A month later than last year, Derek Allen spreads the first nitrogen and sulphur top dressing to September-drilled Claire winter wheat on the 400ha Shuttleworth Trust Estate, which he tenant farms with son, Peter.

“Timing wise it has worked nicely as its turned wet,” says Peter. “With the drier winter leaving more residual N in the soil crops have kept greener for longer, and we didn”t want to get an over-leggy crop.”

The Allens’ Kuhn spreader uses weigh cell gadgetry to automatically adjust application rates according to fertiliser type and tractor speed. “Using the Fastrac we can typically do about 120ha (300 acres) a day,” says Derek.