Urea Based Fertiliser
Applying urease inhibitors at the correct timings will help to ensure that this ‘best practice’ remains part of stewardship guidance rather than becoming a compulsory inclusion with every application, regardless of need, which states that from 1st April each year inhibitors should be included with urea based solid and liquid fertilisers.
Currently urea based fertiliser can be applied up to 31st March without inhibitors, but if guidance recommendations are not adhered to, it could see new legislation passed that makes it law to include an inhibitor in all applications. DEFRA are monitoring uptake of urease inhibitors.
Enhancing Performance
“As an industry we should be fully supporting this stewardship guidance to prevent regulation being enforced,” says ProCam Head of Agronomy, Phil Burrell.
“Not only should we be thinking of inhibitor use for stewardship, there is also the financial aspect. With fertiliser making up a large proportion of on farm variable costs, anything we can do to enhance performance and get the most from that investment should be taken.”
Nitroshield
OMEX Agriculture supplies NitroShield, its first urease inhibitor into the UK and EU markets, to support farmers with the guidance and ensure they’re farming sustainably in line with their Greener Planet Commitment. Trials carried out by the company’s research and development team has ensured the correct amount of NitroShield is used according to the conditions at time of use.
Inclusion of NitroShield with OMEX’s liquid fertiliser range or any other liquid fertiliser containing urea designed for uptake through the roots, will reduce ammonia emissions, improve nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), and consequently improve yield or provide the option of applying less nitrogen.
Nitroshield
Sustainability targets
“OMEX trials show ammonia emissions from Nitroflo alone are less than a third of that from urea – and similar to emissions from protected urea,” says OMEX technical director David Booty. “The addition of NitroShield produces an average emissions reduction of 70% compared with Nitroflo without the inhibitor.
“The combined benefits of accurate application through a sprayer, no waste outside of the cropped area, no yield loss on field margins from the liquid, and environmental benefits of less leaching and very effective protection against ammonia loss, make this combination a really viable alternative to protected urea.”