Rising grain prices sharpen the focus on N

With Australian harvest estimates continuing to decline, and global demand outstripping supply, high grain prices look set to continue for the foreseeable future, albeit not necessarily as high as they have reached this summer.

Although some farmers may not have been able to make the most of this season's high grain and oilseed prices, many have been able to take advantage of reasonable forward prices and according to Mark Tucker, Head of Agronomy at Yara UK they need to make the most of this profit opportunity. "For farmers to achieve optimum profitability, it is vital that they factor in these higher output values when calculating next season's fertilizer requirements. Our research shows that higher wheat prices have resulted in a 49% increase in return on investment in fertilizer, making it more important than ever to ensure correct rates are used."

The importance of this is demonstrated in nitrogen dose response trials conducted by Yara over the last two years. Taking place on three different trial sites across the UK, they show that wheat prices doubling has led to an average increase in optimum nitrogen rates of 35 kgN/ha, resulting in an average yield increase of 0.15t/ha.

According to the data, this year's unusual season resulted in one site showing large variations in nitrogen response between varieties. For the variety Claire, a change in the breakeven ratio from 6:1 to 3.5:1 lead to an increase in optimum nitrogen requirement of over 100 kgN/ha, increasing the yield by nearly half a tonne per hectare.

To take account of rising grain prices farmers using N Plan, Yara's nitrogen recommendation tool, are able to calculate their nitrogen requirement for crops on a field-by-field level, inputting the value of the crop, thereby accounting for the likely increase in optimum nitrogen requirement. The programme can also adjust rates according to the variety being grown, the importance of which was shown in Yara's trials where, on average, optimum nitrogen rates varied by around 30 kgN/ha between varieties.

The data from these trials, together with Yara's previous nitrogen dose response work conducted in the mid 1990s, has now been submitted for inclusion in the current review of RB209. "We are keen to ensure that the review committee is armed with the most recent performance data. This will allow recommendations going forward to take account of today's highly productive varieties and modern husbandry techniques giving farmers the opportunity to optimise returns" concludes Mr Tucker