen’s not cheap, but by having the sulphur there with it, you will ensure you’re going to make the most of it.”

2. Nitrogen – can a result be too good?

Yara’s research on nitrogen stretches back nearly 50 years, and every year new trials add to their findings.

“The long range is so useful because we can look back and find a year with similar conditions and work out what to expect as the optimum for this year, taking into account the price,” Natalie says.

But some of Yara’s 2022 research considers a newer iteration of nitrogen: foliar nitrogen. There’s been a buzz around the topic over the past couple of years, so it was an important focus in 2022.

The foliar nitrogen dose response trial

• Wheat was treated with 60kg of straight N followed by 40kg
• Next it was treated with a 300g/l foliar nitrogen fertiliser (YaraVita Safe-N) – one application at growth stage 37 and another at growth stage 45.

“This is the second year that we’ve done this trial,” Natalie says. “There was some variation between 2021 and 2022 but the key message was that the nitrogen use efficiency was much too high – it was at 120%. At 100% and above, what’s happening is you’ve started to mine the inherent soil fertility.”

Natalie emphasises growers should be careful with that risk. “Farmers have spent recent years focusing on building soil fertility, and foliar nitrogen can deplete in one year what’s been built up in several.”

Natalie then went on to highlight another potential issue with foliar nitrogen when it comes to protein levels. “In grain analysis, we found a significant drop in the protein levels from that foliar application, suggesting foliar nitrogen probably isn’t the right product if protein is your goal.”

3. Micronutrients – part of a powerful mix

Yara have various trials running on their micronutrient fertiliser range – YaraVita. “In a potato trial, we looked at the effects of combining micronutrients and biostimulants. We know they can make a slight difference on their own, but wanted to see what they can do when paired together.”

The trial compared a control, with YaraVita MAGPHOS K (a liquid fertiliser containing phosphate, potash and magnesium), and YaraVita MAGPHOS K plus a biostimulant. The results were compelling.

Adding MAGPHOS K increased the marketable yield by 4 tonnes per hectare. Adding both MAGPHOS K and the bio stimulant increased yields by a further 4 tonnes per hectare, creating a huge 8-tonne difference compared to the control.

Natalie acknowledges that many potato growers really suffered in 2022, but it seems this trial avoided the worst of the issues. “These are certainly some very encouraging results, but this is the first year of this particular trial, so naturally we’ll run some more trials on it to make sure the data’s robust.”

Natalie’s three key takeaways for farmers

1. Foliar nitrogen isn’t a magic wand:“There are good stories out there, but make sure you don’t take too much from your soil. Keep on top of monitoring, and be mindful about protein.”
2. What’s your switch strategy:“If you’re switching to a new variety, bear in mind that different varieties can have different nitrogen use efficiency.”
3. Do your own trials on your own farm:“If you’re deliberating over biostimulants or micronutrient mixtures, set up your own trial. It’s the perfect way to test your options whilst adding minimal risk into your strategy. In addition, zero-nitrogen plots are a good way of monitoring nitrogen and mineralisation on your own fields.”

The post What can we learn from 2022 crop trials? appeared first on Farmers Guide.

The meeting, featuring inspiring presentations from speakers involved in farmer-led research, aimed to find solutions to the ongoing fertiliser crisis that continues to impose considerable strain on the agricultural sector.

Jerry Alford, senior farming advisor at the Soil Association, opened the session by introducing the Innovative Farmers network and its role in creating more on-farm fertility production to reduce the scale of fertiliser inputs.

Putting the soil before the product can go a long way

Offering a unique perspective on the issue at hand, market gardener Amelia Lake provided delegates with detailed insight into the operations of her small but mighty Real Food Garden business in Cornwall.

From humble beginnings starting out with less than two acres of land, Ms Lake’s market garden grew into a thriving business selling produce via an on-site farm shop and veg box scheme. Between June and January each year, an impressive 55-60 veg boxes are produced per week, which is made possible by the smarter utilisation of available space.

Ms Lake explained that, by taking a restorative and holistic approach to soil health, she and her partner Chloe have been able to build resilience in the soil over time and increase what the ground is able to give.

Almost from the beginning, the team of two have been involved with The Soil Carbon project, now known as Farm Net Zero, which works in collaboration with the Farm Carbon Toolkit. As a result, they have been better able to assess and monitor the soil, which has helped to demonstrate the viability of their approach.

“Through our carbon calculator, we know we’re locking in 31 tons of carbon every year, and the soil is sequestering 19 tonnes of that,” Ms Lake said. She added that there has also been a 1.1% increase in soil organic matter per annum, which is about ten times the average rate.

