Drawing up a fertilization plan has become a bit more difficult this year. Various NV areas have emerged across the Netherlands in which 20% less nitrogen space can be used from this year onwards. Farmers are wondering what the best way is to deal with this.
As is known, various areas in the Netherlands have been given a colour indicating that they are an NV area. The water quality must be improved. There are concerns among arable farmers that crop yields will plummet.
Research by the Mestbank Vlaanderen shows that 80% of the plots meet the nitrate standard of 100 milligrams per liter. At the moment, this is no longer sufficient to meet the WFD standard (Water Framework Directive), which is 50 mg/l. If the WFD standard is considered, only 30% meet this threshold.
Not only are regulations becoming more erratic, the weather has also become more erratic in recent years. Tests show that after heavy rain showers, 30 to 40 kilos of nitrogen per hectare can be washed out, Van Iperen indicates.
Efficient use of available space for fertilizers
Each crop has its own nitrogen requirement. Frederick Roseboom, business advisor at Delphy, states that it is important to use the available space for fertilizers efficiently. "This starts with a basic dose of fertilizer, because this is easier to control at the front. By first applying sufficient fertilizer, it can then be evaluated what remains and how this can best be distributed."
Optimizing fertilization, such as splitting applications instead of applying everything at once, can also help reduce residue, both Van Iperen and Roseboom state. It ensures that crops get exactly what they need at the right time. For example, looking at onion cultivation, most nitrogen uptake takes place between July 15 and August 15. Spreading most nitrogen during that period is most efficient for preventing residue.
Maintain current company balance
In the NV areas, it may happen from next year that the basic gift is not sufficient for the crop requirement of the crop. In that case, wheat is often the first crop to be saved on, because it yields less than other crops. Roseboom states that many growers initially focus mainly on the short term. With limited space, it makes the most financial sense to allocate less to wheat. The space that is saved in this way can be used for crops with a higher financial yield, in order to ultimately maintain the current company balance.
When asked whether using foliar fertilizers can help, Roseboom says: "Foliar fertilizers are generally only recommended if a clear deficiency is expected in advance. The accounts must indicate how the available space has been used, but how exactly that space is filled is up to the grower himself."
Cosun performs N-mineral measurement
The most important thing is to use the available resources as efficiently as possible, so that farmers can still get the best possible result from their crops. That is why Cosun started with the N-mineral measurement last year. Two measurements are carried out, with the spring measurement providing insight into the nitrogen levels at different depths, says Willem Huisman, Agro-contractor at Cosun Beet Company. "This allows you to optimise fertilisation together with your cultivation advisor." The autumn measurement shows the remaining amount of nitrogen after cultivation. "This allows you to limit nitrate leaching and fertilise more specifically next year."