Coated. Controlled Release Fertiliser. Providing enhanced crop efficiencies.

Transcription

1 Coated. Controlled Release Fertiliser. Providing enhanced crop efficiencies. üü Constant feeding üü Increased yields üü Reduced labour costs ü ü Broadacre, Sugar and Horticultural crops Blended in Australia to suit your crop requirements by Impact Fertilisers 1

2 What is Agrocote? Poly-S coated technology Controlled release coating Fertiliser granule Agrocote s coating technology is designed with a nitrogen or potassium core surrounded by an elemental sulphur and polymer coating that controls the release of nutrients to the soil. Agrocote brings controlled release nutrition to agriculture. Coated nitrogen and potassium provides season-long nutrition with one application. The coating is carefully controlled to ensure that nutrients are continuously released over a set time frame. Agrocote nitrogen is in a 3 month up to a 6 month release. Agrocote Potassium is available in up to a 6 month release. Agrocote is blended with standard agricultural fertilisers to ensure all essential nutrients are supplied to the crop. In some crops split-application of fertiliser can be eliminated, particularly as Agrocote only needs to be applied once at planting and will continue releasing throughout the season. Controlled nutrition reduces the potential for nutrient loss via leaching, denitrification or surface runoff, which not only retains more fertiliser for the crop, but also benefits the environment....the results were favourable to our bottom line! Brian Strathdee sugar cane grower, Burdekin QLD 2

3 This year, 100% of my broccolini will be planted on Agrocote Blends. Nathan Gehrke Campsey Ash Farms, Gatton QLD How does Agrocote work? Nutrient release aligned with the demand of plants Uncoated fertilisers Supply Excess Supply Demand Agrocote application Deficient Supply Cumulative Supply Cumulative Demand Agrocote With Agrocote, the supply of nutrients matches the demand of the plants to give both optimal growth and nutrient efficiency. Conventional fertilisers supply nutrition immediately after application, usually at the start of the season when crop demand is low. However, crops require nutrition throughout their active growing period. Agrocote is designed to supply nutrients throughout the growing season. Agrocote reduces the need for side-dressings, which are often poorly timed and open the opportunity for nutrient gaps. By supplying nutrients throughout the season, Agrocote can increase fertiliser efficiency and yields, often affording farmers the option of reducing application rates without sacrificing productivity. 3

4 CASE STUDY Increased cane and sugar yields Brian Strathdee sugar cane grower, Burdekin QLD Jayson Dowie Farmacist, QLD Jayson Dowie from Farmacist is a well-respected, independent agronomist working with farmers in the Burdekin cane-growing region. Jayson saw a need for sugar cane farmers in the delta region to combat the difficulties of applying nitrogen at the right time to meet plant demand. He knew the use of controlled release fertilisers could certainly meet that need. As a result, Jayson went about arranging trials with local farmers, specifically with the Agrocote Blend product. Brian Strathdee s sugar cane crop One such trial was conducted with Brian Strathdee, a cane grower in the Burdekin region for some 35 years. The bottom line is dollar return per hectare, money in my pocket. I will definitely be applying the product [Agrocote Blend] on a bigger area as the results were favourable to our bottom line. Visually you can see the difference in the trials and at harvesting you can of course tell the difference. My harvesters could visually see that the amount and size of sticks was bigger in the Agrocote plot. My advice is to always try things in your paddock under your farming practices to see true results for you! I m willing to try something that can show improvement. Brian Strathdee sugar cane grower, Burdekin QLD...the results were favourable to our bottom line! Jayson was pleased with Brian s results and said of all of his Agrocote Blend trials, we had positive results in our lighter country (sandy soils) and we see it s a work in progress to develop the story further. Our aim is to develop a tool for farmers to refer to (based on trials and research), which will provide information as to what works best in each of the main Burdekin soil types at various times of the year, to achieve the optimum crop. We ve seen it s not how much you put on but how you use it. Jayson Dowie, Farmacist. 4 Jayson Dowie (left) Farmacist, QLD. Brian Strathdee (right) sugar cane grower, Burdekin QLD

5 Sugarcane yield trial Same nitrogen rate, higher yields Cane yield (t/ha) LSD 5% R 2 = 0.82 Trial Background In a replicated trial (RCBD), N was applied at 200kg of N/ha as either urea or in blends containing 25%, 50%, or 75% Agrocote. The trial was on sugar cane grown in a delta sandy soil in the Burdekin, QLD. Results Trial results clearly showed a linear increase in sugarcane yield (P 0.05) with increasing rates of Agrocote applied (note: the same rate of N was applied to each treatment, the difference being the percentage of N supplied by Agrocote - controlled release fertiliser). Agrocote provides season-long nutrition and trials clearly indicated improved N use efficiencies with Agrocote applied Agrocote N (%) LSD the least significant difference which on this trial was 5%, making the results statistically significant. R 2 = % indicates there was a strong relationship between Agrocote and the increase in cane yield. RCBD Random Complete Block Design. Profitability trials Burdekin Fertiliser Net return Increased return ($/ha) ($/ha) Over conventional Net return factors in costs of inputs and harvesting. 200kg N/ha as 100% Urea $3,920 Trials conducted independently by Farmacist 200kg N/ha as Agrocote 25% Blend $4,380 $460 at Brian Strathdee s Burdekin sugar cane farm. Results determined post harvest, October There were significant grower returns ($460 /ha increase) where Agrocote Blends were applied at the same nutrient rate as conventional fertilisers. Herbert Valley Trials in the Herbert Valley also showed significant increases in profitability when Agrocote Blends replaced urea inputs. Fertiliser N rate (kg/ha) Cane yield (t/ha) Sugar yield (t/ha) Net return ($/ha) Increased return ($/ha) Over conventional 100% Urea $2,835 25% Agrocote + 75% Urea $2,934 $99 25% Agrocote + 75% Urea $2,964 $129 Trial conducted independently by Herbert Cane Productivity Services Ltd. Results determined post harvest, October Trial Results For over 45 years, Everris, as the original developer and manufacturer of coated fertilisers, has been gathering data from trials and research. Everris collates trial results from every continent of the world for different crops and growing conditions in order to form a basis for growers and Everris affiliates to refer to for their growing situation. Through trials and in-field reports, Everris and Everris distributors and dealers can be confident in the performance of an Everris manufactured coated controlled release fertiliser. 5

6 TESTIMONIAL Agrocote Blends significantly reduce leaching and denitrification Tim Amery Endcliffe Vale Farm (wheat, canola, hay & sheep), Ullswater VIC Justin Elliott Castec Rural Supplies, Naracoorte SA Justin Elliott (left) Castec Rural Supplies, Naracoorte SA. Tim Amery (right) Endcliffe Vale Farm, Ullswater VIC When I was presented with the Agrocote Blend product I could very easily see the agronomic benefits of the product and how it would be a great fit, particularly in our area where it is so wet and the soils are often waterlogged. Normal urea-based fertilisers are definitely diluted with the rain and irrigation, causing big problems with denitrification. Farmers are essentially benefiting from about only 15% of the N they put on, as the rest is leached with urea-based N. In the area I look after the lower south-east waterlogging is common (high winter rainfall in excess of 10 inches). It s generally so cold and slow-growing that oftentimes the urea leaches before it s actually needed. With Agrocote Blends the N certainly breaks down better. It s controlled release so not affected by the rain or waterlogging and continues to release to its true longevity of 120 days comfortably. Often Agrocote Blends will be more expensive per tonne for a base fertiliser but this is compensated for by achieving a healthier crop, crops not yellowing (as they often do when the urea N runs out) and generally there is no need for a second pass application, particularly if the Agrocote is blended in at a minimum of 20%. Justin Elliott Castec Rural Supplies, Naracoorte SA. Tim explains Agrocote Blend worked well on our farm, especially as it was put to the test by being water-logged really early on. I found we had more available N during establishment whilst the standard blends are leached by the time the plant needs it. We noticed moisture was not attracted to the Agrocote Blend in the air seeders and silos unlike our standard urea products, which makes for easier application and storage. We will certainly be using Agrocote Blend again this year on our wheat and canola plantings. Tim Amery Endcliffe Vale Farm, Ullswater VIC Wheat Trial $110/ha yield increase Elders Goondiwindi (QLD) conducted a trial with Suntop Wheat on a full soil moisture profile, sown on 5th June The trial was based on a blend of Urea 70% + Agrocote 39N 30%. Seeding rate was 35kg/ha, on 33cm row spacings, with Zincstar 10 at 35kg/ha. Control (Urea 100%) was applied at 150kg/ha and Agrocote was applied at 100kg/ha. Four replicated strips were trialed. The crop received 85mm of rainfall during the trial period. The crop was harvested on the 21st of October Fertiliser Cost ($/ Yield (t/ha) Protein Screenings Test weight Grade ha) 100% Urea $ % 10.50% 80 AUH2 30% Agrocote + 70% Urea $ % 10% 81 HSP1 This trial showed a $110/ha improvement in yield. 6