Nutrient density of the fresh produce is also being measured using a spectrometer and compared to organic products on retailer shelves. Ms Lake found the nutrient density of her produce to be consistently higher, which she attributes to the healthy soil foodweb at the garden.

“Instead of thinking about the product, we’re thinking about the soil,” she pointed out, saying the approach has been highly productive for the business so far.

With regards to increasing soil fertility, Ms Lake and her partner are conducting a two-year fertility building programme on designated areas, which involves rotating brassicas with non-brassica crops. The aim is to ultimately build organic matter and resilience in the soil through plant root growth as opposed to using compost.

Ms Lake also addressed tackling food waste at the Real Food Garden, saying she managed to close the loop on food waste by cultivating crop residue back into the soil and using chickens, sheep and pigs to turn it into manure.

Moreover, the garden has been using green waste compost (GWC) since its launch, which is high in carbon and a valuable food source for the food web. Not only does it enhance soil structure and fertility, but also improves soil pH which has been really valuable, Ms Lake explained.

However, GWC also has its downsides, in that it comes from off-farm and the labour to spread it is really significant for the business. Therefore, to make sure every kg of material is paying its weight, Ms Lake enrolled in a field lab led by Innovative Farmers and Farm Net Zero to find out if there is a way to increase biological activity in the compost.

The trial involves comparing GWC inoculated with hedge soil, home-made compost and wood chip material with an uninoculated control and looking at differences in crop yield and quality. Ms Lake said the aim is to develop a better compost in the same volume, or in other words, to use less of the same material with better results.

The results of the field lab will be released following the 2023 growing season.

Untangling controversies around sheep and red clover

Gillian Preece, livestock farmer and senior agri consultant for ADAS, shared details of an Innovative Farmers project conducted to debunk a long-standing myth in the industry relating to mating breeding ewes on fields containing red clover (RC).

According to Ms Preece, the current recommendation is not to mate sheep on RC due to the legume’s phytoestrogen content. However, anecdotal evidence has so far indicated the practice shouldn’t cause issues, which goes directly against industry guidelines.

In the hope of uncovering the true facts and potentially remove barriers to sheep farmers rearing on RC, Ms Preece applied and got accepted to do an Innovative Farmers project investigating fertility issues in ewes relating to RC.

The trial involved four farms across the West Midlands and into Wales that have existing herbal leys containing RC and sheep of the same age, breed and history. Three weeks prior to tupping time, the flocks were each split into two groups, with one mating on sward containing RC and the other on non-RC.

Sward assessments revealed quite a large variation in RC content between the four farms. Ms Preece explained that the farmers have all planted herbal leys to comply with Countryside Stewardship guidelines, which require a minimum of 10% RC content. However, because they are in different years of establishment, the RC content of swards was uneven.

The results of the trial revealed no negative effects on ewe fertility when grazing swards containing an average of 18% RC (by fresh weight). Scanning results showed a 170% average scanning percentage in ewes on a grass-only diet versus 181% in ewes on RC. There was also no significant difference in barren rate between the two groups, Ms Preece added.

While the results indicate farmers can have confidence mating sheep on RC, Ms Preece pointed out the evidence is still insufficient to cause a change of attitude in the industry as the trial was conducted on only four farms and wasn’t fully controlled.

Therefore, she highlighted the need for further investigation so farmers and in particular vets, feed advisors and seed reps can have more confidence in the results.

Putting the trial into perspective, Ms Preece said: “There’s an increasing focus on the use of legumes within grassland systems to reduce nitrogen use and also to capitalise on environmental stewardship opportunities.

“We need to see more legumes be grown so we can ultimately reduce that reliance on artificial nitrogen within red meat production.”

Working towards improved nutrient cycling through better soil health

Next up, Matthew Izod, who farms a 500-acre conventional arable farm with his father just outside Chipping Norton, talked delegates through a couple of Innovative Farmers trials he has been involved in and the lessons learned so far.

The first trial, sponsored by Thames Water, is looking at the effects of a no-till & cover crop system on soil nutrient availability over a five-year period. While improvement has been negligible so far, Mr Izod noted the system takes a bit of time to work and is eager to see the results at the end of the trial.

The second project backed by AHDB tested the effects of a living mulch clover understory on the 2021 cropping season. According to Mr Izod, the clover established really well and acted as an effective weed deterrent for the cash crop as well as improving soil structure and providing ground cover after harvest.

Unfortunately, the mulch caused a major yield penalty, and so improved methods are needed to control it in the next trial, Mr Izod concluded.

Like many farmers, Mr Izod has been working to reduce the amount of fertiliser applied due to the major cost it incurs. Instead of the usual 200-250kg product/ha a year, the farm now uses 160 kg of product/ha with a reduced rate of liquid nitrogen. To increase the efficiency of fertiliser, Mr Izod also adds some Boost to the mix, which is a carbon and molasses-based fertiliser improver.

