The Solution Specialists

Liquid fertilisers for better health and bigger harvests

BfS is now an FIAS accredited company

Why? What? When? How?

Innovative Solutions For over sixty years, Billericay Farm Services has been one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of suspension and liquid fertilisers. Operating from its manufacturing base in eastern England, BFS has unrivalled experience in liquid fertiliser formulation, production and distribution. The company has invested heavily in new plant and this has increased its suspension manufacturing capability. BFS has built its business on product quality, innovation and customer service and this has been recognised with the company being awarded the Fertiliser Assurance Scheme (FIAS) accreditation. The company’s nutritional specialists and agronomist work with customers to plan specific fertiliser programmes for both conventional and organic crops. As a company, we are convinced that our focus on quality is your assurance of the high level of importance we place on the best possible products and service to you, our valued customers. This brochure is designed to provide technical awareness, a guideline to application and important information on a range of solutions for the successful production of quality crops. Each part guides the reader through the various aspects of Why choose liquids, under What circumstances should they be selected and When and How they are best applied.

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Fast, flexible, accurate and environmentally responsible These are just some of the reasons why an increasing number of farmers and growers are changing to BFS liquid fertilisers:

Fast Nutrient uptake is more rapid so crop quality and yield response is maximised…. even in dry seasons.

Flexible Applications are less weather dependent than for solids.

Accurate Rates are accurate down to the last litre per hectare ensuring the crop receives the precise amount of nutrient it requires across the whole boom. Accurately calibrated sprayers now apply within a 5% variant accuracy rate.

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Environment Spraying can be made right up to the edge of the crop, at any boom width, without wastage or contamination of hedgerows or waterways. This ensures Cross Compliance rules, Entry Level Scheme (ELS) and Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ) rules are not breached.

Reduce Waste Switching to solutions eliminates inefficient spreading of solids, wastage due to caking and costly bag disposal.

Record Keeping Exact quantity of fertiliser applied per hectare is recorded so that Farm Assurance Schemes and NVZ record keeping is more accurate.

Safety Liquids are not a fire hazard and operators do not have to handle material as it is pumped directly into the sprayer. The lifting and splitting of fertiliser bags is eliminated.

Improved use of capital means bigger profits Farmers can make significant saving on their capital requirements when changing to liquid fertilisers.

Machinery The same sprayer (and spray operator) can be used for both the application of liquid fertiliser and agrochemicals.

Productivity

Labour Fertilising becomes a one – man operation.

Storage Frees up buildings for more profitable use.

Waste No bag storage or disposal costs, no split bags or caking and no wastage around field margins.

Wide boom widths can easily be adopted with a liquid fertiliser system, resulting in better work rates and productivity. Tankers can be centrally located reducing turn-round time.

Handling The delivery of product is carried out by BFS tankers. The need for trailers and forklift are eliminated, as is the need for an extra driver to transport solid product from farm to field.

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Time to change? Just four simple steps are all it takes! 1. Storage Tanks It is recommended that farms have enough storage capacity to hold between one third and one half of total crop requirements. ❖ BFS offer a range of tanks

2. Dribble Bars Dribble bars are the optimum way to apply liquid fertiliser. These can be fitted to any make of sprayer (see page X). ❖ BFS manufacture and supply its own range of Award-Winning dribble bars

3. Application Rates Each grade of fertiliser is supplied with an application chart to ensure customers know the correct volume of product to apply. ❖ Application charts for the most popular formulations can be downloaded from the company’s website..

4. A Helping Hand BFS offer free advice on the choice of storage tanks and their siting, crop nutrition and product selection. ❖ The BFS advisors are FACTS and BASIS qualified.

