Fertiliser Applicators

Ensure the best possible start for your OSR with a Nitro-Jet

A wet harvest means a late harvest and therefore late drilling, giving the Oil-Seed Rape a shorter period of time for the plant to achieve enough strength and size to get through the winter months, and furthermore a cold, wet autumn means even fewer growing days before winter.

One answer to help these problems is to apply fertiliser at seeding to give the plant a quicker start and allow it to grow more vigorously in a shorter time span. But to do this as a separate operation after drilling takes more time and money.

Till-Feeding with OPICO's Nitro-Jet gives you all this and more.

Till-Feeding for better establishment

Many farms are already Till-Seeding their Oil-Seed Rape in rows using a subsoiler or cultivator. As well as reducing costs and allowing a faster turnaround, Till-Seeding also conserves moisture in the soil and reduces traffic on the land; improving soil structure; allowing better plant growth and resulting in stronger plants and better yields. However, broadcasting the fertiliser across the full width on band sown Oil-Seed Rape is very wasteful especially in autumn when the rape plants are small and cannot scavenge very far for nutrients.

The fertiliser needs to be applied in bands or rows where the plants are, decreasing usage and leaching but increasing effectiveness by applying the fertiliser where the plant can use it before the winter. This may mean that the overall rate applied can be reduced or if NVZ regulations have been the limiting factor the rate can be maintained but as the fertiliser is being applied in a concentrated band it is the equivalent to three times the application rate across the full width.

As the "Monthly nutrient content of winter Oil-Seed Rape" graph below shows there is a significant requirement for not only Nitrogen but also Phosphate and Boron in the autumn. There are environmental factors such as wet, drought and cold which cannot be controlled but if we can ensure that nutrients that we are in control of are supplied in the right place at the right time then the crop has the best start possible.

Monthly nutrient content of Winter OSR

“The level of crop production can be no greater than that allowed by the most limiting of the essential growth factors” Justus von Liebig 1803 - 1873

The Nitro-Jet range of fertiliser applicators has been designed to operate in tandem with low cost rape establishment on subsoilers and other cultivators giving the crops a timely nutritional boost for the critical pre-winter growing period.

OPICO OSR Fertiliser Trials

After initial trials which showed a significant benefit to the crop, OPICO began a trials programme all over the UK in conjunction with Masstock and other agronomy companies. These looked at the autumn response to different levels of targeted fertiliser and ultimately yield benefits that can be achieved as a result. Whilst it is early days to scientifically say that there is a specific yield benefit the early results and common sense dictates that stronger well established crops are more likely to survive the winter and produce a higher yield. The fact that many late drilled crops throughout the country failed in the cold, wet autumns of 2007 and 2008 shows the importance of giving the crop the boost it needs at drilling as an insurance policy if nothing else.

Does it make a difference?

The answer is "YES" and can clearly be seen here! The driver stopped and switched off the Nitrojet at the top of the field to take a phone call, after the call he then proceeded seeding down the field without applying nitrogen.

Nitro-Jet - Features

The Nitro-Jet Liquid Fertiliser Applicator has been developed to reduce Autumn workloads, allowing operators to apply liquid Nitrogen whilst Till-Seeding their Oilseed Rape. More precise application, reduced fertiliser wastage and large time savings are just some of the reasons to change to the Nitro-jet system. In cold wet Autumns, placing fertiliser along with the seed can mean the difference between good establishment or a failed crop as it gives the plant a key nutrient boost to help them overcome adverse conditions and establish strongly before winter.

Features Impact Resistant Tank Liquid Transfer Outlet Manifold Hydraulic Drive Pump Nozzle and Protected Shroud RDS Cut Out Switch Flow Meter and pressure gauge RDS Variable Rate Controller Nozzle & Pump Flush

