Going with the flow to liquid fertiliser: case study 2

In the second of our series of AF Changemakers liquid fertiliser case studies, we speak with AF Member NI & PG Wright.

 

If you are interested in making the switch or would like to discuss the benefits call your AF Fertiliser team on 01603 881 916 or email fertiliser@af.farm.

 

2. NI & PG Wright

I’m Alistair Wright and I’m a one-man band with a small, arable farm, NI & PG Wright.   I use local contractors if I need an extra pair of hands.

Around 60% of my land is rented, the rest is owned.  I’m cropping winter wheat, winter barley, oil seed rape, vining peas and let some land for potatoes.

 

What has been the main driver for change?

 The main reason for changing to liquid fertiliser was logistics.  We used to store anywhere between 100,000 and 600,000 kilos of granular fertiliser which takes up a lot of space in the barn.

 

Describe the main steps you are taking?

I have moved over to using liquid nitrogen and sulphur.  I still use a small amount of granular.

I looked at the pricing before I went ahead.  I wanted to understand what the implications would be on cost. So far it’s been fairly equivalent to granular.

The tank arrived on the lorry and the installation went smoothly.  We located it on the existing yard concrete.  It was filled shortly after that.

 

What are the results of the changes you have made?

I’m quite pleased with the results so far and I have to say it just improves working life. I have to be a little bit careful not to scorch the crop.

It’s quite early days for me but I think the liquid does get into the plant more rapidly which is beneficial with the current dry soils that we have.  I think the crops have greened up a lot more quickly than they would have with granular.

Although a heavy dew in the spring can help to activate granular, it can still take a long time to get into the plant and I have noticed that liquid fertiliser definitely seems to work quicker.

 

How has AF helped you?

I buy my liquid fertiliser from Brineflow through AF, and Brineflow supplied the tank.

The AF Fertiliser team helped us a lot with the conversion process.  They looked at the tonnage from previous years and therefore the volume of liquid that we’d be likely to use in future.   They did a great job for us and made the process very straightforward.

 

What next?

If it carries on going well, I will continue to use liquid nitrogen and sulphur.  It’s definitely easier and it’s cost efficient.   I can’t see myself changing back to granular now.