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‘Liquid Language’ made simple! It is important to be aware of how the concentration of nutrients in liquid formulations is calculated. Unlike solid fertiliser, which is only calculated on a Weight:Weight (wt:wt) basis, liquid concentrations are expressed in two ways : Weight:Weight (wt:wt)

or

Weight:Volume (wt:vol)

Examples: 1. Weight:Weight (wt:wt) This is the calculation used for standard BFS bulk agricultural grades. The weight of nutrient per 100 kg of product is expressed the same as for solids, e.g 28N solution contains 280 kg Nitrogen per tonne (1,000 kg). 2. Weight:Volume (wt:vol) This is the calculation used for the BFS range of LiquiTec products. The amount of nutrient per 100 litres of product, e.g. LiquiTec Oilseed Booster (20N) contains 200 kg of Nitrogen in 1,000 litres of nutrient product (one cubic metre). Specific Gravity ◆ All liquids have a Specific Gravity (SG) which is the weight of one litre of liquid product ◆ Water has an SG of 1, i.e. 1 litre of water weighs 1 kg ◆ 1000 litres of water (1 cube or 1 m3) weighs 1,000 kgs (1 tonne) ◆ The SG of liquid fertilisers is greater than 1, therefore 1,000 litres of fertiliser weighs more than 1,000 kg (1 tonne) ◆ The SG of each grade of liquid fertiliser varies and BFS provides this information for each of its products. As an illustration: BFS 28N has an SG of 1.25 1,000 litres of 28N x 1.25 SG = 1,250 kg or 1.25 tonnes. To find how many litres of 28N is contained in 1,000 kg divide by the products Specicific Gravity, i.e. 1,000 ÷ 1.25 SG = 800 litres.

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NITROGEN-SULPHUR RANGE Sulphur is a beneficial addition to nitrogen because: ■ It improves the utilisation of applied nitrogen. ■ In milling wheat varieties sulphur is an important constituent of protein. ■ Ammonium Sulphate will lower the pH of a high pH soil, which will in turn release nutrients locked up in it.

Liquid Fertilisers SOLUTIONS BFS solutions manufactured to exacting standards. Applying solutions enables the sprayer operator to achieve a high level of accuracy, right up to the field margins without contaminating water-courses or field boundaries.

NITROGEN RANGE Nitrogen 28N (28-0-0) (28 Nitrogen or 280kg Nitrogen per tonne)

The standard liquid nitrogen range is an efficient combination of Urea and Ammonium Nitrate, giving the benefit of quick nitrate and slow release urea nitrogen in the same application. The result is that crops receive the nitrate part of the Ammonium Nitrate immediately, with the remainder being converted to available nitrate over a longer period of time. This ensures a more even supply of nutrient availability during the growing season.

Nitrogen 30N (30-0-0) (30 Nitrogen or 300 kg Nitrogen per tonne)

Available for farmers who require the same benefits as detailed above but require a formulation with a higher N content.

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■ It is especially important on sandy and chalky soils which hold very little residual sulphur. ■ Sulphur is very mobile and is easily leached out of most soils. ■ Oilseed Rape, leafy brassicas and grassland have the highest demand for sulphur.

26-0-0-5SO3 An excellent grade for cereals that applies the crops total sulphur requirement at the same time as the nitrogen.

When 200 kgs Nitrogen is applied per hectare, 38 kgs of SO3 is applied at the same time.

18-0-0-15SO3 A formulation widely used on both oilseed rape and cereals. It provides the first nitrogen top dressing and all the sulphur requirements in one early application. Oilseed rape - 400 litres per hectare gives 88 kgs N and 73 kgs of SO3 Cereals - 200 litres per hectare gives 44 kgs N and 37 kgs of SO3

COMPOUND RANGE These compounds are stable, nonhazardous, clear solution fertilisers, containing a combination of the three main plant nutrients, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (N, P & K). All products are manufactured under strict quality control procedures to ensure guaranteed analyses and consistent quality with many advantages. ■ Simply stored on-farm in mild steel, stainless steel and GRP tanks

Other popular nitrogen/sulphur grades include:

■ Easily applied through conventional spraying equipment fitted with Dribble Bars for accuracy.

23-0-0-8.7SO3 22-0-0-11SO3 20-0-0-12.5SO3

■ Spring applications to cereals and oilseed rape can contain the correct proportions of NPK, so all the crops major nutrient requirement can be applied along with each top dressing application.

Where a specific nutrient input is required, formulations can be tailor-made to match precise needs. Just call our technical team to discuss requirements.

