Nutrient usage efficiency trials
In spring 2024, TVBC awarded grants totalling almost £25k to two farms – Goddards Farm in Over Wallop and Michelmersh Manor Farm – for trials aimed at improving nitrogen usage efficiency. These projects were funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund[1].
Goddards Farm trialled a novel product (MAD Moisture) applied at seed depth in maize plots.
Michelmersh Manor Farm trialled a Humi Cert spray from Daleoak Ltd which was directly applied to a grass crop.
Following harvest, the yields were analysed for treated and untreated plots. In the maize trial, soil analysis was also performed including to look at longer term effects of the applied product.
Interpretation of data from the maize trial was complicated by two factors: 1) the untreated plot was planted two weeks prior to the treated plots due to operational and technical issues; and 2) the plot treated with the lower level of MAD Moisture suffered bird damage. The yield results indicated that the plot treated with the higher level of MAD Moisture was greater than that of the control, but further data is necessary given the confounding factors. The percentage nitrogen content in dry matter was also increased in the treated plots, which might indicate higher protein levels. Soil analyses in January 2025 imply longer-lasting benefits of MAD Moisture application with higher levels of some nutrients in the treated plots. A biomass image of the grass planted in November 2024 is consistent with a longer-term benefit of MAD Moisture, showing visibly better crop growth in the treated plots. Growth on these plots will be monitored over the next few years.
The results of the grass trial showed that the applied nitrogen was reduced by over 70% for the foliar treatment compared with the conventional granular ammonium nitrate, illustrating the markedly increased efficiency of the foliar nitrogen application. There was slightly more total dry matter yield and energy content using the farm’s standard fertilisation practices, however the protein yield was higher in the grass which had received the foliar treatment.
The full report on these trials can be found on this page.
[1] The UK Shared Prosperity Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus