A Win-Win: Blending ESN and Anhydrous Ammonia
A study taking place in Manitoba is showcasing the benefits ESN can provide when blended with anhydrous ammonia fertilizers; both for the growers’ profitability and in reducing environmental impact.
Pressure from the government and grain buyers to reduce the impact of fertilizers on the environment by cutting nitrogen losses is driving interest in new ways to apply fertilizer. The focus of this study led by agronomists at Enns Brothers, a Manitoba farm retail chain, is to identify the “perfect blend” of ESN and anhydrous ammonia.
The practice of applying a traditional fertilizer with an enhanced efficiency fertilizer is not widespread, yet. Because of its longer growing season, corn has been the main user of this practice, but the study hopes to find the right blend for canola growers to achieve both profitability and environmental benefits.
The advantage of the blend is nitrogen available throughout the season. The anhydrous ammonia is available in the early stages of growth and the ESN with its polymer coating will make nitrogen available later in the spring or summer when conditions are right.
The researchers set up a range of trials at the Innovation Farm, north of Winnipeg, and applied 120 lbs. of nitrogen in a mid-row band, as well as one strip with 120 lb urea. While the ratio of ESN to anhydrous varied, the total pounds remained constant in each strip at 120 lbs. So far results seem to be leaning to one-third ESN to two-thirds anhydrous. When the Western Producer article was published, researchers were waiting on harvest to confirm the results.
Read full article: https://www.producer.com/news/project-searches-for-the-perfect-fertilizer-blend/
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