7 I found we had more available N during establishment Choose an ideal Agrocote Blend for your crop Tim Amery Endcliffe Vale Farm, Ullswater VIC Agrocote is best blended with conventional agricultural fertilisers to meet all of your crop requirements. Your local dealer can work with Impact Fertilisers to access the ideal blend for your crop or provide you with a prescription blend. Blending provides sufficient early season nutrition, which can assist with crop establishment. Unlike conventional fertilisers, Agrocote will continue to deliver N and K to crops for between 3 and 6 months, depending on the product chosen. Agrocote Blends by Impact Fertilisers are specifically designed for individual crop and climatic needs. Nitrogen release (%) Agrocote nitrogen release 100 Agrocote M Agrocote M Agrocote M Time (days) 7

8 TESTIMONIAL Significantly increased yield & profit, stronger plant, labour saving with only one application required Nathan Gehrke Campsey Ash Farms, Gatton QLD Greg Teske Elders, Gatton I was introduced to Agrocote Blends through Impact Fertilisers and when I was asked by Rick Sutton (local tomato grower) to find a fertiliser that can be put down as a base with no need for additional fertiliser applications, I realised Agrocote Blend was the answer. We found it cost more to put down initially as a base but those costs were offset by the big cost savings of not having to fertigate additional nutrients and the results of growing a healthier, more profitable crop. Greg Teske (left) Elders Gatton. Nathan Gehrke (right) Campsey Ash Farms, Gatton QLD. Inspecting Nathan s shallot crop I have now developed over 5 different custom blends for different vegetable growers in the Lockyer, specifying the N ratios for each crop requirement. So far Agrocote Blends are being used in crops like tomatoes, potatoes, carrots, sweet potatoes, shallots and broccolini. We are using calcium nitrate as a supplementary feed for plant calcium requirements. Nathan is testimony to the benefits of Agrocote Blends in both his broccolini and his shallot crops. Word of mouth is gold in the Lockyer Valley and when people see and hear that positive results have been achieved in a neighbouring farm they are all too keen to be achieving the same results with their crops. Greg Teske Elders Gatton This year 100% of my broccolini will be planted on Agrocote Blends. With 460 acres under production and turning out 5 million shallots and 3 million broccolini annually, Nathan is no novice when it comes to growing a great crop, but always remains open to opportunities for improvement. Our initial broccolini trial was set on 3 acres and yielded double that of standard practice and continued to be pickable for 5 weeks compared to 4 weeks under standard practice, which meant the yields were higher in that period as the crop had longer to develop so we had a greater number of stalks per plant. We experienced a significant profit gain for the trial area, with a combination of increased production and a stronger plant, with reduced handling damage during harvest. This year 100% of my broccolini will be planted on Agrocote Blends. Given the great success we ve seen with our broccolini crop, we ve put our entire shallot production on Agrocote Blend and first indications have shown significant improvement in plant strength and strong foliage colour, which is highly desirable. With the crop improvements and no need for supplementary water-soluble fertilisation, we ve already saved time and money before harvesting is even factored in Nathan Gehrke Campsey Ash Farms, Gatton QLD. Greg and Nathan taking a look at Nathan s new broccolini crop 8 Standard practice: apply Nitrophoska Blue (or equivalent) with reapplication side dressing of calcium nitrate and potassium nitrate. Agrocote Blend: applied at planting with only a calcium nitrate additional application required during production, resulting in a stronger plant with reduced handling damage during harvest.

9 Agrocote Blends supply nutrients on demand Agrocote Blends have been proven to show significant advantages in a number of crops grown throughout Australia and internationally. Potatoes and cotton in particular benefit from the nutrient efficiencies of Agrocote Blends. Cotton Irrigated cotton crops have high input demands including water and nitrogen. In combination with moderate to heavy clay soils and flood irrigation, the efficiency of conversion from applied nitrogen to yield is often very poor 1. The main loss mechanism which reduces nitrogen efficiency is denitrification, where applied nitrogen can be lost from the system as nitrous gases. Cotton s high nitrogen demand and limited opportunities for application result in large doses being applied prior to or early in the crop to build nitrogen levels available for later uptake. These large early applications are at the greatest risk of losses as crop demand is limited. Potatoes at harvest 1 Rochester and Filmer (2007) Farming Ahead No. 190, pp Kolbe and Beckmann, Potato Research 40, pp , Potatoes Cotton farm Agrocote controlled release nitrogen used as a component of a cotton fertiliser strategy ensures that a portion of the applied nitrogen is protected from losses via denitrification during waterlogging events with early irrigations. Agrocote nitrogen can be applied in combination with conventional products at key timings such as pre-plant, planting and early side-dressing in the cotton crop. These application timings provide controlled nitrogen release in the root zone for periods of up to 12 weeks after planting depending on the Agrocote N blend chosen. Like all crops, cotton performs best on steady nutrition supply as opposed to spike doses of nutrients. Potato production is heavily dependent on nitrogen and potassium inputs. Early nitrogen supports plant establishment, as the aboveground shoots take up large amounts of N through to flowering. The plant continues to take up N and K until just prior to shoot senescence, with much of the latter nutrient going directly into tuber development 2. Agrocote Blends provide some immediately available N to establish the crop, and a proportion of controlled release fertiliser to deliver N and K through this critical tuber growth period. Efficiency is improved by supplying nutrients when the crop needs them. Additionally, Agrocote offers operational advantages if the number of side-dressings can be reduced. Agrocote may be particularly beneficial on large farms or sites that can become wet, making timing of side-dressings difficult. 9

