TAKE A POWDER FOR NUTRIENT REPLACEMENT
TAKE A POWDER FOR NUTRIENT REPLACEMENT
An alternative source of
phosphate and potash is
claimed to combine a ready
supply of nutrients with
an environmentally friendly
source. Charles Abel reports
EVERY year the UK imports thousands of tonnes of phosphate and potash from North Africa and Europe. Yet British poultry farms are producing the perfect raw material for a new recycled fertiliser.
Since 1992 Fibrowatt has been burning poultry litter to generate electricity and produce fertiliser from the resulting nutrient-rich ash.
Last year 30,000t of Fibrophos was produced by burning over 300,000t of litter in Fibrowatt power stations at Eye, Suffolk and Scunthorpe, Lincs. A new £69m, 30mW power station will come on stream this May, taking total litter intake to over 700,000t.
Simple crushing and wetting results in a powdered fertiliser which can be spread by chalk or lime spreader. Sole UK agent Felixstowe-based John Hatcher and Company expects to sell 52,000t of the material this year.
Three Fibrophos brands are available. Traditional (0:24:14) and Balanced (0:18:20) are produced using different ash fractions, while ExtraK (0:16:24) contains 10% added muriate of potash.
The fertiliser is rich in phosphate and potash and contains most of the trace elements required by crops, plus sulphur, calcium, magnesium and sodium, says marketing director Peter Hatcher.
Similar claims from other manufacturers warrant careful scrutiny, according to Mr Hatcher. The fertiliser industry has become highly competitive, with manufacturers desperate for a stake in the market, he says.
"That has led to the emergence of many added value products. Farmers can now choose from an array of compounds that include a special addition of sulphur here, copper there and trace elements everywhere. But what is the true value of one product against another and which suits which soil best?"
Solubility factor
Solubility is a key consideration and an issue farmers should quiz their fertiliser distributor on, he suggests. "Unlike some products, Fibrophos is effective across all soil types. Phosphate does not become locked up like some products and is as effective as triple superphosphate."
Trials by Levington Agri-culture show Fibrophos application to acid and alkaline grassland and arable crops significantly increases available soil phosphate within one month. The increase is maintained for at least 12 months.
Although potash in Fibrophos is less soluble than in some other fertilisers (50% water soluble), trials show the potash in Fibrophos is very quickly available and is as effective as muriate of potash, says Mr Hatcher.
Farmers also need to know exactly what is in cheaper alternative products, stresses Mr Hatcher. "Farmers should insist on statutory statements with all their fertiliser deliveries; all Fibrophos sales carry such documentation, so they know they are getting what they order."
Soil depleted
The plant nutrient removal table given below shows how crops deplete the soil of essential secondary and trace elements. Fertiliser choice should be directed by these off-takes, he maintains.
Fibrophos typically contains 12% sulphur (as SO3); 16% calcium (as CaO); 3% magnesium (as MgO) and 1% sodium (as Na2O), plus a range of trace elements.
With fertiliser production from further power schemes based on burning poultry litter and straw planned, the future of recycled nutrient fertiliser looks assured in the UK.
• Fibrophos costs £90-100/t delivered, but not spread, with national availability through a network of distributors. *
Nutrients left in the ash after poultry litter is burnt in Fibrowatts power stations is the basis for Fibrophos fertilisers. Although only available as a powder and requiring specialist application equipment at the moment (inset), a granule product is planned for the future.
Plant nutrient removal (kg/ha)*and replacement
by Fibrophos
Calcium Magnesium Sulphur Boron Copper Iron Manganese Zinc
Ca Mg S B Cu Fe Mn Zn
Barley 22.5 12.5 21.25 0.16 0.14 0.6 0.9 0.34
8.6t grain/ha
4.9t straw/ha
Wheat 13.75 26.25 7.5 0.175 0.15 3.25 0.625 0.625
8.6t grain/ha
6.2t straw/ha
Silage 45 11.25 11.25 0.04 0.04 0.25 0.75 0.4
37t/ha
Hay 25 7.5 7.5 0.025 0.025 0.75 0.75 0.375
74t/ha
Potatoes 10 18.75 6.26 0.15 0.125 1.625 0.275 0.15
60t/ha
OS rape 1.25 7.5 30** 0.35 0.075 n/a 0.75 0.35
3t/ha
Fibrophos 75 15 25 0.1 0.25 3.5 1.25 1
applied at
500kg/ha
(4 bags/acre)
* Adapted from: a) Simpson, 1986 b) John Archer Crop Nutrition and Fertiliser Use.
** 60kg/ha sulphur required at end of flowering.
HOW would you like £3500 to invest in farm conservation? Of course you would. And if your fertiliser policy is up to scratch you could win just that in the 1998 Nitram Award for Best Fertiliser Practice.
For the third year running farmers weekly has joined forces with ICI Fertilizers to stage this competition. Supported by the NFU and FWAG, the competition aims to find the UK farm demonstrating the most responsible and profitable use of fertiliser.
After considerable interest from livestock farmers last year this years competition is open to mainly arable farms.
Initial judging is by an easy-to-complete questionnaire. This is followed by farm visits to create a short list of regional finalists which are visited by the competitions judging team in late spring.
As well as examining fertiliser systems and applications, judges will consider the use of organic wastes, nutrient planning and the integration of commercial farming with the environment.
Both the regional finalists and the overall winner will be invited to the 1998 Royal Show for the award presentation. First prize includes a full FWAG assessment of your farms wildlife potential as well as £3500 to invest in conservation work on your farm.
The deadline for completed entries has been extended to the end of January. So dont delay, get your application form today from your local ICI Fertilizer distributor, or from Judith Robson at ICI Fertilizers, Middlesbrough (Tel: 01642-437721, Fax: 01642-437745).