Fertiliser calibration: the principles

Fertiliser calibration: the principles

To watch the recording of this webinar, please click here.

AHDB and Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) have joined up to look at how you can get the best out of your nitrogen use and fertiliser application through calibration, with a focus on the principles and the practice.

This session focussed on fertiliser calibration principles and is designed for owners, operators and advisors.

Dr Ian Richards, Independent Consultant, talked through the following key points of fertiliser calibration to consider:

• NVZ and Farming Rules for Water requirements
• Spreading manufactured fertilisers accurately and crop effects
• Physical quality of fertilisers
• No-spread zones
• Technology options available
• Spreading organic manures accurately, inc application rates, calibration
• Reducing ammonia losses

This was followed by a question and answer session.

Key resources related to this webinar are included via the links below:

• Ian Richards' presentation slides
• Question and answer document
• Nutrient Management Guide (RB209)
• Farming Rules for Water
• Catchment Sensitive Farming

The second webinar on this subject (3 February 2021, 9am) will focus on the practical aspects of calibration for operators. To register onto this webinar, please visit: ahdb.org.uk/events/fertiliser-calibration-the-practice 

Programme

• 09:00 Welcome and introductions - Teresa Meadows, AHDB and Nigel Simpson, CSF
  
  • Introductions
  • Explanation of webinar functions
  • Objectives of the session and format
• 09:05 Accurate spreading of fertiliser and manure: lessons from UK practice - Dr Ian Richards, Independent Consultant, Ecopt
  • NVZ and Farming Rules for Water requirements
  • Spreading manufactured fertilisers accurately and crop effects
  • Physical quality of fertilisers
  • No-spread zones
  • Technology options available
  • Spreading organic manures accurately, inc application rates, calibration
  • Reducing ammonia losses
• 09:45 Questions and discussion - Q&A with the speakers and audience
• 09:55 Round-up, how-to resources for use on-farm and conclusions - Teresa Meadows, AHDB
• 10:00 Meeting close