18 January 2002

Manures check fertiliser bills

SAVE money on fertiliser bills by taking account of organic manures and finding out soil nutrient status, says fertiliser maker Kemira.

With soil tests costing only £7-£8, the companys technical manager Howell Richards is surprised at how many producers fail to test. "It seems a small investment to ensure you only buy the required fertiliser."

In general, higher stocking rates result in higher nitrogen needs, but lower phosphate and potash requirements, he says. "Some 70% of P and K from compound feeds passes back on to land via organic manures. If you do not account for this, you will over-fertilise and that is bad economically and environmentally." &#42