Farmer Focus: Sticking with polysulphate for cereals
© Angela Waites Photography Well, it’s a rum old time, isn’t it?
Since my last column in January, war has broken out in Ukraine, fuel has jumped in price by 34%, fertiliser is still at crazy prices, and feed wheat has risen in value by nearly 25% (if you’re lucky enough to still have some old crop to sell)
January 2021 saw 160mm of rain fall here (a 25-year high) while January 2022 saw only 19mm (a 25-year low) February was less extreme, but the past two years have both seen nearly 200% of average levels fall in February, followed by a very dry March and April – so who knows what weather we will see before harvest. Who’d be a farmer?
See also: Two new fungicides to fight septoria in wheat grower’s plans
About the author
For all we had a cold, dry January and land would travel better than it has in many years.
I have thus far resisted applying any fertiliser, or drilling any spring crops – which in my view need to be up and away as soon as possible after drilling in order to thrive (and avoid crows having a feast).
After a bit of research this winter, we will once again apply some polysulphate to winter cereals where required, though a little later than normal.
Full yield
Delivery of some potash and sulphur at the same time as our second split of nitrogen should give the crop the best chance we can of a full yield.
Nitrogen will follow our usual methodology of feeding to potential, rather than prescription.
Polysulphate will also be applied to potato, beet and bean land, though not in excessive amounts.
Personally, I think that calcium is the underrated nutrient, though undoubtedly the potassium, magnesium and sulphur have an influence, too.
We’ve had some good results, and the price is less savage than alternatives.
Phosphate is mostly applied via muck in rotation here, though we will place some (staggeringly expensive) diammonium phosphate under the potatoes.
Scary exercise
Budgeting and planning have been a scary exercise this year, particularly in terms of the working capital required to see potatoes round to the point when we start to get paid for them (Christmas, roughly).
Some careful sums and thoughts are also going into calculating whether we can afford or justify the 60% top-up required for the various items that we have been lucky enough to secure grant aid for. Decision time is upon us shortly.
Predicting the future is like a game of pin the tail on the donkey at the moment, so here’s to a kind spring and a fruitful search for a new key staff member.
