TOPDRESSING WASTE

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30780, 18 June 1965, Page 1

TOPDRESSING WASTE

fN.Z. Press Association)

HAMILTON, June 17.

Farmers were wasting between £1.9 million and £2.9 million a year on the aerial application of fertiliser (Mr R. S. Scott), scientific officer, Invermay Research Station, said today.

He told sheep and dairy farmers at the third day of the four-day Ruakura Agricultural Research Centre’s farmers’ conference they should take another look at aerial topdressing. “We must ask ourselves whether it is economically sound to apply fertiliser from the air.” he said, “on land that can be covered by ground machines.”

He said his recent .studies indicated that between £1.9 million and £2.9 million was being wasted each year. About £9.7 million was being spent each year in New Zea-1

land on fertiliser and its application, he said. Forty-four per cent of New Zealand’s fertiliser was applied by air. “There are many factors to consider,” he said, “when deciding the appropriate method of spreading fertilisers.

“In making any calculations for your own property, however, you can take it that the monetary loss from aerial application will be close to 20-30 per cent of the cost of the fertiliser spread,” Mr Scott said. “The economic loss is primarily the result of an uneven spread. By spreading fertiliser from the air farmers will get only 70 to 80 per cent of the pasture response they would get if the fertiliser had been spread evenly.” he said. Mr Scott made the following recommendations to farmers:

“First, in districts where strong winds are prevalent use granulated super

to avoid losses from drift. “Second, on land where

ground machines can be used consider the pros and cons very carefully if aerial application is thought of. “Third, insist that pilots fly at wingspan intervals un less using spreaders.

“Fourth, apply seeds and insecticides separately, and preferably through i spreading device. If not using a spreading device, then apply under very light wind. “Fifth, ensure by your own observation that the spreading device is giving the wide spread claimed for it.”

Mr Scott noted that separate application of seed cost between 4d ana 5d per lb of seed. With an oversowing of 61b of seed an acre, separate application of seed would add 2s to 2s 6d an acre to the cost of land development. “And,” he said, “in my opinion it would be money well spent.” Spreaders should be used when distributing insecticides from the air, he said.