Agronomy

Nitrogen Fertiliser and Nitrogen use efficiency

Fertiliser strategy and particularly Nitrogen are main topics of conversation with Farmers and Growers at this moment in time.

Nitrogen applications are driven by economic optimum which is a simple calculation of Nitrogen cost against the value of the Grain/Oilseed produced, further details of this can be found in the RB209 or ask your Bartholomews advisor. Once initial calculations are made there is scope to adjust these upwards for both yield and quality depending on your individual farm preferences and history.

Currently the calculations may indicate an optimum which is lower than you may not be used to applying in the past and with this in mind we need to ensure that we get the absolute maximum out of the programme.

Depending on soil type the usual recovery of bagged fertilisers is between 60-65% so every extra % we can achieve is going to be vital. We have several years of research data which demonstrate that lower rates of N can deliver both economic yields and quality but it is something that needs to monitored and adjusted throughout the season.

Good rooting and establishment is vital – Leaf to root ratios need to be equal, the plant cant take up the maximum amount without the right means to do it.

Soil test to see what your N reserves are – Best done in early Spring

Leaf analysis – Make sure everything is in balance to ensure maximum uptake, particular attention needs to be focused here on Sulphur, Magnesium, Potassium and Zinc all very important for maximum N uptake and utilisation. Continue monitoring throughout the growing season before each important timing of the crop and adjust accordingly.

Apply smaller amounts and do it more often, this minimises any surplus that can be lost to the crop and adversely affect the wider environment.

Apply multiple nutrients at any one time, Nitrogen applied with Sulphur at a ratio of 3:1 at each timing has consistently delivered yield benefits in our research trials. We have a range of high quality multi nutrient products and our blends driven by Limus Urea.

Limus Urea is still the best technical and economic Nitrogen source

27N/12 So3 Reliable spreading up to 36 metres plant available N and S in a suitable ratio

Polysulphate 14K-17Ca- 6MgO -48So3

Potash Plus 37K-8Ca-3MgO-23So3

Fertiliser technical Conferences

Thank you to all of you who attended our recent conferences and made them the huge success that they were. Delegates were given first class presentations from a wide range of speakers representing a wide cross section of the industry.

Subjects covered included the importance of analysis in all its forms soil, tissue and harvested produce, the ongoing importance of Sulphur in nutrient use efficiency and quality, the latest developments in greenhouse gas emission reduction from Slurry, new developments in digital farming and the latest results from our research trials.

It was agreat couple of days and we look forward to seeing you at the next of these events later in the year.

-Andrew Stilwell, Head Agronomist

For more information please contact your Bartholomews Agronomist.

Grain

The end of February saw grain markets lose all the gains they have made in recent weeks and returning to the lows of late January 23. Much has been made of the first anniversary of the start of the Ukrainian war with market participants predicting a significant increase in fighting. Thankfully this has yet to happen and with negotiations starting around the Black Sea Corridor and its possible extension beyond March markets are on the defensive.

So speculative trade is now all about short selling wheat and increasingly now corn in the hope of profiting from any weakness to follow. One might think that’s a dangerous game to play ahead of the next phase in the Ukraine war – we shall see soon enough.

At home feed wheat export demand remains hard to find after a promising start in January, we only have to export 80/90kmt wheat per month, but we are falling short of this target.

Domestic feed wheat demand is also very poor with most mills running at about 75% capacity. A large carryout beckons manifesting itself with Nov 23 futures at a small premium to May 23.

-Edd Britton, Grain Trader

For further information please contact the Grain department on

01243 755650 or grain@bartholomews.co.uk

Fertiliser

We have seen Fertiliser prices tumbling and growers leaving things to the last minute before making buying decisions.

If we take the season commencing in April 2022 to date, sales are 10% behind the previous year, it is widely believed within the industry that the whole market is down to this extent.

We cannot see how at current prices we will see demand destruction to this degree which implies we are in for a very busy period.

