BASIS Registration Ltd.

Event Information

Date: 10 May 2012

Time: 13:30 - 17:30

Title: Fertilser Machinery Testing & Calibration (pre booked event)

Description: Training farmers/land managers to calibrate fertiliser applicators will increase spreading accuracy of this potential pollutant, improving efficiency of use and reducing the likelihood of DWPA. This exercise will raise awareness of the impacts of over-application that can result in residues not taken up by the crop being available to cause pollution. Individual training is required as farmers/land managers rarely see a problem with their machinery until obvious banding in the crop is apparent (often not occurring until over 20% inaccurate). The Contractor / DA will: · Ensure they are familiar with the DWPA issues in the catchment and their significance to the test, through liaison with the Catchment Sensitive Farming Officer · A supply of material to be tested must be made available by the farmer/land manager, for example 100-150 kg of the main fertiliser used on the farm. · Contact the farmer/land manager to ensure that their spreader/applicator is in working order and will be available for testing. · The farmer/land manager must be present for the duration of the visit to ensure maximum benefit from the training being provided. The operator, if different, should also be present. · All other necessary materials and equipment to conduct the training and testing must be provided by the trainer/adviser. · Where appropriate to the product, the training and testing should be conducted to any standards agreed by industry e.g. the National Sprayer Testing Scheme (NSTS). · The training and testing must include the consistency of application (a tray test and assessment of the coefficient of variation or, for fertiliser/manure spreaders, a uniformity test using either trays or an appropriately sized cloth/plastic sheet with accompanying visual check and an assessment of the height of projection). · The training and testing must include the condition of the machine (a MOT style check). For example, all aspects of the spreader (including PTO speed) must be checked. · The machinery must be set up correctly for the product under test. · All testing sites must be assessed to ensure they do not pose an adverse environmental risk and, if appropriate, NVZ regulations (e.g. closed spreading periods), Groundwater regulations and Environmental Stewardship option rules must be adhered to. In all cases, the Codes of Good Agricultural Practice for Water, Soil and Air must be followed. · Where appropriate to the product under test, a full lapped spread pattern tray test must be conducted. · The results must be checked and, if required, adjustments made to the spreader and a re-run tray of the test undertaken. · Where improvements can readily be made at the time of testing, the trainer/adviser (if suitably qualified) can offer to do so, but any parts or equipment that is required will not be paid for under the CSF mini-contract. · If, however, substantial improvements are required the trainer/adviser undertaking the training must provide the farmer/land manager with a list of approved contractors and/or testing centres. · If it is not possible to adjust machines to improve the consistency of application, recommendations should identify other practices or actions that will achieve an improvement. · During the visit, the trainer/adviser should provide verbal recommendations. · The DWPA issues around application machinery testing must be discussed, with particular reference to the problems identified in the catchment.

CPD Points: 5- 1E,1PN,2AP,1PD

Venue: Woodlands Farm Moss Side Lane , Stalmine, POULTON-LE-FYLDE, Lancashire FY6 0JP

Contact: ADAS (UK) Ltd (Boxworth) (CPD) - Sue Baker, Tel: 01954 268301, Email: sue.baker@adas.co.uk