3 minute read
A more environmental and profitable phosphorus
A new tool is helping significantly reduce phosphorus (P) losses.
“Phosphorus-based fertilisers are vital for farming our naturally P deficient soils but the challenge is applying this nutrient without environmental losses,” Ballance Agri-Nutrients Environmental Management Specialist Ian Power says. “Most P fertilisers contain mainly watersoluble P, which can be lost as runoff. SurePhos, a fertiliser launched in late 2019, contains mainly water-insoluble P, which minimises fertiliser P losses by up to 75 percent1.”
The P application challenge
“Minimising P losses via runoff can be tricky, with weather, timing and proximity to waterways all needing to be considered,” Ian says. Commonly used P fertilisers such as superphosphate and DAP are highly water-soluble. “These fertilisers work in ideal conditions, with no heavy rain (an average of 30 mm within 21 days) to remove the P. As conditions are not always predictable, it’s not uncommon to lose P in runoff, which can affect profits and waterways. “The actual amount of P lost to waterways is quite low but can have a major impact in P-limited waterways, by introducing just the amount needed for aquatic weeds and algal blooms to take over.”
Enter SurePhos
Ballance Agri-Nutrients, with Primary Growth Partnership support, spent many years formulating SurePhos, designed to provide P where and when it is needed, minimising impact to the environment without effecting profit. No more than 23 percent of the P in SurePhos is water-soluble (compared to 82 percent in superphosphate and 90 percent in DAP), which pasture can use straight away. The remaining water-insoluble P slowly releases into the soil over several months. The result is more P in the soil and less lost to the environment. Independent tests conducted by AgResearch show that compared to superphosphate products, SurePhos can reduce P loss by up to 75 percent1 and in a laboratory trial it was shown to reduce P leaching by up to 83 percent2 . SurePhos is a cost-effective option, highly compatible with other products and has a high P content for a reverted phosphate fertiliser, reducing cartage and spreading costs. It can be custom blended with most other fertilisers, including nitrogen fertilisers – such as SustaiN and urea – helping to minimise the number of applications and pasture damage. SurePhos was runner-up for the Innovation Launch Award in the Fieldays Online Innovation Awards 2020, which showcases cutting edge ideas that benefit the primary industry.
For more information and availability*, contact your Ballance Nutrient Specialist, your Farmlands Technical Field Officer or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store.
1. McDowell RW, Smith C, Balvert S 2011. The environmental impact and agronomic effectiveness of four phosphorus fertilisers: Report for Ballance AgriNutrients, October 2011
2.Dexter M, Kear M, Lucci G 2019. P leaching from SurePhos, Superten and Serpentine Super fertilisers in a laboratory evaluation: Report prepared for Ballance Agri-Nutrients by AgResearch Limited
Article supplied by Ballance Agri-Nutrients
*SurePhos is available from selected North Island stores only.
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