Ballance offers drought-relief support

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For immediate use

22 June 2007

Ballance offers drought-relief support and advice to assist local farmers

Now that it has started raining farmers will be thinking about what is required to get maximum pasture growth to meet animal feed demand this spring.

Fertiliser is a key input, and Ballance is aware that with the recent drought situation local farmer’s finances could be tight.

‘We have been actively working with affected customers throughout the recent drought on a case-by-case basis to offer support, and we will continue to help farmers now that the rain has arrived,’ says Area Sales Manager Kim Harris. “This support includes interest-free deferred payment, and we will keep working closely with merchants to customise client packages to meet needs.'

‘Pick up the phone and give us a call today, and we will help you out,’ says Mr Harris.

Ballance Technical Consultant Murray Lane says that with a limited fertiliser budget for next year, most east coast sheep and beef farmers will be looking to prioritise how they spend their money. ‘The top priority will be providing feed for lambing and calving,’ he says.

‘Nitrogen fertiliser is the key to this, and applications at 20-30 kg N/ha once the soil temperature increases to over 6°C in late winter will provide maximum benefits,’ advises Mr Lane.

Nitrogen fertiliser options include the application of urea (46% nitrogen), ammonium sulphate (21% nitrogen and 24% sulphur) or ammo (a 50 % urea and 50% ammonium sulphate mix).

Mr Lane says that it pays to calculate the cost of each fertiliser in terms of cents/kg. Other considerations are sulphate-sulphur levels and targeted application for best results when working to a budget.

‘Where soil sulphate-sulphur levels are less than 6 ppm, ammonium sulphate application is recommended.’

‘In hill country, once the newer and better pastures have received nitrogen, pasture on warmer sunny aspects should be the next priority for nitrogen application, as these pastures will give a quicker response that can be used for earlier lambing or multiple-birth ewes.’

‘In short, to maximise pasture growth this spring, nitrogen is the first immediate priority followed by sulphur and phosphorus,’ says Mr Lane.

For further fertiliser advice or support contact your local Ballance technical sales representative on 0800 222 090.

ENDS

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