Impact Resistant Tank All models of Nitro-Jet come complete with impact resistant tanks between 600L and 1000L in capacity and a tank level gauge to allow the operator to see the level of fertiliser when filling and in work. Liquid Transfer This feature allows the operator to use the pump to empty the Nitro-Jet tank back to the storage unit used. Outlet Manifold The metered output is divided at the manifold and distributed via 6mm flexible pipe to the outlets. Manifold can be made to your requirement depending on how many outlets you need. Hydraulic Drive Pump The same 400L/min high pressure self priming pump is used on all models allowing high speed self filling and providing pressure required for the application operation. Nozzle and Protected Shroud The 6mm flexible pipe is routed around the cultivator or Subsoiler frame to supply the shroud protected nozzle bodies, each nozzle body is fitted with an anti drip and a specially manufactured stainless steel narrow band nozzle. These whole units should be mounted on the cultivator in line with the row of seed so that the fertiliser is readily available to the young seedlings, each shroud unit is manufactured to be easily mounted and adjustable so that the outlet can be easily moved if required. The bottom image on the right clearly shows why the high pressure nozzles are used rather than a dribble nozzle, without the constant pressure the nozzle would soon become blocked and would result in uneven covage or at worst area's of the field completely missed.     RDS Cut Out Switch This finger switch comes as standard on all Nitro-Jets so that no matter whether the forward speed signal comes from GPS, radar or landwheel it is cut out when the machine is lifted on the headland. On three point linkage machines it is best positioned on the headstock of the machine. Flow Meter and Pressure Gauge In order to control the speed related application of the liquid fertiliser a flow meter and pressure gauge are used with any excess liquid being pumped back to tank to agitate the contents. RDS Variable Rate Controller The RDS control unit allows simple calibration and set up and in work provides speed related metering and variable rate control within the limits of the nozzle flow range. Furthermore the volume applied and area covered are recorded for farm records. Nozzle and Pump Flush The valves on all Nitrojet units can be set to allow the pump, liquid lines and nozzles to be flushed through with clean water to rinse the system without effecting the tank contents. This is important because the nitrogen must not be left in the pump over night as it is corrosive.

Ferticast - Granular Fertiliser Applicator

The Ferticast Fertiliser Applicator has been developed to reduce Autumn workloads, allowing operators to apply granular fertiliser whilst Till-Seeding their Oilseed Rape. More precise application, reduced fertiliser wastage and large time savings are just some of the reasons to change to the ferticast system. In cold wet Autumns, placing fertiliser along with the seed can mean the difference between good establishment or a failed crop as it gives plants a key nutrient boost to help them overcome adverse conditions and establish strongly before winter.

Features Stainless steel metering system Precise fertiliser metering Even fertiliser distribution Accurate fertiliser rate control Forward speed related metering Robust build Easy to fit

Stainless steel metering system The base and workings of the Ferticast fertiliser applicator are made from Stainless Steel and fertiliser resistant plastic and the upper hopper section is made from powder coated steel. Precise fertiliser metering Unlike most other types of fertiliser applicators the Ferticast uses individual metering wheels for each fertiliser outlet enabling extremely accurate metering and guaranteeing the same amount of fertiliser is fed to each outlet. This is crucially important when using low application rates. Four types of metering rollers are available for the Ferticast. Any two of these rollers are supplied as standard with the Ferticast, the third or fourth can be supplied as an optional extra. There are eight seed outlets as standard but it is possible to blank off a number of them using the Blanking Roller and Stop Kit, for example for applying fertiliser in a band behind a five leg subsoiler with one outlet per leg, running directly in-line with each leg. Even fertiliser distribution The ferticast can be used for either band application (recommended for OSR) or to spread fertilizer evenly across the whole width. Modified Band Outlet Broadcast Outlet The standard broadcasting outlets spread the fertiliser in a overlapping pattern for an even full width coverage. Alternatively modified outlets are used for band application of fertiliser into rows of Oil-Seed Rape. The fertiliser placement is adjusted by changing the height of the distribution outlet, this will give you wider or narrower bands. Accurate fertiliser rate control The amount of fertiliser applied is controlled by the speed of the metering roller, this is adjusted until the desired application rate is achieved. The control box in the cab allows setting and adjustment on the move. Calibration is performed by removing the metering roller cover and using a calibration tray. Forward speed related metering All Ferticasts comes with spoked land wheel drive to give constant forward speed related metering. The machine uses a pulse sensor to feed information back to the control box. An optional radar and cutout switch is available. On some tractors it is possible to connect to the tractors own radar system. Forward speed related metering means accurately maintained application rates on high draft machines and in awkward shaped fields where ground speed may vary. Robust build Ferticast's are supplied with a strong mounting plate which assists fitting to whatever cultivation machine is chosen. The hopper and chassis are built to withstand the rigor's of high speed seeding in hard ground. Easy to fit Three simple steps to mounting your Ferticast for ideal fertiliser placement: Hopper positioning The Ferticast Hopper can be mounted anywhere but it is important to ensure that the pipes to the outlets are not too long and that the fertiliser always flows downhill. Practicalities of calibration and filling the hopper should always be considered when mounting the hopper. A simple base plate is provided to bolt or weld onto the implement, the Ferticast can then be mounted onto this and removed if necessary. Land wheel drive / radar Ferticasts are capable of metering to within 0.1Kg/ha if required which is critically important with such expensive small granules. The land wheel drive is an important part of this accurate metering and should be mounted out of the way of soil flow from the cultivator where it can float freely to follow the contours of the land. A correctly positioned piece of 50mm box section is all that is required to mount the land wheel assembly. Optional radar needs to be mounted at 45 degrees from horizontal and the sensor should ideally be mounted between 60cm and 90cm above the ground to ensure an accurate reading of the forward speed. A radar cutout switch may be needed to cut off reading when turning on the headlands. Outlets Positioning the outlets correctly is critical for good fertiliser placement. With most applications the outlets should be mounted just behind the press roller. Where possible some adjustment should be designed into the mounting of the outlets to allow fine tuning of the granule placement in the field. The optional 1.5m or 2m distributor holders assist mounting the outlets and allow horizontal and vertical adjustment to alter the spread pattern.

