North Queensland Register

Growers look to maximise fertiliser investment

Unlocking nutrients: Victorian farmer Ben Robinson says he's noticed how his crops continue to perform, even in dry years.
Unlocking nutrients: Victorian farmer Ben Robinson says he's noticed how his crops continue to perform, even in dry years.

This is advertiser content for Nutrien Ag Solutions.

Fertiliser demand is high and supply is tight this year so growers nationwide are looking to lock in their requirements, and squeeze every bit of value from the investment.

Brett Freer, Nutrien Ag Solutions General Manager Fertiliser and Distribution, said an international rally on world demand for phosphate fertilisers has resulted in price increases and supply is being offered to the market in smaller parcels than has been seen in recent times.

"Internationally we have seen a rally on world demand for phosphate fertilisers which has seen domestic pricing (MAP/DAP) rise from below $600/tonne in December 2020 to in excess of $800/tonne in February 2021," he said.

Mr Freer said impacts on the supply side mean the timelines become compressed for Australian farmers.

"With a good soil moisture profile, growers are likely to plant early in the season, particularly if they receive rain in March or April. This has seen a pull forward of demand as farmers try and secure their requirements ahead of traditional timings," he said.

"As a result, customer feedback indicates some farmers are considering sowing crops with lower analysis fertilisers, which of course may lead to yield impact and affect the soil's nutrient potential in the following years."

Mr Freer said the Nutrien Ag Solutions team was working hard to support growers through the season.

"We are keen to find the best fertiliser solutions possible for each and every farm business," he said.

Jim Ward, National Sales and Marketing Manager, Loveland AgriProducts, says it has never been a more important time for growers to consider their options to maximise the effectiveness of their fertiliser investment.

"We're encouraging growers to get the most from their phosphorous and potassium (P and K) application this year and look to Basis XC - a fertiliser biocatalyst that is specifically formulated for use with granular fertilisers - as a potential solution," he said.

"Basis XC contains concentrated biochemistry that accelerates and increases the breakdown of granular fertilisers, increasing nutrient availability and enhancing root growth and function," Mr Ward says.

"Growers will be looking to maximise the impact of their fertiliser application this year - expediting nutrient availability and uptake.

"The inclusion of Basis XC in a typical fertiliser program improves seedling vigour, leading to more even crop establishment, increases in early biomass and dry matter, and potential crop yield improvement.

"Basis XC can be pre-treated at port or in our fertiliser depots - there is no need for product-specific equipment or additional passes - and growers will generally see improved root growth and stronger plants, setting themselves up to capitalise on the season start and strong global demand for Australian crops."

Ben Robinson grows broadacre fodder crops at Nagambie in Central Victoria and began evaluating Basis XC on his farm five years ago.

Soil health had long been a focus for Mr Robinson, and Basis XC is now a tried and tested component of his fertiliser regime. He has especially noticed how the crops continue to perform, even in dry years.

"The beauty of Basis is that we've been able to drop our fertiliser rates back," he said.

"Basis is allowing us to access more of the nutrients that we do have in the ground, helping unlock the nutrients that haven't been available to the plant.

"The fertiliser we are putting on is more efficient because of the Basis XC coating, we are getting better value out of the money that we are spending."

This is advertiser content for Nutrien Ag Solutions.