New blog shows farmers how to save money

A renowned crop consultant has gone online to share tips on how farmers can get the most out of their fertiliser equipment and prevent wasting money.

Top consultant Dr Ian Richards has teamed up with website Tried & Tested to provide regular free advice and tips as part of his new online nutrient management blog.

Dr Richards’ first blog covers fertiliser and muck spreaders, with recommendations for getting the best performance out of machinery, ensuring nutrients and money aren’t wasted, as well as reducing the risk of water pollution.

Tried & Tested project co-ordinator Rebecca Wells said: "Ian’s blog is a practical and worthy addition to the nutrient management website and we hope visitors will be able to take advantage of his extensive knowledge to improve performance, maximise returns and reduce costs."

In one of his first tips, Dr Richards discusses how recent calculations have shown that, at current prices, improving a spreader’s performance from a coefficient of variation of 30 per cent, often found before tray-testing, to 10 per cent, achievable under field conditions, can increase margins on wheat by £59/ha and oilseed rape by £43/ha. The cost of professional tray-testing, around £200, would be recouped over 4-5ha.

Dr Richards is also a qualified adviser as part of the Fertiliser Advisers Certification and Training Scheme.