Nitro-Jet - For HE-VA Subsoiler

This fertiliser applicator unit is specifically designed to fit on rigid HE-VA Subsoilers, importantly the framework ensures that the weight of the Nitro-Jet is carried as far forward as possible to minimise the required lift capacity and make the whole unit easier to handle. The 600L rectangular shaped tank is supported above the headstock allowing the Subsoiler to function normally and the outlet manifold is mounted at the rear of the Nitro-Jet chassis so that the pipe work can be tidily routed within the frame down to the outlets. When an OPICO seeder is fitted the signal for the forward speed is taken from the landwheel or radar controlling the seeder, alternatively it may be taken from the tractor's radar.

Nitro-Jet - Skid Unit

The 1000L Skid Unit Nitro-Jet is the most adaptable unit being suited to mounting on a three point linkage or onto the framework of a cultivator with some fabrication work. It has a category II three point hitch and multi-fit base plate to allow the customer to mount it wherever it required. The customer also needs to mount the manifold and the nozzle outlets on the machine. The standard nozzle brackets are readily adaptable but will require bracketry to mount them where required on the cultivator. When an OPICO seeder is fitted the signal for the forward speed is taken from the landwheel or radar controlling the seeder, alternatively it may be taken from the tractor's radar.

Nitro-Jet - Front Mounted

The 1000L Front Tank Nitro-Jet fertiliser applicator is designed to be mounted to any tractor with a Front Linkage and used in conjunction with a mounted or trailed implement. The Front Tank has a category II three point hitch, front bull bar and lights to replace those obscured on the tractor. As it is front mounted this unit includes a transfer pipe (length to be specified by the customer) to transfer the liquid fertiliser to the machine at the rear of the tractor where the manifold is mounted. The customer needs to mount this transfer pipe on the tractor and the manifold on the machine. The standard nozzle brackets are readily adaptable but will require bracketry to mount them where required on the cultivator. When an OPICO seeder is fitted the signal for the forward speed is taken from the landwheel or radar controlling the seeder, alternatively it may be taken from the tractor's radar.

Ferticast

Whilst liquid fertiliser is available in bulk or in IBC's to suit farms who do not regularly use liquid it may be more practical on some farms to use solid fertiliser. The OPICO Ferticast offers the same level of precision as the Nitro-Jet but is suited to prilled or granular fertilisers. The Ferticast utilises proven seeder technology from our range of specialist small seed metering units, the only difference is that the Ferticast has a stainless steel base so that the parts in aggressive contact with the fertiliser do not corrode. All Ferticast units come with electronic rate control giving accurate calibration, speed related metering and on the move variable rate control. The controls also incorporate an airflow monitoring system, metering mechanism fault sensor, and low level hopper sensor as well as providing feedback of application details for the current job.

Nitro-Jet - Subsoiler

Nitro-Jet - Skid Unit

Nitro-Jet - Front Mounted

Ferticast

NVZ - Nitrate Vunrable Zones

Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZs) were introduced by member states of the European Union following the ratification of the EC Nitrate Directive in 1991. These NVZs are areas of land which drain to waters where nitrate concentrations exceed, or are likely to exceed, the 50 mg/l level dictated by the EC Surface Water Abstraction Directive (1975). The areas designated can therefore be both groundwater and surface water catchments. NVZs may also be designated where it is deemed that nitrate concentrations are such that they will/could trigger eutrophication in fresh, estuarine, coastal or marine waters.

