The Farmers Mart Jun/Jul 2015 - Issue 40 | Page 31

Arable Invest time in nutrient planning Time spent working out a farm nutrient management plan will help output and cut production costs, GrowHow is advising farmers ahead of the Livestock Event. »»A nutrient plan is not just about bags of fertiliser – it looks at the energy (ME) and nutrient needs across the whole farm to calculate where farmers can balance manure and fertiliser inputs to minimise cost and optimise grass and crop yields. ‘we must also be thinking about how the plan fits into the farming system’ “We tend to think of a nutrient management plan as just balancing manure and soil nutrients with purchased fertilisers,” says GrowHow Consultant, Dr George Fisher, “but we must also be thinking about how the plan fits into the farming system to get the most out of home-grown grass and forage energy.” In most cases, increasing production of feed on farm is an effective way to reduce costs. Purchased feeds are effectively bought-in energy, whereas anything you grow on farm is more efficient and costeffective in providing energy for your milk or meat production systems. And these issues are increasingly important with the current market dynamics in the grassland farming sector. “Nutrient planning as well as grassland management and crop selection are really about taking steps to increase efficiency and reduce costs with the land you’ve got,” George continues. “These steps can be relatively small changes or an overhaul of the whole system; it really depends on where the farm is now and what the aim is.” GrowHow has recently carried out new research that suggests some farmers could make significant gains through some small changes. One piece of work showed how maintenance dressing of Phosphate at soil index 2 or 3 can increase yield by 12% in silage crops. Other work has shown the importance of Sulphur applications for both quality and yield. For farmers who want to find out more about nutrient planning, GrowHow is offering free consultations at this year’s Livestock Event – simply visit stand FF231. ‘research suggests that some farmers could make significant gains through some small changes’ You can also book a free appointment in advance by visiting www.growhow.co.uk/ media-centre\events\ www.livestock.co.uk Proud to have been fuelling Britain’s Farms for more than 80 years... Farm Fuels - Lubricants - Tanks - AdBlue - Fuel cards Contact our farm team today 0800 542 4207 [email protected] www.rix.co.uk www.farmers-mart.co.uk Jun/Jul 2015 31