Fertiliser spreading advice
Get the foundation right
The right amount, at the right place, at the right time. The basics of spreading right are simpler than they sound – here is what you need to know.
Find the correct settings for your spreader and fertiliser choice here >
Make the right fertiliser choice
Once you know what fertiliser you will be using, you can start thinking about how to spread it correctly; that is why you should conduct a broad spectrum soil analysis in conjunction with a nutrient management plan. This will help you decide which fertiliser is the most appropriate for a crop’s needs.
Yara recommends a true uniform compound fertiliser to ensure all the nutrients are contained in each granule and there is no segregation in the hopper. The benefit of this is an even spread of all nutrients across the whole spread width, so that the entire crop gets the correct nutrition to meet its needs.
Check your fertiliser quality
Your fertiliser needs consistent characteristics to achieve an even spread. This is why you need to check that all the fertiliser you are going to apply comes from the same batch. This is particularly important if you are taking delivery on several dates or if there is a carry-over of old stock. The same kind of fertiliser can sometimes be made at different factories, producing slightly different characteristics in size and shape. This means that two batches of the same product can require different spreader settings and may need to be tested separately.
Fertiliser can degrade with age, so old stock may need different settings than new stock. Also keep in mind that the way you store your bags could have an impact on the fertiliser’s consistency. We advise you to stack fertilisers no more than three bags high to prevent compaction.
Find the settings for your spreader
To make sure you can find the right setting for our fertilisers, Yara regularly supplies its fertilisers to the various spreader manufacturers.
Finding the correct settings is something you can do as soon as you know which fertiliser products you will be spreading; you don’t need to wait until it’s time to spread.
Find the correct settings for your spreader and fertiliser choice here >
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:
Related Articles
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.