■ Compound solution NPK’s are 100% soluble and in a form immediately available to plants. ■ BFS true compounds do not settle or produce an uneven spread. ■ Can be tailor-made to specific requirements based on the results of a detailed soil analysis. The Range: The options are almost limitless given the ease of blending. BFS can formulate and manufacture to a farmers specific requirements. Below is listed a number of our popular grades that meet the requirements of most soils and cropping systems:

N.P 16.5-11-0 14-14-0

N.K 10-0-10 6-0-12

N.P.K HIGH N 9-9-9 16-5.4-5.4 5.2-10.4-10.4 14-7-7 HIGH K 0-0-12 4-6-12

HIGH P 6.1-14-8.7 6-18-0 www.bfs.uk.com

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SUSPENSIONS Suspension fertilisers are compounds specially formulated to meet specific soil and crop requirements. Nutrients are suspended in a clay gel, which requires specialised application equipment. BFS has contract teams throughout East Anglia to apply suspension fertilisers. Suspensions offer exceptional precision for both the farmer and advisor as they can contain any combination of nutrients. They are homogenous products ensuring the crop receives a balanced application of nutrients.

the Phosphate and Potash requirements. Sulphur can be incorporated into the suspension thereby saving an additional later application. Wheat and Barley – Single P and K applications can be made during the summer/early autumn, post harvest period. Potatoes – Apply in the early spring to provide all the crops nutritional requirements. Trace elements such as Magnesium and Sulphur can be included.

The benefits

Sugar Beet – Single, one pass application. Top margins and sugar yields are achieved by tailoring crop nutrition to meet the crops exact needs.

■ Contract applied at 24 metres – frees up farm labour

Sodium, Boron and Magnesium can be added as required.

■ All required nutrients applied in one application

Vegetables – Crops such as carrots and onions will derive great benefit from a single application made in early spring. Trace elements such as Magnesium and Sulphur can be included to achieve the desired results.

■ More concentrated than clear solution fertilisers ■ Formulated to specific requirements ■ Can include a wide range of trace elements Rape – Excellent crop establishment will be achieved by applications of Nitrogen with

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BFS have specialist contractors ready to apply suspension fertilisers throughout East Anglia.

Profol

Rate to Apply

Profol boosts protein levels in milling wheat and maximises crop value.

■ 40 kgs N per hectare (200 litres/ha) – Standard dressing ■ 50 kgs N per hectare (250 litres/ha) – High yielding sites and varieties At the standard rate one tonne (900 litres) will treat 4.5 hectares of wheat, and one 1000 litre ibc will treat 5 hectares. If on-farm storage is not available, BFS can provide temporary storage in plastic ibc containers.

LiquiTec Oilseed Booster

In years when the premium for reaching milling quality wheat is high, the returns from using Profol can be very significant. Profol is a urea-based, foliar applied liquid fertiliser that has been proven to increase the protein content of wheat. Foliar application ensures rapid uptake in any weather conditions. Options include the addition of sulphur and Bittersaltz. Application ■ Apply to the ear at GS 69 – 75 (milky to cheesy ripe stage) ■ Use a BFS Air Bubble Jet 04 or 05 - or other medium to coarse jets ■ Apply in cool conditions – cloudy, early morning or late evening. ■ Avoid application in bright sunlight or high temperatures

Late foliar feeding with LiquiTec Oilseed Booster can increase overall oil yield and help reduce early pod shatter. Trials in Europe, Canada and Australia show that late application of foliar urea from petal fall to green pod establishment can increase yields by 0.5 to 1.5 tonnes/ha. LiquiTec Oilseed Booster is formulated to contain readily available Nitrogen and Sulphur together with the other important elements of Copper, Boron, Magnesium, Manganese, Zinc and Molybdenum. These nutrients have been identified to be key in this rapid growth phase of oilseed rape, in order to maximise yields. Application 20kgs N/ha at a dilution of 1:2 in water for optimum results. That is 100 litres of LiquiTec Oilseed Booster in 200 litres of water per hectare. Use BFS Air Bubble Jets or standard flat fan jets to apply LiquiTec Oilseed Booster.

Trace Elements Where there is a nutrient deficiency, crops will benefit from applied foliar micronutrients. BFS have a range of rapid–uptake micro-nutrients to suit most crops and soils. Products are available in 1,000 litre non-returnable ibc’s, or 20 litre containers for convenience. Special mixtures of these straights can be formulated to customer specific requirements with a minimum order of 1,000 litres. www.bfs.uk.com

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Optimum conditions for applying liquid fertilisers A popular misconception that often arises when discussing the application of liquid fertiliser is the risk of leaf tip scorch.

continue until the operator observes that the wind is strong enough to ‘break’ the fertiliser streams from the dribble bars.

