How can you save 30% on fertilizer costs?

The experience of Plamenna Raleva from Ralevi Ltd

In 2019, Ralevi Ltd. entrusted about 2,500 decares of the areas they cultivate to the agricultural team of NIK through the service AgroBalance. The sampling and analysis of soil samples carried out in the accredited laboratory of NIK Agro Service found varying values in the stock of the chemical element phosphorus in almost all fields. The map of phosphorus stocks attracts the interest of Plamenna Raleva, who so far applies flat fertilization on her farm, which is at a small percentage of the total cost of fertilization.MAP OF PHOSPHORUS STOCK

Map of soil phosphorus stock of the farmThe Council of the Agronomist from NIK Agro Service Poliksena Marinovais that in cases like this, variable rate fertilization is the most appropriate solution. It does not fertilize in areas with a high supply, and the necessary phosphorus is only provided in the places where it is needed - the right amount in the right place. To do this, a precise variable rate fertilization map, known as a VRA map, is prepared, which is subsequently loaded into the navigation display and executed by the roeder.On the farm, they work with one of the most precise fertilization inventory on the market, that of Kverneland.The model TL GEOSPREADe with hopper capacity 3900 liters and in addition to variable rate fertilization it also has the possibility to perform automatic sectional control. The precision of the machine ensures extremely accurate application of the variable fertilization map, thus achieving the desired effect of a specific fertilizer application in strictly defined areas and saving from unnecessary costs.

The results of the implementation of the technology of precision variable fertilization are not long in coming - already in the first year the cost of fertilizer was reduced by almost 30%, compared to the standard fertilization rates used on the farm until then.

Today, three seasons later, our customers share that annual soil analyses and the application of VRA Prescriptionswith a precision mower continue to be one of the good investments in the farm that helps to achieve the target yields.

How to optimize fertilization with a Kverneland mower