OMEX caught up with D and B farming, on how switching to Liquid Fertiliser has helped utilise sprayer machinery.<\/p>\n
Switching to a liquid fertiliser<\/a> application system from a twin-disc granular spreader is paying dividends for a Lincolnshire farmer, whose company is now more efficient, cost effective, time flexible and has an improved environmental profile.<\/p>\n James Burton of D and B Farming Co Ltd, Leasingham near Sleaford, farms a 162ha arable enterprise that follows a winter wheat and barley rotation. Wheat yields on the mixed clay to sand soils average 9.8t\/ha. Land is rented out for maize, which is grown for the local Holdingham Biogas<\/a> digester, as well as spinach and potatoes<\/a>. The business also operates a 5000ac contract farming business and includes a number of small and large farming operations in the area.<\/p>\n A key focus for James and his brother Simon is to provide a professional and cost effective nutrition and pesticide application service to new and existing customers.<\/p>\n Five years ago the farm made a conscious decision to switch to OMEX liquid fertiliser<\/a> because it wanted to better utilise an existing sprayer, improve efficiencies and to remove the problem of fertiliser bag disposal and fertiliser storage.<\/p>\n The business is now totally liquid so the sprayer is applying fertiliser and pesticides to more than 19021 ha\/annum.<\/p>\n The addition of the 1800L bowser has seen output increase to 200ha\/day comfortably.<\/p>\n \u201cMaximum daily output achieved on granular was only 150ha,\u201d he says. \u201cThe bowser has a 1200l\/min pump on it, which takes 15 minutes to fill, so turnaround is significantly quicker than having to empty heavy bags individually into the spreader.\u201d<\/p>\n James says that visually his crops have changed dramatically since switching fertiliser system. He does not need to worry about the moisture levels anymore either. In the past, spreading granular fertiliser in dry conditions could seriously delay the uptake of essential nutrients.<\/p>\n\u201cThe biggest benefit of switching to liquid fertiliser is the extra daily output and a reduction in labour and machinery,\u201d says James. \u201cFertiliser application is now only a two man operation with me on the sprayer plus the bowser operator.\u201d<\/strong><\/h5>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not sure why we didn\u2019t change earlier,\u201d he says.<\/strong><\/h5>\n