Latest crop walk and talk from Yara agronomist Mark Tucker Including advice on how to manage the first nitrogen applications to wheat this season and considering using foliar phosphate to give backward crops a much needed boost.

"What are the reasons to chose nitrates over urea?" http://www.yaraurl.com/wglp Significantly increased yields from nitrates over urea in the most recent independent study. Higher nitrogen efficiency as a result of ammonium nitrate supplying nitrogen in immediately plant available forms. Lower nitrogen losses due to higher ammonia volatilisation from urea. Better efficiency of nitrogen uptake and conversion to grain protein from ammonium nitrate than urea. Reduced risk of seedling damage due to higher concentration of ammonia from urea. Better spread pattern at bout widths greater than 24 metres from heavier ammonium nitrate particles than lighter urea. Same quantity of nitrogen in a hopper with ammonium nitrate and urea. Lower carbon footprint from abated ammonium nitrate due to significantly lower emissions in the field.

See for yourself how micronutrient deficiencies affect oilseed rape Oilseed rape plants grown in sand and watered daily with a nutrient solution without boron, manganese and molybedenum and with just 25% magnesium requirements. The pot on the left side was sprayed with 3l/ha YaraVita Brassitrel Pro just before filming started

Nitrogen applications in cold conditions need to balance the risk of urea vs the reward of nitrate. http://www.yara.co.uk/crop-nutrition/features/early-nitrogen/ The first nitrogen application to wheat is the most rewarding as this lays the foundation for a successful harvest so understanding why it is important will help ensure the right decisions are made when it comes to nitrogen source and timing, especially relevant during cold conditions. The first spring nitrate nitrogen applications to wheat are the most rewarding, with an average of 33.8 kg grain / kg N. Taking a value of 75 p/kg N, and grain at 14 p/kg this represents a Return on Investment of £6.31 per £1 invested. This first nitrogen application is the most important, setting the foundation for a successful harvest. In view of this, management practices should be adopted that do not put this reward at risk. Understanding why this nitrogen application is so important helps to ensure the right decisions are made. As the wheat crop comes out of winter it continues to grow new leaves and tillers, and with every leaf initiated, a new root is initiated. Typically 50 – 60% of the above ground biomass (leaves and tillers) that develop will be converted into grain yield (the Harvest Index), and of course a large root mass creates resilience to possible drought periods during the spring and summer months ahead, as well as ensuring maximum nutrient use efficiency. However the period for this biomass growth is time limited as at a critical day length (typically the 20th March) the wheat plants switch from vegetative to reproductive growth and the ‘potential’ total biomass has been determined. Nitrogen must be immediately plant available Decisions now that can affect this foundation building growth period centrally revolve around the choice of nitrogen source, rate and timing. The right source of nitrogen needs to be in a form that is immediately available for crop uptake, ensuring growth and development is not restricted. Nitrate nitrogen as in YaraBela Sulphan or YaraBela Axan is immediately available whilst urea needs to go through transformations before being crop available. Transformation is a biological process and thus dependent on a number of factors of which soil temperature is a key one. Currently soils are still at 2°C, half of where it would normally be. At low soil temperatures urea is less available than nitrate At this temperature the first transformation of urea to ammonium will take around 4 days, whist the second transformation from ammonium to nitrate could be over 6 weeks. Weather data also informs us that March and April are typically the driest months, during which nutrient demand is at its peak as crop biomass accumulates. The best management decisions are well informed decisions, and the greatest chance of survival comes from ‘adaptation’ as Darwin taught us. With this in mind now is the time to reflect on decisions that will influence the yield potential you are now establishing, and how you can adopt ‘best practise’ to realise this potential. Nitrate nitrogen fertilizers supply an immediate form of available nitrogen, with minimal losses, producing highly efficient crops with large root system’s that bring overall nutrient use efficiency gains. http://www.yara.co.uk/crop-nutrition/features/early-nitrogen/

The latest agronomy newsletter from the Yara agronomists. Nitrogen applications in cold conditions and much more http://ow.ly/w7wI30iRkkT

The latest agronomy newsletter from the Yara agronomists. Nitrogen applications in cold conditions and much more http://ow.ly/w7wI30iRkkT

Yara N-Sensor Training meetings have started this week with the first at Harper Adam’s University

The temperature might be a bit chilly but the competition will be heating up in Perth next week for the Yara farmers curling championships. www.yara.co.uk/curling The largest event of its kind in Europe, with 64 teams competing over the five days, the championship sees an entire industry take to the ice in a spirit of fierce, yet friendly, competition. The highlight of the Scottish farming calendar “It’s the highlight of the Scottish farming calendar,” says Championship Organiser Alan (Woodie) Wood “and brings everyone together. We have teams of farmers, merchants and hauliers coming from all areas of Scotland.” Local teams pit their skills against those from further afield and there is also a prize for the highest placed ladies team and a low road competition for the second placed teams after the group stage. Download programme and see live draw and results at yara.co.uk/curling. #Curling Perth Curling

Don't forget the benefits of soil testing www.yara.co.uk/crop-nutrition/features/time-for-soil-analysis/ January and February are crucial months to soil test and make the most cost effective fertiliser choices for the Spring season. Identifying soil nutrients and other factors that are limiting plant growth will increase productivity and improve fertiliser efficiency if corrected. Soil testing also takes the guess work out of what fertiliser grades to apply. Negative environmental effects will also be minimised as over fertilisation is prevented and in turn money saved to be invested elsewhere in the farm business. Ideally soil test a third of the farm every year so after three years a complete farm record of soil nutrient status and lime requirements are collected. For more information and to obtain a soil testing kit contact your local Yara distributor or visit www.yara.co.uk/crop-nutrition/features/time-for-soil-analysis/

Yara are seeking an enthusiastic fertiliser Sales Area Manager based in Aberdeenshire. Exciting new opportunity highly motivated individual. www.yara.co.uk/vacancies for more info. Reporting to the Business Manager the successful candidate will be home based and have specific responsibility for the sale and promotion of Yara products (liquid and solid). Sales channels will be via both Wholesale and Retail routes selling direct to farm within Northern Scotland. Direct contact with farmers to understand their needs and to create market pull is a key part of the position. Ideally based in Aberdeenshire, but would consider candidates based in other regions. Yara offer an attractive rewards package including company car, pension and private health along with access to a wide range of development opportunities across all Yara businesses. Apply online if you are interested in being part of our success story!