New WRAP video helps more farmers use digestate as a renewable fertiliser
A new video will help farmers use anaerobic digestate as a renewable fertiliser.
Produced by WRAP, ‘Using digestate as a renewable fertiliser’ provides practical advice for farmers and agronomists on how to maximise the supply of nutrients to crops, and how this can be balanced with standard fertilisers.
To watch the video click here.
The video sets out how including digestate in nutrient management plans can increase the potential to grow healthy crops, provides advice on cost management and tips on application timings and techniques.
The video includes a tour of an anaerobic digestion plant showing the technology used to convert organic materials, including food waste, into a reliable renewable fertiliser. It outlines the benefits of using digestate which is rich in readily available nitrogen, as well as containing phosphate, potash, sulphur, magnesium and trace elements.
Ian Wardle, Head of Organics Programme WRAP said, “The potential benefits of using anaerobic digestate as a renewable fertiliser are significant. WRAP field experiments found that crop yields were greater when grown using a combination of anaerobic digestate and fertiliser, than for crops grown using standard fertilisers alone. Combined with the fertiliser savings, the increased yields could deliver an additional £300 per hectare. This video is a great way to find out more about using digestate, and shows how easy it is to use.”
Digestate use is part of nutrient management planning on farms. Use the Tried and Tested nutrient management toolkit to help provide useful information on nutrient spreading guidance, soil analysis services, Professional advice, nutrient storage and fertiliser security.