Benefits of Liquid Fertiliser

In Northern Ireland interest in liquid fertilisers has been increasing in recent years, driven by escalating costs of chemical fertiliser and tightening environmental regulations. Since precise and efficient fertiliser application has become increasingly critical, liquid fertiliser offers a promising alternative to traditional solid granular forms. The enhanced application accuracy and superior nutrient utilisation makes liquid fertiliser a viable solution for modern farming challenges, aligning with the push for more sustainable and cost-effective agricultural practices.

Liquid nitrogen contains three sources of nitrogen – ammonium, nitrate and urea providing phased release to crops and grassland, reducing the risk of nutrient loss through leaching or volatilisation. While liquid nitrogen has similar performance to granular CAN, it will be less prone to volatilisation than granular urea. Inhibitors are also available that further reduce the risk of denitrification and volatilisation. When comparing liquid to granular fertiliser, liquid nutrients are almost immediately available to crops (3-4 days vs 7-10 days for granular fertiliser) even in dry conditions.

Using a sprayer to apply liquid fertiliser provides accurate and uniform distribution of nutrients across the width of the sprayer. This is particularly evident at headlands and field boundaries as there is no risk of product application into the hedgerow or ditch, reducing the likelihood of weeds such as cleavers overgrowing into crops from the hedgerows. This accurate application, results in better utilisation of applied nutrients while also increasing yields, particularly on headlands as the full nutrient rate is applied up to the field boundary which is likely to increase yields by 30% or more in the last 3m of the field.  This accuracy cannot be matched when applying granular fertilisers, as even modern granular fertiliser spreaders have a coefficient of variation approaching 20%, crop sprayers should be less than 5%.

Further advantages include the benefit of versatility in investment, allowing the sprayer to cover both the application of liquid fertiliser and crop protection products, reducing the requirement for additional machinery, helping to reduce fixed costs and depreciation. Additionally, as tramline widths increase, granular spreaders are limited in application width capability, whereas sprayers can be upgraded to match the wider tramline widths ensuring improved work rates.

Liquid fertiliser also offers the benefit of a wider application window when compared to granular fertiliser since applications are not as weather dependent. Liquid fertiliser can be applied even during rainfall and with less risk of spray drift as the nozzles produce a very coarse spray pattern with the soil being the target of application, rather than the plant leaves. Application of liquid fertiliser during dry weather or drought conditions also allows for faster plant nutrient uptake when compared to solid fertilisers which require time and moisture for the granules to break down before the nutrients are available to the plant.

Fane Valley as well as supplying liquid fertilisers and inhibitors, also supply application nozzles and storage tanks for the on-farm storage of liquid fertilisers with deliveries scheduled as required. Note:  fertiliser nozzles are required as the spray pattern is much different to that from standard pesticide nozzles. Nutrient Management Plans and recommendations are also available from our FACTS qualified agronomists, with advice tailored to individual requirements.

Liquid Fertiliser for Grassland

Liquid nitrogen fertiliser represents a major step forward for grassland farmers, allowing them to use less nitrogen while maintaining grass yields. This method not only improves grass yields and quality but also promotes sustainable farming and enhances overall nutrient use efficiency. Hence, liquid nitrogen fertiliser is an invaluable tool for farmers looking to maximise grass growth while using less nitrogen fertiliser.

Other benefits

• Enhanced grass dry matter (DM) production.
• Increased grass protein and energy content.
• Faster grass regrowth, particularly noticeable in dry weather conditions.
• More efficient nutrient uptake, ideal for short rotation grazing systems.
• Suitable for applications directly after mowing and pre/post slurry.

Key Advantages of liquid fertiliser

High Performance

• Accurate application across the tramline width
• Wider application window
• Liquid nitrogen provides fast nutrient uptake in dry conditions

Economic

• Increase crop yields up to the field margin
• Improved crop response
• Reduced labour through less storage space and handling required

Environmentally Friendly

• Improved nutrient utilisation with precise placement of fertiliser, preventing application onto field margins
• Product is stored in bulk tanks therefore no bag or plastic waste disposal is required

Liquid Fertiliser Do’s and Don’t’s

Do’s	Don’t’s
Maintain a boom height of 0.7 – 1.0m above the crop canopy.	Do not exceed 2-bar pressure during application.
Allow a 2-day gap between applications of liquid fertiliser and other crop protection products.	To prevent plants scorching, avoid spraying in very windy conditions and/or when temperatures may exceed 20°C, especially when plants are damp or are drying off.
Wash out sprayer pumps, nozzles, lines and booms after use.	Do not spray when frost is present on plant leaves.
	Avoid overlapping and do not mix/tank mix liquid fertiliser with any other products.
	Avoid spraying directly on the flag leaf.

Example Application Chart for 24-0-0 + SO₃ Liquid Fertiliser (Specific Gravity 1.26)

Kg/ha N	Units/aC N	I/ha	I/ac
30	24	98	40
40	32	131	53
50	40	164	66
60	48	197	80
70	56	230	93
80	64	262	106
90	72	295	120
100	80	328	132

Ready to Make the Switch? Upgrade your nutrient strategy with a more precise, efficient and reliable fertiliser system. For more details, contact your local Fane Valley representative or call 028 9261 0485