Since April 1st, farmers in England have had to navigate new regulations around urea-based fertilisers, requiring changes in application practices to reduce environmental impact. Here, Yara's Crop Nutrition Business Manager, Nigel Hester, explores these regulatory changes and offers practical advice on navigating them, as well as the benefits of nutrient management planning and accurate fertiliser application.

The critical difference between compounds and blends

Unlike blended fertilisers, compound products enable more uniform application. "The main issue with blends is the compatibility of the raw materials used in the mix. Size and bulk density are the two key aspects, and shape can also have an impact on flow rates and spread pattern," notes Nigel. 

Recent testing highlighted this difference dramatically. When tray-tested, YaraVera Amidas, a compound sulphur-enriched granular urea-based fertiliser (40%N + 14%SO3), achieved a coefficient of variation of just 8% (anything under 10% is considered excellent), while a comparable blended product registered 44% variation. For farmers using the latter, this translates into yield and ultimately, financial losses. "While blends will always potentially be cheaper, I think the farmer needs to consider value for money. Investing in a product which is going to spread well and give an even feed to the crop is clearly of vital importance," he adds. 

Meeting new regulations for urea-based fertilisers

The new regulations on urea-based fertilisers in England target ammonia emissions, which can cause air pollution and ecological damage when nitrogen moves from crop areas into sensitive habitats. For applications between April 1st and January 15th, farmers must now use a urease inhibitor with products like Amidas, a product which is called YaraVera Amipro. "This is all about ammonia loss and the idea behind this is to slow down the hydrolysis of urea into ammonia and carbon dioxide, meaning it keeps the nitrogen in ammonium form which is less volatile and more available to the plant," explains Nigel. 

The growing importance of sulphur

Another critical factor in modern crop nutrition is sulphur, which has become increasingly important as atmospheric deposition has declined due to reduced industrial emissions. "Back in 2002 when I started worked for Hydro Agri; the company that would become Yara, the majority of our products did not contain sulphur. Whereas today, the majority of our product range does contain sulphur. That's been very much a response to industry cleaning up its act," says Nigel. 

Current crop requirements for sulphur are significant: cereals need 25-50 kg/ha, oilseed 50-80 kg/ha, cut grass requires 40 kg per cut and grazed grass needs 20-30 kg per 100 kg of nitrogen applied. Amidas, when applied at 300 kg/ha, provides 42 kg of sulphur and 120 kg of nitrogen per hectare.

Sulphur deficiency reduces nitrogen use efficiency and impacts both yield and quality, even when visual symptoms aren't present. That means for farmers, it's a cost-effective and important nutrient to supply. Alongside looking out for pale yellow-looking leaves and carrying out tissue analysis, farmers are advised to carry out soil analysis and risk assessments to monitor for deficiency. 

Best practices for optimal results

To maximise returns from any fertiliser investment, soil and manure analysis is advisable and application accuracy is essential. "FACTS qualified advisors will be advising farmers to do soil tests regularly, to factor in the value of manures, digestate or whatever organic material may be applied, and do a full nutrient management plan," advises Nigel. 

With fertiliser prices typically exceeding £400 per tonne, attention to detail pays dividends. "Spending money on spreader calibration and maintenance is money well spent in that context. Tray testing is probably the best bet because that would match the actual product the farmer's got and his actual spreader."

In terms of fertiliser choice, Yara has something to fit the bill within their product range, whether it's an N, NS, NKS, NPK or NPKS grade. Farmers are advised to choose a good quality product that best meets their needs and focus on applying it evenly to the crop. 

Looking ahead to a successful growing season

Good farming practice begins with identifying limiting factors in soil fertility management. These factors might include sulphur deficiencies, phosphate levels, or micronutrients such as boron, which is particularly crucial for crops like oilseed rape. Proper assessment of soil structure and organic matter content are equally important considerations for optimal crop outcomes. "I would always recommend any farmer takes advice from a FACTS qualified advisor. With their guidance, farmers can achieve the best outcome possible and the best value for money from their fertiliser investment," stresses Nigel. 

For farmers seeking additional information and advice, Yara has comprehensive resources on their website and social media channels, accessible by searching for "Yara UK and Ireland." Farmers can also get direct support through Yara's network of area managers throughout the UK and Ireland, which is complemented by strong distributor and agent relationships. Regular farming events hosted by Yara further enhance knowledge sharing and build community engagement.