With current formulation techniques, improved spray technology and greater spray operator awareness, any risk can be kept to a minimum by taking a few sensible precautions to ensure that application is only made in suitable conditions and, by using BFS dribble bars.

Damp – Application of liquid fertiliser can be undertaken in conditions that are unsuitable for pesticide spraying.

However if leaf tip scorch does occur, it quickly ‘grows out’ and there has been no evidence that it causes a loss of yield. Ideal application conditions are: Overcast – Avoid bright sun light Still conditions - Wind is the primary cause of scorch as the waxy cuticle of the crop is broken down allowing rapid uptake directly into the leaf. As a useful guide, spraying can be

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Application Timing Nitrogen/Sulphur Cereals – Ideally apply from early spring to growth stage 32. If applications are delayed beyond this, we would recommend changing to a liquid Urea-based product . Rape – Treat in the Autumn either at pre – emergence of the crop or after two true leaves. Spring applications can be made up to the time the flower buds appear above the crop canopy Grassland – Spray in early spring at the onset of growth. Application using a coarse spray jet is recommended.

BFS Dribble Bars The award winning BFS Dribble Bar has been specifically designed for the application of liquid fertilisers to arable and grassland crops. These unique applicators are made from impact and corrosion resistant plastic and easily fitted in a matter of minutes. The Dribble Bar produces four stabilised “streams” of liquid fertiliser, which minimise leaf contact thereby minimising any potential for crop scorch. Fitted to any standard nozzle holder, application rates are easily altered by turning the “dial-a-rate” disc. Volumes from 100 to 1,200 litres per hectare can be applied, depending on the selected speed.

The crop is treated right up to its boundary and no further, regardless of the tramline and boom width. This level of accuracy protects the important boundary features around the fields including: woodland, hedges, rivers, streams, ditches, ponds, Cross Compliance strips, Entry Level Scheme strips, beetle banks and so on.

Dribble Bars are fitted in the 50 cm spacing found on most booms with the result that there is little overlap or under lap, no matter what height the boom has been set.

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Soil Analysis A healthy soil will produce a healthy crop so a soil analyses assists in achieving this aim. BFS provide a balanced soil nutrition programme, based on good soil analyses, and to correct deficiencies and nutrient imbalances before they can affect crop yields. BFS offer standard soil analysis to provide the pH, and levels of Phosphate, Potash and Magnesium in the soil. When submitted with cropping details for the previous and following crop, a full recommendation will accompany the result. The analysis is carried out by an independent laboratory and is a service charged at cost. These cost effective analyses satisfy the ACCS scheme inspectors and give a good insight into what state the soil is in and where savings can be made. The Albrecht Soil Survey is a much more detailed diagnostic tool. It helps us to understand the complex interactions both within, and between the chemical, physical and biological aspects of the soil. The Albrecht method measures the nutrients available to the plant from the soil by running specific nutrient tests. This accurately reflects the soils ability to provide the elements in the form that plants require. Plants with a healthy, extensive root system are more able to access the nutrients held in the soil. This is aided by soil microorganisms, fungi and bacteria on the root

hairs, increasing the surface area of soil contact and increasing the level of nutrient uptake. Soils have to be a hospitable environment for roots and soil micro-organisms to thrive. A healthy soil will have 25% air, 25% water, 45% mineral and 5% humus and organic matter. Soils low in organic matter (carbon) are not conducive to good root establishment and growth, and need to be addressed. The Albrecht method highlights many useful aspects of the soils current status and should be considered as a way forward, and to targeting and reducing fertiliser inputs more accurately. We can arrange these analyses for you.

Good nutrition is the foundation of profitable production:

Air 25%

Mineral 45%

% us 5

Hum

Water 25%

Productive Soil

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Healthy Root System

Balanced Soil Components

BfS is now an FIAS accredited company

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Billericay Farm Services Ltd Downham, Billericay, Essex CM11 1QU Tel: 01268 710237 Fax: 01268 711040 E.mail: [email protected] Website: www.bfs.uk.com