On a positive note, we do believe we can produce and deliver this outstanding tonnage during the next few months BUT it is going to very tight and unless growers get their requirements to us on time, they may not get their desired delivery slot, as for example the first half of March is now fully committed.

So, the message is, if you wish March delivery then there is very little time to waste.

-Colin Burton, Fertiliser Manager

For further information please contact the fertiliser department on

01243 755630 or fertiliser@bartholomews.co.uk

Seed

Favourable conditions in February led to a good start to the spring drilling campaign and stocks of popular varieties are now coming under pressure but we have good availability across all species and can respond very quickly to any requirements.

Our attention is also on next season already and on the back of strong demand this year we are looking for producers of seed crops, particularly spring oats and legumes, please contact the seed team for more information.

With spring around the corner, it might be an ideal time to assess current grass swards, and whether a full reseed or a simpler overseed are required. We have a range of herbage mixes, from short to long term, with or without clover and suitable for grazing, cutting or both. Remember to wait until the soil temperature is consistently at 5 degrees for grass to grow, or 8 degrees for legumes. Our herbage booklet will soon be available, please ask for your copy today!

We still have options available for forage maize! This covers a range of maturities and qualities. From the high yielding Farmunox to high starch Skipper and main crop Movanna, amongst others.

This season all our game maize is treated with Korit bird repellent. We have the ever popular tried and tested Trigger as well as a late maize option.

Fodder beet can be sown up until mid-April, which offers an alternative spring forage option, high in energy. Otherwise, an arable silage mix could be used, with a cereal base of either barley or oats, generally mixed with peas. They are a high protein and starch feed source, offering a useful feed option. Containing a legume, the fertiliser requirements are lower, with their ability to fix nitrogen.

The game cover booklet is out now please ask for your copy today! Available as an online PDF or a hard copy. Filled with colourful images of the mixes, it offers a comprehensive selection of stewardship and Gamecover options.

-Lucy Ford, Small Seeds Manager

For further information please contact the seed department on 01243 755620 or seed@bartholomews.co.uk

Crop Protection

The weather has been kind to us in February allowing us to start the drilling of our spring trial sites.

This includes an increased spring Oat trial looking at drilling dates, seed rates, nutrition, and crop protection inputs. We are working with a major UK processor on this project. This will complement the work we carried out in the autumn on Winter Oat varieties.

T0 could be a very important fungicide timing in winter cereals this year. Crop canopies are very dense and disease ratings of some of the major varieties are not that great. We have seen many actives disappear from this timing due to revocations so we thought it would be very interesting to have another look at an alternative fungicide ‘toolbox’ for the future. The site is in a high disease pressure area and was drilled early.

-Graham Phillippo, Crop Protection Manager

For further information please contact the Crop Protection department on 01243 755610 or cropprotection@bartholomews.co.uk

Feed

Mobilising Calcium at Calving

With 5 X the amount of calcium required at calving we’re finding systems that have the ability to run two groups of dry cows far off and close up to 21 days, feeding a partial DCAB mineral (PDC400) - at 400g/hd/day in the last 21 days precalving is delivering excellent results supporting smoother transitions into lactation by mobilising calcium at calving more efficiently .

Partial DCAB systems when fed and managed correctly, have also been more cost effective than other dry cow feeding systems.

To find out how we can support your spring calving dietary needs please contact us on 01243755752 , feed@bartholomews.co.uk or Richard Aspinall on 07825723702 , richardaspinall@bartholomews.co.uk

Game Feed

We’ve got you covered for rearing your birds for the season ahead, with more for less our range supports your birds to mature and develop earlier with optimum food conversions whilst supporting immune systems.

To find out how our feed range is resulting in healthy birds with fewer medical bills please contact us on 01243 755752 or our Game Feed Manager Craig Coughtrey on 07970 292211

-Lavinia Jones, Feed Manager

February 2023 Company Newsletter