Fertiliser is far too costly for spreading inaccurately

THE virtues of accurate and efficient fertiliser spreading have been extolled by Teagasc In their latest edition of Today’s Farm.

Teagasc specialist, Dermot Forristal, from Oak Park In Carlow, has outlined the ‘six commandments’ to ensure that farmers get the full value from the bag fertiliser they spread.

Fertiliser quality, the capabilities of your spreader, settings, correct rates, careful measuring and care with headlands, are the six main guidelines outlined by Dermot Forristal.

He said that the physical properties of fertiliser – size, shape, strength and density of the particles – can have a ‘huge impact’ on how easily it can be spread.

A good fertiliser, he added, will have a particle size in the 2mms to 4mms size range while the lower density of urea also makes for more difficult spreading.

“Always ask your supplier about the physical quality of a fertiliser,” said Dermot Forristal.

He also advised that the disc, vane and spread outlet would determine how evenly fertiliser would be spread ‘not necessarily helped by electronic control or GPS systems’.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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