Archive article: 1997/09/06 - farmers weekly

6 SEPTEMBER 1997 ------------------------- Measuring spread pattern (SP) does give users real evidence of product quality. Thats the view of Peredur Hughes, vice chairman of the NFU

technical services committee, who last month presented award certificates to those manufacturers who have chosen to report their achievement of the top rating of 5 for the coming year.

"Schemes such as this play a significant part toward the use of fertilisers in a more efficient, economic way," he says. And the fact that tests are made on random samples is a

real demonstration of confidence by manufacturers in their products, he adds. In its fourth year, the system for evaluating SP ratings has been refined with the launch of a new test rig by

the Silsoe Research Institute (SRI) which provides the independent assessment for the scheme. The new facility takes testing indoors, from a commercial spreader run along a bumpy track to a

custom-made laboratory simulator (see picture). One sensor detects flow rate below the hopper, two or three times per second, while another logs the momentum of fertiliser as it hits the

back plate of one of the collecting boxes. These measurements represent the two components of spread pattern – consistent metering flow and lateral throw. Funded jointly by the SRI and the

Fertiliser Manufacturers Association (FMA), the £80,000 rig can be used year-round independent of weather conditions and of any particular design of commercial spreader. This year, 11

straight nitrogen fertilisers were put through the new test. Of the six manufacturers whose products came through with top SP5 status, five have applied to use the quality mark for promotion

(see table). Barry Higgs, director general of the FMA which administers the scheme, points out that top rankings so far have gone to western European production. "Not all Eastern

European or Russian material will be of good quality. But the British industry will have to face up to the fact that good marks can be expected for some of it." Before it can be

considered for SP rating assessment, Mr Higgs needs to be sure that imported material is, logistically, watertight. "Most cargoes are modest in size, and much will be pre-sold," he

states. "I would only really consider bagged cargo and Id expect it to be packaged and labelled to standard. I would also want to see a distribution chain planned from arrival to farm

without long-term storage. Importers are asked to complete a fairly rigorous questionnaire, but ultimately I have to satisfy myself on the basis of judgement and trust." Mr Higgs says

that imports are being considered because the FMA doesnt want the scheme to be exclusive. "The importers that have applied have impressed me enormously with their dedication to getting

the quality right," he adds. Pressure on margins is focussing attention, not just on input prices, but also on precision. How can a quality rating for N help?