Fertiliser spreading advice
Spreader maintenance
Keeping your spreader in good condition is easy and will make a difference on your crops. Add these two simple steps to your routine to get the best results from your fertiliser.
Regularly check your spreader
Regularly check your spreader for wear and tear as it will have an impact on your spread pattern. Replace parts where appropriate and follow the manufacturer’s maintenance advice. Compare the PTO read-out on the screen in your tractor to the PTO shaft. In many cases, the readout is not the same, meaning your spreader is not operating at the PTO speed you think.
Clean the spreader
Clean the spreader both during and after use. Pay particular attention to the spreader vanes and clean these every time before refilling your hopper.
Cleaning is especially important when using fertilisers containing sulphur. Over time, sulphur fertilisers are known to leave deposits on the spreader vanes which can create a build-up or cause blockages which will lead to uneven spreading. Yara recommends using a 'WD40' type product and a rag to clean vanes. Oil-based lubricants will dissolve sulphur build-up quickly.
More advice
These short stories will show you why and how choosing the right fertiliser and ensuring the nutrients are spread accurately and evenly pay off. Here is our advice on how to protect your investments as well as the environment:
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Fertiliser handling and transport
It is important to handle and transport fertiliser safely whilst minimising deterioration in quality. Correct handling and transportation of fertiliser should be based on climatic conditions, the type of fertiliser and how it is shipped (bulk or bags).
Fertiliser storage
Correct storage of fertiliser is important to ensure safety. Where possible, fertilisers should be stored in a closed, secure storage place to protect the product from the weather and reduce the risk of theft.
Physical properties of fertilisers
The physical properties of a fertiliser are determined by its chemical composition and how it is produced. An understanding of product properties is useful for handling, storage and spreading of fertiliser.
Recommended fertilisers
To spread fertiliser accurately over wide bout widths it is important to use a quality fertiliser. All Yara fertilisers have excellent spreading characteristics but the following fertilisers are some of the most popular and are particularly recommended.
