The modern world of agriculture can be tough on farmers. Margins can be tight, so it is important that farmers do all they can to increase the yields produced by the crops they grow. An easy way to do this is to use manure as an organic fertiliser on the soil. As well as boosting your profits by increasing the total crop yield, nutritional profiling will also save you the money you may have spent on commercial fertilisers. Below is a guide to two advantages of using nutritional profiling.
Understanding the Quality of the Manure
While any type of manure is typically good for the soil, some types of manure are better than others. However, not all manure provides the same level of minerals and nutrients depending on the diet and the condition of the animals that produce it. You can ensure that the manure you use on your crops is of the highest quality by carrying out nutritional profiling on each batch before you add it to the soil.
If the manure you are producing is missing key minerals, you may wish to change the diet of the animals which are producing it or consider how the manure is stored. If the manure is exposed to the elements, rainwater may be washing away key phosphates and nitrates before the manure can be applied to the soil. If this is the case, you should cover the area where the manure is stored.
Understanding the Ratio of Manure Required
Different crops require different levels of nutrients. A crop which receives too little in the way of nutrition from manure will fail or will produce lower yields. However, you can have too much of a good thing, which means that the same is also true of any crop which receives too much nutrition from its manure. By carrying out nutritional profiling and establishing the composition of the manure you will be using, you will be able to understand the correct ratio of soil/manure which should be applied to the crop. This helps to cut waste by preventing a situation in which you waste manure by spreading it on a crop which does not require it, or which it is not suitable for.
If you are interested in finding out more about how you can increase the profitability of your crops, you should contact a company which specialises in nutritional profiling today for further help and advice.
There is a lot more to life on the farm than rounding up chook eggs and bringing the cows in for milking. My family have been farmers for four generations, and my dad is starting to pass tips and advice to me. I am excited about learning how to run a farm of my own one day, especially with all the changes in modern farming which make life easier. My blog posts are all about the advice and hands-on experience I am receiving on my family's farm. I will also look at the different types of farming equipment now available. My posts will appeal to both wannabe farmers and those who just have a hobbiest interest in agriculture.