As farmers across the UK turn their attention to planning for next season, Natalie Wood, agronomist and Yara's Product Manager for , has highlighted the importance of strategic thinking over rushed decisions.

As ever, weather conditions are likely to have a big influence on future planning. The current season has been dramatically different from last year's conditions. While last spring was wet and cold, this year has seen sunny and dry conditions across most regions. Despite the challenges brought by the prolonged dry spell, winter crops are performing well, having established robust root systems before it began. Oilseed crops are also showing promise with even growth, and the healthy growth of crops like wheat has been enhanced by the lack of disease pressure due to the dry conditions.  

However, the outlook is not so bright for spring cereals, which have struggling with the drought conditions. Unlike winter crops, they didn't have the time to establish their root systems to access moisture, which will have a knock-on effect yields. 

Finding the right fit for your crops 

When it comes to fertiliser planning, one of the mistakes farmers often make is rushing into making decisions. "Farmers might rush into decisions because of pressure on them to order or if the pricing seems favourable at the time, but then they're not necessarily thinking of what products are actually agood fit for the crops that they've got planned for next year. An example of this would be buying large quantities of straight nitrogen when most applications would be better suited to a nitrogen-sulphur or NPKS product," says Natalie. 

The critical role of sulphur 

Sulphur plays a critical role in crop growth. "Sulphur is not an optional nutrient, it is very important for crop growth. It plays a key role in nitrogen metabolism in the plant so if there's insufficient sulphur, the plant won't be able to take it up or utilise it, even if there's an abundant supply of nitrogen in the soil," adds Natalie. 

Combining nitrogen and sulphur is crucial for getting the best out of fertiliser investments. It dramatically improves nitrogen use efficiency compared to straight nitrogen applications alone. While organic manures can provide sulphur, there are issues around timing and availability; if they've been applied in the autumn, it's not likely that there'll be sulphur available to the crop in the spring when it's time to take it up. Farmers are advised to have their organic manure analysed, so they know exactly what the crops are going to get from them when they're applied. 

When it comes to product options, for nitrogen-sulphur combinations, YaraBela Axan or Sulphan are good choices, alongside NPK options like YaraMila Actyva S, 52S, and grassland grades like YaraMila Extragrass. While straight nitrogen products are available, nitrogen sulphur combinations will produce optimal results. 

The planning period also presents an opportunity to consider delivery methods, including potentially switching to liquid fertilisers. Liquid systems offer accuracy benefits and eliminates bag waste, though they require equipment changes. While both liquids and solids work well in the field, product choice depends on individual farm circumstances and a willingness and ability to invest in new equipment.

Factors affecting fertiliser performance

Beyond nutrient content, fertiliser quality significantly impacts field performance. Farmers should look for strong granules that can spread further and more effectively. "If you've got a wheat granule that disintegrates on impact and you've got a cloud of dust following you down the tram line, you're not getting the most out of your investment in that fertiliser," Natalie explains. 

The choice between compound and blended fertilisers also affects application accuracy. Even, size-matched blends present challenges due to different bulk densities and shapes within the mix, creating segregation risks that result in uneven nutrient distribution. This is particularly problematic for immobile nutrients like phosphorus, which remains where they land in the soil. In contrast, compound fertilisers contain all nutrients every prill/granule and provide 10 times more nutrients where they land compared to blends. 

Spreader calibration presents another challenge with blends. Settings are typically optimised for nitrogen as the dominant nutrient, which compromises the accuracy and distribution of other nutrients. 

Get the most out of your fertilisers next season 

To get the most out of your fertilisers, the advice is to get as much help as you need. Farmers are advised to speak to their local Yara representative, whose details can be found on the Yara website, as well as the contact details for Yara's agronomy specialists who are on hand to help. 

It's also crucial to carefully consider crop requirements and nutrient needs before committing to large orders. "When you're faced with somebody saying, 'Do you want to buy now?', just think things through. Don't make any rushed decisions. Make sure you're thinking 'Do I need sulphur?', or 'Do I need P&K?', 'What crops am I growing and what are their requirements?'. Time invested in thoughtful fertiliser planning now can prevent costly mistakes and ensure optimal crop nutrition for the season ahead," advises Natalie.