In 1996, the UK government designated 66 NVZs in England. Four of these were surface water catchments, several others had some surface water influences (e.g. River Hull and North Lincolnshire Wolds), but by far the greatest number were groundwater catchments.

The Government subsequently introduced an Action Programme aimed at reducing the loss of nitrate from the agricultural land within these NVZs. The Nitrates Directive requires that the effectiveness of this plan be monitored. Without long-term monitoring of nitrate losses from land prior to the scheme, probably the only way to assess the results is to examine the changes in farming practices brought about by the introduction of the Action Programme. Although the British Survey of Fertiliser Practice (BSFP) provides some information, it does not cover farmer attitudes to N fertiliser prediction, which must be addressed within the Action Programme. In any case, the BSFP covers the whole of the country and the sample of farms in the 1996 NVZs was not sufficiently large to allow reliable analysis. Therefore, in 1996 ADAS was commissioned by what was then the Environmental Protection Division of MAFF to conduct a survey of farms in the NVZs. During the winter of 1996/97, ADAS Consultants visited 955 farmers within NVZs and completed a questionnaire covering the aspects of farming that the Nitrate Directive, as it was interpreted at the time, required should be controlled within the Action Programme. That survey formed the benchmark against which to measure change. In 2003, ADAS was asked by Water Quality Division of Defra to conduct a repeat survey, to assess the change in the intervening years. It was assumed that many of the changes could be attributable to implementation of the Action Programme though, of course, other external pressures could also be responsible for some of the change.

As from 1 January 2009, the areas covered by Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZs) were increased to approximately 70% of England. This includes the 55 per cent originally designated in 2002.

These NVZ area were and are being introduced to prevent diffuse water pollution.

Eplaination from the Defra website.

What is diffuse water pollution?

Some water pollution can be traced or attributed to a point of source, such as sewage treatment works or industries.

Diffuse water pollution, in contrast, cannot be traced or attributed to a precise point or incident. Rather, it is the cumulative effect of day to day activity over a large area. Various activities contribute to diffuse pollution, including agriculture, forestry, mining, construction and urban life. Pollutants deposited on land, roads and spaces are washed into watercourses by rain. Consequently, the local climate, geology and other natural phenomena can influence the size and extent of the problem. In agriculture, diffuse pollutants include silt from soil erosion, nutrients from the application of fertiliser or spreading of manure, and pesticides from the handling and application of the chemicals.

How does agriculture contribute to diffuse pollution?

No one farmer is responsible, and many are committed to protecting and enhancing the environment, but cumulatively diffuse pollution from farms is having a substantial impact on the quality of English waters.

Around 60% of nitrate and 25% of phosphates in English waters originate from agricultural land. Elevated levels of these nutrients are of concern because they can cause eutrophication, which harms the water environment. Also, excess nitrate has to be removed before water can be supplied to consumers.

Agriculture contributes between 25 – 50% of the pathogen loadings which affect England's bathing waters.

Up to 75% of sediment input into rivers can be attributed to agriculture. This reduces water clarity and causes serious problems for fish, plants and insects.

Pesticides are contaminating drinking water sources, requiring expensive treatment at water works to remove pesticides before it is supplied to consumers.

What is eutrophication?

Eutrophication is the enrichment of water by nutrients (such as nitrate or phosphate), causing an accelerated growth of algae and higher forms of plant life leading to an undesirable disturbance to the balance of organisms present in the water and to the quality of the water concerned.

The resulting disturbed aquatic ecosystem may:

become an unsuitable habitat for other species such as fish and invertebrates. This reduces biodiversity of both the aquatic habitat and of other species in the food chain; become too low in oxygen for some species to tolerate, such as fish and shellfish;

damage the quality of areas of high wildlife conservation value, such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs);

produce toxic algal blooms which poison fish and shellfish, making them unsafe for people to eat and damaging the fisheries industry. However, there is as yet no well-established link between nutrient enrichment and the incidences of shellfish toxicity in marine waters. Local livestock and wildlife may be at risk and blooms in recreational waters can result in closure of the area, with impacts on tourism;

produce so much vegetation that navigation or recreational use of waters becomes impossible. This also impacts on the tourism and leisure industry.

NVZ downloads

Downloads and further information on NVZ's can be found at www.defra.co.uk