Energy and protein feed costs look set to remain high through the remainder of the year, so maximising clamp fill and forage quality will matter more than ever. As you will be aware however, fertiliser pricing and availability on farm are proving challenging, so what are your options?
How can we reduce our reliance on fertiliser
Wynnstay is working with QLF Agronomy to offer a means to reduce fertiliser reliance when growing forage crops, whilst maintaining yield and quality.
L-CBF BOOST from QLF Agronomy is a liquid carbon product designed to mimic the natural root extrudates the plant delivers to the bacteria surrounding its own roots. The role of the bacteria is to mineralise or make available nutrients in the soil, from FYM, slurry or synthetic fertiliser and make them plant available, in return for a meal of extrudate from the plant. This results in more efficient use of nutrients and reduces the risk of nitrogen losses to the environment. Frustratingly, this symbiotic relationship can be damaged by the overuse of synthetic fertilisers.
How does L-CBF Boost work?
L-CBF Boost works by supplementing this natural process, allowing the plant to utilise more of its sugar from photosynthesis, to grow leaf (yield!) as the requirement for the microbes has been met. This is particularly useful around cutting or grazing of grass, at the germination of a crop such as re-seeding/overseeding or the establishment of a crop like maize or cereals.
What are the end results?
Strong yield responses have been shown when supplementing the soil with L-CBF Boost, particularly where a bacteria source is also present (as would be the case with FYM and slurry applications). The below trial results relate to Maize with L-CBF BOOST and bacteria product Rise P, however L-CBF BOOST works to reduce reliance on synthetic fertiliser and increase yields with all forage crops.
