Frequently asked questions

The main advantage of a compound fertilizer is that all the nutrients are contained in each granule or prill.  This means that there is no risk of segregation of the different nutrients during handling or loading as can often occur with blends.  Each prill or granule has a uniform size, shape and density which means they can be easily spread uniformly across the whole bout width, unlike blends where there is inevitably a compromise when it come to spreader settings.  The advantage of this a much more uniform and even distribution of all the nutrients across the field avoiding under or over fertilization leading to increases in both crop yield and quality.

Fertilizer spreaders should be checked and calibrated prior to each application season. A separate calibration should be performed for each different grade of fertilizer.  Fertilizer spreader manufacturers may supply spreader settings for different grades however these should always be checked with a tray test calibration.

It is advised to keep cattle, horses and sheep or other livestock out of fields and pastures until granules or prills have fully dissolved and are no longer visible.  If sufficient moisture is present fertilizer granules or prills will typically dissolve in 3 -4 days, often much sooner, but under dry conditions relying on soil moisture and dew this can take longer.  Any spillages especially near gateways or where refilling the spreader could represent a particular risk and should always be cleared up to avoid direct ingestion. 

General information on the best practice for the storage of fertilisers can be found on the Storage of fertilizers webpage and on the Safe use of fertilizers webpage.

Specific information on the legislative requirements when storing ammonium nitrate can be found on the NAMOS regulations webpage.

The AIC have recently published a booklet on The Storage, Handling and Transportation of Ammonium Nitrate-Based Fertilisers which can be downloaded from the AIC website.

All Yara fertilizers are manufactured to high quality standards and most true compound products are capable of being spread over 36m.  However this depends on the spreader being correctly set up and calibrated according to the spreader manufacturer’s instructions.  The spreading  of blends across that distance is not recommended due to the variability in the specific density of different raw materials.

Before spreading any fertilizer a tray test must be conducted especially over wider spread widths.

Fertiliser spreading link

Application accuracy allows even fertiliser application across the full working width right up to the headland with no wastage or under application.  Ease of storage and handling, increased efficiency and wider operating windows.

You can use your conventional farm sprayer to apply liquid fertilizers, however you will need to fit suitable nozzles or stream bars.  Also see manufacturer’s instructions.

Storage- and transport tanks for the handling of liquid fertilizer can be ordered via Yara.  Also available to our customers, are, what we call a tank scheme, that assist customers to obtain such tanks.

Yara can also provide a conversion service to customers that can adapt equipment to easily accommodate the application of liquid fertilizer.

Contact your Yara representative or agronomist for more information and advice in this regard and also see manufacturer’s instructions.

Yes.  Liquid fertilizer storage tanks must have a bund wall (according to national and local legislation, or capacity to 110% of the biggest tank if there is no applicable legislation), and consideration has been given to the proximity to water courses and flood risks etc.

Any product sprayed onto crops can potentially cause some scorch if applied to a stressed crop.  To avoid this do not apply liquid fertilizers to stressed crops or under hot condition in bright sunlight.  Typically early morning or evening are the safest times.

A wide range of crop protection products and micronutrients can be tank mixed with Yara foliar liquid fertilizers.

Details of compatible tank mixes can be found at www.tankmix.com or with Yara's TankmixIT app.