Tissue sampling is also carried out throughout the season to assess the nutritional needs of the crop. In addition, Mr Izod tested the soil for nutrient availability, which led to some profound realisations.

The results returned from the lab revealed that the amount of total nutrients present in the top layers of the soil (specifically potash, phosphorus and sulphur) is 20 to 200 times higher than the amount available to crops.

Therefore, instead of buying I artificial products, farmers need to focus on building fertility in the soil and making those nutrients available to the crop, Mr Izod pointed out. He added that nutrient cycling in the soil can be improved via the use of cover crops, especially legumes, as well as different drilling and cultivation strategies.

Improving rotation and integrating livestock on cover crops will be part of the solution, Mr Izod continued, saying they now cover 100% of the farm during winter. Sheep has been brought on farm in recent years to graze the cover crops and build soil fertility, and Mr Izod is looking to expand the size of his exiting flock.

Looking into the future, he said the ultimate goal is to have “a system where the livestock is working for me and the crops are working side-by-side.” Lastly, he reminded farmers while there is no quick fix to the fertiliser crisis, small changes can make a big difference.

The benefits of diverse forage crops for livestock and soil health

Last but not least, Sarah Whaley from the Farming Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG) shared some fascinating findings from an ongoing Innovative Farmers field lab. In the role of project coordinator, she has been working closely with the four participating farmers in Devon and Somerset, as well as soil scientists and ecologists involved in the project.

Outlining the background to the trial, Ms Whaley said many farmers are dissatisfied with the current system of mono-culture forage crops for outwintering livestock as they provide minimal benefit to the soil and can actually deplete its health and cause structural issues like compaction.

Moreover, mono crops can be more susceptible to pests and diseases, requiring higher levels of chemical and fertiliser input. In addition, forage crops like kale provide insufficient fibre for sustaining livestock throughout winter, and farmers will need to supplementary feed hay which can be destructive to fields and adds to farmer workload.

A closer look to the 16-species mix on a trial field.

Ms Whaley pointed out that, although mono-culture winter brassicas produce reasonably reliable and low-cost forage, they under-deliver for soil health, water and the wider environment, animal welfare, public perception and farmer wellbeing. Therefore, the aim of the field lab has been to find and validate a diverse species mix solution as an alternative to winter grazing kale.

The trial was set up in May 2022 on two organic and two conventional farms in the South West. Each farm was required to drill 4 ha of a 16-species seed mix next to 4 ha of their usual winter forage crop.

The farmers selected for various traits in the seed mix, such as for soil benefit, winter hardiness, ecological benefit and birdseed. The full list of crops included in the diverse mix can be found on the Innovative Farmers website.

Cattle were weighed and body condition scored before the trial and have been monitored closely since the start of winter grazing in early November 2022. Soil sampling and testing was also performed before the trial and VESS scoring, earthworm counts, and rhizosheath development monitoring have also been carried out at regular intervals.

According to Ms Whaley, observations so far have shown significant improvements in soil health and biodiversity on diverse mix fields compared to kale.

The greater root biomass of the diverse mix has produced a much-improved soil structure on trial fields, with soil pit tests revealing an ideal chocolate cake-like texture. In contrast, the ground was much more compacted on the kale side and also had poor drainage, causing issues with water runoff and erosion.

In terms of biodiversity, the diverse mix attracted a greater number of invertebrates including pollinator species, while diversity in the kale crop was largely limited to cabbage butterflies.

Livestock has been doing well on both sides so far, but have appeared more content on the diverse mix fields, Ms Whaley said. She added the ground appears to be holding up better under the mixed plot, which helps keep the animals out of the mud and working less hard.

Even though the multispecies mix has largely been grazed down on triallist Richard Stanbury’s farm, the first signs of regrowth are already evident.

While all farms have moved through their mixed species plots faster than kale and had to provide supplementary hay, regrowth is already happening on mixed fields and farmers are hoping for a spring bite. Time will tell if the seed mix also offers economic benefits alongside soil health and biodiversity improvement, and Ms Whaley said there is still a lot to learn.

With regards to the fertiliser crisis, Ms Whaley suggested farmers should think of it as an opportunity rather than a hindrance.

“If I said, ‘what is the fertiliser crisis,’ many people would say ‘well, it’s the cost of fertiliser,’ but actually, the crisis is we’re using far too much of it. So, it’s our addiction to fertiliser that is the crisis,” she said.

Ms Whaley believes the solution starts with the soil and farmers working together with nature rather than against it: “We need to look at our farms in a much more holistic way and stop micro-managing every little aspect of a biological living system,” she concluded.

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