Belgian farmers are fertilizing again

Now that the harvest in Belgium has started for a number of crops, animal manure will have to be fed again in the coming weeks on plots with a progeny or catch crop. This is reported by the Manure Bank, part of the Flemish Land Agency (VLM).

De Manure Bank emphasizes that it is essential to use cautious and well-considered fertilization. Farmers who are affected by lower crop yields, or in the extreme case crop failure, should especially take into account that a lot of nitrate can still be present in the soil. 

Fertilization not without risks
Due to the persistent drought of last spring, fertilization is not without risks. With this message, the Manure Bank wants to encourage farmers to adopt a reserved and reasoned approach. Because of the increased presence of nitrate, which is caused by the drought, it is often not necessary to additionally fertilize the progeny or the catch crop. 

The Manure Bank advises farmers to limit fertilization to a minimum in the summer months. In addition, she recommends looking in good time for sufficient manure storage or other manure disposal options, such as manure processing. This allows farmers to avoid losses of nutrients to surface and groundwater. 

Less nitrogen absorbed
Due to the reduced crop yields, less nitrogen is taken up during the growing season. This also means that a lot of nitrate can still be present in the soil. The affected farmers should therefore sow a catch crop (or other progeny crop), according to the Manure Bank. In this way, the available nitrate can be absorbed by the plants and it is not washed out to surface and groundwater. 

Additional fertilization is usually not necessary in those circumstances. However, it is important to sow the catch crop in time, so that it has enough time to develop. 

Exceptional drought
According to the Royal Meteorological Institute of Belgium (RMI), the drought in April, May and June was exceptional in at least 150 municipalities. This mainly concerns the west of Belgium. However, it was also bone dry in certain parts of the east of Belgium. The persistent drought has led to damage to agricultural crops in several fields.

That's why . has the Belgian minister Joke Schauvliege started the procedure with the Flemish Agricultural Disaster Fund. Farmers can report the damage to their municipality, which will determine the crop damage and pass it on to the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. 

Kimberly Baker

Kimberly Bakker is an all-round editor at Boerenbusiness. She also has an eye for the social media channels of Boerenbusiness.

k.baker @boerenbusiness. Nl

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