Bunn launches new range of fertilisers for grassland farmers
17 November 2011
A new range of specialist fertilisers which have been specifically formulated to help farmers combat the rising cost of bought-in feeds by maximising grass production have been launched nationwide by Bunn.
Jim Holt, Technical Sales Manager, says “Whether you are grazing grass or producing hay or silage, SupaGraze™ and SupaCut™ fertilisers give livestock farmers the right balance of minerals for improved grass yields and multiple nutritional benefits.”
Both products incorporate Magnesia-Kainit®, a naturally-occurring mineral fertiliser that contains potash, magnesium, sodium, sulphur, plus other trace elements, and has proven benefits in terms of increasing grassland yields and improving livestock nutrition. Independent UK trials¹ comparing Magnesia-Kainit® with MOP (Muriate of Potash) showed that grassland treated with Magnesia-Kainit® out-yielded MOP by more than 10%, with improvements of up to 12% in second-cut silage production. It also prepares the grass to make best use of nitrogen applications.
Mr Holt claims that where Magnesia-Kainit® has been applied, grass is sweeter and more palatable, encouraging cows to eat more of it, resulting in higher dry-matter intakes and increased milk yields. UK research² on seven farms with a total of 2,000 cows supports this, showing that the cows preferred to graze in areas treated with Magnesia-Kainit® rather than NPK or straights.
Feeding Magnesia-Kainit®-fertilised grass to cows can enhance herd fertility due to a better balance of salts in the bloodstream. ³ The soluble magnesium and sodium contained in Magnesia-Kainit® can also help to reduce the risk of grass staggers, which can decrease milk yields by up to 20% 4.
SupaGraze™ fertiliser (with an analysis of 12N: 4P: 6K + 3MgO + 17Na2O + 6SO3) is applied to grazing pastures in early spring at up to 500kg/ha and followed with straight nitrogen after each additional grazing.
SupaCut™ fertiliser (with an analysis of 10N: 6.5P: 13K + 3MgO + 13 Na2O + 6.5SO2) provides a balance of nutrients designed for silage or hay production and is applied to grassland in early spring at up to 600kg/ha, followed up with straight nitrogen at least six weeks prior to cutting, depending on crop requirements. After-cut swards that are grazed following SupaCut™ fertiliser applications should also benefit from improved mineral availability and palatability.
Magnesia-Kainit (11 K2O 5 MgO 27 Na2O 10 SO3) can also be applied as a straight fertiliser. This is particularly beneficial where slurry or dirty water is applied to swards. An application up to 400 kg/ha will help to balance the nutrients supplied from these manures and improve palatability.
Founded at Great Yarmouth, Norfolk in 1816, J & H Bunn Ltd has seven terminals in the UK, situated from Montrose in Scotland to Falmouth in the South West of England. In March 2011, Bunn was acquired by Koch Fertiliser Ltd, a subsidiary of Koch Fertilizer, LLC, which manufactures, markets and distributes more than 13 million tonnes of fertiliser annually, allowing Bunn’s customers to benefit from a unique combination of local and global fertiliser capabilities.
More information about the wide-range of products and services offered by Bunn is available at www.jhbunn.co.uk or telephone 01493 744700.
ENDS:
MEDIA CONTACT
Charles Macdowell– charles.macdowell@kendallscom.co.uk – +44 (0)1394 610022
NOTES TO EDITORS:
1.
Established in 1816, J&H Bunn Ltd is based at South Beach Parade, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk NR30 3QA and is a blender and distributor of fertiliser products, selling to retail and wholesale customers in the UK. Bunn’s operations comprise seven terminals strategically placed throughout theUK. The company is a subsidiary of Koch Fertilizer, LLC.
Koch Fertilizer, LLC and its affiliates own or have interests in nitrogen fertiliser plants in theUnited States,Canada, andTrinidad and Tobago. The companies cover global demand through state-of-the-art terminals in theU.S.,Canada,Mexico,Australia,Franceand theUnited Kingdom. Koch Fertilizer, LLC and its affiliates, including Koch Nitrogen Company, LLC and Koch Fertilizer Canada ULC, have the ability to manufacture, market and distribute more than 13 million tons of fertiliser products annually. Koch Fertilizer, LLC is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Koch Industries, Inc., one of the largest private companies inAmerica. www.kochfertilizer.com.
2.
SupaCut™ and SupaGraze™ are trademarks of J & H Bunn Ltd.
Magnesia-Kainit® is a registered trademark of K+S Kali GmbH
3.
(1) Trials conducted by Soil Services of Swindon on behalf of Potash Limited in 1989. Referenced in ‘Natural
Fertiliser in British Trials’, Dr F Bellingham in Dairy Farmer February, 1990.
(2) Referenced in ‘Kainit on Grass’, Dr F Bellingham in Dairy Farmer, February 1989.
(3) Trial of 1,000 cows on 46 farms inGermany, 1972 *.
* Referenced in ‘Kainit on Grass’, Dr F Bellingham in Dairy Farmer, February 1989.
(4) ‘The magnesium and sodium content of herbage from normal and tetany-prone pasture compared’
(J. Agric. Sci 1963)
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