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With the continued reduction in the price per tonne, sugar beet growers need to focus on ways of increasing their yields and sugar levels and so maintain profitability. Law Fertilisers are confident that new GPS technology plus the targeted use of the right nutrients at the right time will make a positive contribution to yields and sugars and have formulated a six-point plan to help growers increase returns from this crop.

"With this years volatile weather patterns, it will be a challenge for sugar beet growers to get their beet off to a good start and maintain its growth. But by implementing our six-point plan, based on more complete and flexible crop nutrition plus optimum type, timing and placement of fertiliser, sugar beet growers can achieve the increased returns they seek," says Mark Law, Managing Director and fertiliser expert for Law Fertiliser.

"Our six point plan starts with tailoring starter fertiliser in the seedbed which will speed up establishment and promote early rooting. Our view is that budget plough-down fertilisers do not really assist the critical early establishment phase of sugar beet. But by using seedbed fertilisers, farmers are able to drill the crop earlier and develop full canopies earlier in the season, whilst there is still a chance of adequate soil moisture. The use of soluble phosphates close to the developing seedling will speed growth past the vulnerable cotyledon stage," says Mark.

Mark points out that the use of nitrogen in sugar beet is the second action point in the plan but says out that more complex nitrogen compounds have more positive benefits. "In the light of longer growing seasons and the need to improve leaf quality, more complex nitrogen compounds will help the plant cope with drought conditions and increase the rate of photosynthesis, leading to better yields."

According to Law Fertilisers, complex nitrogen fertilisers also contain secondary nutrients that can increase the depth of the wax layer on top of the leaf, reducing damage from ultra-violet light and helping to protect against water loss.

"The third point in the plan is to tailor foliar feeds according to the soil and crop requirements. Nutrition for optimum leaf development and quality and the use of foliar feeds and trace elements to minimise crop stress are essential parts of this strategy. But as with all our inputs this must be based on crop uptake, rather than the crop off take," says Mark.

He is also advising growers to utilise GPS technology to assess individual crop needs for all fertiliser inputs. "Our mapping service has been shown to reduce costs and increase yields by more precise applications. We also offer our customers in-depth soil testing for all major, minor and trace elements, free of charge."

Mark explains that the fourth point in the plan is the careful monitoring of the crop in order to alleviate any effects from extreme weather. "For example the judicious use of a general purpose foliar feed and key trace elements can help the sugar beet crop to keep growing, even in the most hostile conditions, and so minimising any late-season losses. Point five is the use of a salt mix to promote late season growth and increased sugars."

Finally Mark Law says that the last point in the plan is to deal directly with a trusted and local supplier. "We urge farmers to consider their position with their nutrient suppliers and make sure that they only use those that they know they can trust to provide good product information based on sound market intelligence and also to deliver top quality products tailored to the individual farms requirements."

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