10 TESTIMONIAL Reduce application frequency and labour costs David Milligan Avocado farmer, Cooroy QLD Tree crops require consistent nutrition throughout the fruiting phase to optimise fruit size and quality at harvest. Conventional fertiliser programs result in the short-term over application of nutrients, often called spikes, as conventional fertilisers cannot be applied on a daily basis in small amounts. Short-term over application of potassium can affect calcium and magnesium uptake during fruit development. Rainfall events can make it difficult to apply conventional fertilisers at the optimum time, especially when fertigation is used. Nutrient gaps can develop, leading to less than optimal fruit growth. Agrocote Blends provide controlled release nitrogen and potassium over extended periods. Regardless of weather events, Agrocote provides optimal nutrient supply throughout the fruiting period. Growth stage Fruit cell development: fruit size is determined early when cells are developing Fruit cell expansion Conventional fertiliser (granular or fertigation) Spikes of N and K can reduce the uptake of calcium and magnesium and affect early fruit development. Too high K applications can reduce magnesium uptake, which is vital for photosynthesis and sugar content of fruit. Agrocote Blend N and K are supplied daily instead of in spikes. Fruit size and quality improvements are possible due to consistent supply of all nutrients. David Milligan in his avocado orchard I need only two applications of Agrocote Blends this has reduced labour costs. David Milligan has been farming for over 34 years on the Sunshine Coast of Queensland. He is now into his second season of using controlled release Agrocote N and Agrocote K Blends on his avocado orchard. David explains: The positives of using Agrocote N and K in our blends are obvious compared to conventional fertilisers. I need only two applications of Agrocote Blends versus the multiple applications previously required over the season. This has freed up staff for other necessary farm duties and has reduced labour costs, he explained. Agrocote settles nicely into the under tree mulch, staying moist and releasing the required nutrients daily. This gives me peace of mind knowing that no application opportunity is being missed, regardless of irrigation or rain. David Milligan Avocado farmer, Cooroy QLD. 10

11 The team behind Agrocote Impact Fertilisers Impact Fertilisers Pty Ltd is a leading supplier of fertiliser products and services in Australia. With significant infrastructure including nine plants on the mainland of Australia and eight depots in Tasmania, Impact Fertilisers has the capacity to supply a full range of fertiliser products, even during peak demand. Blending facilities are available at all of these locations. Through their extensive dealer network, Impact Fertilisers can provide prescription blends to meet customer and crop requirements. The company blends Agrocote coated fertiliser for growers wanting a controlled release N or K portion in their blend to achieve all of the benefits of controlled release nutrition, as outlined by growers throughout this brochure. Impact Fertilisers is responsive to the needs of their customers, working with dealers and growers to find the best solution, tailored to their requirements. With extensive local experience in the Australian fertiliser industry and the financial security of global backing, Impact Fertilisers lives up to its motto of Local focus, global strength, ensuring it will be a key player in the Australian fertiliser industry for years to come. Everris Everris is the specialty fertiliser division of ICL Fertilizers, which is one of the leading global producers of potassium and phosphorus. Over 45 years strong research and development in enhanced efficiency fertilisers. Everris employs a strong technically focused team to support the market in Australia and globally. Quality Control Everris, the manufacturers of the Agrocote coated component are part of ICL Specialty Fertilizers and run strict quality assurance programs in all of their facilities globally. It is one of the main reasons that their products are recognised globally as being at the forefront of enhanced efficiency fertiliser technologies. Impact Fertilisers follow strict guidelines in their blending processes to ensure their blends are going to perform as prescribed. Coated fertilisers such as Agrocote are blended in such a way as to maintain the integrity of the coating and thus the effectiveness of the product in the blend and in the field. 11

12 Agrocote technology supplied by Everris Blended in Australia to suit your crop requirements by Impact Fertilisers Division of